($701+) Dallas, TX to Madison, WI Movers
Moving from Dallas, TX, to Madison, WI, runs anywhere from $694 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,229 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 989 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 $2,162, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,229 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,160 - $3,939, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $694 - $1,828.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Dallas, TX, to Madison, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,592 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Fact Checked by:
Compare moving options from Dallas, TX to Madison, WI
Moving options from Dallas to Madison fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,592 - $6,116 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 989-mile route typically takes 2 to 7 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 989-mile route from Dallas to Madison, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,162 - $5,072 | $1,160 - $2,133 | $694 - $1,355 | $1,043 - $2,000 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,592 - $6,116 | $1,477 - $3,151 | $736 - $1,519 | $1,293 - $2,446 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,267 - $8,229 | $2,179 - $3,939 | $904 - $1,828 | $1,693 - $3,378 |
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 Dallas, TX to Madison, WI
Hiring full-service movers from Dallas, Texas, to Madison, Wisconsin, costs between $2,162 and $8,229. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 989-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $304 - $2,024, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Dallas and Madison. For a rough baseline, movers based in Dallas tend to start around $179 plus $60/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Dallas to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,162 - $5,072
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,592 - $6,116
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,267 - $8,229
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 Dallas to Madison.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Texas to Wisconsin. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
Don't see your company listed?
Reach customers actively searching for trusted movers in your area. Tell us about your company and services to get your business listed on moveBuddha.
Specialty moving services from Dallas, TX to Madison, WI
Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Dallas 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 packing99% of local movers | $506 - $5,060 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $202 - $1,214/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $304 - $2,429 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage26% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs69% of local movers | $1,012 - $3,036 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,530 - $10,120 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $758 - $1,440 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items50% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $1,012 - $2,530 |
| Piano | Any piano type64% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $810 - $3,542 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling36% of local movers | $304 - $1,518 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect23% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $658 - $2,024 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $304 - $15,180+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $304 - $3,542+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Dallas 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 full-service movers are almost always better priced than local movers in Dallas, TX. 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 Dallas, TX to Madison, WI
Moving containers from Dallas, Texas, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $1,160 and $3,939. 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 Dallas runs about $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Dallas to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,160 - $2,133
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,477 - $3,151
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,179 - $3,939
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $76 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $152 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 $708 in Dallas, TX, 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 Texas 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 $1,160. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,477 - $3,151, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Dallas 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 Dallas 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 Dallas:
- AB Moving (4.5/5), 26 years in business
- AM Moving Company LLC (4.4/5), 11 years in business
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Dallas, TX to Madison, WI
A rental truck for this 989-mile move from Dallas, Texas, to Madison, Wisconsin, costs between $694 and $1,828. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $318 - $364
- Daily insurance: $30/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- Dallas 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 Dallas to Madison based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $694 - $1,355
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $736 - $1,519
- 4+ bedrooms: $904 - $1,828
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $694 - $1,828 does not include fuel ($318 - $364) , lodging ($152/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Dallas 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 Dallas, Texas, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $708.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $318 - $364 for the 989-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 $61 and $329, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $152 per night for hotel stops on the 989-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $304 - $455.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Dallas 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 Dallas, TX to Madison, WI
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Dallas, Texas, 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 $911 and $2,446.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Dallas to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,043 - $2,000
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,293 - $2,446
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,693 - $3,378
Pro tip: Freight trailers offer generous space but reward good packing strategy. The 4-foot ramp can be challenging for large or heavy pieces, and using the full 8-foot height takes careful stacking. Because you're billed by the linear foot, maximizing vertical space keeps your costs lower.
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 $76 - $152 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 Dallas, Texas, typically costs $708.
What are the best freight companies from Dallas to Madison?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is best for large moves. Primarily known as a top moving container option for its DIY hybrid model where customers load and the company drives, MovingYourself also functions as a strong freight option thanks to its 53-foot trucks and pay-only-for-the-space-you-use pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer on this list. Best known for its container service, U-Pack also runs a top-notch freight trailer operation with the same no-deposit, pay-by-the-foot approach that keeps overall costs lower than most freight competitors.
- Hazel's Expedited Freight (4.62/5 stars): Hazel's Expedited Freight is the best locally owned freight company on this list. Locally owned facilities and accessible live support staff make scheduling and route coordination easier on local-area routes than what most national freight providers can offer.
Pro tip: One of the biggest advantages of freight trailers is speed. For an interstate move, freight delivery is one of the fastest options you have short of driving a rental truck yourself. It's a smart choice when your timeline is firm and you'll be ready to receive your shipment. If there's any chance your new place won't be ready or you need a few weeks of storage, a moving container with built-in storage may serve you better.
Cost of living: Dallas, TX vs Madison, WI
Dallas and Madison land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 100 in Dallas and 103 in Madison, and rent tracks closely too ($1,774/mo vs. $1,600/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (46 vs 50) and safety scores (48.6 vs 65.43) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison, WI to Dallas, TX guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Texas 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 289 movers based in Texas, handy for sizing up options on this 989-mile route.
Our take
For a move from Dallas, TX, to Madison, WI, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $2,162 for a studio to $8,229 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 989-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,160 - $3,939. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $694 - $1,828, 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 $2,592 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 Dallas, TX, to Madison, WI
What is the best time of year to move from Dallas, TX 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Dallas, TX 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.
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 48.6 and 51.4 in Dallas. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
How walkable is Madison?
Madison has a walkability score of 50 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 66, compared to 46 and 49 in Dallas. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
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.
What percentage of Dallas movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 64% of movers in Dallas handle piano moves, and 50% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
