($668+) Fort Collins, CO to Madison, WI Movers
Moving from Fort Collins, CO, to Madison, WI, runs anywhere from $655 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,638 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 935 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 $2,173, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,638 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,150 - $3,965, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $655 - $1,826.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Fort Collins, CO, to Madison, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,567 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 Fort Collins, CO to Madison, WI
There are 3 main ways to move from Fort Collins to Madison: 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 $2,567 - $6,091. 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 935 miles, expect 2 to 7 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 935-mile route from Fort Collins to Madison, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,173 - $4,909 | $1,150 - $2,089 | $655 - $1,276 | $1,099 - $1,919 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,567 - $6,091 | $1,510 - $3,053 | $671 - $1,399 | $1,183 - $2,443 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,481 - $8,638 | $1,950 - $3,965 | $869 - $1,826 | $1,593 - $3,268 |
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 Fort Collins, CO to Madison, WI
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 935-mile move from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Madison, Wisconsin, with costs ranging from $2,173 - $8,638. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $332 - $2,216. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Fort Collins and Madison. Local movers in Fort Collins typically start around $301 as a base rate plus $120/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Fort Collins to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,173 - $4,909
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,567 - $6,091
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,481 - $8,638
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 Fort Collins to Madison.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Colorado to Wisconsin. 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 Fort Collins, CO to Madison, WI
Specialty needs vary by market — 89% of Fort Collins movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Madison, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $554 - $5,540 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready89% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Exodus Moving and Storage | $222 - $1,330/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $332 - $2,659 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage21% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs53% of local movers | $1,108 - $3,324 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,770 - $11,080 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $830 - $1,577 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items26% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,108 - $2,770 |
| Piano | Any piano type79% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Exodus Moving and Storage | $886 - $3,878 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers | $332 - $1,662 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect5% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Little Guys Movers | $720 - $2,216 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $332 - $16,620+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $332 - $3,878+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Fort Collins to Madison?
Movers licensed to operate in Wisconsin are typically members of the Wisconsin Movers Association, 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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Fort Collins, CO. 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 Fort Collins, CO to Madison, WI
Moving containers from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $1,150 and $3,965. 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 Fort Collins runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fort Collins to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,150 - $2,089
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,510 - $3,053
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,950 - $3,965
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $83 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $166 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $776 in Fort Collins, CO, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Madison, WI, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Colorado 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 $1,150. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,510 - $3,053, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins:
- Exodus Moving and Storage (4.6/5), 26 years in business
- Johnson Storage & Moving (4.7/5), 126 years in business
- Choice Moving Company (4.9/5), 7 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Fort Collins, CO to Madison, WI
Truck rentals from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Madison, Wisconsin, range from $655 - $1,826 for the 935-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $330 - $377
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Fort Collins daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| 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 Fort Collins to Madison based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $655 - $1,276
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $671 - $1,399
- 4+ bedrooms: $869 - $1,826
Pro tip: A rental truck from Fort Collins to Madison looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $655 - $1,826. But once you factor in fuel ($330 - $377) , overnight lodging ($166/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Fort Collins, Colorado, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $776.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $330 - $377 for the 935-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 $66 and $360, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $166 per night for hotel stops on the 935-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $332 - $499.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins, CO to Madison, WI
If you're moving a larger household from Fort Collins, Colorado, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Madison, Wisconsin.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. Most moves on this route fall between $1,183 and $2,443.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fort Collins to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,099 - $1,919
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,183 - $2,443
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,593 - $3,268
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 Fort Collins, Colorado, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $776.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $83 and $166 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Fort Collins to Madison?
- 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.
- Sutherland Trucking (4.34/5 stars): Sutherland Trucking 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: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Fort Collins, CO vs Madison, WI
Fort Collins and Madison land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 116 in Fort Collins and 103 in Madison, and rent tracks closely too ($1,750/mo vs. $1,600/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (37 vs 50) and safety scores (72.86 vs 65.43) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison, WI to Fort Collins, CO guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Colorado to Wisconsin over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 81 movers in our Colorado network to compare for this 935-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Fort Collins, CO, to Madison, WI, 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 $2,173 - $8,638 on the 935-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,150 - $3,965 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $655 - $1,826 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $2,567 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 Datex Ohmeda and American Family Insurance.
FAQs: Moving from Fort Collins, CO, to Madison, WI
What is the cheapest way to move from Fort Collins, CO to Madison, WI?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $671 - $1,399. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
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.
How long does a move from Fort Collins, CO to Madison, WI take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 do local movers charge in Fort Collins?
Local movers based in Fort Collins typically start around $301 as a base rate, plus $120/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 Madison run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Fort Collins, CO 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.
What percentage of Fort Collins movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 79% of movers in Fort Collins handle piano moves, and 26% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
