($317+) Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN

Moving from Madison, WI, to Minneapolis, MN, runs anywhere from $317 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,416 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 269 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 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 $980, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $6,416 or more.
  • Moving containers run $854 - $2,742, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $317 - $774.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to Minneapolis, MN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,714 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN

There are 3 main ways to move from Madison to Minneapolis: 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 $1,714 - $4,730. 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 1 to 4 days for this 269-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 269-mile route from Madison to Minneapolis, broken down by home size:

  • A studio or 1-bedroom move runs $980 - $4,052 with full-service movers, $854 - $1,596 with a container, $317 - $522 with a rental truck, or $761 - $1,436 by freight.
  • A 2 - 3 bedroom home costs $1,714 - $4,730 full-service, $1,158 - $2,021 by container, $336 - $676 by rental truck, or $900 - $1,651 by freight.
  • A larger 4+ bedroom household runs $2,270 - $6,416 full-service, $1,468 - $2,742 by container, $384 - $774 by rental truck, or $1,222 - $2,043 by freight.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN

Full-service movers for the 269-mile relocation from Madison, Wisconsin, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, cost between $980 and $6,416. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $314 - $2,092, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Madison typically charge a base rate around $371 plus $85 per hour, per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Madison to Minneapolis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $980 - $4,052
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,714 - $4,730
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,270 - $6,416

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 Minneapolis.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Wisconsin to Minnesota. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

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 Minneapolis, MN

Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Madison movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Minneapolis, 91% of movers offer the same service.

Service When you need it Typical cost
Full packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$523 - $5,230
Storage in transitNew place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC$209 - $1,255/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$314 - $2,510
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs20% of local movers$1,046 - $3,138
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,615 - $10,460
Car shippingSecond vehicle$783 - $1,488
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items20% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company$1,046 - $2,615
PianoAny piano type60% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC$837 - $3,661
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling$314 - $1,569
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: Schroeder Moving Systems Inc.$680 - $2,092
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$314 - $15,690+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$314 - $3,661+

What are the best full-service movers from Madison to Minneapolis?

All three below meet the standards set by the Minnesota Transport Services Association, the group most Minnesota movers are affiliated with.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

How much do local movers cost in Madison, WI?

Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Madison to Minneapolis with a local mover averages $1,782 - $4,919. For moves under 500 miles, local moving companies in Madison, WI can be a practical and cost-effective alternative to national carriers. Many price shorter moves using hourly or regional rates that may come in lower overall, with leaner operations and tighter service areas often translating to more flexible scheduling and a more personalized experience.

Keep in mind that not every local mover is authorized for moves that cross city or state lines. Always confirm interstate licensing and proper insurance before booking.

Above Average Moving LLC (4.48/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Madison, ranked #3 in Wisconsin, based on our analysis of feedback from 226 customers, 92.0% of which is positive.

Address: 1416 Parkside Drive, Madison, WI, 53704 | Founded: 2016

Moving container costs from Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN

Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, cost between $854 and $2,742. 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 Minneapolis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $854 - $1,596
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,158 - $2,021
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,468 - $2,742

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $78 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $157 per month.
  • Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Minneapolis, MN, 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 $732 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 Minnesota 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 $854. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,158 - $2,021, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Madison to Minneapolis?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Minneapolis, MN

Plan on $317 - $774 for a rental moving truck on the 269-mile route from Madison, Wisconsin, to Minneapolis, Minnesota. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

  • Fuel for the drive: $90 - $102
  • Daily insurance: $31/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
  • Madison daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $0.99
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Madison to Minneapolis based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $317 - $522
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $336 - $676
  • 4+ bedrooms: $384 - $774

Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $317 - $774 when pricing out a rental truck from Madison to Minneapolis. Fuel alone runs ($90 - $102) , and overnight lodging ($157/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate by the time the move is done.

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 $78 and $366.
  • Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $157.
  • Gas: Expect fuel to run between $90 and $102 for the 269-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 $732 for 2 movers in Madison, Wisconsin, for about 5 hours.
  • Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison to Minneapolis?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Minneapolis, MN

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 Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 $900 and $1,651.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to Minneapolis:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $761 - $1,436
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $900 - $1,651
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,222 - $2,043

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 Madison, Wisconsin, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $732.
  • More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $78 and $157 per foot.

What are the best freight companies from Madison to Minneapolis?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis, MN

There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Madison and Minneapolis to plan around. Cost of living index: 103 vs. 107. Average rent: $1,600/mo vs. $1,484/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 50 vs. 71. Safety index: 65.43 vs. 43.94.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Minneapolis, MN to Madison, WI guide.

Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:

In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin to Minnesota, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 40 movers licensed in Wisconsin, useful context for sizing up this 269-mile move.

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Our take

The 269-mile move from Madison, WI, to Minneapolis, MN, costs between $980 and $6,416 with full-service movers, $854 - $2,742 with a moving container, and $317 - $774 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $1,714 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.

Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Aeon and Target.

FAQs: Moving from Madison, WI, to Minneapolis, MN

How much does it cost to move from Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN?

Costs on this route range from around $980 to $6,416, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $980 and $6,416, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.

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 do local movers charge in Madison?

Local movers based in Madison typically start around $371 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 Minneapolis run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.

How do I know a mover is licensed in Minnesota?

To operate legally within the state, Minnesota household goods movers must have a current permit from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Before being granted operating authority, each moving company must file a public tariff, provide proof of insurance and submit a Certificate of Compliance to MnDOT.

What are the best neighborhoods in Minneapolis?

For families, Diamond Lake, Fulton, and Kenny are worth a look in Minneapolis. If you're moving solo or without kids, Linden Hills, Loring Park, and Northeast Minneapolis tend to be popular picks instead.

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.