Gainesville, FL → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Gainesville to Ames

About 1,250 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,110–$7,610, delivery in 3–7 days, 151 carriers on the Gainesville side and 55 in Ames.

1,250 miroad distance
22 h 15 mindriving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$5,110–$7,6102-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Gainesville, Florida
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,250 miles (1,059 straight-line)
Drive time: 22 h 15 min
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 151 (59 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Gainesville

The route from Gainesville, FL to Ames, IA covers roughly 1,250 miles by road, a northwest-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 $5,110 to $7,610 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 22 h 15 min.

On the Gainesville side there are 151 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (59 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.

Gainesville has a population of about 148,671 and Ames about 66,000. The two cities have comparable density (2,232 and 2,355 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. 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 Gainesville to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,250 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,040	$2,490	$3,040
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,070	$3,740	$4,560
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,110	$6,230	$7,610
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$8,180	$9,970	$12,170
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$11,250	$13,710	$16,730

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,730–$2,450

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

Portable container

$2,140–$3,140

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

Full-service mover

$5,110–$7,610

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

Moving cost calculator

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

Two Men And A Truck

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Golden Moving Systems INC

USDOT: 1669783
Based in: Gainesville, FL 32609 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (352) 372-0300 Route Verify on FMCSA

2 College Brothers Of Gainesville

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Shirley Franchises LLC

USDOT: 4063852
MC: 1542498
Based in: Gainesville, FL 32601 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (855) 668-3276 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ox Strong Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Ox Strong Moving LLC

USDOT: 3588230
MC: 1251688
Based in: Gainesville, FL 32609 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (352) 665-7784 Route Verify on FMCSA

24 Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: 24 Truckin LLC

USDOT: 1788284
MC: 651428
Based in: Gainesville, FL 32641 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (352) 664-8335 Route Verify on FMCSA

Heritage Wealth Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4139980
MC: 1587146
Based in: Gainesville, FL 32601 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (980) 556-6497 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pearce Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2280265
MC: 778971
Based in: Gainesville, FL 32607 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (352) 681-1017 Route Verify on FMCSA

To N' From Relocation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4261564
MC: 1653529
Based in: Gainesville, FL 32606 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Route Verify on FMCSA

Sunbelt Moving & Delivery INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2799474
MC: 934972
Based in: Gainesville, FL 32608 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (352) 375-6683 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 151 movers in Gainesville

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 Gainesville

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,040 to $3,040 for a studio, $3,070 to $4,560 for a one-bedroom, $5,110 to $7,610 for a two-bedroom, $8,180 to $12,170 for a three-bedroom and $11,250 to $16,730 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Gainesville?

About 1,250 road miles (1,059 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 22 h 15 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 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 Gainesville to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,730 to $2,450 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,140 to $3,140. 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 Gainesville–Ames corridor.