Malibu, CA → Ames, IA · Cross-country move
About 1,733 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,790–$10,100, delivery in 5–10 days, 7 carriers on the Malibu side and 55 in Ames.
The route from Malibu, CA to Ames, IA covers roughly 1,733 miles by road, a northeast-bound trip that falls into the cross-country 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 $6,790 to $10,100 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 30 hours (4 driving days).
On the Malibu side there are 7 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (2 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.
Malibu has a population of about 10,000 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 537 in Malibu), 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 California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $2,720 | $3,310 | $4,040 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $4,070 | $4,970 | $6,060 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $6,790 | $8,280 | $10,100 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $10,870 | $13,250 | $16,170 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $14,940 | $18,220 | $22,230 |
$2,380–$3,360
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,570–$3,770
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$6,790–$10,100
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Malibu, CA → 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: Success Trucking INC
Legal name: Malibu Demolition INC
Legal name: Central Iowa Towing And Recovery INC
Legal name: Myers & Associates LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,720 to $4,040 for a studio, $4,070 to $6,060 for a one-bedroom, $6,790 to $10,100 for a two-bedroom, $10,870 to $16,170 for a three-bedroom and $14,940 to $22,230 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,733 road miles (1,469 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 30 hours (4 driving days).
Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 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 California 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 $2,380 to $3,360 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,570 to $3,770. 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.
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 Malibu–Ames corridor.