($323+) Madison, WI to St. Louis, MO Movers
Moving from Madison, WI, to St. Louis, MO, runs anywhere from $323 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,500 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 359 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,067, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,500 or more.
- Moving containers run $917 - $2,687, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $323 - $837.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to St. Louis, MO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,749 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Madison, WI to St. Louis, MO
Moving options from Madison to St. Louis fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $1,749 - $4,757 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 37% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 80% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 359 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 4 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 359-mile route from Madison to St. Louis, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $1,067 for a studio up to $6,500 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $917 - $2,687 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $323 - $837, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $825 - $2,280, billed by the space you actually use.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Madison, WI to St. Louis, MO
Hiring full-service movers from Madison, Wisconsin, to St. Louis, Missouri, costs between $1,067 and $6,500. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 359-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $286 - $1,908, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Madison and St. Louis. For a rough baseline, movers based in Madison tend to start around $371 plus $85/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Madison to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,067 - $3,718
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,749 - $4,757
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,775 - $6,500
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Madison to St. Louis.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Madison, WI to St. Louis, MO
Specialty needs vary by market: 52% of Madison movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In St. Louis, 68% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $477 - $4,770 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready52% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $191 - $1,145/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $286 - $2,290 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $954 - $2,862 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,385 - $9,540 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $715 - $1,358 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items14% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $954 - $2,385 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $763 - $3,339 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $286 - $1,431 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $620 - $1,908 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $286 - $14,310+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $286 - $3,339+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Madison to St. Louis?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
How much do local movers cost in Madison, WI?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Madison to St. Louis with a local mover averages $1,749 - $4,757. A local mover in Madison, WI is worth considering for moves under 500 miles. Short-distance moves don't always need the scale of a national carrier, and local companies can offer streamlined service, more flexible pickup windows, and a more personal approach to coordination.
Be sure to confirm interstate licensing, insurance coverage, and delivery expectations before booking.
Above Average Moving LLC (4.64/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Madison, ranked #1 in Wisconsin, based on our analysis of feedback from 344 customers, 94.2% of which is positive.
Address: 1416 Parkside Drive, Madison, WI, 53704 | Founded: 2016
Moving container costs from Madison, WI to St. Louis, MO
Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to St. Louis, Missouri, cost between $917 and $2,687. A container is delivered to your home and you load it on your own time. Loading windows vary by company: U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30. From there, the company takes over and transports it to St. Louis. If you go over that window, storage in Madison adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Madison to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $917 - $1,533
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,095 - $2,132
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,449 - $2,687
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $72 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $143 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $668 in Madison, WI, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your St. Louis, MO, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Wisconsin to Missouri move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $917. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,095 - $2,132.
What are the best moving containers Madison to St. Louis?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Madison to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Madison:
- Above Average Moving LLC (4.8/5), 10 years in business
- Top Notch Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 7 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5)
Moving truck rental costs from Madison, WI to St. Louis, MO
A rental truck for this 359-mile move from Madison, Wisconsin, to St. Louis, Missouri, costs between $323 and $837. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $109 - $125
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Madison daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $0.99
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Madison to St. Louis based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $323 - $602
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $355 - $758
- 4+ bedrooms: $466 - $837
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $323 - $837 when pricing out a rental truck from Madison to St. Louis. Fuel alone runs $109 - $125, and overnight lodging ($143/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $72 and $334.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $143.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $109 and $125 for the 359-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $668 for 2 movers in Madison, Wisconsin, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison to St. Louis?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Madison, WI to St. Louis, MO
If you're moving a larger household from Madison, Wisconsin, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to St. Louis, Missouri.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $893 and $1,706.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to St. Louis:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $825 - $1,463
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $893 - $1,706
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,182 - $2,280
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $72 and $143.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Madison, Wisconsin, for roughly five hours typically average $668.
What are the best freight companies from Madison to St. Louis?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to St. Louis quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Madison, WI vs St. Louis, MO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in St. Louis, side by side with Madison on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Madison, WI | St. Louis, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 103 | 84 |
| Average rent | $1,600/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $346,854 | $180,206 |
| Average income | $76,983/yr | $55,279/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 6.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.65% | Up to 4.8% |
| Walkability score | 50/100 | 66/100 |
| Safety index | 65.43/100 | 30.35/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Moderate |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Louis, MO to Madison, WI guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin to Missouri over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 145 movers in our Wisconsin network to compare for this 359-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Madison, WI, to St. Louis, MO, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,067 for a studio to $6,500 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 359-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $917 - $2,687. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $323 - $837, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $1,749 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to St. Louis tend to point to rich culture and bountiful arts and recreational activities, though poor education and high crime rate come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include BJC HealthCare and Walmart.
FAQs: Moving from Madison, WI, to St. Louis, MO
How long does a move from Madison, WI to St. Louis, MO take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 1 to 4 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($109 - $125), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $143/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What is the cheapest way to move from Madison, WI to St. Louis, MO?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $355 - $758. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
How much does it cost to move from Madison, WI to St. Louis, MO?
Costs on this route range from around $323 to $6,500, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,067 and $6,500, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Madison movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in Madison handle piano moves, and 14% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.