Fort Lauderdale, FL → Ames, IA · Cross-country move

Movers from Fort Lauderdale to Ames

About 1,578 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,840–$8,680, delivery in 5–10 days, 1,841 carriers on the Fort Lauderdale side and 55 in Ames.

1,578 miroad distance
27 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$5,840–$8,6802-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

Open navigation Google Maps Apple Maps Waze

Route summary

From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,578 miles (1,338 straight-line)
Drive time: 27 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 1,841 (706 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Fort Lauderdale

Ames sits about 1,578 miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale, which makes this an interstate relocation from Florida to Iowa that most movers classify as a cross-country 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 $5,840 to $8,680 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 27 hours (4 driving days).

On the Fort Lauderdale side there are 1,841 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (706 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.

Fort Lauderdale has a population of about 188,677 and Ames about 66,000. Fort Lauderdale is considerably denser (5,282 people per square mile versus 2,355), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. 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 Fort Lauderdale to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,578 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,330	$2,850	$3,470
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,500	$4,270	$5,210
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,840	$7,120	$8,680
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$9,340	$11,390	$13,890
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$12,840	$15,660	$19,100

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,220–$3,140

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

Portable container

$2,430–$3,570

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

Full-service mover

$5,840–$8,680

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Fort Lauderdale, FL → 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 Fort Lauderdale (origin)

Angels On The Road INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2270429
MC: 775318
Based in: Miramar, FL 33025 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 82 trucks, 95 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (305) 763-9249 Route Verify on FMCSA

American Van Lines INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 614506
MC: 294798
Based in: Pompano Beach, FL 33069 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 81 trucks, 68 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (954) 630-0316 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pg1xotics Auto Galleria

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Jds Family Investment Trust LLC

USDOT: 4426606
MC: 1741162
Based in: Miami, FL 33313 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 51 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (833) 621-5534 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mainland Logistics INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3243966
MC: 1019456
Based in: Weston, FL 33331 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 50 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (954) 600-4401 Route Verify on FMCSA

Armstrong Relocation Florida LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1894774
MC: 1642654
Based in: Pompano Beach, FL 33064 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 46 trucks, 33 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (901) 569-7113 Route Verify on FMCSA

Blvd Moving LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 2892909
Based in: Pompano Beach, FL 33069 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 35 trucks, 53 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (323) 703-5899 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dng Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1608195
MC: 757414
Based in: Sw Ranches, FL 33330 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 33 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (305) 591-8911 Route Verify on FMCSA

US Advance Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1965782
MC: 696410
Based in: Coral Springs, FL 33065 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 27 trucks, 22 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (954) 657-8985 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 1,841 movers in Fort Lauderdale

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

Tips for this move

Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.
Ask about consolidated versus dedicated truck options—dedicated is faster but costs more.
Read the FMCSA 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet the carrier must provide.
Ship the car separately if you plan to fly; auto transport is priced by the mile like household goods.

Near Fort Lauderdale

Near Ames

Related routes

Other destinations from Fort Lauderdale

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Fort Lauderdale to Ames?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,330 to $3,470 for a studio, $3,500 to $5,210 for a one-bedroom, $5,840 to $8,680 for a two-bedroom, $9,340 to $13,890 for a three-bedroom and $12,840 to $19,100 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Fort Lauderdale?

About 1,578 road miles (1,338 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 27 hours (4 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 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 Fort Lauderdale to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,220 to $3,140 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,430 to $3,570. 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 Fort Lauderdale–Ames corridor.