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

Movers from Ontario to Ames

About 1,665 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,670–$9,930, delivery in 5–10 days, 1,156 carriers on the Ontario side and 55 in Ames.

1,665 miroad distance
29 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,670–$9,9302-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Ontario, California
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,665 miles (1,411 straight-line)
Drive time: 29 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 1,156 (612 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Ontario

Ames sits about 1,665 miles northeast of Ontario, which makes this an interstate relocation from California to Iowa that most movers classify as a cross-country move.

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 $6,670 to $9,930 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 29 hours (4 driving days).

On the Ontario side there are 1,156 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (612 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.

Ontario has a population of about 187,013 and Ames about 66,000. Ontario is considerably denser (3,505 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 Ontario to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,665 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,670	$3,260	$3,970
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,000	$4,880	$5,960
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,670	$8,140	$9,930
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,680	$13,020	$15,890
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,680	$17,910	$21,850

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,310–$3,260

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

Portable container

$2,510–$3,690

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

Full-service mover

$6,670–$9,930

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Ontario, 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 Ontario (origin)

Ldi Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1074419
MC: 446897
Based in: Pomona, CA 91768 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 140 trucks, 134 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (909) 620-7001 Route Verify on FMCSA

Total Transportation & Distribution INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1582586
MC: 609813
Based in: Rancho Cumanoga, CA 91730 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 111 trucks, 52 drivers
USDOT registered: 2006

Call (951) 801-7200 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ttl

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Total Transportation Logistics INC

USDOT: 2739945
MC: 1129944
Based in: Corona, CA 92881 (15 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 65 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Route Verify on FMCSA

Cordova Solutions INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2376402
MC: 815769
Based in: Fontana, CA 92337 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 48 trucks, 44 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (909) 980-9089 Route Verify on FMCSA

Nk Carries INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 3799553
MC: 1379375
Based in: Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 47 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (909) 695-9506 Route Verify on FMCSA

Heritage Transport INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1782985
MC: 650038
Based in: Riverside, CA 92505 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 45 trucks, 45 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (909) 356-1100 Route Verify on FMCSA

Scoc INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Scoc Services INC

USDOT: 3038921
MC: 60287
Based in: Fontana, CA 92335 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 42 trucks, 44 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (951) 349-0126 Route Verify on FMCSA

Sure Shot Transit Solutions LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3193098
MC: 137968
Based in: Ontario, CA 91761 (1 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 40 trucks, 85 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (909) 584-5556 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 1,156 movers in Ontario

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 Ontario

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,670 to $3,970 for a studio, $4,000 to $5,960 for a one-bedroom, $6,670 to $9,930 for a two-bedroom, $10,680 to $15,890 for a three-bedroom and $14,680 to $21,850 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Ontario?

About 1,665 road miles (1,411 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 29 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 Ontario to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,310 to $3,260 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,510 to $3,690. 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 Ontario–Ames corridor.