($588+) Arlington, VA to Milwaukee, WI Movers
Moving from Arlington, VA, to Milwaukee, WI, runs anywhere from $565 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,489 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 789 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 $1,632, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,489 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,162 - $3,571, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $565 - $1,564.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Arlington, VA, to Milwaukee, WI. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,163 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 Arlington, VA to Milwaukee, WI
Moving options from Arlington to Milwaukee fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,163 - $5,347 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 789-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 789-mile route from Arlington to Milwaukee, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,632 - $4,230, container $1,162 - $2,036, rental truck $565 - $1,140, freight trailer $996 - $1,796.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,163 - $5,347, container $1,407 - $2,880, rental truck $611 - $1,289, freight trailer $1,115 - $2,349.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $3,739 - $7,489, container $1,965 - $3,571, rental truck $819 - $1,564, freight trailer $1,618 - $2,945.
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 Arlington, VA to Milwaukee, WI
For the 789-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, full-service movers cost between $1,632 and $7,489. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $401 - $2,672 (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 Arlington generally start around $200 plus $110 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Arlington to Milwaukee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,632 - $4,230
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,163 - $5,347
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,739 - $7,489
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 Arlington to Milwaukee.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Virginia 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.
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Specialty moving services from Arlington, VA to Milwaukee, WI
Specialty needs vary by market — 94% of Arlington movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Milwaukee, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $668 - $6,680 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready94% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $267 - $1,603/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $401 - $3,206 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage30% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs58% of local movers | $1,336 - $4,008 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $3,340 - $13,360 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $1,001 - $1,901 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items56% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,336 - $3,340 |
| Piano | Any piano type71% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $1,069 - $4,676 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling39% of local movers | $401 - $2,004 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect28% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: BoxStar Movers | $868 - $2,672 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $401 - $20,040+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $401 - $4,676+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Arlington to Milwaukee?
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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Arlington, VA. At that distance, local movers often charge 30% - 40% more because they don't spread long-haul costs across multiple shipments the way national carriers do. If a direct route and faster delivery (averaging 2 days) are priorities, a local mover may be worth considering, but that service comes at a higher price.
Moving container costs from Arlington, VA to Milwaukee, WI
Moving containers from Arlington, Virginia, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, cost between $1,162 and $3,571. 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 Milwaukee. If you go over that window, storage in Arlington adds around $100/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Arlington to Milwaukee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,162 - $2,036
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,407 - $2,880
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,965 - $3,571
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 Arlington, VA, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $935, 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 $100 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $200 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Arlington, VA, and Milwaukee, 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 Virginia 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 $1,162. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,407 - $2,880, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Arlington to Milwaukee?
- 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 Arlington 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 Arlington:
- BoxStar Movers (5.0/5), 5 years in business
- Zip Moving And Storage, Inc. (4.9/5), 10 years in business
- My Pro Movers (5.0/5), 9 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Arlington, VA to Milwaukee, WI
Renting a moving truck for the 789-mile move from Arlington, Virginia, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, costs between $565 and $1,564, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $335 - $383
- Daily insurance: $40/day
- Equipment rentals: $9 - $27
- Arlington daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.99 - $1.19
| 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 Arlington to Milwaukee based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $565 - $1,140
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $611 - $1,289
- 4+ bedrooms: $819 - $1,564
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $565 - $1,564 does not include fuel ($335 - $383) , lodging ($200/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Arlington to Milwaukee typically runs $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $200 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 Arlington, Virginia, usually costs about $935 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 789-mile drive falls between $335 and $383, 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 $67 and $401 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Arlington to Milwaukee?
- 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 Arlington, VA to Milwaukee, 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 Arlington, Virginia, to Milwaukee, 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 $1,115 and $2,349.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Arlington to Milwaukee:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $996 - $1,796
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,115 - $2,349
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,618 - $2,945
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 $100 and $200.
- 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 Arlington, Virginia, for roughly five hours typically average $935.
What are the best freight companies from Arlington to Milwaukee?
- 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.
- Terminal Transportation Services (4.7/5 stars): Terminal Transportation Services 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: 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 Milwaukee 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: Arlington, VA vs Milwaukee, WI
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Milwaukee, side by side with Arlington on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Arlington, VA | Milwaukee, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 164 | 88 |
| Average rent | $2,718/mo | $1,250/mo |
| Median home value | $866,334 | $171,025 |
| Average income | $140,160/yr | $51,888/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% | 7.4% |
| State income tax | Up to 5.75% | Up to 7.65% |
| Walkability score | 71/100 | 62/100 |
| Safety index | 79.15/100 | 33.24/100 |
| Air quality | Good | Good |
Cost of living index is relative to the U.S. average of 100. Figures reflect the latest available city and state data.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Milwaukee, WI to Arlington, VA guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Virginia to Wisconsin, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 104 movers in Virginia, so you have real options to compare for this 789-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Arlington, VA, to Milwaukee, WI, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,632 for a studio to $7,489 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 789-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,162 - $3,571. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $565 - $1,564, 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 $2,163 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 Johnson Controls and Aurora Health Care.
FAQs: Moving from Arlington, VA, to Milwaukee, WI
What extra costs come with a truck rental on this route?
The base rate only covers the vehicle. Expect to add fuel ($335 - $383), daily insurance ($40/day), and equipment rentals ($9 - $27) on top. Overnight stops can add another $200/night for lodging if your drive spans more than a day.
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 is the best time of year to move from Arlington, VA to Milwaukee, 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 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.
Is Milwaukee a safe place to live?
Milwaukee has a safety index of 33.24 out of 100 and a crime index of 66.76, compared to 79.15 and 15.67 in Arlington. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
What percentage of Arlington movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 71% of movers in Arlington handle piano moves, and 56% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
