($830+) Madison, WI to Salt Lake City, UT Movers
Moving from Madison, WI, to Salt Lake City, UT, runs anywhere from $830 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $8,557 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,349 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 3 to 8 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 $2,087, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $8,557 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,353 - $4,544, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $830 - $2,369.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to Salt Lake City, UT. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,687 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 Salt Lake City, UT
There are 3 main ways to move from Madison to Salt Lake City: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $2,687 - $6,278. Containers cost roughly 40% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 66% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 1,349 miles, expect 3 to 8 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 1,349-mile route from Madison to Salt Lake City, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $2,087 - $4,782 | $1,353 - $2,522 | $830 - $1,477 | $1,171 - $2,161 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $2,687 - $6,278 | $1,612 - $3,485 | $924 - $1,831 | $1,383 - $2,761 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $5,095 - $8,557 | $2,255 - $4,544 | $1,051 - $2,369 | $1,858 - $3,671 |
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 Salt Lake City, UT
For the 1,349-mile move from Madison, Wisconsin, to Salt Lake City, Utah, full-service movers cost between $2,087 and $8,557. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $331 - $2,204 (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 Salt Lake City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,087 - $4,782
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $2,687 - $6,278
- 4+ bedrooms: $5,095 - $8,557
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 Salt Lake City.
Pro tip: The summer months (May - September) are the busiest time of year for movers during peak moving season, which drives up prices and limits scheduling options. If you can move in the fall or winter, you'll likely find better rates and more flexibility.
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Specialty moving services from Madison, WI to Salt Lake City, UT
Specialty needs vary by market: 52% of Madison movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Salt Lake City, 47% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing79% of local movers | $551 - $5,510 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready52% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $220 - $1,322/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $331 - $2,645 |
| 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 | $1,102 - $3,306 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,755 - $11,020 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $825 - $1,568 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items14% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $1,102 - $2,755 |
| Piano | Any piano type52% of local movers41% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $882 - $3,857 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $331 - $1,653 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK | $716 - $2,204 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $331 - $16,530+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $331 - $3,857+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Madison to Salt Lake City?
- 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 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 Salt Lake City, UT
Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Salt Lake City, Utah, cost between $1,353 and $4,544. 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 Salt Lake City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,353 - $2,522
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,612 - $3,485
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,255 - $4,544
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $83 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $165 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $771 in Madison, WI, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Salt Lake City, UT, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Wisconsin to Utah 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 $1,353. 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 $1,612 - $3,485.
What are the best moving containers Madison to Salt Lake City?
- 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 Salt Lake City, UT
A rental truck is the cheapest way to cover the 1,349 miles from Madison, Wisconsin, to Salt Lake City, Utah, running $830 - $2,369. It's also the most hands-on option, and the base rate doesn't include:
- Fuel for the drive: $473 - $541
- Daily insurance: $33/day
- Equipment rentals: $8 - $22
- 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 Salt Lake City based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $830 - $1,477
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $924 - $1,831
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,051 - $2,369
Pro tip: The base rate of $830 - $2,369 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Madison to Salt Lake City. Fuel ($473 - $541), lodging at around $165/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in roughly $600 - $1,200 more for meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Additional insurance: Supplemental coverage typically averages around $30 per day.
- Lodging: Budget around $165 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 $771 for 2 movers and 5 hours of labor.
- Gas: Fuel for the 1,349-mile drive falls between $473 and $541, 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 $55 and $331 to your total.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison to Salt Lake City?
- 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 Salt Lake City, UT
Freight trailers are well suited for larger moves from Madison, Wisconsin, to Salt Lake City, Utah, 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 $1,383 and $2,761.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to Salt Lake City:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,171 - $2,161
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,383 - $2,761
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,858 - $3,671
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?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Madison, Wisconsin, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $771.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $83 and $165 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Madison to Salt Lake City?
- 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.
Pro tip: If speed matters on your move from Madison to Salt Lake City, freight trailers are one of the fastest interstate options available, second only to renting a truck and driving it yourself. The tradeoff is that freight works best when you're ready to receive your belongings on the other end. If your timeline is tight on the receiving side or you need a short storage buffer, a moving container might be a better fit.
Cost of living: Madison, WI vs Salt Lake City, UT
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Salt Lake City, side by side with Madison on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Madison, WI | Salt Lake City, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 103 | 121 |
| Average rent | $1,600/mo | $1,495/mo |
| Median home value | $346,854 | $495,721 |
| Average income | $76,983/yr | $74,925/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 3.0% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.65% | Up to 4.95% |
| Walkability score | 50/100 | 59/100 |
| Safety index | 65.43/100 | 65.36/100 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT 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 Utah, 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 1,349-mile move.
Our take
Full-service movers on the 1,349-mile route from Madison, WI, to Salt Lake City, UT, run $2,087 - $8,557 depending on home size. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack are a middle-ground option at $1,353 - $4,544, and rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul start as low as $830 for the most budget-conscious movers. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $2,687, 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 Intermountain Healthcare and Alsco.
FAQs: Moving from Madison, WI, to Salt Lake City, UT
How do I know a mover is licensed in Utah?
Although a local license is not required in Utah, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number.
What are the best neighborhoods in Salt Lake City?
For families, East Bench, Greater Avenues, and Liberty Wells are worth a look in Salt Lake City. If you're moving solo or without kids, Capitol Hill, Central City, and East Bench tend to be popular picks instead.
How walkable is Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City has a walkability score of 59 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 74, 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 Salt Lake City a safe place to live?
Salt Lake City has a safety index of 65.36 out of 100 and a crime index of 34.64, 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 are some tips for saving money on a move from Madison, WI to Salt Lake City, UT?
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.