Palm Springs, CA → Ames, IA · Cross-country move

Movers from Palm Springs to Ames

About 1,613 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,590–$9,800, delivery in 5–10 days, 74 carriers on the Palm Springs side and 55 in Ames.

1,613 miroad distance
28 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,590–$9,8002-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Palm Springs, California
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,613 miles (1,367 straight-line)
Drive time: 28 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 74 (33 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Palm Springs

Ames sits about 1,613 miles northeast of Palm Springs, 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 $6,590 to $9,800 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 28 hours (4 driving days).

On the Palm Springs side there are 74 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (33 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.

Palm Springs has a population of about 45,000 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 471 in Palm Springs), 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 California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Palm Springs to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,613 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,630	$3,210	$3,920
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,950	$4,820	$5,880
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,590	$8,030	$9,800
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,540	$12,850	$15,680
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,490	$17,670	$21,550

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,260–$3,190

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

Portable container

$2,460–$3,620

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

Full-service mover

$6,590–$9,800

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs (origin)

Vested Solutions Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4428794
MC: 1742302
Based in: Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (877) 460-7729 Route Verify on FMCSA

King Kahn Faimly Moving Company

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Old Town Movers LLC

USDOT: 3317953
MC: 1258062
Based in: Palm Desert, CA 92260 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (714) 768-0817 Route Verify on FMCSA

On Time Moving Services

Licensed interstate

Legal name: On Time Moving Services INC

USDOT: 1266880
MC: 497265
Based in: Cathedral City, CA 92234 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (760) 774-1675 Route Verify on FMCSA

Free Bolt

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Free Bolt LLC

USDOT: 3501180
MC: 1415448
Based in: N Palm Spgs, CA 92258 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (817) 482-9489 Route Verify on FMCSA

Labranos Family Moving And Storage LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3052631
MC: 50657
Based in: Palm Desert, CA 92260 (11 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (760) 895-7510 Route Verify on FMCSA

B C A Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Bernardo Cervantes Ascencio

USDOT: 1049392
MC: 490618
Based in: Cathedral City, CA 92234 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (760) 808-0693 Route Verify on FMCSA

Crenshaw Still Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3536179
MC: 1179003
Based in: Cathedral City, CA 92234 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (760) 960-3267 Route Verify on FMCSA

Black Hawk Trucking INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3354140
MC: 1073360
Based in: Palm Springs, CA 92262 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (909) 827-9854 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 74 movers in Palm Springs

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

Tips for this move

Compare a full-service van line against a container service; for a small household the container often wins.
Ask about consolidated versus dedicated truck options—dedicated is faster but costs more.
Read the FMCSA 'Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move' booklet the carrier must provide.
Ship the car separately if you plan to fly; auto transport is priced by the mile like household goods.

Near Palm Springs

Near Ames

Related routes

Other destinations from Palm Springs

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Palm Springs to Ames?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,630 to $3,920 for a studio, $3,950 to $5,880 for a one-bedroom, $6,590 to $9,800 for a two-bedroom, $10,540 to $15,680 for a three-bedroom and $14,490 to $21,550 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Palm Springs?

About 1,613 road miles (1,367 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 28 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 Palm Springs to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,260 to $3,190 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,460 to $3,620. 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 Palm Springs–Ames corridor.