($818+) Missoula, MT to Madison, WI Movers
Moving from Missoula, MT, to Madison, WI, runs anywhere from $818 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,968 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,427 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 to 8 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 $2,585, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,968 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,358 - $4,494, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $818 - $2,351.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Missoula, MT, to Madison, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,265 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 Missoula, MT to Madison, WI
There are 3 main ways to move from Missoula 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 $3,265 - $7,932. Moving containers run about 47% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 72% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 3 to 8 days for this 1,427-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 1,427-mile route from Missoula to Madison, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,585 - $5,980 | $1,358 - $2,439 | $818 - $1,585 | $1,198 - $2,331 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,265 - $7,932 | $1,717 - $3,442 | $904 - $1,964 | $1,306 - $2,893 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $6,089 - $10,968 | $2,311 - $4,494 | $1,116 - $2,351 | $1,942 - $3,559 |
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 Missoula, MT to Madison, WI
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 1,427-mile move from Missoula, Montana, to Madison, Wisconsin, with costs ranging from $2,585 - $10,968. 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 Missoula and Madison. Local movers in Missoula typically start around $342 as a base rate plus $150/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Missoula to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,585 - $5,980
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,265 - $7,932
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,089 - $10,968
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 Missoula to Madison.
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 Missoula, MT to Madison, WI
Specialty needs vary by market: 50% of Missoula 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 packing75% of local movers | $545 - $5,450 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $218 - $1,308/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $327 - $2,616 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% 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 items25% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $1,090 - $2,725 |
| Piano | Any piano type25% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $872 - $3,815 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling25% of local movers | $327 - $1,635 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect25% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Moving On Up LLC | $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 Missoula to Madison?
Look for Wisconsin Movers Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in Wisconsin beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
Good to know: For moves over 500 miles, national van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Missoula, MT. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Missoula, MT to Madison, WI
Moving containers from Missoula, Montana, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $1,358 and $4,494. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Missoula typically runs around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Missoula to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,358 - $2,439
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,717 - $3,442
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,311 - $4,494
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $82 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $164 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 $763 in Missoula, MT, 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.
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 $1,358. 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 $1,717 - $3,442.
What are the best moving containers Missoula 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 Missoula 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 Missoula:
Moving truck rental costs from Missoula, MT to Madison, WI
Truck rentals from Missoula, Montana, to Madison, Wisconsin, range from $818 - $2,351 for the 1,427-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $495 - $566
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- Missoula daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.09
| 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 Missoula to Madison based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $818 - $1,585
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $904 - $1,964
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,116 - $2,351
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Missoula to Madison starts at $818 - $2,351, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($495 - $566), 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?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Missoula, Montana, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $763.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $495 - $566 for the 1,427-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 $65 and $354, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $164 per night for hotel stops on the 1,427-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $327 - $491.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Missoula 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 Missoula, MT to Madison, WI
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Missoula, Montana, to Madison, Wisconsin. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $981 and $2,893.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Missoula to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,198 - $2,331
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,306 - $2,893
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,942 - $3,559
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 $82 - $164 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Missoula, Montana, for about five hours typically runs $763.
What are the best freight companies from Missoula to Madison?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Missoula 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: Missoula, MT vs Madison, WI
Good news for your budget: Madison isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Missoula. Cost of living index runs 103 there against 113 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 45/100 and 66.73/100 here versus 50/100 and 65.43/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison, WI to Missoula, MT guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 1 real quote from Montana 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 25 movers in our Montana network to compare for this 1,427-mile move.
Our take
The 1,427-mile move from Missoula, MT, to Madison, WI, costs between $2,585 and $10,968 with full-service movers, $1,358 - $4,494 with a moving container, and $818 - $2,351 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 $3,265 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 Missoula, MT, to Madison, WI
How much does it cost to move from Missoula, MT to Madison, WI?
Costs on this route range from around $818 to $10,968, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,585 and $10,968, 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 is the cheapest way to move from Missoula, MT 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 $904 - $1,964. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($495 - $566), daily insurance ($33/day), and equipment rentals ($8 - $22) on top. Overnight stops can add another $164/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
How long does a move from Missoula, MT to Madison, WI take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 3 to 8 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are often one of the faster options outside of driving yourself, 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 is the best time of year to move from Missoula, MT 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 percentage of Missoula movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 25% of movers in Missoula handle piano moves, and 25% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.