($669+) Madison, WI to Dallas, TX Movers
Moving from Madison, WI, to Dallas, TX, runs anywhere from $669 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,413 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 988 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 $2,126, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,413 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,107 - $3,722, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $669 - $1,710.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to Dallas, TX. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,625 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 Dallas, TX
Moving options from Madison to Dallas fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,625 - $5,891 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 41% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 72% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 988 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 988-mile route from Madison to Dallas, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,126 for a studio up to $8,413 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,107 - $3,722 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $669 - $1,710, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $996 - $3,038, 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 October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Madison, WI to Dallas, TX
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 988-mile move from Madison, Wisconsin, to Dallas, Texas, with prices running from $2,126 - $8,413. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $305 - $2,036 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Madison and Dallas are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Madison movers tend to run around $371 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Madison to Dallas:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,126 - $5,083
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,625 - $5,891
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,195 - $8,413
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 Dallas.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Madison, WI to Dallas, TX
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Madison movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Dallas, 55% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $509 - $5,090 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $204 - $1,222/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $305 - $2,443 |
| 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 | $1,018 - $3,054 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,545 - $10,180 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $762 - $1,449 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items14% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: O'Mara Moving & Storage Inc. | $1,018 - $2,545 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $814 - $3,563 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $305 - $1,527 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $662 - $2,036 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $305 - $15,270+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $305 - $3,563+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Madison to Dallas?
Look for Southwest Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Texas beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Madison, WI. 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 Madison, WI to Dallas, TX
Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Dallas, Texas, cost between $1,107 and $3,722. The container gets dropped at your door and you load it at your own pace. U-Haul gives you 3 days to load and PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're done, the company handles all the transportation. If you need extra time, storage in Madison runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Madison to Dallas:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,107 - $2,079
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,544 - $3,096
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,940 - $3,722
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Madison, WI and Dallas, TX. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $713 in Madison, WI, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $76 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $153 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Wisconsin to Texas 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 $1,107. 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 $1,544 - $3,096.
What are the best moving containers Madison to Dallas?
- 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 Dallas, TX
Renting a moving truck for the 988-mile move from Madison, Wisconsin, to Dallas, Texas, costs between $669 and $1,710, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $320 - $366
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- 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 Dallas based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $669 - $1,268
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $730 - $1,435
- 4+ bedrooms: $916 - $1,710
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $669 - $1,710 when pricing out a rental truck from Madison to Dallas. Fuel alone runs $320 - $366, and overnight lodging ($153/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
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 $713.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $320 - $366 for the 988-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 $61 and $331, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $153 per night for hotel stops on the 988-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $305 - $458.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison to Dallas?
- 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 Dallas, TX
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Madison, Wisconsin, to Dallas, Texas. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $916 and $2,382.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to Dallas:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $996 - $1,890
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,246 - $2,382
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,584 - $3,038
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $76 - $153 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Madison, Wisconsin, typically costs $713.
What are the best freight companies from Madison to Dallas?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Dallas 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: Madison, WI vs Dallas, TX
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Madison and Dallas to plan around. Cost of living index: 103 vs. 100. Average rent: $1,600/mo vs. $1,774/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 50 vs. 46. Safety index: 65.43 vs. 48.6.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Dallas, TX to Madison, WI guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin to Texas in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 107 movers based in Wisconsin, handy for sizing up options on this 988-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 988-mile route from Madison, WI, to Dallas, TX, run $2,126 - $8,413 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,107 - $3,722, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $669 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,625, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Dallas tend to point to ample economic opportunity and fabulous weather, though high housing costs and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and American Airlines Group, Inc..
FAQs: Moving from Madison, WI, to Dallas, TX
How do I know a mover is licensed in Texas?
In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers.
What are the best neighborhoods in Dallas?
For families, Preston Hollow, Lake Highlands, and Uptown are worth a look in Dallas. If you're moving solo or without kids, Bishop Arts District, Deep Ellum, and Design District tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Dallas?
Dallas has a walkability score of 46 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 49, 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.
Is Dallas a safe place to live?
Dallas has a safety index of 48.6 out of 100 and a crime index of 51.4, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Madison, WI to Dallas, TX?
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.
What percentage of Madison movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Madison handle piano moves, and 14% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.