($1,002+) Scottsdale, AZ to Madison, WI Movers
Moving from Scottsdale, AZ, to Madison, WI, runs anywhere from $1,002 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,433 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,673 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,250, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,433 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,355 - $4,884, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,002 - $2,582.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Scottsdale, AZ, to Madison, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,995 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Madison, WI
Moving options from Scottsdale to Madison 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 $2,995 - $6,706 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 66% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,673 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,673-mile route from Scottsdale to Madison, 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 $2,250 - $5,341 with full-service movers and considerably less with a container ($1,355 - $2,633), rental truck ($1,002 - $1,961), or freight trailer ($1,348 - $2,394). A 2 - 3 bedroom home moves that range up to $2,995 - $6,706 full-service, and a 4+ bedroom household tops out around $9,433.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated November 2, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Scottsdale, AZ to Madison, WI
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,673-mile move from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Madison, Wisconsin, with costs ranging from $2,250 - $9,433. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $327 - $2,180. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Scottsdale and Madison. Local movers in Scottsdale typically start around $155 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Scottsdale to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,250 - $5,341
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,995 - $6,706
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,632 - $9,433
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 Scottsdale to Madison.
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 Scottsdale, AZ to Madison, WI
Specialty needs vary by market: 66% of Scottsdale movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Madison, 52% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $545 - $5,450 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready66% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Mentors Moving & Storage | $218 - $1,308/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $327 - $2,616 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,090 - $3,270 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,725 - $10,900 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $816 - $1,551 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving Team Six LLC | $1,090 - $2,725 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: You Move Me | $872 - $3,815 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $327 - $1,635 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Nicolosi Moving & Storage Inc. (AZ) | $709 - $2,180 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $327 - $16,350+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $327 - $3,815+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Scottsdale to Madison?
Wisconsin Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Wisconsin, 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.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Scottsdale, AZ. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Scottsdale, AZ to Madison, WI
Moving containers from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $1,355 and $4,884. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Scottsdale costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Scottsdale to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,355 - $2,633
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,751 - $3,833
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,464 - $4,884
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $82 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $164 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Madison, WI, 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 $763 in Scottsdale, AZ. 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 Arizona to Wisconsin 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 $1,355. 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 $1,751 - $3,833.
What are the best moving containers Scottsdale to Madison?
- 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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale:
- B Line Movers (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- Bellhop Moving (4.2/5), 15 years in business
- Aardvark Movers Inc (4.5/5), 23 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Scottsdale, AZ to Madison, WI
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,673 miles from Scottsdale, Arizona, to Madison, Wisconsin, running $1,002 - $2,582. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $580 - $663
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Scottsdale daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.69 - $0.89
| 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 Scottsdale to Madison based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,002 - $1,961
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,010 - $2,266
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,379 - $2,582
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Scottsdale to Madison starts at $1,002 - $2,582, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($580 - $663), overnight lodging ($164/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $580 - $663 for the 1,673-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Scottsdale, Arizona, for about 5 hours typically costs around $763.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 1,673-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $164 per night, adding $327 - $491 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $55 and $327.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Scottsdale to Madison?
- 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 Scottsdale, AZ to Madison, WI
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 Scottsdale, Arizona, to Madison, Wisconsin. 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,489 and $3,036.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Scottsdale to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,348 - $2,394
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,489 - $3,036
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,971 - $4,028
Pro tip: Freight pricing rewards efficient packing. Trailers are 8 feet tall and accessed via a 4-foot ramp, so technique matters, especially for heavy pieces. Since each additional linear foot adds to your quote, packing strategically is one of the easiest ways to control costs.
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 Scottsdale, Arizona, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $763.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $82 and $164 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Scottsdale to Madison?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Best known as a top moving container option thanks to its DIY hybrid model (you load, they drive), MovingYourself also doubles as a strong freight choice with their 53-foot trucks and pay-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. In addition to their well-known container service, U-Pack offers freight trailers that follow the same pay-by-the-foot model with no deposits or upfront fees, making them one of the most flexible freight options for budget-conscious moves.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Madison quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Scottsdale, AZ vs Madison, WI
Scottsdale and Madison land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 113 in Scottsdale and 103 in Madison, and average rent is $3,300/mo vs. $1,600/mo. With an index gap that small, you likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. For reference, walkability is 32 vs 50 and safety scores are 74.2 vs 65.43.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison, WI to Scottsdale, AZ guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Arizona to Wisconsin, 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. Arizona alone has 242 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 1,673-mile move like this one.
Our take
The 1,673-mile move from Scottsdale, AZ, to Madison, WI, costs between $2,250 and $9,433 with full-service movers, $1,355 - $4,884 with a moving container, and $1,002 - $2,582 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 $2,995 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 Datex Ohmeda and American Family Insurance.
FAQs: Moving from Scottsdale, AZ, to Madison, WI
What is the best time of year to move from Scottsdale, AZ to Madison, WI?
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 Scottsdale, AZ to Madison, WI?
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 Madison a safe place to live?
Madison has a safety index of 65.43 out of 100 and a crime index of 34.57, compared to 74.2 and 25.8 in Scottsdale. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Madison?
Madison has a walkability score of 50 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, compared to 32 and 56 in Scottsdale. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What are the best neighborhoods in Madison?
For families, Dudgeon-Monroe, Hill Farms-University, and Maple-Prairie are worth a look in Madison. If you're moving solo or without kids, Madison, Shorewood Hills, and Middleton tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Scottsdale movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Scottsdale handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.