($642+) Fort Collins, CO to Madison, WI Movers
Moving from Fort Collins, CO, to Madison, WI, runs anywhere from $642 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,987 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,069, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,987 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,129 - $3,890, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $642 - $1,654.
- 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 $2,594 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
Moving options from Fort Collins to Madison fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,594 - $6,164 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 42% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 75% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 935-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
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 | $2,069 - $4,724 | $1,129 - $1,950 | $642 - $1,180 | $967 - $1,847 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,594 - $6,164 | $1,510 - $2,994 | $660 - $1,431 | $1,127 - $2,282 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,898 - $7,987 | $1,898 - $3,890 | $870 - $1,654 | $1,611 - $3,113 |
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 Fort Collins, CO to Madison, WI
For the 935-mile move from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Madison, Wisconsin, full-service movers cost between $2,069 and $7,987. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $332 - $2,216 (1 - 5+ bedrooms), crews will pack your boxes. The weight of your shipment and the mileage between the two cities are what drive your final cost. For scale, local movers in Fort Collins generally start around $301 plus $120 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Fort Collins to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,069 - $4,724
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,594 - $6,164
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,898 - $7,987
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.
Pro tip: Peak moving season (May - September) limits truck availability and pushes up full-service moving costs. Booking during slower months can give you more scheduling room and a lower final price.
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Specialty moving services from Fort Collins, CO to Madison, WI
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Fort Collins 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 packing74% of local movers | $554 - $5,540 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $222 - $1,330/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $332 - $2,659 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage16% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs56% 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 items31% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $1,108 - $2,770 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: All My Sons Moving & Storage | $886 - $3,878 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling4% of local movers | $332 - $1,662 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationally | $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?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Wisconsin Movers Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Fort Collins, CO, 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 Fort Collins, CO to Madison, WI
Moving containers from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $1,129 and $3,890. 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 Madison. If you go over that window, storage in Fort Collins adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fort Collins to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,129 - $1,950
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,510 - $2,994
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,898 - $3,890
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Fort Collins, CO, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $776, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $83 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $166 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Fort Collins, CO, and Madison, WI, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $1,129. 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 $1,510 - $2,994.
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:
- Little Guys Movers (4.9/5), 34 years in business
- Choice Moving Company (4.9/5), 11 years in business
- Two College Movers (4.8/5), 13 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Fort Collins, CO to Madison, WI
Renting a moving truck for the 935-mile move from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Madison, Wisconsin, costs between $642 and $1,654, before these typical add-ons:
- 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: $642 - $1,180
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $660 - $1,431
- 4+ bedrooms: $870 - $1,654
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Fort Collins to Madison starts at $642 - $1,654, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($330 - $377), overnight lodging ($166/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $166 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Fort Collins, Colorado, usually costs about $776 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 935-mile drive falls between $330 and $377, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $55 and $332 to your total.
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
For larger DIY moves from Fort Collins, Colorado, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Madison, Wisconsin.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,127 and $2,282.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fort Collins to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $967 - $1,847
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,127 - $2,282
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,611 - $3,113
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $83 - $166 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Fort Collins, Colorado, for about five hours typically runs $776.
What are the best freight companies from Fort Collins 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: 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 average rent is $1,750/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 37 vs 50 and safety scores are 72.86 vs 65.43.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison, WI to Fort Collins, CO guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Colorado to Wisconsin, 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 278 movers licensed in Colorado, useful context for sizing up this 935-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 935-mile route from Fort Collins, CO, to Madison, WI, run $2,069 - $7,987 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,129 - $3,890, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $642 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,594, 30 days of free storage, and a 24/7 support team you can actually reach.
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 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 4 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 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.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Wisconsin?
Movers providing in-state relocation services in the Badger State must register with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), but strictly speaking, it’s not a regulated state. However, movers must comply with individual insurance, licensing, and other state laws and regulations.
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 walkable is Madison?
Madison has a walkability score of 50 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, compared to 37 and 78 in Fort Collins. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
What percentage of Fort Collins movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in Fort Collins handle piano moves, and 31% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.