($667+) Madison, WI to Philadelphia, PA Movers
Moving from Madison, WI, to Philadelphia, PA, runs anywhere from $609 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,804 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 913 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 $2,144, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,804 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,187 - $4,036, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $609 - $1,700.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to Philadelphia, PA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,722 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
Compare moving options from Madison, WI to Philadelphia, PA
Moving options from Madison to Philadelphia fall into 3 main service types: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. A 2-3 bedroom full-service move costs $2,722 - $6,367 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 913-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 913-mile route from Madison to Philadelphia, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,144 - $5,003 | $1,187 - $2,152 | $609 - $1,177 | $1,110 - $1,977 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,722 - $6,367 | $1,525 - $2,871 | $714 - $1,399 | $1,244 - $2,368 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $4,156 - $8,804 | $2,052 - $4,036 | $869 - $1,700 | $1,561 - $3,261 |
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 Madison, WI to Philadelphia, PA
For the 913-mile move from Madison, Wisconsin, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, full-service movers cost between $2,144 and $8,804. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $310 - $2,068 (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 Madison generally start around $371 plus $85 per hour, per mover.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Madison to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,144 - $5,003
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,722 - $6,367
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,156 - $8,804
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 Philadelphia.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania. 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 Madison, WI to Philadelphia, PA
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Madison movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Philadelphia, 90% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $517 - $5,170 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $207 - $1,241/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $310 - $2,482 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs20% of local movers | $1,034 - $3,102 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,585 - $10,340 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $774 - $1,471 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items20% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $1,034 - $2,585 |
| Piano | Any piano type60% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $827 - $3,619 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $310 - $1,551 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: Schroeder Moving Systems Inc. | $672 - $2,068 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $310 - $15,510+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $310 - $3,619+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Madison to Philadelphia?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in Pennsylvania Moving & Storage Associates 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 Madison, WI. 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 Madison, WI to Philadelphia, PA
Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, cost between $1,187 and $4,036. 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 Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,187 - $2,152
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,525 - $2,871
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,052 - $4,036
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 $724, 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 $78 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $155 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Madison, WI, and Philadelphia, PA, 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 Pennsylvania 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 $1,187. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,525 - $2,871, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Madison to Philadelphia?
- 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:
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.6/5), 32 years in business
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving (4.8/5)
- Du Frane Moving and Storage (4.8/5), 95 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Madison, WI to Philadelphia, PA
Renting a moving truck for the 913-mile move from Madison, Wisconsin, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, costs between $609 and $1,700, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $300 - $343
- Daily insurance: $31/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 Philadelphia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $609 - $1,177
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $714 - $1,399
- 4+ bedrooms: $869 - $1,700
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $609 - $1,700 when pricing out a rental truck from Madison to Philadelphia. Fuel alone runs ($300 - $343) , and overnight lodging ($155/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend an additional $600 - $1,200 beyond the base rate 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 $155 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 $724 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 913-mile drive falls between $300 and $343, 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 $52 and $310 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison to Philadelphia?
- 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 Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 $1,244 and $2,368.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to Philadelphia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,110 - $1,977
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,244 - $2,368
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,561 - $3,261
Pro tip: Loading a freight trailer is a bit different from filling a container. The 4-foot ramp can be steep with large items, and getting the most out of 8 feet of vertical clearance takes planning. Since pricing is based on linear feet used, every inch of wasted space has a cost.
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 $78 - $155 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 $724.
What are the best freight companies from Madison to Philadelphia?
- 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.
- Larson Transportation, LLC (4.3/5 stars): Larson Transportation, LLC 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 move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Madison to Philadelphia. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Madison, WI vs Philadelphia, PA
Madison and Philadelphia land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 103 in Madison and 104 in Philadelphia, and rent tracks closely too ($1,600/mo vs. $1,695/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (50 vs 75) and safety scores (65.43 vs 33.91) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Philadelphia, PA to Madison, WI guide.
Why use moveBuddha to find your mover:
We've processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania 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 40 movers in our Wisconsin network to compare for this 913-mile move.
Our take
A move from Madison, WI, to Philadelphia, PA, 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 $2,144 - $8,804 on the 913-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,187 - $4,036, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $609 - $1,700. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,722 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 Amtak and Comcast.
FAQs: Moving from Madison, WI, to Philadelphia, PA
What are the best neighborhoods in Philadelphia?
For families, Bella Vista, Bustleton, and Chestnut Hill are worth a look in Philadelphia. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cedar Park, Fishtown, and Manayunk tend to be popular picks instead.
How long does a move from Madison, WI to Philadelphia, PA take?
Full-service movers and container companies typically complete this route in 5 - 7 days, since carriers consolidate shipments heading the same direction. Freight trailers are usually the fastest option outside of driving yourself, with deliveries in 3 - 5 days, 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, PA?
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 Madison, WI to Philadelphia, PA?
Costs on this route range from around $2,144 to $8,804, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $2,144 and $8,804, 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.
What percentage of Madison movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 60% of movers in Madison handle piano moves, and 20% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.