Jacksonville, FL → Ames, IA · Long-distance move
About 1,234 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,070–$7,550, delivery in 3–7 days, 745 carriers on the Jacksonville side and 55 in Ames.
The route from Jacksonville, FL to Ames, IA covers roughly 1,234 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 $5,070 to $7,550 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 21 h 59 min.
On the Jacksonville side there are 745 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (398 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.
Jacksonville has a population of about 1 million and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,271 in Jacksonville), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. 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.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $2,030 | $2,470 | $3,020 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $3,040 | $3,710 | $4,530 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $5,070 | $6,190 | $7,550 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $8,120 | $9,900 | $12,080 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $11,160 | $13,610 | $16,610 |
$1,720–$2,430
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,120–$3,120
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$5,070–$7,550
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Jacksonville, FL → Ames, IA. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Customized Trucking Services INC
Legal name: Suddath Moving & Storage LLC
Legal name: Spectrum Logistics INC
Legal name: Customized Logistics Services INC
Legal name: Central Iowa Towing And Recovery INC
Legal name: Myers & Associates LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,030 to $3,020 for a studio, $3,040 to $4,530 for a one-bedroom, $5,070 to $7,550 for a two-bedroom, $8,120 to $12,080 for a three-bedroom and $11,160 to $16,610 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,234 road miles (1,046 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 21 h 59 min.
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.
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.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,720 to $2,430 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,120 to $3,120. 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.
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 Jacksonville–Ames corridor.