($635+) Madison, WI to Denver, CO Movers
Moving from Madison, WI, to Denver, CO, runs anywhere from $688 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,896 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 954 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 $2,072, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,896 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,209 - $4,134, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $688 - $1,791.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to Denver, CO. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,723 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 Denver, CO
There are 3 main ways to move from Madison to Denver: 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 $2,723 - $6,195. Containers cost roughly 30% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 60% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 954 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 954-mile route from Madison to Denver, 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 $2,072 - $5,065 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,209 - $2,287), rental truck ($688 - $1,302), or freight trailer ($1,099 - $1,879). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,723 - $6,195 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $8,896.
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 Madison, WI to Denver, CO
Hiring full-service movers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Denver, Colorado, costs between $2,072 and $8,896. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 954-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $339 - $2,260, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Madison and Denver. For a rough baseline, movers based in Madison tend to start around $371 plus $85/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Madison to Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,072 - $5,065
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,723 - $6,195
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,285 - $8,896
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 Denver.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Wisconsin to Colorado. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Madison, WI to Denver, CO
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Madison movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Denver, 87% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $565 - $5,650 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $226 - $1,356/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $339 - $2,712 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs20% of local movers | $1,130 - $3,390 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,825 - $11,300 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $846 - $1,608 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items20% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $1,130 - $2,825 |
| Piano | Any piano type60% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $904 - $3,955 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $339 - $1,695 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: Schroeder Moving Systems Inc. | $735 - $2,260 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $339 - $16,950+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $339 - $3,955+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Madison to Denver?
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this list, with flat-rate pricing that holds firm on moving day and a customer support team available around the clock.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here. With 30+ years of interstate moves behind them, AVL uses full-time in-house crews instead of the contracted labor most national carriers rely on.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan available on every long-distance move.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Madison, WI. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Madison, WI to Denver, CO
Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Denver, Colorado, cost between $1,209 and $4,134. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Madison typically runs around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Madison to Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,209 - $2,287
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,616 - $3,209
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,053 - $4,134
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $85 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $170 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Denver, CO, 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 $791 in Madison, WI. 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 Wisconsin to Colorado 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 $1,209. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,616 - $3,209, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Madison to Denver?
- 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:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 32 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5)
- Du Frane Moving and Storage (4.8/5), 95 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Madison, WI to Denver, CO
Truck rentals from Madison, Wisconsin, to Denver, Colorado, range from $688 - $1,791 for the 954-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $343 - $392
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- 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 Denver based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $688 - $1,302
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $700 - $1,518
- 4+ bedrooms: $878 - $1,791
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $688 - $1,791 does not include fuel ($343 - $392) , lodging ($170/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Madison to Denver typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $170 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 Madison, Wisconsin, usually costs about $791 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 954-mile drive falls between $343 and $392, 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 $57 and $339 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison to Denver?
- 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 Denver, CO
If you're moving a larger household from Madison, Wisconsin, 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 Denver, Colorado.
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 $1,194 and $2,518.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to Denver:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,099 - $1,879
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,194 - $2,518
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,676 - $3,178
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Madison, Wisconsin, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $791.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $85 - $170 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Madison to Denver?
- 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.
- Larson Transportation, LLC (4.3/5 stars): Larson Transportation, LLC 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Madison, WI vs Denver, CO
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Denver, side by side with Madison on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Madison, WI | Denver, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 103 | 128 |
| Average rent | $1,600/mo | $1,900/mo |
| Median home value | $346,854 | $586,595 |
| Average income | $76,983/yr | $91,681/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 7.1% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.65% | Up to 5.49% |
| Walkability score | 50/100 | 95/100 |
| Safety index | 65.43/100 | 52.16/100 |
| 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 Denver, CO to Madison, WI guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Wisconsin to Colorado, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 40 movers in Wisconsin, so you have real options to compare for this 954-mile move.
Our take
A move from Madison, WI, to Denver, CO, 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 $2,072 - $8,896 on the 954-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,209 - $4,134, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $688 - $1,791. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,723 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 Re/max and DaVita.
FAQs: Moving from Madison, WI, to Denver, CO
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($343 - $392), daily insurance ($34/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $23) on top. Overnight stops can add another $170/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Madison, WI to Denver, CO take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, though you'll need to be ready to receive your shipment on arrival. Driving a rental truck yourself puts the schedule entirely in your hands.
What is the best time of year to move from Madison, WI to Denver, CO?
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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Madison, WI to Denver, CO?
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.
Is Denver a safe place to live?
Denver has a safety index of 52.16 out of 100 and a crime index of 47.84, compared to 65.43 and 34.57 in Madison. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Madison movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 60% of movers in Madison handle piano moves, and 20% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
