($642+) Durham, NC to Madison, WI Movers

Easily compare and book your next move with moveBuddha
Background image of a moving truck moving from Durham, NC to Madison, WI

Moving from Durham, NC, to Madison, WI, runs anywhere from $642 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,973 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 933 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 2 to 7 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 $2,006, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,973 or more.
  • Moving containers run $1,233 - $3,807, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $642 - $1,879.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Durham, NC, to Madison, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,369 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Durham, NC to Madison, WI

Moving options from Durham to Madison fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $2,369 - $5,740 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 60% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 933 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 933-mile route from Durham to Madison, broken down by home size:

Home size Full-service movers Moving container Rental truck Freight trailer
Studio / 1 bedroom $2,006 - $4,716 $1,233 - $2,198 $642 - $1,202 $1,067 - $1,860
2 - 3 bedrooms $2,369 - $5,740 $1,449 - $3,174 $671 - $1,532 $1,183 - $2,516
4+ bedrooms $3,856 - $7,973 $2,053 - $3,807 $860 - $1,879 $1,560 - $3,300

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Durham, NC to Madison, WI

Full-service movers for the 933-mile relocation from Durham, North Carolina, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $2,006 and $7,973. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $302 - $2,012, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Durham typically charge a base rate around $240 plus $122 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Durham to Madison:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,006 - $4,716
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,369 - $5,740
  • 4+ bedrooms: $3,856 - $7,973

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 Durham to Madison.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from North Carolina to Wisconsin. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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.

Don't see your company listed?

Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.

Get Started

Specialty moving services from Durham, NC to Madison, WI

Specialty needs vary by market — 86% of Durham movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Madison, 100% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$503 - $5,030
Storage in transitNew place not ready86% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$201 - $1,207/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$302 - $2,414
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage18% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs57% of local movers$1,006 - $3,018
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,515 - $10,060
Car shippingSecond vehicle$753 - $1,432
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items25% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Truckin' Movers Corporation$1,006 - $2,515
PianoAny piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK$805 - $3,521
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling29% of local movers$302 - $1,509
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect21% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Athens Moving Experts$654 - $2,012
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$302 - $15,090+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$302 - $3,521+

What are the best full-service movers from Durham to Madison?

If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Wisconsin Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Durham, NC. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.

Moving container costs from Durham, NC to Madison, WI

Moving containers from Durham, North Carolina, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $1,233 and $3,807. 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 Madison. If you go over that window, storage in Durham adds around $100/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Durham to Madison:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,233 - $2,198
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,449 - $3,174
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,053 - $3,807

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Access: Most major container brands operate in both Durham, NC and Madison, WI. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
  • Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $704 in Durham, NC, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
  • Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $75 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $151 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
  • Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.

Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Carolina to Wisconsin 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 $1,233. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,449 - $3,174, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Durham to Madison?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Durham 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 Durham:

  • TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.7/5), 28 years in business
  • Truckin' Movers Corporation (4.9/5), 49 years in business
  • Bellhop Moving (4.1/5), 15 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Durham, NC to Madison, WI

Renting a moving truck for the 933-mile move from Durham, North Carolina, to Madison, Wisconsin, costs between $642 and $1,879, before these typical add-ons:

  • Fuel for the drive: $299 - $341
  • Daily insurance: $30/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
  • Durham daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.89
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Durham to Madison based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $642 - $1,202
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $671 - $1,532
  • 4+ bedrooms: $860 - $1,879

Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $642 - $1,879 does not include fuel ($299 - $341) , lodging ($151/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Durham to Madison typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Gas: Fuel adds $299 - $341 for the 933-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
  • Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Durham, North Carolina, for about 5 hours typically costs around $704.
  • Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
  • Lodging: The 933-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $151 per night, adding $302 - $453 in hotel costs total.
  • Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $50 and $302.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Durham to Madison?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Durham, NC to Madison, WI

If you're moving a larger household from Durham, North Carolina, 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 Madison, Wisconsin.

Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,183 and $2,516.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Durham to Madison:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,067 - $1,860
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,183 - $2,516
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,560 - $3,300

Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.

What other costs come with freight trailers?

  • Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
  • Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Durham, North Carolina, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $704.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $75 and $151 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Durham to Madison?

  1. MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
  2. U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
  3. Darrell Andrews Trucking, Inc. (4.5/5 stars): Darrell Andrews Trucking, Inc. is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and based facilities mean accessible support staff and area-specific scheduling flexibility that national-only freight carriers typically don't match.

Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Madison fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.

Cost of living: Durham, NC vs Madison, WI

Good news for your budget: Madison isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Durham. Cost of living index runs 103 there against 99 here, and rent, income, and tax rates all fall in a comparable band. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores land in a similar range too - 30/100 and 45.28/100 here versus 50/100 and 65.43/100 there.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison, WI to Durham, NC guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from North Carolina to Wisconsin, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 117 movers licensed in North Carolina, useful context for sizing up this 933-mile move.

30%+
Save 30%+
Our readers who compare movers before booking save more than 30% on average.
$1K
$1,000 in coverage
Book a moveBuddha Certified mover for added protection and dedicated support.
Dispute mediation
If something goes wrong with a Certified mover, we help resolve it for you.

Our take

How you handle your interstate move from Durham, NC, to Madison, WI, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,006 - $7,973 on the 933-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,233 - $3,807 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $642 - $1,879 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,369 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Datex Ohmeda and American Family Insurance.

FAQs: Moving from Durham, NC, to Madison, WI

What is the best time of year to move from Durham, NC to Madison, WI?

Aim for a move between October and March, when demand drops and rates tend to be lower across all service types. Peak season runs mid-May through mid-September, and weekends and month-end dates are pricier regardless of season. A midweek, mid-month date outside peak season is your best bet for saving money.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Wisconsin?

Movers providing in-state relocation services in the Badger State must register with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), but strictly speaking, it’s not a regulated state. However, movers must comply with individual insurance, licensing, and other state laws and regulations.

What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($299 - $341), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $151/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How walkable is Madison?

Madison has a walkability score of 50 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, compared to 30 and 38 in Durham. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.

How much does it cost to move from Durham, NC to Madison, WI?

Costs on this route range from around $2,006 to $7,973, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,006 and $7,973, 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 percentage of Durham movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 64% of movers in Durham handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.