($668+) Richmond, VA to Madison, WI Movers
Moving from Richmond, VA, to Madison, WI, runs anywhere from $668 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,664 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 952 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 $1,912, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,664 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,245 - $3,893, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $668 - $1,828.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Richmond, VA, to Madison, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,538 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Richmond, VA to Madison, WI
Moving options from Richmond 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 $2,538 - $6,072 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 952 miles and typically takes 2 to 7 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 952-mile route from Richmond to Madison, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,912 - $4,535 | $1,245 - $2,287 | $668 - $1,252 | $1,077 - $1,958 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,538 - $6,072 | $1,601 - $2,965 | $729 - $1,428 | $1,268 - $2,371 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,077 - $7,664 | $1,991 - $3,893 | $932 - $1,828 | $1,660 - $3,082 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Richmond, VA to Madison, WI
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 952-mile move from Richmond, Virginia, to Madison, Wisconsin, with costs ranging from $1,912 - $7,664. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $295 - $1,964. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Richmond and Madison. Local movers in Richmond typically start around $360 as a base rate plus $100/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Richmond to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,912 - $4,535
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,538 - $6,072
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,077 - $7,664
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 Richmond to Madison.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia to Wisconsin. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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.
Specialty moving services from Richmond, VA to Madison, WI
Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Richmond 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 packing | Full crew packing95% of local movers | $491 - $4,910 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $196 - $1,178/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $295 - $2,357 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage32% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs89% of local movers | $982 - $2,946 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,455 - $9,820 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $736 - $1,397 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items63% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $982 - $2,455 |
| Piano | Any piano type68% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $786 - $3,437 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling37% of local movers | $295 - $1,473 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect32% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: WayForth LLC | $638 - $1,964 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $295 - $14,730+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $295 - $3,437+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Richmond to Madison?
Movers licensed to operate in Wisconsin are typically members of the Wisconsin Movers Association, worth checking for before you book any of the three below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 customer support, and 30 days of free storage are included with every move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list, 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, combining 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Richmond, VA, often charge 30% - 40% more at that distance because their operations aren't built for long-haul logistics. The exception is if you want a dedicated point-to-point truck with an average 2-day delivery, though that level of service generally increases your total cost.
Moving container costs from Richmond, VA to Madison, WI
Moving containers from Richmond, Virginia, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $1,245 and $3,893. 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 Richmond adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Richmond to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,245 - $2,287
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,601 - $2,965
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,991 - $3,893
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $74 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $147 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Madison, WI, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $687 in Richmond, VA. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Virginia 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 $1,245. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,601 - $2,965, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Richmond to Madison?
- 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 Richmond 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 Richmond:
- Mr. Moving, LLC (4.6/5), 6 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 0 years in business
- Heroes Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 5 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Richmond, VA to Madison, WI
Renting a moving truck for the 952-mile move from Richmond, Virginia, to Madison, Wisconsin, costs between $668 and $1,828, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $297 - $340
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Richmond daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Richmond to Madison based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $668 - $1,252
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $729 - $1,428
- 4+ bedrooms: $932 - $1,828
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Richmond to Madison starts at $668 - $1,828, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($297 - $340) , overnight lodging ($147/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.
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 $74 and $344.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $147.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $297 and $340 for the 952-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 $687 for 2 movers in Richmond, Virginia, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Richmond to Madison?
- 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 Richmond, VA to Madison, WI
If you're moving a larger household from Richmond, Virginia, 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 $1,268 and $2,371.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Richmond to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,077 - $1,958
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,268 - $2,371
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,660 - $3,082
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
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 Richmond, Virginia, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $687.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $74 and $147 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Richmond to Madison?
- 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.
- Abilene Motor Express (4.5/5 stars): Abilene Motor Express is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
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: Richmond, VA vs Madison, WI
Day-to-day costs in Madison are close to what you're used to in Richmond: cost of living index of 103 versus 95, with average rent of $1,600/mo compared to $1,595/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 51/100 and 51.55/100 in Richmond versus 50/100 and 65.43/100 in Madison.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison, WI to Richmond, VA guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Virginia 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 104 movers in our Virginia network to compare for this 952-mile move.
Our take
The 952-mile move from Richmond, VA, to Madison, WI, costs between $1,912 and $7,664 with full-service movers, $1,245 - $3,893 with a moving container, and $668 - $1,828 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $2,538 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Datex Ohmeda and American Family Insurance.
FAQs: Moving from Richmond, VA, to Madison, WI
What do local movers charge in Richmond?
Local movers based in Richmond typically start around $360 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Madison 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 Richmond, VA to Madison, 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 Richmond, VA to Madison, WI?
Costs on this route range from around $1,912 to $7,664, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,912 and $7,664, 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 Madison?
Madison has a walkability score of 50 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, compared to 51 and 51 in Richmond. 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 ($297 - $340), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $147/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Richmond movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 68% of movers in Richmond handle piano moves, and 63% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
