Salem, OR → Ames, IA · Cross-country move

Movers from Salem to Ames

About 1,746 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,280–$9,350, delivery in 5–10 days, 96 carriers on the Salem side and 55 in Ames.

1,746 miroad distance
30 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,280–$9,3502-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Salem, Oregon
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,746 miles (1,479 straight-line)
Drive time: 30 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 96 (58 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Salem

Ames sits about 1,746 miles east of Salem, which makes this an interstate relocation from Oregon 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 $6,280 to $9,350 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 Salem side there are 96 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (58 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.

Salem has a population of about 181,779 and Ames about 66,000. Salem is considerably denser (3,597 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 Oregon, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Salem to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,746 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,510	$3,060	$3,740
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,770	$4,600	$5,610
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,280	$7,660	$9,350
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,050	$12,260	$14,960
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$13,820	$16,860	$20,560

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

$6,280–$9,350

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Salem, OR → 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 Salem (origin)

Arrow Vans LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3382259
MC: 1087868
Based in: Salem, OR 97301 (2 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 30 trucks, 70 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (503) 508-0815 Route Verify on FMCSA

Empresa Internacional

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 6959099
Based in: Gervais, OR 97026 (13 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 28 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2026

Call (503) 974-6043 Route Verify on FMCSA

B C Towing INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 808472
MC: 519608
Based in: Salem, OR 97302 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 26 trucks, 24 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (503) 375-0035 Route Verify on FMCSA

Green Land Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1767348
MC: 645511
Based in: Salem, OR 97305 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 26 trucks, 33 drivers
USDOT registered: 2008

Call (660) 829-2914 Route Verify on FMCSA

Trans-Pro INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 334733
MC: 200946
Based in: Salem, OR 97303 (7 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 14 drivers
USDOT registered: 1988

Call (503) 463-1422 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cal'S Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Cal'S Moving Help LLC

USDOT: 3311673
MC: 1052087
Based in: Salem, OR 97305 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 15 trucks, 12 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (541) 250-6324 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tree Line Transportation INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 179485
MC: 159399
Based in: Turner, OR 97392 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 14 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (503) 743-2181 Route Verify on FMCSA

Carmona'S Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1008974
MC: 436312
Based in: Salem, OR 97317 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 7 trucks, 5 drivers
USDOT registered: 2002

Call (503) 990-8548 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 96 movers in Salem

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 Salem

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,510 to $3,740 for a studio, $3,770 to $5,610 for a one-bedroom, $6,280 to $9,350 for a two-bedroom, $10,050 to $14,960 for a three-bedroom and $13,820 to $20,560 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Salem?

About 1,746 road miles (1,479 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 Oregon 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 Salem 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 Salem–Ames corridor.