Olympia, WA → Ames, IA · Cross-country move

Movers from Olympia to Ames

About 1,739 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,490–$9,660, delivery in 5–10 days, 101 carriers on the Olympia side and 55 in Ames.

1,739 miroad distance
30 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,490–$9,6602-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Olympia, Washington
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,739 miles (1,474 straight-line)
Drive time: 30 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 101 (46 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Olympia

The route from Olympia, WA to Ames, IA covers roughly 1,739 miles by road, a east-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 $6,490 to $9,660 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 Olympia side there are 101 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (46 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.

Olympia has a population of about 57,000 and Ames about 66,000. The two cities have comparable density (3,052 and 2,355 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in Washington, 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 Washington, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Olympia to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,739 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,600	$3,170	$3,860
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,890	$4,750	$5,790
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,490	$7,910	$9,660
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,380	$12,660	$15,450
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,280	$17,410	$21,240

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,390–$3,370

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

Portable container

$2,570–$3,780

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

Full-service mover

$6,490–$9,660

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Olympia, WA → 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 Olympia (origin)

Harbor Wholesale Grocery INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 430787
MC: 309158
Based in: Lacey, WA 98516 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 133 trucks, 151 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (360) 754-4484 Route Verify on FMCSA

Olympic Moving & Storage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 586615
MC: 284187
Based in: Olympia, WA 98501 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 21 trucks, 18 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (306) 753-2344 Route Verify on FMCSA

Morgan Transfer

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Western Transfer Of Washington LLC

USDOT: 2575693
MC: 1155069
Based in: Lacey, WA 98516 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 20 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (360) 493-1300 Route Verify on FMCSA

Olmpic Move Group Lile Moving & Storage Move Nw

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Merchants Parcel Delivery INC

USDOT: 527782
MC: 75805
Based in: Olympia, WA 98501 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (360) 701-5234 Route Verify on FMCSA

Allwest Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1277174
MC: 786271
Based in: Lacey, WA 98516 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 9 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (360) 943-4990 Route Verify on FMCSA

All Ready Moving And Storage

Licensed interstate

Legal name: All Ready Moving LLC

USDOT: 2083124
MC: 1398715
Based in: Tumwater, WA 98512 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 9 trucks, 7 drivers
USDOT registered: 2010

Call (360) 507-2447 Route Verify on FMCSA

Asap Movers LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4119742
MC: 1575398
Based in: Olympia, WA 98501 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (360) 780-3858 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lady Americana

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Sound Sleep Products INC

USDOT: 565789
MC: 879382
Based in: Lacey, WA 98516 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1994

Call (253) 891-1293 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 101 movers in Olympia

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 Olympia

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,600 to $3,860 for a studio, $3,890 to $5,790 for a one-bedroom, $6,490 to $9,660 for a two-bedroom, $10,380 to $15,450 for a three-bedroom and $14,280 to $21,240 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Olympia?

About 1,739 road miles (1,474 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 30 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 Washington 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 Olympia to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,390 to $3,370 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,570 to $3,780. 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 Olympia–Ames corridor.