($397+) Madison, WI to Akron, OH Movers
Moving from Madison, WI, to Akron, OH, runs anywhere from $397 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,338 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 521 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,223, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,338 or more.
- Moving containers run $946 - $3,012, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $397 - $1,031.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to Akron, OH. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,000 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 Akron, OH
There are 3 main ways to move from Madison to Akron: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,000 - $5,215. Moving containers run about 38% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 78% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 6 days for this 521-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 521-mile route from Madison to Akron, broken down by home size:
Home size makes the biggest difference in what you'll pay on this route. A studio or 1-bedroom runs $1,223 - $3,987 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($946 - $1,596), rental truck ($397 - $752), or freight trailer ($860 - $1,527). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,000 - $5,215 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,338.
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 Akron, OH
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 521-mile move from Madison, Wisconsin, to Akron, Ohio, with costs ranging from $1,223 - $8,338. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $283 - $1,884. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Madison and Akron. Local movers in Madison typically start around $371 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Madison to Akron:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,223 - $3,987
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,000 - $5,215
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,564 - $8,338
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 Akron.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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Specialty moving services from Madison, WI to Akron, OH
Specialty needs vary by market: 52% of Madison movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Akron, 64% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $471 - $4,710 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready52% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $188 - $1,130/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $283 - $2,261 |
| 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 | $942 - $2,826 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,355 - $9,420 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $706 - $1,340 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items14% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $942 - $2,355 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $754 - $3,297 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $283 - $1,413 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $612 - $1,884 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $283 - $14,130+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $283 - $3,297+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Madison to Akron?
Movers licensed to operate in Ohio are typically members of the Ohio Association of Movers, 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Madison, WI. 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 Madison, WI to Akron, OH
Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Akron, Ohio, cost between $946 and $3,012. 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 Akron. 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 Akron:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $946 - $1,596
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,237 - $2,297
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,678 - $3,012
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Madison, WI, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $659, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $71 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $141 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Madison, WI, and Akron, OH, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Wisconsin to Ohio 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 $946. 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 $1,237 - $2,297.
What are the best moving containers Madison to Akron?
- 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 Akron, OH
Truck rentals from Madison, Wisconsin, to Akron, Ohio, range from $397 - $1,031 for the 521-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $156 - $178
- Daily insurance: $28/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 Akron based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $397 - $752
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $436 - $865
- 4+ bedrooms: $522 - $1,031
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Madison to Akron starts at $397 - $1,031, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($156 - $178), overnight lodging ($141/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Madison, Wisconsin, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $659.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $156 - $178 for the 521-mile drive, depending on whether your truck takes gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, auto transport trailers, and furniture pads are separate rentals. Expect to spend between $57 and $306, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $141 per night for hotel stops on the 521-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $283 - $424.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison to Akron?
- 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 Akron, OH
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Madison, Wisconsin, to Akron, Ohio. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $960 and $1,874.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to Akron:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $860 - $1,527
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $960 - $1,874
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,343 - $2,314
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?
- 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 $71 and $141.
- 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 $659.
What are the best freight companies from Madison to Akron?
- 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 are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Akron 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 Akron, OH
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Akron, side by side with Madison on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Madison, WI | Akron, OH |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 103 | 81 |
| Average rent | $1,600/mo | $950/mo |
| Median home value | $346,854 | $111,626 |
| Average income | $76,983/yr | $48,544/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 6.9% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.65% | Up to 3.5% |
| Walkability score | 50/100 | 48/100 |
| Safety index | 65.43/100 | 50.39/100 |
| 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 Akron, OH to Madison, WI guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin to Ohio, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Wisconsin alone has 145 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 521-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Madison, WI, to Akron, OH, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,223 for a studio to $8,338 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 521-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $946 - $3,012. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $397 - $1,031, 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 $2,000 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Goodyear and Signet Jewelers.
FAQs: Moving from Madison, WI, to Akron, OH
How walkable is Akron?
Akron has a walkability score of 48 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 43, compared to 50 and 66 in Madison. 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 ($156 - $178), daily insurance ($28/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $19) on top. Overnight stops can add another $141/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Ohio?
Although a local license is not required in Ohio, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What is the best time of year to move from Madison, WI to Akron, OH?
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.
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.