Ocala, FL → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Ocala to Ames

About 1,292 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $5,210–$7,760, delivery in 3–7 days, 186 carriers on the Ocala side and 55 in Ames.

1,292 miroad distance
22 h 59 mindriving time
3–7 daysdelivery window
$5,210–$7,7602-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Ocala, Florida
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,292 miles (1,095 straight-line)
Drive time: 22 h 59 min
Delivery window: 3–7 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 186 (81 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Ocala

Moving from Ocala to Ames is a long-distance move of roughly 1,292 road miles, heading northwest from Florida 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 $5,210 to $7,760 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 22 h 59 min.

On the Ocala side there are 186 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (81 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.

Ocala has a population of about 66,000 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,346 in Ocala), 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 Florida, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home. Note that Iowa does collect a state income tax, unlike Florida, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Ocala to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,292 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,090	$2,540	$3,100
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,130	$3,810	$4,650
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$5,210	$6,360	$7,760
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$8,340	$10,170	$12,410
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$11,470	$13,990	$17,060

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,780–$2,510

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

Portable container

$2,170–$3,200

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

Full-service mover

$5,210–$7,760

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Ocala, FL → 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 Ocala (origin)

Edos & Sons Transportation

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4581369
Based in: Ocala, FL 34473 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 5,450 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (954) 646-8972 Route Verify on FMCSA

Skills4lifefl LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2412961
MC: 1136097
Based in: Ocala, FL 34470 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 30 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (352) 219-5286 Route Verify on FMCSA

Littlefield Family Trucking

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Lml Logistics LLC

USDOT: 18944
MC: 135575
Based in: Ocala, FL 34482 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (352) 237-9799 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ellie & Allie Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2317599
MC: 794710
Based in: Ocala, FL 34476 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 8 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (347) 392-9438 Route Verify on FMCSA

Justo E Gonzalez

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Psa Transport LLC

USDOT: 2453857
MC: 877088
Based in: Ocala, FL 34473 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 8 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (352) 433-7225 Route Verify on FMCSA

Marion Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1522544
MC: 568721
Based in: Ocala, FL 34475 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (352) 629-8889 Route Verify on FMCSA

US Carriers LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4057973
MC: 1539177
Based in: Ocala, FL 34471 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (813) 417-0860 Route Verify on FMCSA

Villager Mover Corporation

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4348858
MC: 1700955
Based in: Ocala, FL 34470 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (352) 812-6981 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 186 movers in Ocala

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 Ocala

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,090 to $3,100 for a studio, $3,130 to $4,650 for a one-bedroom, $5,210 to $7,760 for a two-bedroom, $8,340 to $12,410 for a three-bedroom and $11,470 to $17,060 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Ocala?

About 1,292 road miles (1,095 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 22 h 59 min.

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 Florida 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 Ocala to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,780 to $2,510 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,170 to $3,200. 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 Ocala–Ames corridor.