La Crosse, WI → Ames, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from La Crosse to Ames

About 205 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,200–$3,280, delivery in 1–2 days, 100 carriers on the La Crosse side and 55 in Ames.

205 miroad distance
4 h 14 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,200–$3,2802-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: La Crosse, Wisconsin
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 205 miles (174 straight-line)
Drive time: 4 h 14 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 100 (64 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → La Crosse

Ames sits about 205 miles southwest of La Crosse, which makes this an interstate relocation from Wisconsin to Iowa that most movers classify as a regional long-distance move.

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 $2,200 to $3,280 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 2 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 4 h 14 min.

On the La Crosse side there are 100 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (64 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.

La Crosse has a population of about 52,000 and Ames about 66,000. The two cities have comparable density (2,426 and 2,355 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from La Crosse to Ames

Full-service estimate for 205 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,170	$1,430	$1,740
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,320	$1,610	$1,970
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,200	$2,690	$3,280
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,520	$4,300	$5,240
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$4,840	$5,910	$7,210

Rental truck (DIY)

$360–$510

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

Portable container

$1,200–$1,770

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

Full-service mover

$2,200–$3,280

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for La Crosse, WI → 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 La Crosse (origin)

Convenience Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 775476
MC: 347275
Based in: LA Crosse, WI 54602 (0 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 363 trucks, 632 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (608) 793-6488 Verify on FMCSA

Dpw INC

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Dick'S Pallet Works INC

USDOT: 979619
MC: 420264
Based in: LA Crosse, WI 54603 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 30 trucks, 23 drivers
USDOT registered: 2001

Call (608) 519-4222 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dennis J Degier

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 511822
MC: 776418
Based in: Holmen, WI 54636 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (608) 769-5634 Route Verify on FMCSA

Nickelotti Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2818844
MC: 939799
Based in: Chaseburg, WI 54621 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 12 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (608) 498-1990 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hallahan Transport

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Robert J Hallahan

USDOT: 2941906
MC: 995094
Based in: LA Crosse, WI 54601 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 11 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (608) 797-1891 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jones Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Guardian Express LLC

USDOT: 2163607
MC: 751809
Based in: LA Crosse, WI 54603 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (608) 386-7348 Route Verify on FMCSA

Holmen Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2457793
MC: 852762
Based in: Holmen, WI 54636 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (608) 386-9337 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jolivette Family Farms INC

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Jolivette Family Farms Transport INC

USDOT: 161775
MC: 549937
Based in: West Salem, WI 54669 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 7 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (608) 786-1930 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 100 movers in La Crosse

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 La Crosse

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from La Crosse to Ames?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,170 to $1,740 for a studio, $1,320 to $1,970 for a one-bedroom, $2,200 to $3,280 for a two-bedroom, $3,520 to $5,240 for a three-bedroom and $4,840 to $7,210 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from La Crosse?

About 205 road miles (174 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 4 h 14 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 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 Wisconsin 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 La Crosse to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $360 to $510 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,200 to $1,770. 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 La Crosse–Ames corridor.