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Ames, IA

Rockford, IL → Ames, IA · Regional long-distance move

Movers from Rockford to Ames

About 276 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,550–$3,790, delivery in 1–3 days, 120 carriers on the Rockford side and 55 in Ames.

  • 276 miroad distance
  • 5 h 28 mindriving time
  • 1–3 daysdelivery window
  • $2,550–$3,7902-bedroom estimate
Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 276 miles (234 straight-line)
Drive time
5 h 28 min
Delivery window
1–3 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
120 (85 interstate)
Movers at destination
55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Rockford

Ames sits about 276 miles west of Rockford, which makes this an interstate relocation from Illinois to Iowa that most movers classify as a regional 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 $2,550 to $3,790 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 3 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 5 h 28 min.

On the Rockford side there are 120 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (85 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.

Rockford has a population of about 147,384 and Ames about 66,000. The two cities have comparable density (2,305 and 2,355 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Labor and living costs run lower in Iowa than in Illinois, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Rockford to Ames

Full-service estimate for 276 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,220 $1,490 $1,810
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $1,530 $1,860 $2,280
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $2,550 $3,110 $3,790
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $4,080 $4,970 $6,070
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $5,610 $6,840 $8,340

Rental truck (DIY)

$430–$610

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

Portable container

$1,270–$1,860

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

Full-service mover

$2,550–$3,790

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Rockford, IL → 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 Rockford (origin)

Cmn Express INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
1505243
MC
641341
Based in
Belvidere, IL 61008 (12 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
46 trucks, 50 drivers
USDOT registered
2006
Call (815) 975-9303 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Trucknorthern Illinois

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Kevcor Services INC

USDOT
1822310
MC
655586
Based in
Loves Park, IL 61111 (6 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
40 trucks, 31 drivers
USDOT registered
2008
Call (815) 633-3600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Nelly'S Express INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2875835
MC
965018
Based in
Rockford, IL 61109 (5 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
30 trucks, 30 drivers
USDOT registered
2016
Call (815) 670-0137 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mega Express INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2058233
MC
720327
Based in
Rockford, IL 61109 (5 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
25 trucks, 25 drivers
USDOT registered
2010
Call (815) 209-0330 Route Verify on FMCSA

Express America Of Rockford INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
633271
MC
299681
Based in
Rockford, IL 61009 (0 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
9 trucks, 9 drivers
USDOT registered
1996
Call (815) 395-0060 Verify on FMCSA

Watson Septic INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
598474
MC
798275
Based in
Davis Junction, IL 61020 (10 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
9 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered
1995
Call (815) 645-8360 Route Verify on FMCSA

Todd Special Services INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
725998
MC
332256
Based in
Rockford, IL 61109 (5 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
8 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
1998
Call (815) 398-5115 Route Verify on FMCSA

Lex Freight INC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3754628
MC
1334231
Based in
Rockford, IL 61107 (4 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
6 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered
2021
Call (833) 412-2848 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 120 movers in Rockford

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 Rockford

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,220 to $1,810 for a studio, $1,530 to $2,280 for a one-bedroom, $2,550 to $3,790 for a two-bedroom, $4,080 to $6,070 for a three-bedroom and $5,610 to $8,340 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Rockford?

About 276 road miles (234 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 5 h 28 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 3 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 Illinois 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 Rockford to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $430 to $610 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,270 to $1,860. 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 Rockford–Ames corridor.