Fullerton, CA → Ames, IA · Cross-country move

Movers from Fullerton to Ames

About 1,690 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,720–$9,990, delivery in 5–10 days, 846 carriers on the Fullerton side and 55 in Ames.

1,690 miroad distance
29 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,720–$9,9902-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Fullerton, California
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,690 miles (1,432 straight-line)
Drive time: 29 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 846 (361 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Fullerton

Ames sits about 1,690 miles northeast of Fullerton, which makes this an interstate relocation from California 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 $6,720 to $9,990 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 29 hours (4 driving days).

On the Fullerton side there are 846 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (361 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.

Fullerton has a population of about 138,675 and Ames about 66,000. Fullerton is considerably denser (6,411 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 California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Fullerton to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,690 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,690	$3,280	$4,000
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,030	$4,920	$6,000
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,720	$8,190	$9,990
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,750	$13,110	$15,990
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,780	$18,020	$21,990

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,340–$3,300

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

Portable container

$2,530–$3,720

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

Full-service mover

$6,720–$9,990

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Fullerton, CA → 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 Fullerton (origin)

Ecology Auto Parts INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 629013
MC: 324282
Based in: Cerritos, CA 90703 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 676 trucks, 580 drivers
USDOT registered: 1996

Call (562) 921-9974 Route Verify on FMCSA

White Arrow LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 577394
MC: 281042
Based in: Montebello, CA 90640 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 414 trucks, 408 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (800) 501-5589 Route Verify on FMCSA

Unis Transportation LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 2247083
Based in: Buena Park, CA 90620 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 260 trucks, 160 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (800) 858-9889 Route Verify on FMCSA

Line Drive Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2483381
MC: 859536
Based in: Anaheim, CA 92806 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 79 trucks, 52 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (800) 899-0668 Route Verify on FMCSA

A-Zoom Delivery Service LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3296394
MC: 1045263
Based in: City Of Industry, CA 91744 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 65 trucks, 80 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (714) 309-3931 Route Verify on FMCSA

Orange Courier INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 710576
MC: 327888
Based in: LA Mirada, CA 90638 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 58 trucks, 75 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (714) 384-3600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tectonic Transport

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3293353
MC: 1043255
Based in: Santa Ana, CA 92707 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 50 trucks, 160 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (949) 664-9708 Route Verify on FMCSA

Liberty Linehaul West INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 282762
MC: 208837
Based in: Montebello, CA 90640 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 44 trucks, 53 drivers
USDOT registered: 1986

Call (323) 728-8900 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 846 movers in Fullerton

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 Fullerton

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,690 to $4,000 for a studio, $4,030 to $6,000 for a one-bedroom, $6,720 to $9,990 for a two-bedroom, $10,750 to $15,990 for a three-bedroom and $14,780 to $21,990 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Fullerton?

About 1,690 road miles (1,432 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 29 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 California 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 Fullerton to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,340 to $3,300 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,530 to $3,720. 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 Fullerton–Ames corridor.