MovingFromMoving navigation
Ames, IA

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

Movers from Riverside to Ames

About 1,657 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,660–$9,910, delivery in 5–10 days, 1,224 carriers on the Riverside side and 55 in Ames.

  • 1,657 miroad distance
  • 29 hours (4 driving days)driving time
  • 5–10 daysdelivery window
  • $6,660–$9,9102-bedroom estimate
Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0
Open navigation Google Maps Apple Maps Waze

Route summary

Road distance
≈ 1,657 miles (1,404 straight-line)
Drive time
29 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window
5–10 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
1,224 (674 interstate)
Movers at destination
55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Riverside

The route from Riverside, CA to Ames, IA covers roughly 1,657 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 $6,660 to $9,910 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 Riverside side there are 1,224 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (674 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.

Riverside has a population of about 323,057 and Ames about 66,000. Riverside is considerably denser (3,879 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 Riverside to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,657 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $2,660 $3,250 $3,960
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $4,000 $4,870 $5,950
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $6,660 $8,120 $9,910
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $10,660 $13,000 $15,860
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $14,650 $17,870 $21,800

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,300–$3,250

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

Portable container

$2,500–$3,670

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

Full-service mover

$6,660–$9,910

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Riverside, CA → Ames, IA. Adjust the other options to see your range.

—to—

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 Riverside (origin)

Sysco Riverside INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2408861
MC
1099783
Based in
Riverside, CA 92518 (7 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
107 trucks, 165 drivers
USDOT registered
2013
Call (951) 601-5701 Route Verify on FMCSA

Superior Tank Lines

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: So Cal Petroleum Transport INC

USDOT
1151662
MC
464864
Based in
Colton, CA 92324 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
89 trucks, 196 drivers
USDOT registered
2003
Call (909) 430-0855 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ttl

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Total Transportation Logistics INC

USDOT
2739945
MC
1129944
Based in
Corona, CA 92881 (13 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
65 trucks, 15 drivers
USDOT registered
2015
Route Verify on FMCSA

Pointdirect Transport INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2461971
MC
850730
Based in
Perris, CA 92570 (12 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
50 trucks, 64 drivers
USDOT registered
2013
Call (909) 371-0837 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cordova Solutions INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2376402
MC
815769
Based in
Fontana, CA 92337 (9 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
48 trucks, 44 drivers
USDOT registered
2013
Call (909) 980-9089 Route Verify on FMCSA

Heritage Transport INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1782985
MC
650038
Based in
Riverside, CA 92505 (6 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 (11 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 (13 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
40 trucks, 85 drivers
USDOT registered
2018
Call (909) 584-5556 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 1,224 movers in Riverside

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 Riverside

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,660 to $3,960 for a studio, $4,000 to $5,950 for a one-bedroom, $6,660 to $9,910 for a two-bedroom, $10,660 to $15,860 for a three-bedroom and $14,650 to $21,800 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Riverside?

About 1,657 road miles (1,404 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 Riverside to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,300 to $3,250 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,500 to $3,670. 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 Riverside–Ames corridor.