Elko, NV → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Elko to Ames

About 1,353 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,440–$8,100, delivery in 3–7 days, 4 carriers on the Elko side and 55 in Ames.

1,353 miroad distance
24 hours (3 driving days)driving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$5,440–$8,1002-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Elko, Nevada
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,353 miles (1,147 straight-line)
Drive time: 24 hours (3 driving days)
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 4 (4 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Elko

The route from Elko, NV to Ames, IA covers roughly 1,353 miles by road, a east-bound trip that falls into the long-distance move category for pricing purposes.

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 $5,440 to $8,100 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 24 hours (3 driving days).

On the Elko side there are 4 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (4 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.

Elko has a population of about 21,000 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,152 in Elko), 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 Nevada, 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 Nevada, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Elko to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,353 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,180	$2,660	$3,240
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,270	$3,980	$4,860
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,440	$6,640	$8,100
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$8,710	$10,620	$12,960
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$11,980	$14,600	$17,820

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,990–$2,810

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

Portable container

$2,230–$3,280

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

Full-service mover

$5,440–$8,100

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Elko, NV → 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 Elko (origin)

Naranjoherrera LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 7891195
MC: 81751123
Based in: Elko, NV 89801 (23 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (775) 421-7064 Route Verify on FMCSA

Brothers Moving Company LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4240187
MC: 1641943
Based in: Spring Creek, NV 89815 (21 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (669) 282-8000 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dlmovers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Dobbs Legacy LLC

USDOT: 4302230
MC: 1681964
Based in: Spring Creek, NV 89815 (21 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (775) 293-1543 Route Verify on FMCSA

Romnick Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4471389
MC: 1764767
Based in: Elko, NV 89801 (23 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (775) 622-6232 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 4 movers in Elko

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 Elko

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,180 to $3,240 for a studio, $3,270 to $4,860 for a one-bedroom, $5,440 to $8,100 for a two-bedroom, $8,710 to $12,960 for a three-bedroom and $11,980 to $17,820 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Elko?

About 1,353 road miles (1,147 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 24 hours (3 driving days).

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 Nevada 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 Elko to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,990 to $2,810 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,230 to $3,280. 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 Elko–Ames corridor.