($992+) Madison, WI to Scottsdale, AZ Movers
Moving from Madison, WI, to Scottsdale, AZ, runs anywhere from $992 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $9,719 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,671 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 4 to 15 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 $2,363, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $9,719 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,413 - $5,135, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $992 - $2,636.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to Scottsdale, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,210 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 Madison, WI to Scottsdale, AZ
Moving options from Madison to Scottsdale fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move on this route costs $3,210 - $7,047 and includes all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 45% less for the same home size, while rental trucks land about 68% less, though both require you to load the truck or container yourself. This route spans 1,671 miles and typically takes 4 to 15 days.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,671-mile route from Madison to Scottsdale, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,363 - $5,031, container $1,413 - $2,633, rental truck $992 - $1,793, freight trailer $1,245 - $2,515.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,210 - $7,047, container $1,770 - $3,720, rental truck $1,042 - $2,244, freight trailer $1,504 - $3,157.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $5,686 - $9,719, container $2,464 - $5,135, rental truck $1,379 - $2,636, freight trailer $1,911 - $4,189.
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 Madison, WI to Scottsdale, AZ
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 1,671-mile move from Madison, Wisconsin, to Scottsdale, Arizona, with prices running from $2,363 - $9,719. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $321 - $2,140 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Madison and Scottsdale are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Madison movers tend to run around $371 as a base rate plus $85/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Madison to Scottsdale:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,363 - $5,031
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,210 - $7,047
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,686 - $9,719
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 Madison to Scottsdale.
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.
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 Madison, WI to Scottsdale, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 52% of Madison movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Scottsdale, 66% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $535 - $5,350 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready52% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $214 - $1,284/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $321 - $2,568 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage5% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs62% of local movers | $1,070 - $3,210 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,675 - $10,700 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $801 - $1,523 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items14% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $1,070 - $2,675 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $856 - $3,745 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $321 - $1,605 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $696 - $2,140 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $321 - $16,050+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $321 - $3,745+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Madison to Scottsdale?
Arizona Moving Association membership is a quick way to confirm a mover is legitimate in Arizona, 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 van lines are the smarter financial choice over local movers in Madison, WI. Local companies can run 30% - 40% more at that range since they don't consolidate shipments the way interstate carriers do. If a direct, dedicated route with an average 2-day delivery appeals to you, a local mover could be worth it, but that convenience comes at a cost.
Moving container costs from Madison, WI to Scottsdale, AZ
Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Scottsdale, Arizona, cost between $1,413 and $5,135. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Madison costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Madison to Scottsdale:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,413 - $2,633
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,770 - $3,720
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,464 - $5,135
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 Madison, WI, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $749, 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 $80 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $161 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Madison, WI, and Scottsdale, AZ, 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 Wisconsin to Arizona 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 $1,413. 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 $1,770 - $3,720.
What are the best moving containers Madison to Scottsdale?
- 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 Madison 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 Madison:
- Above Average Moving LLC (4.8/5), 10 years in business
- Top Notch Moving and Storage (4.9/5), 7 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5)
Moving truck rental costs from Madison, WI to Scottsdale, AZ
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,671 miles from Madison, Wisconsin, to Scottsdale, Arizona, running $992 - $2,636. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $569 - $650
- Daily insurance: $32/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $21
- Madison 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 Madison to Scottsdale based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $992 - $1,793
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,042 - $2,244
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,379 - $2,636
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $992 - $2,636 when pricing out a rental truck from Madison to Scottsdale. Fuel alone runs $569 - $650, and overnight lodging ($161/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $161 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 Madison, Wisconsin, usually costs about $749 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,671-mile drive falls between $569 and $650, 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 $54 and $321 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison to Scottsdale?
- 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 Madison, WI to Scottsdale, AZ
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 Madison, Wisconsin, to Scottsdale, Arizona. 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 $1,504 and $3,157.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to Scottsdale:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,245 - $2,515
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,504 - $3,157
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,911 - $4,189
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 trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $80 - $161 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 Madison, Wisconsin, typically costs $749.
What are the best freight companies from Madison to Scottsdale?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the pick for best for large moves. The company is well-regarded as a top moving container option for its load-it-yourself, we-drive-it model, and that same model makes it a strong freight option for larger homes that benefit from the company's 53-foot trucks and footage-based pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Alongside their flagship container service, U-Pack provides a top-notch freight trailer option that follows the same model: no deposits, no upfront fees, and pricing based on the linear footage you actually use.
Pro tip: Freight trailers are a great option when you need your belongings in Scottsdale fast. For interstate moves, freight is one of the quickest delivery methods out there. Just keep in mind that freight carriers expect you to be available to receive your shipment, so it works best when your move-in is locked in and you don't need temporary storage on either end.
Cost of living: Madison, WI vs Scottsdale, AZ
Day-to-day costs in Scottsdale are close to what you're used to in Madison: cost of living index of 113 versus 103, with average rent of $3,300/mo compared to $1,600/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 50/100 and 65.43/100 in Madison versus 32/100 and 74.2/100 in Scottsdale.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Scottsdale, AZ to Madison, WI guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin to Arizona over the past 3 months, giving us some of the most up-to-date pricing data around. Running your move through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. There are 145 movers in our Wisconsin network to compare for this 1,671-mile move.
Our take
The 1,671-mile move from Madison, WI, to Scottsdale, AZ, costs between $2,363 and $9,719 with full-service movers, $1,413 - $5,135 with a moving container, and $992 - $2,636 for a rental truck. Your budget and how much heavy lifting you want to do are the two biggest factors in choosing the right option. If you go with full-service movers, Safeway Moving is our top recommendation, with transparent flat-rate pricing starting around $3,210 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage, and 24/7 customer support.
Beyond the move itself, people who've relocated to Scottsdale tend to point to bountiful arts and recreational activities and beautiful nature, though tourists and terrible traffic come up as common complaints. Major employers in the area include Honor Health and CVS Health.
FAQs: Moving from Madison, WI, to Scottsdale, AZ
How long does a move from Madison, WI to Scottsdale, AZ take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 4 to 15 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 are the best neighborhoods in Scottsdale?
For families, McCormick Ranch, DC Ranch, and Grayhawk are worth a look in Scottsdale. If you're moving solo or without kids, Old Town Scottsdale, Gainey Ranch, and Kierland tend to be popular picks instead.
What is the cheapest way to move from Madison, WI to Scottsdale, AZ?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $1,042 - $2,244. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
Is Scottsdale a safe place to live?
Scottsdale has a safety index of 74.2 out of 100 and a crime index of 25.8, compared to 65.43 and 34.57 in Madison. Neither figure tells the whole story on its own, so it's worth digging into specific neighborhoods before you commit to an address.
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 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Madison movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 52% of movers in Madison handle piano moves, and 14% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 41% and 26% nationally.