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

Movers from Sacramento to Ames

About 1,746 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,810–$10,140, delivery in 5–10 days, 747 carriers on the Sacramento side and 55 in Ames.

1,746 miroad distance
30 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,810–$10,1402-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Sacramento, California
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,746 miles (1,480 straight-line)
Drive time: 30 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 747 (421 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Sacramento

Ames sits about 1,746 miles east of Sacramento, 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 $6,810 to $10,140 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 30 hours (4 driving days).

On the Sacramento side there are 747 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (421 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.

Sacramento has a population of about 536,449 and Ames about 66,000. Sacramento is considerably denser (5,324 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 Sacramento to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,746 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,730	$3,320	$4,060
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$4,090	$4,990	$6,080
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,810	$8,310	$10,140
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,900	$13,300	$16,220
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,990	$18,280	$22,300

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,390–$3,380

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

Portable container

$2,580–$3,790

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

Full-service mover

$6,810–$10,140

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

Moving cost calculator

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

Svb Express INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2148443
MC: 769666
Based in: Citrus Heights, CA 95621 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 115 trucks, 119 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (916) 735-5760 Route Verify on FMCSA

Kmp Transport

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Kmp Transport INC

USDOT: 2780515
MC: 925803
Based in: Sacramento, CA 95834 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 100 trucks, 210 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (916) 265-0762 Route Verify on FMCSA

Joe'S Trucking

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Joe'S Logistics INC

USDOT: 1380891
MC: 526609
Based in: Rio Linda, CA 95673 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 95 trucks, 95 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (530) 510-0452 Route Verify on FMCSA

Skylink Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2147715
MC: 799201
Based in: Sacramento, CA 95827 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 80 trucks, 90 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (916) 668-4250 Route Verify on FMCSA

Registan INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3872360
MC: 1418146
Based in: Antelope, CA 95843 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 72 trucks, 36 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (916) 620-5051 Route Verify on FMCSA

Grocery Outlet

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Grocery Outlet INC

USDOT: 700726
MC: 1528623
Based in: Sacramento, CA 95826 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 65 trucks, 70 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (510) 338-4218 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rotex Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1352052
MC: 515740
Based in: Sacramento, CA 95827 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 65 trucks, 55 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (916) 363-3115 Route Verify on FMCSA

All The Way Transport Corp

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2792231
MC: 931554
Based in: Antelope, CA 95843 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 57 trucks, 34 drivers
USDOT registered: 2015

Call (916) 837-7626 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 747 movers in Sacramento

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 Sacramento

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,730 to $4,060 for a studio, $4,090 to $6,080 for a one-bedroom, $6,810 to $10,140 for a two-bedroom, $10,900 to $16,220 for a three-bedroom and $14,990 to $22,300 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Sacramento?

About 1,746 road miles (1,480 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 30 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 Sacramento to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,390 to $3,380 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,580 to $3,790. 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 Sacramento–Ames corridor.