($985+) Madison, WI to Tempe, AZ Movers
Moving from Madison, WI, to Tempe, AZ, runs anywhere from $985 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $10,300 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,675 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 $2,304, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $10,300 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,381 - $4,978, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $985 - $2,753.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to Tempe, AZ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,264 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 Madison, WI to Tempe, AZ
Moving options from Madison to Tempe fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $3,264 - $6,871 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 40% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 67% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 1,675-mile route typically takes 4 to 15 days door to door.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,675-mile route from Madison to Tempe, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,304 - $5,042 | $1,381 - $2,708 | $985 - $1,892 | $1,333 - $2,316 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $3,264 - $6,871 | $1,950 - $3,978 | $1,076 - $2,341 | $1,560 - $2,940 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,402 - $10,300 | $2,407 - $4,978 | $1,316 - $2,753 | $2,027 - $4,023 |
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 Tempe, AZ
Hiring full-service movers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Tempe, Arizona, costs between $2,304 and $10,300. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 1,675-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $321 - $2,140, 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 Madison and Tempe. For a rough baseline, movers based in Madison tend to start around $371 plus $85/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 Madison to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,304 - $5,042
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,264 - $6,871
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,402 - $10,300
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 Tempe.
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 Madison, WI to Tempe, AZ
Specialty needs vary by market: 52% of Madison movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tempe, 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 Tempe?
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 carriers are typically lower-priced than local moving companies in Madison, WI. 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 Madison, WI to Tempe, AZ
Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Tempe, Arizona, cost between $1,381 and $4,978. 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 Madison typically costs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Madison to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,381 - $2,708
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,950 - $3,978
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,407 - $4,978
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 $749 in Madison, WI. 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 $80 per month for a small 7- to 8-foot container and $161 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 Tempe, AZ, destination before booking.
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 $1,381. 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 $1,950 - $3,978.
What are the best moving containers Madison to Tempe?
- 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 Tempe, AZ
Renting a moving truck for the 1,675-mile move from Madison, Wisconsin, to Tempe, Arizona, costs between $985 and $2,753, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $570 - $652
- 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 Tempe based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $985 - $1,892
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,076 - $2,341
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,316 - $2,753
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $985 - $2,753 does not include fuel ($570 - $652), lodging ($161/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Madison to Tempe typically runs more than the base rate alone, with meals, equipment, and other extras adding roughly $600 - $1,200 on top of fuel and lodging.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Moving labor: Rental trucks don't come with loaders. Hiring 2 movers in Madison, Wisconsin, for roughly 5 hours usually costs about $749.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $570 - $652 for the 1,675-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 $64 and $348, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $161 per night for hotel stops on the 1,675-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $321 - $482.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison to Tempe?
- 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 Tempe, AZ
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Madison, Wisconsin, to Tempe, Arizona, when you want to do the loading yourself without having to drive a massive vehicle. The trailer is delivered, you pack it up, and the carrier handles the long haul.
What sets freight trailers apart is the pay-for-what-you-use pricing model. Each additional foot of trailer space you occupy adds to the cost. Pricing for a 2 - 3 bedroom move of this distance typically lands between $1,560 and $2,940.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to Tempe:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,333 - $2,316
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,560 - $2,940
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,027 - $4,023
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?
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading help. In Madison, Wisconsin, hiring 2 movers for about 5 hours typically costs $749.
- More space: You only pay for the trailer footage you use, but underestimating your load can add roughly $80 - $161 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 Madison to Tempe?
- 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: 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: Madison, WI vs Tempe, AZ
Good news for your budget: Tempe isn't meaningfully more or less expensive to live in than Madison. Cost of living index runs 113 there against 103 here. Focus your planning on the move itself rather than a change in monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 50/100 and 65.43/100 here versus 54/100 and 57.64/100 there.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Tempe, AZ to Madison, WI guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin to Arizona, 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 145 movers licensed in Wisconsin, useful context for sizing up this 1,675-mile move.
Our take
A move from Madison, WI, to Tempe, AZ, gives you several options depending on your budget and how much you want to do yourself. Full-service movers handle everything but cost the most, ranging from $2,304 - $10,300 on the 1,675-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,381 - $4,978, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $985 - $2,753. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $3,264 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and round-the-clock live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Amkor Technology, Inc. and Benchmark Electronics.
FAQs: Moving from Madison, WI, to Tempe, AZ
What is the cheapest way to move from Madison, WI to Tempe, 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 $1,076 - $2,341. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What are the best neighborhoods in Tempe?
For families, Alta Mira, Dava-Lakeshore, and Meyer Park are worth a look in Tempe. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cyprus Southwest, Daley Park, and Kyrene-Superstition tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Madison, WI to Tempe, 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 do local movers charge in Madison?
Local movers based in Madison typically start around $371 as a base rate, plus $85/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 Tempe 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 Madison, WI to Tempe, AZ?
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 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.