Johnson City, TN → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Johnson City to Ames

About 847 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,990–$5,930, delivery in 2–5 days, 93 carriers on the Johnson City side and 55 in Ames.

847 miroad distance
15 h 18 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$3,990–$5,9302-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Johnson City, Tennessee
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 847 miles (718 straight-line)
Drive time: 15 h 18 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 93 (59 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Johnson City

Moving from Johnson City to Ames is a long-distance move of roughly 847 road miles, heading northwest from Tennessee 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 $3,990 to $5,930 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 15 h 18 min.

On the Johnson City side there are 93 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.

Johnson City has a population of about 74,000 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,633 in Johnson City), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Note that Iowa does collect a state income tax, unlike Tennessee, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Johnson City to Ames

Full-service estimate for 847 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,600	$1,950	$2,370
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,390	$2,920	$3,560
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,990	$4,860	$5,930
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$6,380	$7,780	$9,490
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$8,780	$10,700	$13,060

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,170–$1,650

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

Portable container

$1,780–$2,610

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

Full-service mover

$3,990–$5,930

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Johnson City, TN → 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 Johnson City (origin)

Cox Disposal INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 701359
MC: 66967
Based in: Bluff City, TN 37618 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 16 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (423) 538-4104 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sheepdog Transport

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Black Barn Farm LLC

USDOT: 3545701
MC: 136488
Based in: Elizabethton, TN 37643 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (772) 323-8127 Route Verify on FMCSA

Eastern Tennessee Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2382126
MC: 818191
Based in: Blountville, TN 37617 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (423) 612-3377 Route Verify on FMCSA

Wcp Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 763762
MC: 343871
Based in: Gray, TN 37615 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 12 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (423) 232-0045 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tri City Logistics INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1577982
MC: 598650
Based in: Kingsport, TN 37663 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 12 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (423) 279-1771 Route Verify on FMCSA

Olivers Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3981761
MC: 1491041
Based in: Elizabethton, TN 37643 (15 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 12 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (423) 543-0028 Route Verify on FMCSA

J & L Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1411363
MC: 534652
Based in: Piney Flats, TN 37686 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (423) 946-3748 Route Verify on FMCSA

Bennett'S Moving Services

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Bms Enterprises LLC

USDOT: 2917922
MC: 1072695
Based in: Elizabethton, TN 37643 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (423) 512-2850 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 93 movers in Johnson 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 Johnson City

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,600 to $2,370 for a studio, $2,390 to $3,560 for a one-bedroom, $3,990 to $5,930 for a two-bedroom, $6,380 to $9,490 for a three-bedroom and $8,780 to $13,060 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Johnson City?

About 847 road miles (718 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 15 h 18 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 Tennessee 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 Johnson City to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,170 to $1,650 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,780 to $2,610. 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 Johnson City–Ames corridor.