Fargo, ND → Ames, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Fargo to Ames

About 436 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,010–$4,480, delivery in 1–3 days, 99 carriers on the Fargo side and 55 in Ames.

436 miroad distance
8 h 13 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$3,010–$4,4802-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Fargo, North Dakota
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 436 miles (370 straight-line)
Drive time: 8 h 13 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 99 (88 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Fargo

Ames sits about 436 miles southeast of Fargo, which makes this an interstate relocation from North Dakota to Iowa that most movers classify as a regional 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 $3,010 to $4,480 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 8 h 13 min.

On the Fargo side there are 99 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (88 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.

Fargo has a population of about 136,275 and Ames about 66,000. The two cities have comparable density (2,530 and 2,355 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from Fargo to Ames

Full-service estimate for 436 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,200	$1,470	$1,790
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,810	$2,200	$2,690
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,010	$3,670	$4,480
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$4,820	$5,870	$7,160
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$6,620	$8,070	$9,850

Rental truck (DIY)

$600–$840

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

Portable container

$1,410–$2,070

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

Full-service mover

$3,010–$4,480

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Fargo, ND → 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 Fargo (origin)

Magnum Ltl INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 404961
MC: 233791
Based in: Fargo, ND 58102 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 539 trucks, 614 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (800) 726-7510 Route Verify on FMCSA

Magnum LTD

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 184416
MC: 151665
Based in: Fargo, ND 58102 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 292 trucks, 292 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (800) 726-7510 Route Verify on FMCSA

Great Plains Transport INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 538508
MC: 268241
Based in: Fargo, ND 58102 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 140 trucks, 141 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (701) 281-3006 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hjh Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3338255
MC: 1066651
Based in: Fargo, ND 58102 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 83 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (308) 237-3151 Route Verify on FMCSA

J-Mar Enterprises

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: North Loop Tl LLC

USDOT: 291072
MC: 184368
Based in: West Fargo, ND 58078 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 51 trucks, 51 drivers
USDOT registered: 1987

Call (701) 277-0039 Route Verify on FMCSA

Midwest Moving Midwest Moving Company Mmco Mmc

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Midwest Moving Company LLC

USDOT: 3263587
MC: 1029171
Based in: West Fargo, ND 58078 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 33 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (800) 851-8235 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Tmt Fargo LLC

USDOT: 3220190
MC: 1007626
Based in: Fargo, ND 58103 (1 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 20 trucks, 38 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (701) 566-6581 Route Verify on FMCSA

Laabsame Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3340656
MC: 1066193
Based in: Fargo, ND 58103 (1 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 18 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (701) 630-9226 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 99 movers in Fargo

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 Fargo

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,200 to $1,790 for a studio, $1,810 to $2,690 for a one-bedroom, $3,010 to $4,480 for a two-bedroom, $4,820 to $7,160 for a three-bedroom and $6,620 to $9,850 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Fargo?

About 436 road miles (370 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 8 h 13 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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 Dakota 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 Fargo to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $600 to $840 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,410 to $2,070. 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 Fargo–Ames corridor.