Dover, DE → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Dover to Ames

About 1,142 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,880–$7,250, delivery in 3–7 days, 143 carriers on the Dover side and 55 in Ames.

1,142 miroad distance
20 h 23 mindriving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$4,880–$7,2502-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

Open navigation Google Maps Apple Maps Waze

Route summary

From: Dover, Delaware
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,142 miles (968 straight-line)
Drive time: 20 h 23 min
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 143 (103 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Dover

Ames sits about 1,142 miles west of Dover, which makes this an interstate relocation from Delaware to Iowa that most movers classify as a long-distance move.

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 $4,880 to $7,250 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 20 h 23 min.

On the Dover side there are 143 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (103 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.

Dover has a population of about 40,000 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,654 in Dover), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in Delaware, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Dover to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,142 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,950	$2,380	$2,900
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,930	$3,570	$4,350
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$4,880	$5,950	$7,250
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$7,800	$9,510	$11,610
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$10,730	$13,080	$15,960

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,620–$2,290

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

Portable container

$2,040–$3,000

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

Full-service mover

$4,880–$7,250

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

Moving cost calculator

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

—to—

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 Dover (origin)

Em Way INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1934741
MC: 690698
Based in: Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 100 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (302) 450-3272 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tri-Coast Carriers LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1510668
MC: 566208
Based in: Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 66 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (713) 451-8884 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Jkb Corp

USDOT: 2546977
MC: 886752
Based in: Dover, DE 19901 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 24 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (302) 734-5017 Route Verify on FMCSA

Collett & Son Welding INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 872818
MC: 903323
Based in: Smyrna, DE 19977 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (302) 376-1830 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mom Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3876998
MC: 1421184
Based in: Dover, DE 19901 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (302) 264-0450 Route Verify on FMCSA

Benjamin Mast

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4262251
MC: 1653912
Based in: Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (302) 632-7389 Route Verify on FMCSA

A & D Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3100720
MC: 77314
Based in: Dover, DE 19904 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (609) 816-6185 Route Verify on FMCSA

R Gill USA Corporation

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3621695
MC: 1237363
Based in: Smyrna, DE 19977 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (610) 477-5003 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 143 movers in Dover

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 Dover

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,950 to $2,900 for a studio, $2,930 to $4,350 for a one-bedroom, $4,880 to $7,250 for a two-bedroom, $7,800 to $11,610 for a three-bedroom and $10,730 to $15,960 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Dover?

About 1,142 road miles (968 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 20 h 23 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 Delaware 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 Dover to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,620 to $2,290 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,040 to $3,000. 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 Dover–Ames corridor.