Durham, NC → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Durham to Ames

About 1,053 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,520–$6,720, delivery in 3–7 days, 338 carriers on the Durham side and 55 in Ames.

1,053 miroad distance
18 h 51 mindriving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$4,520–$6,7202-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Durham, North Carolina
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,053 miles (892 straight-line)
Drive time: 18 h 51 min
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 338 (194 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Durham

Moving from Durham to Ames is a long-distance move of roughly 1,053 road miles, heading northwest from North Carolina 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 $4,520 to $6,720 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 51 min.

On the Durham side there are 338 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (194 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.

Durham has a population of about 305,561 and Ames about 66,000. The two cities have comparable density (2,513 and 2,355 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from Durham to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,053 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,810	$2,200	$2,690
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,710	$3,300	$4,030
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$4,520	$5,510	$6,720
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$7,230	$8,810	$10,750
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$9,940	$12,120	$14,780

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,530–$2,160

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

Portable container

$1,960–$2,880

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

Full-service mover

$4,520–$6,720

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Durham, NC → 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 Durham (origin)

Pax Logistix

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Pax Logistix LLC

USDOT: 3319990
MC: 1056199
Based in: Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 40 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (919) 961-7665 Route Verify on FMCSA

Trosa Moving

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Triangle Residential Options For Substance Abusers INC

USDOT: 675014
MC: 315111
Based in: Durham, NC 27701 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 32 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (919) 419-1059 Route Verify on FMCSA

Green'S Trucking

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4196166
MC: 1617931
Based in: Durham, NC 27703 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (919) 618-7622 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jbruce Truck Lines INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2939017
MC: 98627
Based in: Morrisville, NC 27560 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (919) 607-6875 Route Verify on FMCSA

Miracle Movers Raleigh

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Miracle Movers Of Raleigh LLC

USDOT: 3139734
MC: 98319
Based in: Durham, NC 27703 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 20 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (919) 656-4043 Route Verify on FMCSA

All My Sons Moving & Storage Of Raleigh

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Sg Of Raleigh LLC

USDOT: 906054
MC: 392699
Based in: Raleigh, NC 27617 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 19 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (919) 875-1700 Route Verify on FMCSA

DBA Armstrong Relocation Co INC Raleigh Nc

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Armstrong Relocation Company INC Raleigh North Carolina

USDOT: 1071807
MC: 550171
Based in: Durham, NC 27703 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (919) 425-9853 Route Verify on FMCSA

Storr Logistics Services

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 9206129
Based in: Raleigh, NC 27617 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 80 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (919) 313-3700 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 338 movers in Durham

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 Durham

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,810 to $2,690 for a studio, $2,710 to $4,030 for a one-bedroom, $4,520 to $6,720 for a two-bedroom, $7,230 to $10,750 for a three-bedroom and $9,940 to $14,780 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Durham?

About 1,053 road miles (892 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 18 h 51 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 North Carolina 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 Durham to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,530 to $2,160 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,960 to $2,880. 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 Durham–Ames corridor.