Shipping Cost from Ames, Iowa to San Jose, California
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 San Jose, California? The distance is approximately 1,562 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
1,562 miles
Transit Time
3 business days via FedEx
Route Type
domestic
Available Shipping Options
Cheapest Option
$151.88 via UPS
Fastest Option
1 day via UPS
UPS
Ground
Transit Time
6 days
Price
$151.88
FedEx
RecommendedEconomy Air
Transit Time
3 days
Price
$221.19
Estes Express
LTL Economy
Transit Time
7 days
Price
$224.07
Old Dominion
LTL Freight
Transit Time
6 days
Price
$241.90
XPO Logistics
LTL Freight
Transit Time
6 days
Price
$254.63
FedEx
Express Air
Transit Time
1 day
Price
$321.16
UPS
Next Day Air
Transit Time
1 day
Price
$353.28
About Shipping from Ames, Iowa to San Jose, California
When shipping from Ames, Iowa to San Jose, California, 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.
Drop-off Locations in Ames, Iowa
Find FedEx, UPS, and DHL drop-off locations near you for convenient package drop-off.
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Instant Pricing
What Can You Ship from Ames, Iowa to San Jose, California?
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 San Jose, California
Vehicle Transport Services
Q:How much to ship a car from Iowa to California?
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 1,849 miles from Iowa to California ranges from $1,251 to $1,799. Expect the trip to take around three–eleven days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Q:Is it cheaper to drive or ship a car?
Driving is usually cheaper for shorter distances (under 500 miles), but for long cross-country moves (over 1,000 miles), shipping can become comparable or even cheaper when factoring in your time, food, lodging, and significant vehicle wear-and-tear, making driving less cost-effective despite lower upfront gas costs. The decision balances direct fuel savings against the hidden costs and time commitment of a long drive, with shipping offering convenience and preserving your car's mileage and condition.
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 Moving Services
Q:What is the cheapest way to ship furniture to another state?
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Freight
The carrier picks up your crated or palletized furniture and delivers it alongside other loads. While LTL shipments may make multiple stops and transfers, it's one of the cheapest methods overall for medium-sized loads.
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:Does UPS or FedEx ship furniture?
The best method for shipping furniture pieces depends on their weight and dimensions. FedEx and UPS will accept packages that weigh up to 150 pounds. For both services, the longest side of the box can't exceed 108 inches (9 feet). The combined length and girth limit is 130 inches for FedEx and 165 inches for UPS.
Appliance Shipping Services
Q:How much does it cost to ship an appliance?
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 $130+ for ground services, with FedEx and UPS Ground often being cheaper than USPS Ground Advantage, though costs vary significantly based on distance (zone), speed, and if you use discounted rates through third-party platforms. For short distances, expect lower costs (around $40-$80), while cross-country shipments will be higher.
Q:How to ship large appliances?
Outer Packaging: Place the appliance in a sturdy cardboard box slightly larger than the appliance itself. Palletization: Place the boxed appliance on a pallet that fits the dimensions without any overhang on any side.
Piano Moving Specialists
Q:How much does it cost to have movers move a piano?
Piano mover costs typically range from $200-$400 for a simple local upright move to $1,000-$2,000 for long-distance or grand pianos, with potential extra fees for stairs, elevators, or disassembly adding $5-$10 per step or $100-$200 for complex jobs, depending on the piano's size, distance, and logistical challenges like stairs or narrow hallways.
Q:Is a piano dolly better than hiring movers?
A piano dolly helps with short, flat moves but hiring professional piano movers is almost always better for safety, preventing costly damage (like a cracked soundboard or ruined floors), and handling stairs/tight spots, as they have specialized equipment, experience, and insurance for these heavy, delicate instruments. While a dolly saves money upfront, the risk of injury or significant repair costs usually outweighs the cost of professionals, especially for valuable or grand pianos.
Q:How to ship a piano out of state?
Recommended Shipping Method
We always recommend hiring professional movers to transport your piano. For short-distance moves, look for a local piano mover in your city. Upright pianos are always shipped using premium White Glove service.
Gym Equipment Movers
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.
Mattress Delivery Services
Q:How much will it cost to ship a mattress?
Shipping a mattress is more complex and expensive than standard deliveries. Whether you're moving, selling mattresses online, or buying from a retailer, you're looking at costs ranging from $130-280 for ground shipping across the U.S., with premium services reaching $1,500+ for cross-country delivery.
Q:How much does UPS charge to ship a mattress?
UPS Ground: $166.64
We'll use our Free Shipping Rates Calculator to calculate the shipping cost for the same 85-pound package.
Q:How much does a 50 lb package cost to ship?
Shipping a 50 lb box generally costs $75 to over $120 for ground services, with carriers like FedEx Ground and UPS Ground often being cheaper than USPS Ground Advantage for heavy items, though prices vary significantly by distance, speed, and if you use discount platforms. For single boxes, services like FedEx Ground might be around $75-$80, while UPS Ground could be $80-$90, and USPS Ground Advantage might be higher, depending on the zone, but discounts can lower these significantly.