Madison, WI → Chicago, IL · Short-haul move
About 146 road miles heading southeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,130–$3,160, delivery in 1–2 days, 228 carriers on the Madison side and 2,923 in Chicago.
Moving from Madison to Chicago is a short-haul move of roughly 146 road miles, heading southeast from Wisconsin to Illinois.
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 Madison side there are 228 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (120 of them authorized for interstate work), and 2,923 around Chicago (2,209 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 Chicago.
Madison has a population of about 286,233 and Chicago about 2.7 million. Chicago is the denser city (12,061 people per square mile versus 3,390 in Madison), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day. Illinois is a higher-cost state than Wisconsin, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses.
| 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 |
$300–$420
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,150–$1,690
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,130–$3,160
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Madison, WI → Chicago, IL. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Lightner & Lightner INC
Legal name: Roessler LLC
Legal name: Hub Group Dedicated LLC
Legal name: Freight Exchange Of North America LLC
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.
About 146 road miles (124 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 13 min.
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.
Yes. Crossing from Wisconsin into Illinois 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.
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.
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 Madison–Chicago corridor.