Waco, TX → Ames, IA · Long-distance move

Movers from Waco to Ames

About 884 road miles heading north. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,140–$6,160, delivery in 2–5 days, 121 carriers on the Waco side and 55 in Ames.

884 miroad distance
15 h 57 mindriving time
2–5 daysdelivery window
$4,140–$6,1602-bedroom estimate

Photo: Dirk DBQ · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Waco, Texas
To: Ames, Iowa
Road distance: ≈ 884 miles (750 straight-line)
Drive time: 15 h 57 min
Delivery window: 2–5 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 121 (34 interstate)
Movers at destination: 55 (25 interstate)

Reverse: Ames → Waco

Moving from Waco to Ames is a long-distance move of roughly 884 road miles, heading north from Texas 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 $4,140 to $6,160 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 15 h 57 min.

On the Waco side there are 121 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.

Waco has a population of about 147,788 and Ames about 66,000. Ames is the denser city (2,355 people per square mile versus 1,561 in Waco), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Note that Iowa does collect a state income tax, unlike Texas, so factor that into the cost-of-living comparison.

Cost of moving from Waco to Ames

Full-service estimate for 884 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,660	$2,020	$2,460
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$2,480	$3,030	$3,700
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$4,140	$5,050	$6,160
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$6,620	$8,080	$9,860
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$9,110	$11,110	$13,550

Rental truck (DIY)

$1,210–$1,710

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

Portable container

$1,810–$2,660

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

Full-service mover

$4,140–$6,160

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

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Waco, TX → 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 Waco (origin)

Central Tejas Express LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2481494
MC: 925578
Based in: Waco, TX 76714 (0 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 16 trucks, 16 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (254) 300-2575 Verify on FMCSA

College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Darss LLC

USDOT: 3304893
MC: 1445596
Based in: Waco, TX 76710 (1 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 6 trucks, 9 drivers
USDOT registered: 2019

Call (254) 855-7963 Route Verify on FMCSA

Little Guys Movers

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Chisos Trail INC

USDOT: 3583960
MC: 1211601
Based in: Waco, TX 76701 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 4 trucks, 6 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (254) 233-9191 Route Verify on FMCSA

Tip Toe Hauling LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4463894
MC: 1760784
Based in: Waco, TX 76701 (3 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (281) 752-1800 Route Verify on FMCSA

Triple 7 Movers Of Texas LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4050232
MC: 1534564
Based in: Woodway, TX 76712 (5 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 2 drivers
USDOT registered: 2023

Call (512) 677-6467 Route Verify on FMCSA

Getwhitit LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 4444373
MC: 1750503
Based in: Waco, TX 76708 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 4 drivers
USDOT registered: 2025

Call (713) 591-1487 Route Verify on FMCSA

Deluxe Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1675025
MC: 615592
Based in: Hewitt, TX 76643 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2 trucks, 3 drivers
USDOT registered: 2007

Call (254) 214-0107 Route Verify on FMCSA

Skyz The Limit Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3783959
MC: 1360338
Based in: Chilton, TX 76643 (8 mi from center)
Service: Local moves
Fleet: 2 trucks, 1 drivers
USDOT registered: 2021

Call (254) 715-4721 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 121 movers in Waco

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 Waco

Other origins to Ames

Frequently asked questions

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

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,660 to $2,460 for a studio, $2,480 to $3,700 for a one-bedroom, $4,140 to $6,160 for a two-bedroom, $6,620 to $9,860 for a three-bedroom and $9,110 to $13,550 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Ames from Waco?

About 884 road miles (750 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 15 h 57 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 Texas 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 Waco to Ames?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $1,210 to $1,710 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,810 to $2,660. 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 Waco–Ames corridor.