($539+) Washington DC, MD to Milwaukee, WI Movers
Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Milwaukee, WI, runs anywhere from $539 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,834 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 799 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 $1,707, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,834 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,109 - $3,339, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $539 - $1,508.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Washington DC, MD, to Milwaukee, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,332 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 Washington DC, MD to Milwaukee, WI
There are 3 main ways to move from Washington DC to Milwaukee: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,332 - $5,316. Containers cost roughly 41% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 74% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 799 miles, expect 2 to 7 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 799-mile route from Washington DC to Milwaukee, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,707 - $4,377 | $1,109 - $1,905 | $539 - $1,047 | $951 - $1,715 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,332 - $5,316 | $1,371 - $2,723 | $613 - $1,243 | $1,064 - $2,178 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,679 - $7,834 | $1,876 - $3,339 | $774 - $1,508 | $1,500 - $2,727 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Washington DC, MD to Milwaukee, WI
For the 799-mile move from Washington DC, Maryland, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, full-service movers cost between $1,707 and $7,834. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $377 - $2,516 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Washington DC generally start around $180 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Washington DC to Milwaukee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,707 - $4,377
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,332 - $5,316
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,679 - $7,834
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 Washington DC to Milwaukee.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Washington DC, MD to Milwaukee, WI
Specialty needs vary by market: 70% of Washington DC movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Milwaukee, 59% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $629 - $6,290 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready70% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $252 - $1,510/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $377 - $3,019 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs55% of local movers | $1,258 - $3,774 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,145 - $12,580 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $942 - $1,790 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items34% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,258 - $3,145 |
| Piano | Any piano type42% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: 495 Movers, Inc | $1,006 - $4,403 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $377 - $1,887 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect8% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Olympia Moving & Storage | $818 - $2,516 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $377 - $18,870+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $377 - $4,403+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Washington DC to Milwaukee?
Wisconsin Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Wisconsin, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, with 30+ years in business since 1995. AVL is one of the few national carriers that uses full-time in-house crews instead of contracted labor.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Washington DC, MD. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Washington DC, MD to Milwaukee, WI
Moving containers from Washington DC, Maryland, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, cost between $1,109 and $3,339. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Washington DC typically costs about $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Washington DC to Milwaukee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,109 - $1,905
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,371 - $2,723
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,876 - $3,339
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $94 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $189 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 $881 in Washington DC, MD, 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 Milwaukee, WI, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Maryland 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 $1,109. 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 $1,371 - $2,723.
What are the best moving containers Washington DC to Milwaukee?
- 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 Washington DC 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 Washington DC:
- Straightline Movers Inc. (4.9/5), 7 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 11 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Washington DC, MD to Milwaukee, WI
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 799 miles from Washington DC, Maryland, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, running $539 - $1,508. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $320 - $366
- Daily insurance: $38/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $25
- Washington DC daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Washington DC to Milwaukee based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $539 - $1,047
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $613 - $1,243
- 4+ bedrooms: $774 - $1,508
Pro tip: The base rate of $539 - $1,508 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Washington DC to Milwaukee. Fuel ($320 - $366), lodging at around $189/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $189 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Washington DC, Maryland, usually costs about $881 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 799-mile drive falls between $320 and $366, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $63 and $377 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Washington DC to Milwaukee?
- 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 Washington DC, MD to Milwaukee, WI
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Washington DC, Maryland, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,064 and $2,178.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Washington DC to Milwaukee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $951 - $1,715
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,064 - $2,178
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,500 - $2,727
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $94 - $189 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Washington DC, Maryland, for about five hours typically runs $881.
What are the best freight companies from Washington DC to Milwaukee?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Washington DC to Milwaukee. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Washington DC, MD vs Milwaukee, WI
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Milwaukee, side by side with Washington DC on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Washington DC, MD | Milwaukee, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 151 | 88 |
| Average rent | $2,400/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $594,337 | $171,025 |
| Average income | $101,027/yr | $51,888/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0% | 7.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 7.65% |
| Walkability score | 77/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 39.63/100 | 33.24/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Milwaukee, WI to Washington DC, MD guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Maryland to Wisconsin 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 206 movers in our Maryland network to compare for this 799-mile move.
Our take
A move from Washington DC, MD, to Milwaukee, WI, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $1,707 - $7,834 on the 799-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,109 - $3,339, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $539 - $1,508. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,332 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Johnson Controls and Aurora Health Care.
FAQs: Moving from Washington DC, MD, to Milwaukee, WI
What do local movers charge in Washington DC?
Local movers based in Washington DC typically start around $180 as a base rate, plus $85/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Milwaukee run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Washington DC, MD to Milwaukee, WI?
Cutting 500 pounds from your shipment, roughly one bedroom's worth of items, saves approximately $200 - $400 on a full-service move on this route. Beyond that, staying organized matters just as much. A solid moving checklist keeps you on schedule and helps you avoid costly last-minute mistakes.
How much does it cost to move from Washington DC, MD to Milwaukee, WI?
Costs on this route range from around $539 to $7,834, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,707 and $7,834, 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.
How walkable is Milwaukee?
Milwaukee has a walkability score of 62 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 58, compared to 77 and 70 in Washington DC. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($320 - $366), daily insurance ($38/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $25) on top. Overnight stops can add another $189/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Washington DC movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 42% of movers in Washington DC handle piano moves, and 34% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.