Rapid City, SD → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Rapid City to Ames

About 595 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,400–$5,060, delivery in 2–5 days, 23 carriers on the Rapid City side and 55 in Ames.

595 miroad distance
10 h 58 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$3,400–$5,0602-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Rapid City, South Dakota
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 595 miles (504 straight-line)
Drive time: 10 h 58 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 23 (17 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Rapid City

Ames sits about 595 miles east of Rapid City, which makes this an interstate relocation from South Dakota to Iowa that most movers classify as a long-distance 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 $3,400 to $5,060 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 2 to 5 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 10 h 58 min.

On the Rapid City side there are 23 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (17 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.

Rapid City has a population of about 80,000 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,357 in Rapid City), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Note that Iowa does collect a state income tax, unlike South Dakota, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Rapid City to Ames

Full-service estimate for 595 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,360	$1,660	$2,020
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,040	$2,490	$3,040
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,400	$4,150	$5,060
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$5,440	$6,640	$8,100
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$7,480	$9,120	$11,130

Rental truck (DIY)

$910–$1,290

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

Portable container

$1,550–$2,280

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

Full-service mover

$3,400–$5,060

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Rapid City, SD → 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 Rapid City (origin)

The Moving Guys LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3199241
MC: 160684
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57702 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (605) 877-2258 Route Verify on FMCSA

Northwestern Warehouse Company

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 159450
MC: 142617
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 5 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (605) 342-1460 Route Verify on FMCSA

North Central Supply INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 126865
MC: 158116
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (605) 343-5486 Route Verify on FMCSA

Green'S Moving & Storage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 207599
MC: 146767
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 1981

Call (605) 342-7060 Route Verify on FMCSA

Dakota Express

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Dakota Express Transportation INC

USDOT: 379471
MC: 226380
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 1990

Call (605) 341-5458 Route Verify on FMCSA

Thomas & Sons Moving Company LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2997736
MC: 22439
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57702 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 3 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (605) 787-3871 Route Verify on FMCSA

Aces And Eights Transport INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3232950
MC: 1013972
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (612) 406-1441 Route Verify on FMCSA

D & D Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4017443
MC: 1514392
Based in: Rapid City, SD 57701 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (605) 858-4772 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 23 movers in Rapid City

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 Rapid City

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Rapid City to Ames?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,360 to $2,020 for a studio, $2,040 to $3,040 for a one-bedroom, $3,400 to $5,060 for a two-bedroom, $5,440 to $8,100 for a three-bedroom and $7,480 to $11,130 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Rapid City?

About 595 road miles (504 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 10 h 58 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 2 to 5 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 South Dakota 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 Rapid City to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $910 to $1,290 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,550 to $2,280. 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 Rapid City–Ames corridor.