($648+) Madison, WI to Newark, NJ Movers
Moving from Madison, WI, to Newark, NJ, runs anywhere from $648 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,227 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 935 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 $1,990, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,227 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,062 - $3,815, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $648 - $1,604.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to Newark, NJ. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,545 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 Newark, NJ
Moving options from Madison to Newark fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,545 - $6,164 on this route, with movers handling all labor and transportation. Moving containers come in around 43% less for the same home size, and rental trucks are around 75% less, though both require you to handle the loading. This 935-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 935-mile route from Madison to Newark, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,990 - $4,913 | $1,062 - $2,053 | $648 - $1,122 | $987 - $1,847 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,545 - $6,164 | $1,438 - $2,851 | $646 - $1,362 | $1,127 - $2,304 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $3,981 - $8,227 | $1,840 - $3,815 | $820 - $1,604 | $1,471 - $2,963 |
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 Newark, NJ
Full-service movers for the 935-mile relocation from Madison, Wisconsin, to Newark, New Jersey, cost between $1,990 and $8,227. With a long-distance moving company, loading, transportation, and unloading are all taken care of. If you want to skip packing boxes, too, that can be added for $347 - $2,316, depending on your home size. What you pay in the end is mainly a function of how much your shipment weighs and how far it's traveling. As a point of reference, local movers in Madison typically charge a base rate around $371 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Madison to Newark:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,990 - $4,913
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,545 - $6,164
- 4+ bedrooms: $3,981 - $8,227
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 Newark.
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 Newark, NJ
Specialty needs vary by market: 52% of Madison movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Newark, 62% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $579 - $5,790 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready52% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $232 - $1,390/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $347 - $2,779 |
| 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 | $1,158 - $3,474 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,895 - $11,580 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $867 - $1,648 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items14% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $1,158 - $2,895 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $926 - $4,053 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $347 - $1,737 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $753 - $2,316 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $347 - $17,370+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $347 - $4,053+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Madison to Newark?
Movers licensed to operate in New Jersey are typically members of the New Jersey Warehouse & 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 Madison, WI. 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 Madison, WI to Newark, NJ
Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Newark, New Jersey, cost between $1,062 and $3,815. 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 Madison runs about $90/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Madison to Newark:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,062 - $2,053
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,438 - $2,851
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,840 - $3,815
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 $811, 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 $87 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $174 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Madison, WI, and Newark, NJ, 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 New Jersey 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 $1,062. 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 $1,438 - $2,851.
What are the best moving containers Madison to Newark?
- 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 Newark, NJ
Truck rentals from Madison, Wisconsin, to Newark, New Jersey, range from $648 - $1,604 for the 935-mile drive. You handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself, plus these extra costs:
- Fuel for the drive: $345 - $394
- Daily insurance: $35/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $23
- 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 Newark based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $648 - $1,122
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $646 - $1,362
- 4+ bedrooms: $820 - $1,604
Pro tip: Truck rental pricing for a move from Madison to Newark starts at $648 - $1,604, but that number does not tell the whole story. Fuel ($345 - $394), overnight lodging ($174/night), meals, and equipment rentals are all separate. Plan for roughly $600 - $1,200 more on top of fuel and lodging to cover meals, equipment, and other extras.
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 $811.
- Gas: Fuel costs total $345 - $394 for the 935-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 $69 and $376, depending on what you need.
- Additional insurance: Daily coverage upgrades typically add around $30.
- Lodging: Budget around $174 per night for hotel stops on the 935-mile drive. With 2 - 3 overnight stops, total lodging typically costs $347 - $521.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison to Newark?
- 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 Newark, NJ
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Madison, Wisconsin, to Newark, New Jersey, 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 $1,127 and $2,304.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to Newark:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $987 - $1,847
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,127 - $2,304
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,471 - $2,963
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?
- Demand cycles: Trailer costs climb during peak moving season, especially from mid-May through mid-September when demand is at its highest.
- More space: You're billed only for the linear feet you use, but underestimating your inventory means paying for extra space, typically around $87 - $174 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Madison, Wisconsin, for about five hours typically runs $811.
What are the best freight companies from Madison to Newark?
- 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.
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 Newark, NJ
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Newark, side by side with Madison on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Madison, WI | Newark, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 103 | 135 |
| Average rent | $1,600/mo | $2,300/mo |
| Median home value | $346,854 | $335,418 |
| Average income | $76,983/yr | $48,416/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 13.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.65% | Up to 10.7% |
| Walkability score | 50/100 | 76/100 |
| Safety index | 65.43/100 | 24.76/100 |
| 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 Newark, NJ to Madison, WI guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin to New Jersey 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 145 movers based in Wisconsin, handy for sizing up options on this 935-mile route.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 935-mile route from Madison, WI, to Newark, NJ, run $1,990 - $8,227 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,062 - $3,815, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $648 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,545, 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 Panasonic Corporation of North America and Prudential Financial.
FAQs: Moving from Madison, WI, to Newark, NJ
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 Newark run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs handles the regulation of in-state moving companies. The state’s Division of Consumer Affairs works to ensure that warehousemen (public storage companies) and public movers provide safe, reliable, and ethical services while adhering to all relevant state rules and regulations.
What are the best neighborhoods in Newark?
For families, Downtown, Upper Vailsburg, and Seventh Avenue are worth a look in Newark. If you're moving solo or without kids, North Ironbound, South Ironbound, and Downtown tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Newark?
Newark has a walkability score of 76 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 51, compared to 50 and 66 in Madison. If you're used to getting around on foot or by bike, this is worth factoring into which neighborhood you pick.
Is Newark a safe place to live?
Newark has a safety index of 24.76 out of 100 and a crime index of 75.24, 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 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.