($1,076+) Madison, WI to Tacoma, WA Movers
Moving from Madison, WI, to Tacoma, WA, runs anywhere from $1,076 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $11,007 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 1,937 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 5 to 16 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 $2,432, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $11,007 or more.
- Moving containers run $1,625 - $5,480, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $1,076 - $3,303.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Madison, WI, to Tacoma, WA. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $3,467 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 Tacoma, WA
There are 3 main ways to move from Madison to Tacoma: 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 $3,467 - $7,585. Moving containers run about 43% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 67% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 5 to 16 days for this 1,937-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 1,937-mile route from Madison to Tacoma, broken down by home size:
- Studio / 1 bedroom: full-service $2,432 - $5,325, container $1,625 - $2,963, rental truck $1,076 - $2,267, freight trailer $1,364 - $2,640.
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: full-service $3,467 - $7,585, container $1,981 - $4,067, rental truck $1,152 - $2,672, freight trailer $1,698 - $3,288.
- 4+ bedrooms: full-service $6,576 - $11,007, container $2,795 - $5,480, rental truck $1,468 - $3,303, freight trailer $2,301 - $4,653.
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Madison, WI to Tacoma, WA
For the 1,937-mile move from Madison, Wisconsin, to Tacoma, Washington, full-service movers cost between $2,432 and $11,007. A long-distance moving company takes care of loading, hauling, and unloading. For an added cost of $333 - $2,220 (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 Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $2,432 - $5,325
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $3,467 - $7,585
- 4+ bedrooms: $6,576 - $11,007
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 Tacoma.
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.
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Specialty moving services from Madison, WI to Tacoma, WA
Specialty needs vary by market: 57% of Madison movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Tacoma, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing71% of local movers | $555 - $5,550 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready57% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Above Average Moving LLC | $222 - $1,332/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $333 - $2,664 |
| 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 | $1,110 - $3,330 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,775 - $11,100 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $831 - $1,580 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items14% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: O'Mara Moving & Storage Inc. | $1,110 - $2,775 |
| Piano | Any piano type43% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $888 - $3,885 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling14% of local movers | $333 - $1,665 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect14% of local movers9% nationallyTop pick: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving | $722 - $2,220 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $333 - $16,650+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $333 - $3,885+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Madison to Tacoma?
Movers licensed to operate in Washington are typically members of the Washington Movers Conference, 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 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 Tacoma, WA
Moving containers from Madison, Wisconsin, to Tacoma, Washington, cost between $1,625 and $5,480. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Madison costs roughly $90/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Madison to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,625 - $2,963
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,981 - $4,067
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,795 - $5,480
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Small containers (7 - 8 feet) run about $83 per month after the initial period, while larger units (12 - 16 feet) cost around $167 per month.
- Access: Make sure your container company has a storage facility reasonably close to your new home in Tacoma, WA, if you need to retrieve anything while items are still in storage.
- Moving labor: Since you're responsible for loading the container yourself, many customers bring in hourly help. Based on moveBuddha data, hiring 2 movers for approximately 5 hours costs about $777 in Madison, WI. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection goes beyond the standard minimum and covers repair, replacement, or reimbursement at declared value. Pricing is typically 1% - 2% of your total shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 move.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Wisconsin to Washington 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 $1,625. 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 $1,981 - $4,067.
What are the best moving containers Madison to Tacoma?
- 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 Tacoma, WA
Plan on $1,076 - $3,303 for a rental moving truck on the 1,937-mile route from Madison, Wisconsin, to Tacoma, Washington. The rental company provides nothing beyond the vehicle, so add:
- Fuel for the drive: $684 - $782
- 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 Tacoma based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,076 - $2,267
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,152 - $2,672
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,468 - $3,303
Pro tip: Budget beyond the advertised rate of $1,076 - $3,303 when pricing out a rental truck from Madison to Tacoma. Fuel alone runs $684 - $782, and overnight lodging ($167/night), meals, and equipment rentals add up quickly. Most people spend roughly $600 - $1,200 more on meals, equipment, and other extras beyond fuel and lodging by the time the move is done.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Lodging: Overnight accommodations on longer drives average around $167 per night. Most long-distance moves with rental trucks require 1 - 3 overnight stops.
- Equipment: Tow dollies, auto trailers, and specialty moving equipment can add between $72 and $361 to your total.
- Additional insurance: Daily protection upgrades typically add about $30.
- Gas: Plan on spending $684 - $782 in fuel for the 1,937-mile move, depending on your truck's fuel type.
- Moving labor: Hiring a crew instead of doing the loading yourself typically costs around $777 in Madison, Wisconsin, for a 2-person crew and 5 hours of labor.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Madison to Tacoma?
- 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 Tacoma, WA
For larger DIY moves from Madison, Wisconsin, freight trailers give you plenty of room without putting you behind the wheel. Standard trailers are 28 feet long. You load the section you need, and the carrier transports everything to Tacoma, Washington.
Because freight companies bill by linear footage, your total is based on how much of the trailer you occupy, not the full length. For a 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route, pricing typically falls between $1,698 and $3,288.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Madison to Tacoma:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,364 - $2,640
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,698 - $3,288
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,301 - $4,653
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final 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 $83 - $167 more per foot.
- Moving labor: Freight trailers don't include loading crews. Two movers in Madison, Wisconsin, for about five hours typically runs $777.
What are the best freight companies from Madison to Tacoma?
- 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: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Madison to Tacoma. 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 Tacoma, WA
The price of the move is only part of the picture. Here is how everyday costs compare once you are settled in Tacoma, side by side with Madison on housing, income, and taxes.
| Measure | Madison, WI | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 103 | 123 |
| Average rent | $1,600/mo | $1,650/mo |
| Median home value | $346,854 | $454,577 |
| Average income | $76,983/yr | $83,857/yr |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3% | 7.3% |
| State income tax | Up to 7.65% | None |
| Walkability score | 50/100 | 54/100 |
| Safety index | 65.43/100 | 44.45/100 |
| 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 Tacoma, WA to Madison, WI guide.
Why moveBuddha makes finding a mover easier:
In the past 3 months we've processed 10 quotes from Wisconsin to Washington, so our pricing data reflects what movers are actually charging right now. Check our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers, the best way to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and bad actors. We track 107 movers in Wisconsin, so you have real options to compare for this 1,937-mile move.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Madison, WI, to Tacoma, WA, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $2,432 - $11,007 on the 1,937-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $1,625 - $5,480 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $1,076 - $3,303 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $3,467 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Joint Base Lewis-McChord and MultiCare Health System.
FAQs: Moving from Madison, WI, to Tacoma, WA
How walkable is Tacoma?
Tacoma has a walkability score of 54 out of 100 and a bike-friendliness score of 48, 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 Tacoma?
For families, North End and West End are worth a look in Tacoma. If you're moving solo or without kids, Central, Eastside-Enact, and North End tend to be popular picks instead.
How do I know a mover is licensed in Washington?
Movers operating within Washington DC city limits are subject to regulation by the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which issues operating permits to household goods moving companies.
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 Tacoma run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What percentage of Madison movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 43% of movers in Madison handle piano moves, and 14% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.