($992+) Tucson, AZ to Madison, WI Movers
Moving from Tucson, AZ, to Madison, WI, runs anywhere from $1,055 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,920 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,682 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,372, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,920 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,464 - $5,170, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,055 - $2,861.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Tucson, AZ, to Madison, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,329 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Tucson, AZ to Madison, WI
There are 3 main ways to move from Tucson to Madison: 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 $3,329 - $7,363. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 4 to 15 days for this 1,682-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 1,682-mile route from Tucson to Madison, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,372 for a studio up to $10,920 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,464 - $5,170 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,055 - $2,861, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,331 - $4,524, 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 September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Tucson, AZ to Madison, WI
For the 1,682-mile move from Tucson, Arizona, to Madison, Wisconsin, full-service movers cost between $2,372 and $10,920. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $298 - $1,988 (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 Tucson generally start around $160 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Tucson to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,372 - $5,243
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,329 - $7,363
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,090 - $10,920
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 Tucson to Madison.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Arizona 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.
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Specialty moving services from Tucson, AZ to Madison, WI
Specialty needs vary by market — 92% of Tucson 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 packing100% of local movers | $497 - $4,970 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready92% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. | $199 - $1,193/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $298 - $2,386 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage23% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs69% of local movers | $994 - $2,982 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,485 - $9,940 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $745 - $1,414 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items62% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. | $994 - $2,485 |
| Piano | Any piano type77% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. | $795 - $3,479 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling31% of local movers | $298 - $1,491 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect31% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. | $646 - $1,988 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $298 - $14,910+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $298 - $3,479+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Tucson 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 Tucson, AZ, 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 Tucson, AZ to Madison, WI
Moving containers from Tucson, Arizona, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $1,464 and $5,170. 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 Tucson typically costs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Tucson to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,464 - $2,986
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,930 - $4,178
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,714 - $5,170
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $75 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $149 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 $696 in Tucson, AZ, 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 Madison, WI, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Arizona 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 $1,464. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,930 - $4,178, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Tucson 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 Tucson 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 Tucson:
- Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (4.7/5), 37 years in business
- Abba & Sons Moving LLC (4.7/5), 17 years in business
- E-Z Move (4.4/5), 26 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Tucson, AZ to Madison, WI
Truck rentals from Tucson, Arizona, to Madison, Wisconsin, range from $1,055 - $2,861 for the 1,682-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $532 - $608
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Tucson 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 Tucson to Madison based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,055 - $1,966
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,185 - $2,410
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,381 - $2,861
Pro tip: The base rate of $1,055 - $2,861 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Tucson to Madison. Fuel ($532 - $608) , lodging at around $149/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $149 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $65 and $323 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $532 - $608 in fuel for the 1,682-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $696 in Tucson, Arizona, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Tucson 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 Tucson, AZ to Madison, WI
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 Tucson, Arizona, to Madison, Wisconsin. 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $1,638 and $3,149.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Tucson to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,331 - $2,585
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,638 - $3,149
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,256 - $4,524
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?
- 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 $75 - $149 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Tucson, Arizona, for about five hours typically runs $696.
What are the best freight companies from Tucson to Madison?
- 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.
- 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.
- Cti, Inc. (4.84/5 stars): Cti, 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: Tucson, AZ vs Madison, WI
Tucson and Madison land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 97 in Tucson and 103 in Madison, and rent tracks closely too ($1,295/mo vs. $1,600/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (43 vs 50) and safety scores (45.57 vs 65.43) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison, WI to Tucson, AZ guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Wisconsin, 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. Arizona alone has 97 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,682-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Tucson, AZ, to Madison, 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 $2,372 - $10,920 on the 1,682-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,464 - $5,170, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $1,055 - $2,861. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,329 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 Datex Ohmeda and American Family Insurance.
FAQs: Moving from Tucson, AZ, to Madison, WI
How walkable is Madison?
Madison has a walkability score of 50 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, compared to 43 and 66 in Tucson. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Madison?
For families, Dudgeon-Monroe, Hill Farms-University, and Maple-Prairie are worth a look in Madison. If you're moving solo or without kids, Madison, Shorewood Hills, and Middleton tend to be popular picks instead.
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 do local movers charge in Tucson?
Local movers based in Tucson typically start around $160 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 Madison run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
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 3 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 Tucson movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 77% of movers in Tucson handle piano moves, and 62% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.