Madison, WI → Rochester, MN · Regional long-distance move
About 195 road miles heading northwest. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,280–$3,400, delivery in 1–2 days, 228 carriers on the Madison side and 116 in Rochester.
The route from Madison, WI to Rochester, MN covers roughly 195 miles by road, a northwest-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 $2,280 to $3,400 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 4 h 4 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 116 around Rochester (72 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 Rochester.
Madison has a population of about 286,233 and Rochester about 124,292. Madison is considerably denser (3,390 people per square mile versus 2,187), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,230 | $1,500 | $1,830 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,370 | $1,670 | $2,040 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,280 | $2,780 | $3,400 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $3,650 | $4,450 | $5,430 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $5,020 | $6,120 | $7,470 |
$350–$490
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,190–$1,760
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,280–$3,400
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Madison, WI → Rochester, MN. 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: Bennett Moving LLC
Legal name: Mesenburg Enterprises INC
Legal name: Channel One INC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,230 to $1,830 for a studio, $1,370 to $2,040 for a one-bedroom, $2,280 to $3,400 for a two-bedroom, $3,650 to $5,430 for a three-bedroom and $5,020 to $7,470 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 195 road miles (166 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 4 h 4 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 Minnesota 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 $350 to $490 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,190 to $1,760. 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–Rochester corridor.