Jefferson City, MO → Ames, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Jefferson City to Ames

About 296 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,470–$3,680, delivery in 1–3 days, 43 carriers on the Jefferson City side and 55 in Ames.

296 miroad distance
5 h 48 mindriving time
1–3 daysdelivery window
$2,470–$3,6802-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Jefferson City, Missouri
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 296 miles (251 straight-line)
Drive time: 5 h 48 min
Delivery window: 1–3 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 43 (29 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Jefferson City

The route from Jefferson City, MO to Ames, IA covers roughly 296 miles by road, a north-bound trip that falls into the regional 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 $2,470 to $3,680 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 5 h 48 min.

On the Jefferson City side there are 43 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (29 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.

Jefferson City has a population of about 43,000 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,199 in Jefferson City), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Jefferson City to Ames

Full-service estimate for 296 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,150	$1,400	$1,710
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,480	$1,810	$2,210
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,470	$3,020	$3,680
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,960	$4,830	$5,890
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$5,440	$6,640	$8,100

Rental truck (DIY)

$450–$640

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

Portable container

$1,280–$1,890

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

Full-service mover

$2,470–$3,680

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Jefferson City, MO → 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 Jefferson City (origin)

Fry Enterprise LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3965327
MC: 1480083
Based in: Jefferson City, MO 65109 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 20 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (785) 260-9002 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dl Carriers LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 3924101
MC: 1452405
Based in: Holts Summit, MO 65043 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (573) 606-4650 Route Verify on FMCSA

Amerigo Moving

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Mallory Van And Storage INC

USDOT: 164554
MC: 142946
Based in: Jefferson City, MO 65109 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (573) 636-7890 Route Verify on FMCSA

Red Hawk Hauling LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4126548
MC: 1579295
Based in: Jefferson Cty, MO 65101 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (319) 520-5021 Route Verify on FMCSA

Western Light Services

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 8829073
Based in: Jefferson City, MO 65109 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3,002 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (573) 462-2669 Route Verify on FMCSA

Kenya'S LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3407965
MC: 1098109
Based in: Jefferson Cty, MO 65109 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (573) 691-2435 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jc Logistics

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 3571030
MC: 1202909
Based in: Holts Summit, MO 65043 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (573) 694-4409 Route Verify on FMCSA

Midwest Moving And Delivery LLC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 4501713
Based in: Jefferson City, MO 65109 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (573) 230-1299 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 43 movers in Jefferson City

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 Jefferson City

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Jefferson City to Ames?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,150 to $1,710 for a studio, $1,480 to $2,210 for a one-bedroom, $2,470 to $3,680 for a two-bedroom, $3,960 to $5,890 for a three-bedroom and $5,440 to $8,100 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Jefferson City?

About 296 road miles (251 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 5 h 48 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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 Missouri 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 Jefferson City to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $450 to $640 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,280 to $1,890. 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 Jefferson City–Ames corridor.