($317+) Madison, WI to St. Paul, MN Movers
Moving from Madison, WI, to St. Paul, MN, runs anywhere from $308 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,353 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 261 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 $6,353 or more.
- Moving containers run $854 - $2,635, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $308 - $789.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to St. Paul, MN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,616 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 St. Paul, MN
There are 3 main ways to move from Madison to St. Paul: 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 $1,616 - $4,966. 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 261 miles, expect 1 to 4 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 261-mile route from Madison to St. Paul, 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 $980 - $3,898 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($854 - $1,534), rental truck ($308 - $566), or freight trailer ($785 - $1,338). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $1,616 - $4,966 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $6,353.
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 St. Paul, MN
Hiring full-service movers from Madison, Wisconsin, to St. Paul, Minnesota, costs between $980 and $6,353. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 261-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $308 - $2,052, 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 St. Paul. 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 St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $980 - $3,898
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,616 - $4,966
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,226 - $6,353
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 St. Paul.
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: 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 Madison, WI to St. Paul, MN
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Madison movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In St. Paul, 91% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $513 - $5,130 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $205 - $1,231/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $308 - $2,462 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs20% of local movers | $1,026 - $3,078 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,565 - $10,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $768 - $1,460 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items20% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $1,026 - $2,565 |
| Piano | Any piano type60% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $821 - $3,591 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $308 - $1,539 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: Schroeder Moving Systems Inc. | $667 - $2,052 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $308 - $15,390+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $308 - $3,591+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Madison to St. Paul?
Minnesota Transport Services Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Minnesota, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with fragile-only packing, 24/7 shipment monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan that covers damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Madison, WI?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Madison to St. Paul with a local mover averages $1,648 - $5,065. For moves under 500 miles, local movers in Madison, WI can be a smart choice. Many use hourly pricing models that may reduce your total compared to what a national carrier would charge, and tighter coverage areas often mean faster turnaround and more hands-on communication.
That said, licensing requirements still apply. Make sure any company you're considering is properly licensed for interstate moves for the route you need.
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 St. Paul, MN
Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to St. Paul, Minnesota, cost between $854 and $2,635. 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 St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $854 - $1,534
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,147 - $2,234
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,557 - $2,635
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Madison, WI and St. Paul, MN. 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 $718 in Madison, WI, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $77 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $154 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 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 $1,147 - $2,234, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Madison to St. Paul?
- 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 St. Paul, MN
Truck rentals from Madison, Wisconsin, to St. Paul, Minnesota, range from $308 - $789 for the 261-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $85 - $97
- 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 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 St. Paul based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $308 - $566
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $320 - $631
- 4+ bedrooms: $420 - $789
Pro tip: The base rate of $308 - $789 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Madison to St. Paul. Fuel ($85 - $97) , lodging at around $154/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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Madison, Wisconsin, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $718.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $85 - $97 for the 261-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 $62 and $333, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $154 per night for hotel stops on the 261-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $308 - $462.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison to St. Paul?
- 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 St. Paul, MN
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Madison, Wisconsin, to St. Paul, Minnesota. 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 $923 and $1,685.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to St. Paul:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $785 - $1,338
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $936 - $1,685
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,163 - $2,108
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $718.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $77 - $154 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 St. Paul?
- 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: If speed matters on your move from Madison to St. Paul, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Madison, WI vs St. Paul, MN
Day-to-day costs in St. Paul are close to what you're used to in Madison: cost of living index of 102 versus 103, with average rent of $1,350/mo compared to $1,600/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 50/100 and 65.43/100 in Madison versus 60/100 and 49.14/100 in St. Paul.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our St. Paul, MN to Madison, WI guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin to Minnesota, 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. Wisconsin alone has 40 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 261-mile move like this one.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Madison, WI, to St. Paul, MN, 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 $980 - $6,353 on the 261-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $854 - $2,635 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $308 - $789 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,616 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 Siemens and ACS Group.
FAQs: Moving from Madison, WI, to St. Paul, MN
What is the best time of year to move from Madison, WI to St. Paul, MN?
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 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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($85 - $97), daily insurance ($31/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $154/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How walkable is St. Paul?
St. Paul has a walkability score of 60 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 64, 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.
How much does it cost to move from Madison, WI to St. Paul, MN?
Costs on this route range from around $980 to $6,353, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $980 and $6,353, 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 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.
