Meridian, ID → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Meridian to Ames

About 1,364 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,330–$7,930, delivery in 3–7 days, 176 carriers on the Meridian side and 55 in Ames.

1,364 miroad distance
24 hours (3 driving days)driving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$5,330–$7,9302-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Meridian, Idaho
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,364 miles (1,156 straight-line)
Drive time: 24 hours (3 driving days)
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 176 (130 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Meridian

Moving from Meridian to Ames is a long-distance move of roughly 1,364 road miles, heading east from Idaho 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 $5,330 to $7,930 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 24 hours (3 driving days).

On the Meridian side there are 176 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (130 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.

Meridian has a population of about 142,988 and Ames about 66,000. Meridian is considerably denser (3,351 people per square mile versus 2,355), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.

Cost of moving from Meridian to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,364 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,130	$2,600	$3,170
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,200	$3,900	$4,760
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,330	$6,500	$7,930
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$8,530	$10,400	$12,690
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$11,730	$14,310	$17,450

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,000–$2,830

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

Portable container

$2,240–$3,290

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

Full-service mover

$5,330–$7,930

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Meridian, ID → 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 Meridian (origin)

J R Simplot Company

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 62813
MC: 167150
Based in: Boise, ID 83702 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 169 trucks, 178 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (701) 213-9737 Route Verify on FMCSA

Scandinavian Designs

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Dania Incorporated

USDOT: 2671154
MC: 1115357
Based in: Boise, ID 83706 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 59 trucks, 87 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (208) 314-4724 Route Verify on FMCSA

Capital Distributing INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 762129
MC: 455079
Based in: Caldwell, ID 83605 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 57 trucks, 73 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (208) 888-5112 Route Verify on FMCSA

USA Express INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1189943
MC: 475067
Based in: Meridian, ID 83642 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 49 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (208) 870-3691 Route Verify on FMCSA

R S T INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 52969
MC: 174300
Based in: Caldwell, ID 83605 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 46 trucks, 43 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (208) 459-0271 Route Verify on FMCSA

Triple C Express INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2349517
MC: 804211
Based in: Caldwell, ID 83605 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 34 trucks, 34 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (208) 901-2605 Route Verify on FMCSA

Muza-Pro LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3087546
MC: 81853
Based in: Meridian, ID 83646 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 30 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (208) 968-4042 Route Verify on FMCSA

Peasley Transfer & Storage Co

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 62670
MC: 3249
Based in: Boise, ID 83706 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 30 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (208) 375-0961 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 176 movers in Meridian

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 Meridian

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Meridian to Ames?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,130 to $3,170 for a studio, $3,200 to $4,760 for a one-bedroom, $5,330 to $7,930 for a two-bedroom, $8,530 to $12,690 for a three-bedroom and $11,730 to $17,450 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Meridian?

About 1,364 road miles (1,156 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 24 hours (3 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

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.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Idaho 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 Meridian to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,000 to $2,830 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,240 to $3,290. 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 Meridian–Ames corridor.