Grand Forks, ND → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Grand Forks to Ames

About 520 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,280–$4,880, delivery in 2–5 days, 40 carriers on the Grand Forks side and 55 in Ames.

520 miroad distance
9 h 40 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$3,280–$4,8802-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

Open navigation Google Maps Apple Maps Waze

Route summary

From: Grand Forks, North Dakota
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 520 miles (441 straight-line)
Drive time: 9 h 40 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 40 (33 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Grand Forks

Moving from Grand Forks to Ames is a long-distance move of roughly 520 road miles, heading southeast from North Dakota to Iowa.

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 $3,280 to $4,880 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 9 h 40 min.

On the Grand Forks side there are 40 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (33 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.

Grand Forks has a population of about 59,000 and Ames about 66,000. The two cities have comparable density (2,037 and 2,355 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from Grand Forks to Ames

Full-service estimate for 520 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,310	$1,600	$1,950
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,970	$2,400	$2,930
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,280	$4,000	$4,880
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$5,240	$6,400	$7,800
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$7,210	$8,790	$10,730

Rental truck (DIY)

$830–$1,180

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

Portable container

$1,480–$2,180

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

Full-service mover

$3,280–$4,880

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

Moving cost calculator

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

Freightex Freight Services LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2387910
MC: 816635
Based in: Grand Forks, ND 58203 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 58 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (701) 757-1170 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hawkes Company INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 460295
MC: 475583
Based in: Grand Forks, ND 58203 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 1991

Call (701) 775-5156 Route Verify on FMCSA

Spicer Trucking

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Bruce Spicer Mark Spicer Brad Spicer Cliff Spicer

USDOT: 237868
MC: 157037
Based in: Grand Forks, ND 58203 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 13 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 1983

Call (701) 772-6900 Route Verify on FMCSA

Horizon Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3312635
MC: 1052564
Based in: Grand Forks, ND 58201 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (701) 772-2620 Route Verify on FMCSA

Senske & Son

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Senske & Son Transfer Co

USDOT: 125571
MC: 158090
Based in: Grand Forks, ND 58203 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (701) 746-6472 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lunseth Trucking Company LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3330680
MC: 1061342
Based in: Manvel, ND 58256 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (701) 741-3340 Route Verify on FMCSA

Whalen'S Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Whalens INC

USDOT: 35282
MC: 101940
Based in: Grand Forks, ND 58203 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (701) 775-5557 Route Verify on FMCSA

Pearl Express

Licensed interstate

Legal name: David L Schmidt

USDOT: 1796422
MC: 653647
Based in: Grand Forks, ND 58203 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (218) 779-8423 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 40 movers in Grand Forks

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 Grand Forks

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Grand Forks to Ames?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,310 to $1,950 for a studio, $1,970 to $2,930 for a one-bedroom, $3,280 to $4,880 for a two-bedroom, $5,240 to $7,800 for a three-bedroom and $7,210 to $10,730 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Grand Forks?

About 520 road miles (441 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 9 h 40 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 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 Grand Forks to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $830 to $1,180 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,480 to $2,180. 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 Grand Forks–Ames corridor.