Tuscaloosa, AL → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Tuscaloosa to Ames

About 817 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $3,810–$5,680, delivery in 2–5 days, 80 carriers on the Tuscaloosa side and 55 in Ames.

817 miroad distance
14 h 47 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$3,810–$5,6802-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 817 miles (692 straight-line)
Drive time: 14 h 47 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 80 (39 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Tuscaloosa

Ames sits about 817 miles northwest of Tuscaloosa, which makes this an interstate relocation from Alabama to Iowa that most movers classify as a long-distance 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 $3,810 to $5,680 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 14 h 47 min.

On the Tuscaloosa side there are 80 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (39 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.

Tuscaloosa has a population of about 114,316 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,609 in Tuscaloosa), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.

Cost of moving from Tuscaloosa to Ames

Full-service estimate for 817 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,530	$1,860	$2,270
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,290	$2,790	$3,410
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$3,810	$4,650	$5,680
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$6,100	$7,440	$9,080
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$8,390	$10,230	$12,490

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,140–$1,610

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

Portable container

$1,750–$2,570

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

Full-service mover

$3,810–$5,680

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Tuscaloosa, AL → 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 Tuscaloosa (origin)

Awesome Moving Services

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4357625
MC: 1704689
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (6 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 10,014 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (205) 413-5196 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck Of Tuscaloosa

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Jst INC

USDOT: 1310877
MC: 652647
Based in: Northport, AL 35473 (4 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 17 trucks, 17 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (205) 247-5050 Route Verify on FMCSA

Brittain Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 362876
MC: 214146
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 14 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 1989

Call (205) 345-0115 Route Verify on FMCSA

B & V Wrecker Service INC

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Cbs Leasing LLC

USDOT: 911424
MC: 606283
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (205) 345-5511 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cp Logistics LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3060563
MC: 72972907
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 8 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (205) 826-5463 Route Verify on FMCSA

West Alabama Postal Express INC

Interstate carrier Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 301906
Based in: Cottondale, AL 35453 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 1987

Route Verify on FMCSA

Kmc Trucking LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 2348521
MC: 803764
Based in: Cottondale, AL 35453 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 4 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2012

Call (205) 764-0499 Route Verify on FMCSA

Grs Logistics LLC

Interstate carrier

USDOT: 4492165
MC: 1775920
Based in: Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (205) 534-2027 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 80 movers in Tuscaloosa

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 Tuscaloosa

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,530 to $2,270 for a studio, $2,290 to $3,410 for a one-bedroom, $3,810 to $5,680 for a two-bedroom, $6,100 to $9,080 for a three-bedroom and $8,390 to $12,490 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Tuscaloosa?

About 817 road miles (692 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 14 h 47 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 Alabama 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 Tuscaloosa to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,140 to $1,610 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,750 to $2,570. 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 Tuscaloosa–Ames corridor.