Madison, WI → Ketchikan, AK · Cross-country move
About 2,415 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,930–$11,800, delivery in 7–14 days, 228 carriers on the Madison side and 12 in Ketchikan.
The route from Madison, WI to Ketchikan, AK covers roughly 2,415 miles by road, a northwest-bound trip that falls into the cross-country 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 $7,930 to $11,800 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 7 to 14 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 42 hours (5 driving days).
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 12 around Ketchikan (1 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 Ketchikan.
Madison has a population of about 286,233 and Ketchikan about 8,000. Madison is considerably denser (3,390 people per square mile versus 2,147), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Alaska is a higher-cost state than Wisconsin, so budget a little more for destination-side help, deposits and first-month expenses. Alaska 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 | $3,170 | $3,870 | $4,720 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $4,760 | $5,800 | $7,080 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $7,930 | $9,670 | $11,800 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $12,690 | $15,470 | $18,870 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $17,440 | $21,270 | $25,950 |
$3,380–$4,770
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$3,180–$4,670
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$7,930–$11,800
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Madison, WI → Ketchikan, AK. 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: Trajen Flight Support
Legal name: Mark Johnson
Legal name: Mike R Bellanich
Legal name: Daniel Poirier
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,170 to $4,720 for a studio, $4,760 to $7,080 for a one-bedroom, $7,930 to $11,800 for a two-bedroom, $12,690 to $18,870 for a three-bedroom and $17,440 to $25,950 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 2,415 road miles (2,046 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 42 hours (5 driving days).
Expect a delivery window of 7 to 14 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 Alaska 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 $3,380 to $4,770 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $3,180 to $4,670. 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–Ketchikan corridor.