Seattle, WA → Ames, IA · Cross-country move

Movers from Seattle to Ames

About 1,712 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $6,450–$9,590, delivery in 5–10 days, 1,037 carriers on the Seattle side and 55 in Ames.

1,712 miroad distance
30 hours (4 driving days)driving time
5–10 daysdelivery window
$6,450–$9,5902-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Seattle, Washington
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 1,712 miles (1,451 straight-line)
Drive time: 30 hours (4 driving days)
Delivery window: 5–10 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 1,037 (440 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Seattle

Ames sits about 1,712 miles east of Seattle, which makes this an interstate relocation from Washington 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 $6,450 to $9,590 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 Seattle side there are 1,037 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (440 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.

Seattle has a population of about 784,777 and Ames about 66,000. Seattle is considerably denser (8,795 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 Washington, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home. Note that Iowa does collect a state income tax, unlike Washington, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Seattle to Ames

Full-service estimate for 1,712 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$2,580	$3,140	$3,840
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$3,870	$4,720	$5,750
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$6,450	$7,860	$9,590
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$10,310	$12,580	$15,340
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$14,180	$17,290	$21,100

Rental truck (DIY)

$2,360–$3,330

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

Portable container

$2,550–$3,750

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

Full-service mover

$6,450–$9,590

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Seattle, WA → 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 Seattle (origin)

Paradigm Delivery LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3405034
MC: 1096843
Based in: Bellevue, WA 98007 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 103 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (509) 710-7754 Route Verify on FMCSA

Acme Transport USA LTD

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3664442
MC: 75702336
Based in: Bellevue, WA 98006 (10 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 76 trucks, 38 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (253) 642-5009 Route Verify on FMCSA

Savanah Logistics

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Savanah Logistics LLC

USDOT: 1303168
MC: 505582
Based in: Seattle, WA 98108 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 75 trucks, 71 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (206) 763-5887 Route Verify on FMCSA

Ocean Beauty Seafoods LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 604551
MC: 789128
Based in: Renton, WA 98057 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 74 trucks, 79 drivers
USDOT registered: 1995

Call (206) 286-5606 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hansen Bros Moving & Storage

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Hansen Bros Transfer & Storage Company INC

USDOT: 8257
MC: 59073
Based in: Bellevue, WA 98056 (11 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 46 trucks, 42 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (206) 365-4454 Route Verify on FMCSA

Exselon

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Butchie Boy Productions INC

USDOT: 3194560
MC: 140641
Based in: Kirkland, WA 98033 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 45 trucks, 95 drivers
USDOT registered: 2018

Call (206) 769-3304 Route Verify on FMCSA

Butler Transportation LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1939713
MC: 691642
Based in: Woodinville, WA 98072 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 34 trucks, 33 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (206) 679-3754 Route Verify on FMCSA

Becker Trucking

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Tmsb LLC

USDOT: 3620637
MC: 136679
Based in: Tukwila, WA 98168 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 32 trucks, 20 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (206) 246-9500 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 1,037 movers in Seattle

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 Seattle

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $2,580 to $3,840 for a studio, $3,870 to $5,750 for a one-bedroom, $6,450 to $9,590 for a two-bedroom, $10,310 to $15,340 for a three-bedroom and $14,180 to $21,100 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Seattle?

About 1,712 road miles (1,451 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 Washington 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 Seattle to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $2,360 to $3,330 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,550 to $3,750. 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 Seattle–Ames corridor.