Destin, FL → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Destin to Ames

About 1,057 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,650–$6,910, delivery in 3–7 days, 53 carriers on the Destin side and 55 in Ames.

1,057 miroad distance
18 h 55 mindriving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$4,650–$6,9102-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Destin, Florida
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,057 miles (896 straight-line)
Drive time: 18 h 55 min
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 53 (26 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Destin

Moving from Destin to Ames is a long-distance move of roughly 1,057 road miles, heading northwest from Florida to Iowa.

At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $4,650 to $6,910 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 18 h 55 min.

On the Destin side there are 53 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (26 of them authorized for interstate work), and 55 around Ames (25 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Ames.

Destin has a population of about 14,000 and Ames about 66,000. The two cities have comparable density (1,859 and 2,355 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in Florida, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home. Note that Iowa does collect a state income tax, unlike Florida, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Destin to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,057 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,860	$2,270	$2,760
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,790	$3,400	$4,150
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$4,650	$5,660	$6,910
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$7,430	$9,060	$11,060
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$10,220	$12,460	$15,200

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,540–$2,170

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,960–$2,890

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$4,650–$6,910

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Destin, FL → Ames, IA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Destin (origin)

A & A Transfer & Storage INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 89741
MC: 128469
Based in: Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (850) 244-7661 Route Verify on FMCSA

College Hunks Hauling Junk And Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Chhj Panhandle LLC

USDOT: 4037783
MC: 1527178
Based in: Ft Walton Bch, FL 32548 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (757) 685-1483 Route Verify on FMCSA

Professional Moving Services Of Nw Fla INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 994666
MC: 1369376
Based in: Fort Walton Bch, FL 32547 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2001

Call (850) 259-1191 Route Verify on FMCSA

American Van Service INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 320322
MC: 197967
Based in: Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 1988

Call (850) 244-7661 Route Verify on FMCSA

Apple Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Campbell Moving And Storage INC

USDOT: 1991298
MC: 1157545
Based in: Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (850) 243-6125 Route Verify on FMCSA

Aaa Transfer & Storage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 89742
MC: 134583
Based in: Ft Walton Beach, FL 32548 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (850) 244-3143 Route Verify on FMCSA

Gilmore Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Gilmore Enterprises INC

USDOT: 89853
MC: 129355
Based in: Ft Walton Beach, FL 32548 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 9 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (850) 585-3781 Route Verify on FMCSA

American International Moving Corporation

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 517309
MC: 180287
Based in: Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (850) 243-7324 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 53 movers in Destin

Near Ames (destination)

Central Iowa Towing And Recovery

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Central Iowa Towing And Recovery INC

USDOT: 2359315
MC: 1349765
Based in: Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 88 trucks, 79 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (515) 290-4188 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hemmen Moving INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 608245
MC: 292343
Based in: Ames, IA 50014 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (515) 268-9090 Route Verify on FMCSA

J T L Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2528339
MC: 887466
Based in: Randall, IA 50231 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (515) 669-1891 Route Verify on FMCSA

V&c Express Corp

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3635053
MC: 1246860
Based in: Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (904) 418-8009 Route Verify on FMCSA

Combined Relocation Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1666941
MC: 709641
Based in: Huxley, IA 50124 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (515) 276-6674 Route Verify on FMCSA

Alex Moving LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4346742
MC: 1699031
Based in: Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (515) 817-4521 Route Verify on FMCSA

Property Service Agency LLC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 1433739
Based in: Ames, IA 50010 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 6 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (515) 233-1922 Route Verify on FMCSA

M&a Moving And Hauling

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Myers & Associates LLC

USDOT: 2340775
Based in: Madrid, IA 50156 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (515) 795-3676 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 55 movers in Ames

Related routes

Other destinations from Destin

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Destin to Ames?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,860 to $2,760 for a studio, $2,790 to $4,150 for a one-bedroom, $4,650 to $6,910 for a two-bedroom, $7,430 to $11,060 for a three-bedroom and $10,220 to $15,200 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Destin?

About 1,057 road miles (896 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 18 h 55 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Florida into Iowa makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Destin to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,540 to $2,170 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,960 to $2,890. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Destin–Ames corridor.