($1,058+) Boise, ID to Madison, WI Movers
Moving from Boise, ID, to Madison, WI, runs anywhere from $1,058 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,676 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,647 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 $2,710, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $11,676 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,471 - $5,133, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,058 - $2,701.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Boise, ID, to Madison, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,860 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Boise, ID to Madison, WI
Moving options from Boise to Madison fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,860 - $8,410 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 30% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 60% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,647-mile route typically takes 4 to 15 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,647-mile route from Boise to Madison, broken down by home size:
- Full-service movers: $2,710 for a studio up to $11,676 for a 4+ bedroom home.
- Moving containers: $1,471 - $5,133 depending on home size.
- Rental trucks: $1,058 - $2,701, the lowest-cost option across the board.
- Freight trailers: $1,338 - $4,444, billed by the space you actually use.
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 Boise, ID to Madison, WI
Full-service movers for the 1,647-mile relocation from Boise, Idaho, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $2,710 and $11,676. 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 $338 - $2,252, 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 Boise typically charge a base rate around $229 plus $100 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Boise to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,710 - $6,077
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,860 - $8,410
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,477 - $11,676
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 Boise to Madison.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Idaho to Wisconsin. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
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 Boise, ID to Madison, WI
Specialty needs vary by market — 91% of Boise 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 | $563 - $5,630 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready91% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: 208 Moving Company | $225 - $1,351/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $338 - $2,702 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage27% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs45% of local movers | $1,126 - $3,378 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,815 - $11,260 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $843 - $1,602 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Merchant Moving & Storage, LLC | $1,126 - $2,815 |
| Piano | Any piano type91% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: 208 Moving Company | $901 - $3,941 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $338 - $1,689 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: | $732 - $2,252 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $338 - $16,890+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $338 - $3,941+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Boise 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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Boise, ID. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Boise, ID to Madison, WI
Moving containers from Boise, Idaho, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $1,471 and $5,133. 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 Boise runs about $85/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Boise to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,471 - $2,854
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,862 - $3,793
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,671 - $5,133
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Containers are self-loaded, so many people hire hourly help for the heavy lifting. moveBuddha data shows two movers for about five hours runs around $788 in Boise, ID. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: If you want stronger coverage than the default liability, full-value protection is the upgrade to consider. Most providers charge 1% - 2% of your shipment value, roughly $500 - $1,000 for $50,000 in contents.
- Storage: After the first month, rental fees average $84 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $169 per month for a larger 12- to 16-foot unit.
- Access: If you anticipate needing to access items while in storage, confirm there's a facility conveniently located near your Madison, WI, destination before booking.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Idaho 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 $1,471. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,862 - $3,793, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Boise 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 Boise 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 Boise:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 41 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- Vantage Moving Solutions, LLC (4.7/5), 6 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Boise, ID to Madison, WI
Plan on $1,058 - $2,701 for a rental moving truck on the 1,647-mile route from Boise, Idaho, to Madison, Wisconsin. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $590 - $674
- Daily insurance: $34/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- Boise daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $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 Boise to Madison based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,058 - $1,994
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,102 - $2,326
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,374 - $2,701
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $1,058 - $2,701 does not include fuel ($590 - $674) , lodging ($169/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Boise to Madison typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Boise, Idaho, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $788.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $590 - $674 for the 1,647-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 $68 and $366, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $169 per night for hotel stops on the 1,647-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $338 - $507.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Boise 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 Boise, ID to Madison, WI
For larger DIY moves from Boise, Idaho, 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 most medium-to-large moves on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,505 and $3,224.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Boise to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,338 - $2,518
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,505 - $3,224
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,200 - $4,444
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?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $84 - $169 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Boise, Idaho, typically costs $788.
What are the best freight companies from Boise 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.
- Frasier Transport, Inc. (4.62/5 stars): Frasier Transport, Inc. 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Boise to Madison. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Boise, ID vs Madison, WI
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Madison, side by side with Boise on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Boise, ID | Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 119 | 103 |
| Average rent | $1,495/mo | $1,600/mo |
| Median home value | $455,253 | $346,854 |
| Average income | $81,308/yr | $76,983/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% | 3.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.8% | Up to 7.65% |
| Walkability score | 88/100 | 50/100 |
| Safety index | 65.01/100 | 65.43/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison, WI to Boise, ID guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Idaho to Wisconsin, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 22 movers in Idaho, so you have real options to compare for this 1,647-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Boise, ID, to Madison, WI, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,710 for a studio to $11,676 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 1,647-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,471 - $5,133. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $1,058 - $2,701, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $3,860 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Datex Ohmeda and American Family Insurance.
FAQs: Moving from Boise, ID, to Madison, WI
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 Boise, ID 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 Boise?
Local movers based in Boise typically start around $229 as a base rate, plus $100/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 Boise, ID 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.
How much does it cost to move from Boise, ID to Madison, WI?
Costs on this route range from around $2,710 to $11,676, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,710 and $11,676, 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 Boise movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 91% of movers in Boise handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.