($304+) Minneapolis, MN to Madison, WI Movers

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Background image of a moving truck moving from Minneapolis, MN to Madison, WI

Moving from Minneapolis, MN, to Madison, WI, runs anywhere from $314 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,031 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 268 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 $1,009, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $6,031 or more.
  • Moving containers run $898 - $2,608, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $314 - $797.
  • Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Minneapolis, MN, to Madison, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,681 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.

Compare moving options from Minneapolis, MN to Madison, WI

There are 3 main ways to move from Minneapolis to Madison: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $1,681 - $4,724. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 4 days for this 268-mile route, depending on which option you go with.

Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 268-mile route from Minneapolis to Madison, broken down by home size:

  • Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,009 - $3,816, container $898 - $1,565, rental truck $314 - $566, freight trailer $817 - $1,408.
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $1,681 - $4,724, container $1,158 - $2,149, rental truck $330 - $631, freight trailer $945 - $1,702.
  • 4+ bedrooms: full-service $2,314 - $6,031, container $1,498 - $2,608, rental truck $420 - $797, freight trailer $1,234 - $2,043.

Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.

Professional
Safeway Moving
star star star star star 4.9 / 5
Read our full Safeway review
Best overall value
Portion to charity
Veteran-owned
Container
Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount
Rental Truck
Budget Truck Rental
star star star star star 4.3 / 5
Read our full Budget review
Affordable pricing
Online estimates
Several discounts
Freight
MovingYourself
star star star star star 4.5 / 5
Read our full MovingYourself review
Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Full-service moving costs from Minneapolis, MN to Madison, WI

Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 268-mile move from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Madison, Wisconsin, with costs ranging from $1,009 - $6,031. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $316 - $2,108. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Minneapolis and Madison. Local movers in Minneapolis typically start around $240 as a base rate plus $109/hour per mover.

Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Minneapolis to Madison:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,009 - $3,816
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,681 - $4,724
  • 4+ bedrooms: $2,314 - $6,031

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 Minneapolis to Madison.

The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Minnesota to Wisconsin. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.

Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.

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Specialty moving services from Minneapolis, MN to Madison, WI

Specialty needs vary by market — 91% of Minneapolis 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 packingFull crew packing100% of local movers$527 - $5,270
Storage in transitNew place not ready91% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company $211 - $1,265/mo
Shuttle feeTruck can't reach door$316 - $2,530
Full-value protectionMore than $0.60/lb coverage29% of local movers$300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value)
Small movesUnder ~2,000 lbs59% of local movers$1,054 - $3,162
Office / commercialWorkplace relocation$2,635 - $10,540
Car shippingSecond vehicle$789 - $1,500
Antiques & fine artFragile, high-value items41% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: College Muscle Movers, LLC$1,054 - $2,635
PianoAny piano type76% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Matt's Moving Company $843 - $3,689
Pool tableDisassembly & re-leveling21% of local movers$316 - $1,581
Hot tubHeavy, needs disconnect12% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: College Muscle Movers, LLC$685 - $2,108
Wine collectionClimate-controlled transport$316 - $15,810+
Pet relocationGround, air, or concierge$316 - $3,689+

What are the best full-service movers from Minneapolis 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

How much do local movers cost in Minneapolis, MN?

Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Minneapolis to Madison with a local mover averages $1,697 - $4,771. For moves under 500 miles, local moving companies in Minneapolis, MN can be a practical and cost-effective alternative to national carriers. Many price shorter moves using hourly or regional rates that may come in lower overall, with leaner operations and tighter service areas often translating to more flexible scheduling and a more personalized experience.

Keep in mind that not every local mover is authorized for moves that cross city or state lines. Always confirm interstate licensing and proper insurance before booking.

Premium Moving Services (4.48/5 stars) is our preferred moving company in Minneapolis, based on our analysis of feedback from 177 customers, 83.1% of which is positive.

Address: 949 Schaller Dr, S Maplewood, MN, 55119 | Founded: 2017

Moving container costs from Minneapolis, MN to Madison, WI

Moving containers from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $898 and $2,608. 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 Minneapolis adds around $70/month.

Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Minneapolis to Madison:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $898 - $1,565
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,158 - $2,149
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,498 - $2,608

What other costs come with moving containers?

  • Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $79 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $158 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 $738 in Minneapolis, MN, 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 Minnesota 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 $898. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,158 - $2,149, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.

What are the best moving containers Minneapolis to Madison?

  1. Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
  2. U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis:

  • AAA Movers (4.4/5), 38 years in business
  • College Muscle Movers, LLC (4.5/5), 19 years in business
  • Daymakers Moving & Storage (4.9/5), 8 years in business

Moving truck rental costs from Minneapolis, MN to Madison, WI

Plan on $314 - $797 for a rental moving truck on the 268-mile route from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Madison, Wisconsin. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:

  • Fuel for the drive: $90 - $103
  • Daily insurance: $32/day
  • Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
  • Minneapolis daily rental rate: $19 - $39
  • Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
Home sizeTypical truck size
Studio / 1 bedroom10 - 12 ft
2 - 3 bedrooms15 - 17 ft
4+ bedrooms20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel)

These are typical moving truck rental costs from Minneapolis to Madison based on home size:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $314 - $566
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $330 - $631
  • 4+ bedrooms: $420 - $797

Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Minneapolis to Madison starts at $314 - $797, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($90 - $103) , overnight lodging ($158/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for an additional $600 - $1,200 on top of your base rate to cover those costs.

What other costs come with rental trucks?

  • Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $738.
  • Gas: Fuel costs total $90 - $103 for the 268-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 $63 and $343, depending on what you need.
  • Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
  • Lodging: Budget around $158 per night for hotel stops on the 268-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $316 - $474.

What are the best moving truck rentals from Minneapolis to Madison?

  1. Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
  2. Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
  3. 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 Minneapolis, MN 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 Minneapolis, Minnesota, 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. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $945 and $1,702.

Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Minneapolis to Madison:

  • Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $817 - $1,408
  • 2 - 3 bedrooms: $945 - $1,702
  • 4+ bedrooms: $1,234 - $2,043

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?

  • 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 $79 - $158 more per foot.
  • Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for about five hours typically runs $738.

What are the best freight companies from Minneapolis to Madison?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. T.A. Dedicated, Inc. (4.8/5 stars): T.A. Dedicated, 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 Minneapolis 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: Minneapolis, MN vs Madison, WI

Minneapolis and Madison land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 107 in Minneapolis and 103 in Madison, and rent tracks closely too ($1,484/mo vs. $1,600/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (71 vs 50) and safety scores (43.94 vs 65.43) come out about the same too.

Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN guide.

Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:

We've processed 10 real quotes from Minnesota 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 49 movers in our Minnesota network to compare for this 268-mile move.

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Our take

For a move from Minneapolis, MN, to Madison, WI, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,009 for a studio to $6,031 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 268-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $898 - $2,608. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $314 - $797, 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 $1,681 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 Minneapolis, MN, to Madison, WI

What is the best time of year to move from Minneapolis, MN 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.

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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?

The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($90 - $103), daily insurance ($32/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $21) on top. Overnight stops can add another $158/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.

How walkable is Madison?

Madison has a walkability score of 50 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, compared to 71 and 83 in Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis, MN to Madison, WI?

Costs on this route range from around $1,009 to $6,031, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,009 and $6,031, 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 Minneapolis movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?

About 76% of movers in Minneapolis handle piano moves, and 41% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.