Saginaw, MI → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Saginaw to Ames

About 590 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,430–$5,100, delivery in 2–5 days, 87 carriers on the Saginaw side and 55 in Ames.

590 miroad distance
10 h 52 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$3,430–$5,1002-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Saginaw, Michigan
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 590 miles (500 straight-line)
Drive time: 10 h 52 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 87 (34 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Saginaw

Moving from Saginaw to Ames is a long-distance move of roughly 590 road miles, heading west from Michigan to Iowa.

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 $3,430 to $5,100 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 52 min.

On the Saginaw side there are 87 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (34 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.

Saginaw has a population of about 44,000 and Ames about 66,000. The two cities have comparable density (2,586 and 2,355 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.

Cost of moving from Saginaw to Ames

Full-service estimate for 590 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,370	$1,670	$2,040
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,060	$2,510	$3,060
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,430	$4,180	$5,100
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$5,480	$6,680	$8,150
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$7,540	$9,190	$11,210

Rental truck (DIY)

$910–$1,280

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

Portable container

$1,550–$2,270

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

Full-service mover

$3,430–$5,100

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Saginaw, MI → 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 Saginaw (origin)

Ground Zero Contracting LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1328076
MC: 804002
Based in: Saginaw, MI 48601 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2005

Call (989) 401-2994 Route Verify on FMCSA

Best Towing LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1956614
MC: 963910
Based in: Saginaw, MI 48603 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 15 trucks, 13 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (989) 399-0385 Route Verify on FMCSA

T & M Transport INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 539473
MC: 268845
Based in: Reese, MI 48757 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 10 trucks, 10 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (989) 868-9746 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck Tri-City

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Elite Customer Service Tri-City INC

USDOT: 3834093
MC: 1391917
Based in: Bay City, MI 48706 (13 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 9 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (989) 895-5252 Route Verify on FMCSA

O&r Transports LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3955048
MC: 1473193
Based in: Saginaw, MI 48601 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (989) 280-2452 Route Verify on FMCSA

M&l Trucking And Shipping LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3862307
MC: 1411305
Based in: Bridgeport, MI 48722 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 2 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2022

Call (989) 392-3656 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mwp Transport LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2388910
MC: 821048
Based in: Carrollton, MI 48724 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2013

Call (321) 482-3070 Route Verify on FMCSA

Brooks Freight & Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Loyalty Entertainment LLC

USDOT: 4342386
MC: 1706836
Based in: Saginaw, MI 48601 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1 truck, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (313) 326-1636 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 87 movers in Saginaw

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 Saginaw

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,370 to $2,040 for a studio, $2,060 to $3,060 for a one-bedroom, $3,430 to $5,100 for a two-bedroom, $5,480 to $8,150 for a three-bedroom and $7,540 to $11,210 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Saginaw?

About 590 road miles (500 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 10 h 52 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 Michigan 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 Saginaw to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $910 to $1,280 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,550 to $2,270. 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 Saginaw–Ames corridor.