Monterey, CA → Ames, IA · Cross-country move

Movers from Monterey to Ames

About 1,828 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,960–$10,350, delivery in 5–10 days, 12 carriers on the Monterey side and 55 in Ames.

1,828 miroad distance
32 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,960–$10,3502-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Monterey, California
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,828 miles (1,549 straight-line)
Drive time: 32 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 12 (4 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Monterey

The route from Monterey, CA to Ames, IA covers roughly 1,828 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 $6,960 to $10,350 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 32 hours (4 driving days).

On the Monterey side there are 12 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (4 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.

Monterey has a population of about 30,000 and Ames about 66,000. Monterey is considerably denser (3,495 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. 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.

Cost of moving from Monterey to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,828 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,780	$3,390	$4,140
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,170	$5,090	$6,210
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,960	$8,480	$10,350
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$11,130	$13,570	$16,560
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$15,300	$18,660	$22,760

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,630–$3,710

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

Portable container

$2,650–$3,900

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

Full-service mover

$6,960–$10,350

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Monterey, CA → 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 Monterey (origin)

American Movers INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1077325
MC: 447949
Based in: Marina, CA 93933 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (831) 384-4139 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mod-Movers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: 21st Century Moving LLC

USDOT: 2983026
MC: 1294330
Based in: Monterey, CA 93940 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (831) 869-9367 Route Verify on FMCSA

Monterey Peninsula Movers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Valerio Lima

USDOT: 167294
MC: 51424
Based in: Marina, CA 93933 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (831) 883-0212 Route Verify on FMCSA

Supply & Demand Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3507091
MC: 1159608
Based in: Marina, CA 93933 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (831) 710-7824 Route Verify on FMCSA

A New Beginning Monterey

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Marcus Chubbs INC

USDOT: 2710075
Based in: Seaside, CA 93955 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (831) 392-6487 Route Verify on FMCSA

Monterey Junk Removal

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: David Newell Johnson

USDOT: 3202429
Based in: Pacific Grove, CA 93950 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (831) 737-4614 Route Verify on FMCSA

White Glove Movers LLC

Intrastate carrier

USDOT: 3375963
MC: 1082909
Based in: Pebble Beach, CA 93953 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (831) 236-0336 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jrg Junk Removal & Yard Maintenance

Intrastate carrier

Legal name: Jesus Ruelas Gamboa

USDOT: 3725511
Based in: Seaside, CA 93955 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (831) 521-8173 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 12 movers in Monterey

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 Monterey

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,780 to $4,140 for a studio, $4,170 to $6,210 for a one-bedroom, $6,960 to $10,350 for a two-bedroom, $11,130 to $16,560 for a three-bedroom and $15,300 to $22,760 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Monterey?

About 1,828 road miles (1,549 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 32 hours (4 driving days).

How long will the movers take to deliver?

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.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

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.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Monterey to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,630 to $3,710 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,650 to $3,900. 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 Monterey–Ames corridor.