($438+) Fargo, ND to Madison, WI Movers
Moving from Fargo, ND, to Madison, WI, runs anywhere from $447 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,006 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 503 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 6 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 $1,496, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $10,006 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,043 - $3,320, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $447 - $1,150.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Fargo, ND, to Madison, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,523 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Fargo, ND to Madison, WI
Moving options from Fargo to Madison fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,523 - $6,706 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 60% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 503 miles, this route usually takes 1 to 6 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 503-mile route from Fargo to Madison, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,496 - $4,502 | $1,043 - $1,781 | $447 - $845 | $876 - $1,554 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,523 - $6,706 | $1,222 - $2,533 | $444 - $917 | $1,059 - $2,027 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,635 - $10,006 | $1,711 - $3,320 | $588 - $1,150 | $1,356 - $2,605 |
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 Fargo, ND to Madison, WI
For the 503-mile move from Fargo, North Dakota, to Madison, Wisconsin, full-service movers cost between $1,496 and $10,006. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $287 - $1,916 (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 Fargo generally start around $264 plus $99 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Fargo to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,496 - $4,502
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,523 - $6,706
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,635 - $10,006
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 Fargo to Madison.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from North Dakota 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 Fargo, ND to Madison, WI
Specialty needs vary by market — 50% of Fargo 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 packing83% of local movers | $479 - $4,790 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready50% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $192 - $1,150/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $287 - $2,299 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage50% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs50% of local movers | $958 - $2,874 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,395 - $9,580 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $718 - $1,363 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items17% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: Midwest Moving Company | $958 - $2,395 |
| Piano | Any piano type67% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $766 - $3,353 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling33% of local movers | $287 - $1,437 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect17% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Midwest Moving Company | $623 - $1,916 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $287 - $14,370+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $287 - $3,353+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Fargo 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 almost always better priced than local movers in Fargo, ND. Local companies typically run 30% - 40% more at longer distances because they aren't set up to consolidate shipments the way national carriers do. The one case where a local mover might be worth the premium is if you want a dedicated direct-route truck, which averages a 2-day delivery time, but expect to pay more for that convenience.
Moving container costs from Fargo, ND to Madison, WI
Moving containers from Fargo, North Dakota, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $1,043 and $3,320. 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 Fargo adds around $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Fargo to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,043 - $1,781
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,222 - $2,533
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,711 - $3,320
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Access: Most major container brands operate in both Fargo, ND and Madison, WI. Still, double-check that a nearby facility is available if you need to access your belongings before delivery.
- Moving labor: Because containers are self-loaded, many customers hire hourly help. Two movers for about 5 hours typically cost around $671 in Fargo, ND, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: Monthly container rental after the first 30 days averages $72 for small units (7 - 8 feet) and about $144 for larger ones (12 - 16 feet).
- Added contents protection: For more coverage beyond the standard minimum, full-value protection is the typical upgrade, generally 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value. On a $50,000 household, that's roughly $500 - $1,000 as a one-time fee.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a North Dakota 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 $1,043. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,222 - $2,533, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Fargo 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 Fargo 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 Fargo:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.8/5), 24 years in business
- Midwest Moving Company (4.8/5), 8 years in business
- 5 Star Moving (4.3/5), 23 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Fargo, ND to Madison, WI
Renting a moving truck for the 503-mile move from Fargo, North Dakota, to Madison, Wisconsin, costs between $447 and $1,150, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $153 - $175
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $19
- Fargo 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 Fargo to Madison based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $447 - $845
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $444 - $917
- 4+ bedrooms: $588 - $1,150
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $447 - $1,150 does not include fuel ($153 - $175) , lodging ($144/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Fargo 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 Fargo, North Dakota, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $671.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $153 - $175 for the 503-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 $57 and $311, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $144 per night for hotel stops on the 503-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $287 - $431.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Fargo 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 Fargo, ND 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 Fargo, North Dakota, 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 $1,059 and $2,027.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Fargo to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $876 - $1,554
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,059 - $2,027
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,356 - $2,605
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?
- More space: Freight pricing is based on exactly how much of the trailer you fill. If your items take up more than expected, the added footage can increase your cost by between $72 and $144.
- Peak season impact: Moving during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) often means higher trailer rates as demand increases across the board.
- Moving labor: Unless you plan to load everything yourself, factor in labor costs. Two movers in Fargo, North Dakota, for roughly five hours typically average $671.
What are the best freight companies from Fargo 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.
- Magnum Ltd (4.96/5 stars): Magnum Ltd is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned and operated facilities give you direct access to support staff who know the area and can coordinate pickups and deliveries with greater flexibility than national carriers.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Fargo to Madison, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Fargo, ND vs Madison, WI
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Fargo and Madison to plan around. Cost of living index: 91 vs. 103. Average rent: $1,055/mo vs. $1,600/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 45 vs. 50. Safety index: 56.17 vs. 65.43.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison, WI to Fargo, ND guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from North Dakota to Wisconsin in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 10 movers based in North Dakota, handy for sizing up options on this 503-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 503-mile route from Fargo, ND, to Madison, WI, run $1,496 - $10,006 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,043 - $3,320, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $447 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,523, 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 Fargo, ND, 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 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 do local movers charge in Fargo?
Local movers based in Fargo typically start around $264 as a base rate, plus $99/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 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 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Fargo, ND to Madison, WI?
Costs on this route range from around $1,496 to $10,006, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,496 and $10,006, 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 Fargo movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 67% of movers in Fargo handle piano moves, and 17% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.