Madison, WI → Iowa City, IA · Regional long-distance move
About 172 road miles heading southwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,090–$3,110, delivery in 1–2 days, 228 carriers on the Madison side and 43 in Iowa City.
The route from Madison, WI to Iowa City, IA covers roughly 172 miles by road, a southwest-bound trip that falls into the regional 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 $2,090 to $3,110 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 1 to 2 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 3 h 40 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 43 around Iowa City (28 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 Iowa City.
Madison has a population of about 286,233 and Iowa City about 75,000. The two cities have comparable density (3,390 and 2,904 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,170 | $1,430 | $1,740 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,250 | $1,530 | $1,860 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,090 | $2,550 | $3,110 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $3,340 | $4,080 | $4,970 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $4,600 | $5,600 | $6,840 |
$330–$460
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,170–$1,730
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,090–$3,110
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Madison, WI → Iowa City, IA. 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: Adamantine Spine Moving INC
Legal name: Iowa City Auto Sales LLC
Legal name: Brendan Daryl Beachy
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,170 to $1,740 for a studio, $1,250 to $1,860 for a one-bedroom, $2,090 to $3,110 for a two-bedroom, $3,340 to $4,970 for a three-bedroom and $4,600 to $6,840 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 172 road miles (146 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 40 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 Iowa 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 $330 to $460 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,170 to $1,730. 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–Iowa City corridor.