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Ames, IA

Sterling Heights, MI → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Sterling Heights to Ames

About 640 road miles heading west. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,540–$5,270, delivery in 2–5 days, 754 carriers on the Sterling Heights side and 55 in Ames.

  • 640 miroad distance
  • 11 h 44 mindriving time
  • 2–5 daysdelivery window
  • $3,540–$5,2702-bedroom estimate
Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0
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Route summary

Road distance
≈ 640 miles (542 straight-line)
Drive time
11 h 44 min
Delivery window
2–5 days
Move type
Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin
754 (308 interstate)
Movers at destination
55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Sterling Heights

Moving from Sterling Heights to Ames is a long-distance move of roughly 640 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 $3,540 to $5,270 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 11 h 44 min.

On the Sterling Heights side there are 754 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (308 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.

Sterling Heights has a population of about 133,931 and Ames about 66,000. Sterling Heights is considerably denser (3,691 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.

Cost of moving from Sterling Heights to Ames

Full-service estimate for 640 miles, by home size
Home sizeEst. weightLowTypicalHigh
Studio 2,000 lb $1,420 $1,730 $2,110
1 Bedroom 3,000 lb $2,130 $2,590 $3,160
2 Bedrooms 5,000 lb $3,540 $4,320 $5,270
3 Bedrooms 8,000 lb $5,670 $6,910 $8,430
4+ Bedrooms 11,000 lb $7,800 $9,510 $11,600

Rental truck (DIY)

$960–$1,350

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

Portable container

$1,590–$2,340

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

Full-service mover

$3,540–$5,270

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

Moving cost calculator

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

Priority Waste

Interstate carrier

Legal name: Priority Waste LLC

USDOT
3097519
Based in
Clinton Township, MI 48038 (5 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
859 trucks, 682 drivers
USDOT registered
2018
Call (586) 228-1200 Route Verify on FMCSA

Universal

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Universal Intermodal Services INC

USDOT
1162977
MC
468507
Based in
Warren, MI 48089 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
124 trucks, 116 drivers
USDOT registered
2003
Call (800) 233-9445 Route Verify on FMCSA

Rzs Express LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
3171509
MC
118718
Based in
Warren, MI 48093 (5 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
110 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered
2018
Call (586) 343-8680 Route Verify on FMCSA

Standard Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2512112
MC
871317
Based in
Hamtramck, MI 48212 (12 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
110 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered
2014
Call (800) 982-5240 Route Verify on FMCSA

McClay Transportation USA LLC

Licensed interstate
USDOT
2465324
MC
852043
Based in
Harrison Township, MI 48045 (11 mi from center)
Service
Local moves
Fleet
96 trucks, 110 drivers
USDOT registered
2014
Call (810) 533-8989 Route Verify on FMCSA

General Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1556061
MC
578193
Based in
Warren, MI 48091 (8 mi from center)
Service
Local & long-distance
Fleet
74 trucks, 85 drivers
USDOT registered
2006
Call (866) 943-6878 Route Verify on FMCSA

Logistic One LTD

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory
USDOT
1339068
MC
515593
Based in
Warren, MI 48089 (8 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
74 trucks, 60 drivers
USDOT registered
2005
Call (586) 775-0090 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mra

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Mobility Resource Associates INC

USDOT
896198
MC
196605
Based in
Madison Heights, MI 48071 (6 mi from center)
Service
Long-distance
Fleet
68 trucks, 42 drivers
USDOT registered
2000
Call (248) 629-2929 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 754 movers in Sterling Heights

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 Sterling Heights

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Sterling Heights to Ames?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,420 to $2,110 for a studio, $2,130 to $3,160 for a one-bedroom, $3,540 to $5,270 for a two-bedroom, $5,670 to $8,430 for a three-bedroom and $7,800 to $11,600 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Sterling Heights?

About 640 road miles (542 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 11 h 44 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 Sterling Heights to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $960 to $1,350 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,590 to $2,340. 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 Sterling Heights–Ames corridor.