($1,111+) Milwaukee, WI to Olympia, WA Movers
Moving from Milwaukee, WI, to Olympia, WA, runs anywhere from $1,111 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,851 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 2,032 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 6 to 17 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+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,851 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,574 - $5,485, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,111 - $3,158.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Milwaukee, WI, to Olympia, WA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,480 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 Milwaukee, WI to Olympia, WA
Moving options from Milwaukee to Olympia 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 $3,480 - $7,701 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 38% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 65% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 2,032 miles and typically takes 6 to 17 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 2,032-mile route from Milwaukee to Olympia, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,372 - $5,231 | $1,574 - $2,990 | $1,111 - $2,234 | $1,446 - $2,609 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,480 - $7,701 | $2,141 - $4,106 | $1,215 - $2,659 | $1,678 - $3,388 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,196 - $10,851 | $2,989 - $5,485 | $1,598 - $3,158 | $2,186 - $4,711 |
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 Milwaukee, WI to Olympia, WA
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 2,032-mile move from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Olympia, Washington, with prices running from $2,372 - $10,851. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $293 - $1,952 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Milwaukee and Olympia are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Milwaukee movers tend to run around $349 as a base rate plus $105/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Milwaukee to Olympia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,372 - $5,231
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,480 - $7,701
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,196 - $10,851
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 Milwaukee to Olympia.
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 Milwaukee, WI to Olympia, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 59% of Milwaukee movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Olympia, 65% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing80% of local movers | $488 - $4,880 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready59% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $195 - $1,171/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $293 - $2,342 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage11% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers | $976 - $2,928 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,440 - $9,760 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $731 - $1,389 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Brothers Moving & Storage | $976 - $2,440 |
| Piano | Any piano type33% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $781 - $3,416 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling7% of local movers | $293 - $1,464 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect13% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $634 - $1,952 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $293 - $14,640+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $293 - $3,416+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Milwaukee to Olympia?
Movers licensed to operate in Washington are typically members of the Washington Movers Conference, 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 Milwaukee, WI, 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 Milwaukee, WI to Olympia, WA
Moving containers from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Olympia, Washington, cost between $1,574 and $5,485. 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 Olympia. If you go over that window, storage in Milwaukee adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Milwaukee to Olympia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,574 - $2,990
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,141 - $4,106
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,989 - $5,485
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $683 in Milwaukee, WI. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $73 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $146 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Olympia, WA, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Wisconsin to Washington 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 $1,574. 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 $2,141 - $4,106.
What are the best moving containers Milwaukee to Olympia?
- 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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5), 10 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.4/5), 33 years in business
- Brothers Moving & Storage (4.7/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Milwaukee, WI to Olympia, WA
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 2,032 miles from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Olympia, Washington, running $1,111 - $3,158. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $631 - $721
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Milwaukee daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.69
| 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 Milwaukee to Olympia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,111 - $2,234
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,215 - $2,659
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,598 - $3,158
Pro tip: A rental truck from Milwaukee to Olympia looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $1,111 - $3,158. But once you factor in fuel ($631 - $721), overnight lodging ($146/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
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 $73 and $342.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $146.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $631 and $721 for the 2,032-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 $683 for 2 movers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Milwaukee to Olympia?
- 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 Milwaukee, WI to Olympia, WA
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Olympia, Washington, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,678 and $3,388.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Milwaukee to Olympia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,446 - $2,609
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,678 - $3,388
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,186 - $4,711
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $683.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $73 and $146 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Milwaukee to Olympia?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Olympia 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: Milwaukee, WI vs Olympia, WA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Olympia, side by side with Milwaukee on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Milwaukee, WI | Olympia, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 88 | 112 |
| Average rent | $1,250/mo | $1,895/mo |
| Median home value | $171,025 | $457,660 |
| Average income | $51,888/yr | $76,930/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 7.4% | 5.6% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.65% | None |
| Walkability score | 62/100 | 39/100 |
| Safety index | 33.24/100 | 62.25/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
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 Olympia, WA to Milwaukee, WI guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin to Washington 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 2,032-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Milwaukee, WI, to Olympia, WA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,372 - $10,851 on the 2,032-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,574 - $5,485 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,111 - $3,158 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,480 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Washington State ESD and The Evergreen State College.
FAQs: Moving from Milwaukee, WI, to Olympia, WA
Is Olympia a safe place to live?
Olympia has a safety index of 62.25 out of 100 and a crime index of 27.95, compared to 33.24 and 66.76 in Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee, WI to Olympia, WA?
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 is the best time of year to move from Milwaukee, WI to Olympia, WA?
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.
How long does a move from Milwaukee, WI to Olympia, WA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 6 to 17 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($631 - $721), daily insurance ($29/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $146/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Milwaukee movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 33% of movers in Milwaukee handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.