($623+) Philadelphia, PA to Madison, WI Movers
Moving from Philadelphia, PA, to Madison, WI, runs anywhere from $623 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,599 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 914 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 $1,796, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $7,599 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,064 - $3,770, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $623 - $1,702.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Madison, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,397 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 Philadelphia, PA to Madison, WI
Moving options from Philadelphia to Madison fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,397 - $5,379 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 43% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 74% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 914 miles, this route usually takes 2 to 7 days from pickup to delivery.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 914-mile route from Philadelphia to Madison, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,796 - $4,314 | $1,064 - $1,949 | $623 - $1,110 | $1,017 - $1,736 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,397 - $5,379 | $1,367 - $2,736 | $634 - $1,428 | $1,128 - $2,233 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,886 - $7,599 | $1,936 - $3,770 | $787 - $1,702 | $1,534 - $2,839 |
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 Philadelphia, PA to Madison, WI
Full-service movers handle loading, transportation, and unloading on the 914-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Madison, Wisconsin, with costs ranging from $1,796 - $7,599. You can have movers pack your boxes for an additional $311 - $2,072. Like most long-distance moves, your price is determined by the total weight of your belongings and the distance between Philadelphia and Madison. Local movers in Philadelphia typically start around $282 as a base rate plus $130/hour per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Philadelphia to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,796 - $4,314
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,397 - $5,379
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,886 - $7,599
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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, PA to Madison, WI
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Philadelphia 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 packing72% of local movers | $518 - $5,180 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Superior Moving & Storage | $207 - $1,243/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $311 - $2,486 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage10% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs48% of local movers | $1,036 - $3,108 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,590 - $10,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $776 - $1,474 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items27% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Superior Moving & Storage | $1,036 - $2,590 |
| Piano | Any piano type35% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: Superior Moving & Storage | $829 - $3,626 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling8% of local movers | $311 - $1,554 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: Payless Moving Inc. | $673 - $2,072 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $311 - $15,540+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $311 - $3,626+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Philadelphia to Madison?
Wisconsin Movers Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Wisconsin, on top of the picks below.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing means no surprise charges on moving day, and their support team is consistently rated among the most responsive in the industry.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover here, 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, with 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 full-service movers are the more cost-efficient choice. Local movers in Philadelphia, PA, 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 Philadelphia, PA to Madison, WI
Moving containers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $1,064 and $3,770. With a moving container, you load on your own schedule. U-Haul gives you 3 days to fill yours, while PODS gives you up to 30. Once you're ready, the company transports it straight to your new place. Need more time first? Storage in Philadelphia typically costs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Philadelphia to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,064 - $1,949
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,367 - $2,736
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,936 - $3,770
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 $725 in Philadelphia, PA. 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 $78 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $155 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 Pennsylvania 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 $1,064. 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 $1,367 - $2,736.
What are the best moving containers Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia:
- Superior Moving & Storage (4.3/5), 45 years in business
- Flex Moving & Storage (4.8/5), 4 years in business
- Payless Moving Inc. (4.5/5), 17 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Philadelphia, PA to Madison, WI
Renting a moving truck for the 914-mile move from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Madison, Wisconsin, costs between $623 and $1,702, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $301 - $344
- Daily insurance: $31/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Philadelphia daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.89 - $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 Philadelphia to Madison based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $623 - $1,110
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $634 - $1,428
- 4+ bedrooms: $787 - $1,702
Pro tip: The base rate of $623 - $1,702 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Philadelphia to Madison. Fuel ($301 - $344), lodging at around $155/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $725.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $301 - $344 for the 914-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 $62 and $337, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $155 per night for hotel stops on the 914-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $311 - $466.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, PA to Madison, WI
If you're moving a larger household from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Madison, Wisconsin.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $1,128 and $2,233.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Philadelphia to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,017 - $1,736
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,128 - $2,233
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,534 - $2,839
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
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 $78 and $155.
- 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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for roughly five hours typically average $725.
What are the best freight companies from Philadelphia to Madison?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are one of the fastest ways to move your belongings interstate, often beating full-service movers on delivery time. If getting your stuff to Madison quickly is a priority, freight is worth a hard look. That said, freight carriers typically require you to be available to receive your shipment within a set window, so if you need short-term storage or your new place won't be ready right away, a container or full-service mover may give you more flexibility.
Cost of living: Philadelphia, PA vs Madison, WI
There's not a big cost-of-living gap between Philadelphia and Madison to plan around. Cost of living index: 104 vs. 103. Average rent: $1,695/mo vs. $1,600/mo. The bigger factor in your budget is the one-time cost of the move itself, covered above. Walkability: 75 vs. 50. Safety index: 33.91 vs. 65.43.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison, WI to Philadelphia, PA guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Pennsylvania alone has 267 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 914-mile move like this one.
Our take
For a move from Philadelphia, PA, to Madison, WI, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,796 for a studio to $7,599 for a 4+ bedroom home on the 914-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,064 - $3,770. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $623 - $1,702, 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 $2,397 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 Philadelphia, PA, to Madison, WI
How walkable is Madison?
Madison has a walkability score of 50 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, compared to 75 and 67 in Philadelphia. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Madison a safe place to live?
Madison has a safety index of 65.43 out of 100 and a crime index of 34.57, compared to 33.91 and 66.09 in Philadelphia. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What are some tips for saving money on a move from Philadelphia, PA 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.
What is the best time of year to move from Philadelphia, PA 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 long does a move from Philadelphia, PA to Madison, WI take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 2 to 7 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 percentage of Philadelphia movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 35% of movers in Philadelphia handle piano moves, and 27% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.