Madison, WI → Houston, TX · Long-distance move
About 1,152 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $4,870–$7,250, delivery in 3–7 days, 228 carriers on the Madison side and 3,257 in Houston.
The route from Madison, WI to Houston, TX covers roughly 1,152 miles by road, a south-bound trip that falls into the long-distance move category for pricing purposes.
At this distance carriers price by shipment weight and mileage rather than by the hour. A two-bedroom home (around 5,000 lb of goods) typically costs $4,870 to $7,250 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 3 to 7 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 20 h 34 min.
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 3,257 around Houston (1,374 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 Houston.
Madison has a population of about 286,233 and Houston about 2.4 million. The two cities have comparable density (3,390 and 3,599 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends. Texas levies no state income tax on wages, a frequent reason people make this exact move.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,950 | $2,380 | $2,900 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $2,920 | $3,570 | $4,350 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $4,870 | $5,940 | $7,250 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $7,800 | $9,510 | $11,600 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $10,720 | $13,080 | $15,960 |
$1,630–$2,310
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,050–$3,010
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$4,870–$7,250
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Madison, WI → Houston, TX. 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: Ceva Contract Logistics US INC
Legal name: Jetco Delivery LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,950 to $2,900 for a studio, $2,920 to $4,350 for a one-bedroom, $4,870 to $7,250 for a two-bedroom, $7,800 to $11,600 for a three-bedroom and $10,720 to $15,960 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 1,152 road miles (976 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 20 h 34 min.
Expect a delivery window of 3 to 7 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 Texas 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 $1,630 to $2,310 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,050 to $3,010. 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–Houston corridor.