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

Movers from Palmdale to Ames

About 1,672 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,690–$9,950, delivery in 5–10 days, 129 carriers on the Palmdale side and 55 in Ames.

1,672 miroad distance
29 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,690–$9,9502-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Palmdale, California
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,672 miles (1,417 straight-line)
Drive time: 29 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 129 (66 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Palmdale

The route from Palmdale, CA to Ames, IA covers roughly 1,672 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 $6,690 to $9,950 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 Palmdale side there are 129 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (66 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.

Palmdale has a population of about 161,845 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,597 in Palmdale), 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 Palmdale to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,672 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,670	$3,260	$3,980
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,010	$4,890	$5,970
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,690	$8,150	$9,950
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,700	$13,050	$15,920
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,710	$17,940	$21,890

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,320–$3,270

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

$6,690–$9,950

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

Moving cost calculator

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

Alpha Omega Consulting Enterprise LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4384395
MC: 1719247
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93552 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 36 trucks, 96 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (661) 389-2068 Route Verify on FMCSA

Freight Here LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3956591
MC: 1474260
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93550 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 11 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (661) 350-0674 Route Verify on FMCSA

The Best Trucks INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 746806
MC: 268822
Based in: Lancaster, CA 93535 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (626) 303-6200 Route Verify on FMCSA

Blue Track Express LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4548721
Based in: Lancaster, CA 93535 (14 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (818) 399-2012 Route Verify on FMCSA

Antelope Valley Van & Storage Company

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Antelope Valley Refrigerating Company

USDOT: 34380
MC: 133696
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93550 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (661) 947-4121 Route Verify on FMCSA

Av Trans

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Antelope Investment Enterprises INC

USDOT: 3148907
MC: 103731
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93552 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (323) 855-2664 Route Verify on FMCSA

Av Supplies Express 2 Deliver Ship It 2go

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Av Supplies Distributors INC

USDOT: 4216491
MC: 1639401
Based in: Lancaster, CA 93534 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2024

Call (661) 952-7887 Route Verify on FMCSA

Jabes Transportation

Licensed interstate

Legal name: The King Modular Systems Installation INC

USDOT: 2951860
MC: 1555690
Based in: Palmdale, CA 93552 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2016

Call (323) 318-0716 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 129 movers in Palmdale

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 Palmdale

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,670 to $3,980 for a studio, $4,010 to $5,970 for a one-bedroom, $6,690 to $9,950 for a two-bedroom, $10,700 to $15,920 for a three-bedroom and $14,710 to $21,890 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Palmdale?

About 1,672 road miles (1,417 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 Palmdale to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,320 to $3,270 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 Palmdale–Ames corridor.