Chicago, IL → Madison, WI · Short-haul move

Movers from Chicago to Madison

About 146 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,130–$3,160, delivery in 1–2 days, 2,923 carriers on the Chicago side and 228 in Madison.

146 miroad distance
3 h 13 mindriving time
1–2 daysdelivery window
$2,130–$3,1602-bedroom estimate

Photo: college.library · CC BY 2.0

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Route summary

From: Chicago, Illinois
To: Madison, Wisconsin
Road distance: ≈ 146 miles (124 straight-line)
Drive time: 3 h 13 min
Delivery window: 1–2 days
Move type: Interstate – FMCSA authority required
Movers at origin: 2,923 (2,209 interstate)
Movers at destination: 228 (120 interstate)

Reverse: Madison → Chicago

Madison sits about 146 miles northwest of Chicago, which makes this an interstate relocation from Illinois to Wisconsin that most movers classify as a short-haul move.

Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 3 h 13 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,130 and $3,160, before packing or storage.

On the Chicago side there are 2,923 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (2,209 of them authorized for interstate work), and 228 around Madison (120 interstate). For an interstate move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Madison.

Chicago has a population of about 2.7 million and Madison about 286,233. Chicago is considerably denser (12,061 people per square mile versus 3,390), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in Wisconsin than in Illinois, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.

Cost of moving from Chicago to Madison

Full-service estimate for 146 miles, by home size
Home size	Est. weight	Low	Typical	High
Studio	2,000 lb	$1,240	$1,520	$1,850
1 Bedroom	3,000 lb	$1,280	$1,560	$1,900
2 Bedrooms	5,000 lb	$2,130	$2,590	$3,160
3 Bedrooms	8,000 lb	$3,400	$4,150	$5,060
4+ Bedrooms	11,000 lb	$4,680	$5,700	$6,960

Rental truck (DIY)

$300–$420

One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.

Portable container

$1,150–$1,690

Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.

Full-service mover

$2,130–$3,160

Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.

Moving cost calculator

Distance is pre-filled for Chicago, IL → Madison, WI. Adjust the other options to see your range.

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Typical full-service range.

Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.

Moving companies for this route

Near Chicago (origin)

Nova Lines INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2559423
MC: 892806
Based in: Bridgeview, IL 60455 (9 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 1,298 trucks, 1,298 drivers
USDOT registered: 2014

Call (847) 881-0432 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hmd Trucking INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 976560
MC: 415186
Based in: Chicago Ridge, IL 60415 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 409 trucks, 375 drivers
USDOT registered: 2001

Call (708) 398-6237 Route Verify on FMCSA

Cdn Logistics INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 781203
MC: 332177
Based in: Northlake, IL 60164 (12 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 310 trucks, 260 drivers
USDOT registered: 1998

Call (708) 344-5555 Route Verify on FMCSA

Hub Group

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

Legal name: Hub Group Dedicated LLC

USDOT: 801828
MC: 357193
Based in: Oak Brook, IL 60523 (14 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 2,505 trucks, 3,194 drivers
USDOT registered: 1999

Call (630) 271-3600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Fx

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Freight Exchange Of North America LLC

USDOT: 1194542
MC: 471387
Based in: Franklin Park, IL 60131 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 218 trucks, 219 drivers
USDOT registered: 2003

Call (312) 612-2200 Route Verify on FMCSA

New World Van Lines INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 258748
MC: 162485
Based in: Chicago, IL 60646 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 204 trucks, 189 drivers
USDOT registered: 1985

Call (773) 509-5937 Route Verify on FMCSA

Liv Transportation INC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 2196716
MC: 762386
Based in: Bridgeview, IL 60455 (9 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 201 trucks, 201 drivers
USDOT registered: 2011

Call (708) 401-7441 Route Verify on FMCSA

Celtic Cartage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 1197429
MC: 476351
Based in: Palos Hills, IL 60465 (12 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 185 trucks, 185 drivers
USDOT registered: 2004

Call (708) 974-1405 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 2,923 movers in Chicago

Near Madison (destination)

Pulvermacher Cartage Of Wisconsin LLC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 532642
MC: 267280
Based in: Madison, WI 53704 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 59 trucks, 65 drivers
USDOT registered: 1993

Call (608) 245-8060 Route Verify on FMCSA

Reynolds Transfer & Storage INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 74488
MC: 79758
Based in: Madison, WI 53703 (3 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 34 trucks, 21 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (608) 257-3914 Route Verify on FMCSA

Safy Express LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3047832
MC: 48249
Based in: Fitchburg, WI 53713 (4 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 25 trucks, 25 drivers
USDOT registered: 2017

Call (608) 852-3993 Route Verify on FMCSA

Divine Package LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 3462639
MC: 1132169
Based in: Madison, WI 53714 (6 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 20 trucks, 40 drivers
USDOT registered: 2020

Call (608) 320-8259 Route Verify on FMCSA

O'Mara Moving Systems INC

Licensed interstate Safety: Satisfactory

USDOT: 74476
MC: 121225
Based in: Madison, WI 53704 (5 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 18 trucks, 14 drivers
USDOT registered: 1974

Call (608) 241-2600 Route Verify on FMCSA

Two Men And A Truck

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Lightner & Lightner INC

USDOT: 919682
MC: 397609
Based in: Madison, WI 53718 (8 mi from center)
Service: Long-distance
Fleet: 18 trucks, 18 drivers
USDOT registered: 2000

Call (608) 278-0800 Route Verify on FMCSA

Mad City Moving

Licensed interstate

Legal name: Roessler LLC

USDOT: 699743
MC: 324693
Based in: McFarland, WI 53558 (10 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 14 trucks, 11 drivers
USDOT registered: 1997

Call (608) 274-9855 Route Verify on FMCSA

Systems Furniture Installations LLC

Licensed interstate

USDOT: 1930570
MC: 43406
Based in: Waunakee, WI 53597 (7 mi from center)
Service: Local & long-distance
Fleet: 13 trucks, 42 drivers
USDOT registered: 2009

Call (608) 849-7086 Route Verify on FMCSA

All 228 movers in Madison

Related routes

Other destinations from Chicago

Other origins to Madison

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to move from Chicago to Madison?

Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,240 to $1,850 for a studio, $1,280 to $1,900 for a one-bedroom, $2,130 to $3,160 for a two-bedroom, $3,400 to $5,060 for a three-bedroom and $4,680 to $6,960 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.

How far is Madison from Chicago?

About 146 road miles (124 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 13 min.

How long will the movers take to deliver?

Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.

Does my mover need interstate authority for this move?

Yes. Crossing from Illinois into Wisconsin makes this an interstate move, so the carrier must hold active FMCSA operating authority (an MC number) in addition to its USDOT number. The company cards on this page flag which carriers are authorized for interstate work.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or use a container for Chicago to Madison?

A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $300 to $420 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,150 to $1,690. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.

When is the least expensive time to book this move?

Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Chicago–Madison corridor.