Shipping Cost from Ames, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois
Get the best January 2026 prices to anywhere in the US or anywhere in the world. Looking for the cheapest way to ship from Ames, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois? The distance is approximately 278 miles.
Select Item(s):
Mini Box
12" x 12" x 12"
Size Details
13 lbs / 6 kg
Small Box
15" x 15" x 15"
Size Details
25 lbs / 11 kg
Standard Box
18" x 18" x 18"
Size Details
42 lbs / 19 kg
Large Box
20" x 20" x 20"
Size Details
60 lbs / 27 kg
X Large Box
22" x 22" x 22"
Size Details
75 lbs / 34 kg
Enter Your Box Weight And Size
Width
Height
Length
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Distance
278 miles
Transit Time
2 business days via Freight Partners
Route Type
domestic
Available Shipping Options
Cheapest Option
$48.35 via Freight Partners
Fastest Option
2 days via UPS
Freight Partners
RecommendedGround Freight
Transit Time
2 days
Price
$48.35
UPS
Ground
Transit Time
2 days
Price
$50.77
FedEx
Ground
Transit Time
3 days
Price
$53.18
Estes Express
LTL Economy
Transit Time
4 days
Price
$94.13
Old Dominion
LTL Freight
Transit Time
3 days
Price
$101.62
XPO Logistics
LTL Freight
Transit Time
3 days
Price
$106.97
About Shipping from Ames, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois
When shipping from Ames, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois, you have several carrier options to choose from. The best choice depends on your priorities - whether you want the cheapest rate or the fastest delivery.
For this domestic route under 500 miles, ground freight is typically the most cost-effective option, with transit times of 2-3 business days.
Drop-off Locations in Ames, Iowa
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Instant Pricing
What Can You Ship from Ames, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois?
We offer specialized shipping services for a variety of items. Select a service below to get a customized quote.
Car Shipping
Auto transport services
Treadmill Moving
Gym equipment relocation
Piano Moving
Professional piano transport
Furniture Moving
Household furniture shipping
Appliance Shipping
Large appliance delivery
Hot Tub Moving
Spa and hot tub transport
Pool Table Moving
Billiard table relocation
Mattress Shipping
Mattress and bed delivery
Specialized Shipping from Ames, Iowa to Chicago, Illinois
Car Delivery Options
Q:Is it cheaper to drive or ship a car?
Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances, but for long cross-country moves, the cost difference shrinks, and shipping often becomes more cost-effective when factoring in gas, food, lodging, wear-and-tear, and time, making it worth paying a carrier to avoid the hassle and expense of a long solo trip, though driving saves on carrier fees but adds travel time and costs.
Q:How much is it to ship your car to a different state?
Shipping a car to another state costs roughly $400 to over $3,000, averaging $500-$1,000 for short trips and $1,800-$3,000+ for cross-country, depending heavily on distance, vehicle size, and transport type (open vs. enclosed), with longer distances reducing per-mile cost but increasing total price. Factors like seasonal demand and vehicle make/model also influence final quotes, so comparing multiple transport companies is key.
Q:Is it cheaper to ship a car by train or truck?
It's often cheaper to ship a car by train, especially for long distances on specific routes like Amtrak's Auto Train (DC to Florida), offering enclosed protection for potentially less than an open truck carrier; however, for general cross-country moves not on Amtrak routes, truck (open carrier) is usually the most economical, though trains offer better protection and environmental benefits if available.
Furniture Transport Options
Q:What is the most economical way to ship furniture?
LTL (Less Than Truckload) Freight Shipping. LTL freight shipping represents one of the most cost-effective methods for shipping large furniture items across country. This service consolidates shipments from multiple customers in a single truck, allowing you to pay only for the space your furniture occupies.
Q:How much to ship furniture across the US?
Cost of Shipping Furniture Across Country
On average, a single large item, like a couch or dresser, costs between $300 and $1,500 to ship cross-country. A queen mattress is usually $300–$600, while a large sectional sofa can run closer to $800–$1,500. The wide range makes sense once you see what goes into the cost.
Q:How can I ship a large piece of furniture?
To ship a single piece of furniture across long distances, choose a parcel carrier like UPS or USPS for small items. For larger pieces, such as beds or sofas, consider a freight service offering LTL (Less Than Truckload) shipping —it's cost-effective, and your furniture will be transported with other loads.
Major Appliance Transport
Q:How much does it cost to ship appliances?
How Much Does It Cost To Ship Appliances? In general, for an appliance shipping service, you can expect to pay around $1.81 per mile for shorter trips and $0.59 per mile for longer journeys.
Q:How much does a 50 lb package cost to ship?
Shipping a 50 lb box typically costs $40 to $90+ for ground services, with FedEx Ground and UPS Ground often being the cheapest options (around $75-$85), while USPS Ground Advantage might be a bit higher ($128) or cheaper for shorter distances ($38-$48), depending heavily on distance, speed, and if you use discounted rates or flat-rate options for compact items.
Q:How to ship large appliances?
Defrost refrigerators at least 24 hours ahead of time.
Remove and pack all shelves and drawers separately.
Clean and pack ovens, all racks, knobs, and grills separately.
Washers and dryers should have their hoses removed and packed by themselves — with the dryer's drum properly secured.
Piano Shipping Services
Q:Is a piano dolly better than hiring movers?
A piano dolly helps, but hiring specialized piano movers is generally much better and safer than DIY moving, even with a dolly, because pianos are incredibly heavy (often 1000+ lbs), fragile, and require specific equipment (like skid boards for grands, specialized dollies, ramps, padding) and expertise to avoid severe damage or injury, especially with stairs or valuable instruments. While a dolly provides easier rolling on flat surfaces, it doesn't replace the skills, insurance, and specialized tools professionals offer for navigating tricky spots and protecting your investment.
Q:How much does it cost to ship a piano across the US?
Understanding Long Distance Piano Moving Cost
For an upright piano weighing 300-500 pounds, you can expect cross country piano movers to charge between $1,200 and $2,500 for a coast-to-coast move. Baby grand pianos in the 500-800 pound range typically cost $2,000 to $4,500 for interstate piano shipping.
Q:How to move a piano cheaply?
Call your local piano store and see who they recommend to move it, as their piano mover may be cheaper than the house movers. I actually found this to be true when I moved my piano. Also, check with your local thrift stores that deal with large furniture, such as the Restore.
Exercise Machine Transport
Q:What is the best way to transport gym equipment?
But make sure they do not get exposed on the trunk. Moving tip protect any moving parts anything that could actually move when it's already put on the truck. Remember not following this tip.
Q:What can I use to move heavy gym equipment?
Furniture sliders are great if you're just trying to get something from one end of a room to another. Moving dollies can be helpful if you're moving a lot of equipment, as this gives you more control and helps you limit damage.
Mattress Moving Options
Q:How much does a 50 lb package cost to ship?
Shipping a 50 lb box typically costs $40 to $90+ for ground services, with FedEx Ground and UPS Ground often being the cheapest options (around $75-$85), while USPS Ground Advantage might be a bit higher ($128) or cheaper for shorter distances ($38-$48), depending heavily on distance, speed, and if you use discounted rates or flat-rate options for compact items.
Q:How to ship a mattress from one state to another?
Comments Section USPS, FedEx and UPS can ship mattresses. It's just expensive. You need a heavy duty mattress shipping box plus a mattress bag. And it needs to be sealed well. It's going to be handled roughly, If the box comes apart, the mattress will likely be ruined. That would be your fault, not the shipper.
Q:How do I send a mattress by mail?
Yes, you can ship a mattress through FedEx. FedEx requires you to pack your mattress in a proper mattress shipping box before having it shipped. FedEx allows large packages of up to 150 pounds to be shipped. If your package exceeds the weight limit, FedEx will charge a $100 oversize package fee.