($542+) Madison, WI to Chattanooga, TN Movers
Moving from Madison, WI, to Chattanooga, TN, runs anywhere from $564 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,533 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 750 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 $1,863, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $8,533 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,096 - $3,489, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $564 - $1,481.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to Chattanooga, TN. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,563 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 Chattanooga, TN
There are 3 main ways to move from Madison to Chattanooga: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $2,563 - $6,056. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 2 to 7 days for this 750-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 750-mile route from Madison to Chattanooga, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $1,863 - $4,436, container $1,096 - $1,972, rental truck $564 - $1,039, freight trailer $1,026 - $1,812.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $2,563 - $6,056, container $1,450 - $2,708, rental truck $590 - $1,234, freight trailer $1,103 - $2,210.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $4,029 - $8,533, container $1,905 - $3,489, rental truck $739 - $1,481, freight trailer $1,463 - $3,024.
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 Chattanooga, TN
Full-service movers for the 750-mile relocation from Madison, Wisconsin, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, cost between $1,863 and $8,533. 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 $293 - $1,956, 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 Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,863 - $4,436
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,563 - $6,056
- 4+ bedrooms: $4,029 - $8,533
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 Chattanooga.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Wisconsin to Tennessee. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Moving company rates climb during peak moving season (May –-September) when demand peaks. Scheduling your move outside of that window can lead to noticeably lower costs and better availability.
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 Chattanooga, TN
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Madison movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Chattanooga, 100% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $489 - $4,890 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $196 - $1,174/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $293 - $2,347 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs20% of local movers | $978 - $2,934 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,445 - $9,780 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $733 - $1,392 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items20% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: The Armstrong Company | $978 - $2,445 |
| Piano | Any piano type60% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $782 - $3,423 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling | $293 - $1,467 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect22% nationallyTop pick: Schroeder Moving Systems Inc. | $636 - $1,956 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $293 - $14,670+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $293 - $3,423+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Madison to Chattanooga?
- 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 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 Chattanooga, TN
Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, cost between $1,096 and $3,489. 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 Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,096 - $1,972
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,450 - $2,708
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,905 - $3,489
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 $685, 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 $73 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $147 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Madison, WI, and Chattanooga, TN, 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 Tennessee 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 $1,096. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,450 - $2,708, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Madison to Chattanooga?
- 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 Chattanooga, TN
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 750 miles from Madison, Wisconsin, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, running $564 - $1,481. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $233 - $267
- Daily insurance: $29/day
- Equipment rentals: $7 - $20
- 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 Chattanooga based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $564 - $1,039
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $590 - $1,234
- 4+ bedrooms: $739 - $1,481
Pro tip: A rental truck from Madison to Chattanooga looks affordable at first glance, with base rates of $564 - $1,481. But once you factor in fuel ($233 - $267) , overnight lodging ($147/night), meals, and equipment rentals, most people end up spending $600 - $1,200 more than the base rate suggests. Building that into your budget upfront saves you from sticker shock at the end of the move.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $73 and $342.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $147.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $233 and $267 for the 750-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $685 for 2 movers in Madison, Wisconsin, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison to Chattanooga?
- 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 Chattanooga, TN
Freight trailers are a solid option for larger DIY moves from Madison, Wisconsin, to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Standard trailers run 28 feet long, and you're only charged for the portion you actually fill. The carrier drops the trailer off, you load it at your own pace, and they handle the drive to your new city.
Pricing is based entirely on the linear footage your shipment occupies, not the full trailer length. Most long-distance freight moves land somewhere between $880 and $2,210.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to Chattanooga:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,026 - $1,812
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,103 - $2,210
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,463 - $3,024
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?
- 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 $73 - $147 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Madison, Wisconsin, for about five hours typically runs $685.
What are the best freight companies from Madison to Chattanooga?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- Larson Transportation, LLC (4.3/5 stars): Larson Transportation, LLC is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Madison to Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga, TN
Madison and Chattanooga land in a similar range on everyday costs. The cost of living index sits at 103 in Madison and 90 in Chattanooga, and rent tracks closely too ($1,600/mo vs. $1,475/mo). You likely won't need to rework your monthly budget much after this move. Walkability (50 vs 29) and safety scores (65.43 vs 46.11) come out about the same too.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Chattanooga, TN to Madison, WI guide.
Why moveBuddha is the smarter way to find a mover:
Over the last 3 months, moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Wisconsin to Tennessee, so we know current pricing better than most. Checking our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers helps you avoid low-ball or inflated estimates. Wisconsin alone has 40 movers in our database, worth knowing for a 750-mile move like this one.
Our take
A move from Madison, WI, to Chattanooga, TN, 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 $1,863 - $8,533 on the 750-mile route. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack bring that cost down to $1,096 - $3,489, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the most economical at $564 - $1,481. For full-service movers, Safeway Moving, starting around $2,563 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 Hamilton County and Schools Erlanger.
FAQs: Moving from Madison, WI, to Chattanooga, TN
What is the best time of year to move from Madison, WI to Chattanooga, TN?
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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Madison, WI to Chattanooga, TN?
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.
Is Chattanooga a safe place to live?
Chattanooga has a safety index of 46.11 out of 100 and a crime index of 53.89, 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.
How walkable is Chattanooga?
Chattanooga has a walkability score of 29 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 35, 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.
What are the best neighborhoods in Chattanooga?
For families, North Shore, St. Elmo, and Lookout Mountain are worth a look in Chattanooga. If you're moving solo or without kids, Southside, Martin Luther King, and Fort Wood tend to be popular picks instead.
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.
