($649+) Dallas, TX to Madison, WI Movers
Moving from Dallas, TX, to Madison, WI, runs anywhere from $649 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,172 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ 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 $2,126, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,172 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,199 - $3,915, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $649 - $1,781.
- 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 $2,574 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 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. The most hands-off option, full-service, runs $2,574 - $6,018 for a 2-3 bedroom home and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers cost about 41% less than full-service for the same size, and rental trucks land around 73% less, with both DIY options requiring you to load yourself. Covering 989 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 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 | $2,126 - $4,554 | $1,199 - $2,100 | $649 - $1,170 | $1,089 - $1,852 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,574 - $6,018 | $1,529 - $2,919 | $688 - $1,435 | $1,175 - $2,477 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,197 - $8,172 | $2,020 - $3,915 | $880 - $1,781 | $1,536 - $3,038 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Dallas, TX to Madison, WI
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 989-mile move from Dallas, Texas, to Madison, Wisconsin, with prices running from $2,126 - $8,172. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $304 - $2,024 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Dallas and Madison are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Dallas movers tend to run around $179 as a base rate plus $60/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Dallas to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,126 - $4,554
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,574 - $6,018
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,197 - $8,172
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.
Pro tip: Demand for full-service movers surges during peak moving season from May - September, pushing prices higher. Shifting your move to a cooler month could save you a meaningful amount on your total bill.
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Specialty moving services from Dallas, TX to Madison, WI
Specialty needs vary by market: 55% of Dallas movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Madison, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing74% of local movers | $506 - $5,060 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready55% of local movers60% 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 coverage13% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs61% 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 items24% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: AM Moving Company LLC | $1,012 - $2,530 |
| Piano | Any piano type41% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: AB Moving | $810 - $3,542 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $304 - $1,518 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect7% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & 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?
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 movers are consistently lower-priced than local companies in Dallas, TX. Van lines spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments, while local movers tend to charge 30% - 40% more for the same distance. A direct route with a local mover averages 2-day delivery, but that added speed typically carries a higher price tag.
Moving container costs from Dallas, TX to Madison, WI
Moving containers from Dallas, Texas, to Madison, Wisconsin, cost between $1,199 and $3,915. 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 Dallas adds around $80/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Dallas to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,199 - $2,100
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,529 - $2,919
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,020 - $3,915
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Dallas, TX, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $708, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $76 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $152 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Dallas, TX, and Madison, WI, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
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 $1,199. 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 $1,529 - $2,919.
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
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.9/5), 6 years in business
- 3 Men Movers (4.8/5), 41 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Dallas, TX to Madison, WI
Plan on $649 - $1,781 for a rental moving truck on the 989-mile route from Dallas, Texas, to Madison, Wisconsin. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- 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: $649 - $1,170
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $688 - $1,435
- 4+ bedrooms: $880 - $1,781
Pro tip: The base rate of $649 - $1,781 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Dallas to Madison. Fuel ($318 - $364), lodging at around $152/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?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $152 per night if your drive requires an overnight stop. Typically, you'll make 1 - 3 overnight stops, depending on move distance.
- Moving labor: Bringing in professional loading help in Dallas, Texas, usually costs about $708 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 989-mile drive falls between $318 and $364, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, moving pads, and vehicle trailers are easy to overlook but can add between $51 and $304 to your total.
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 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 Dallas, Texas, 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. A 2 - 3 bedroom long-distance move using this method runs roughly between $1,175 and $2,477.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Dallas to Madison:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,089 - $1,852
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,175 - $2,477
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,536 - $3,038
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Dallas, Texas, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $708.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $76 - $152 per additional foot to your total.
- Time of year: Rates tend to climb during peak moving season (mid-May through mid-September) when trailer demand is at its highest.
What are the best freight companies from Dallas 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Dallas 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: Dallas, TX vs Madison, WI
Day-to-day costs in Madison are close to what you're used to in Dallas: cost of living index of 103 versus 100, with average rent of $1,600/mo compared to $1,774/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 46/100 and 48.6/100 in Dallas versus 50/100 and 65.43/100 in Madison.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison, WI to Dallas, TX guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Texas to Wisconsin, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 803 movers licensed in Texas, useful context for sizing up this 989-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 989-mile route from Dallas, TX, to Madison, WI, run $2,126 - $8,172 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,199 - $3,915, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $649 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,574, 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 Dallas, TX, to Madison, WI
What do local movers charge in Dallas?
Local movers based in Dallas typically start around $179 as a base rate, plus $60/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 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.
How much does it cost to move from Dallas, TX to Madison, WI?
Costs on this route range from around $649 to $8,172, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,126 and $8,172, 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.
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 extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($318 - $364), daily insurance ($30/day), and equipment rentals ($7 - $20) on top. Overnight stops can add another $152/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
What percentage of Dallas movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 41% of movers in Dallas handle piano moves, and 24% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.