San Francisco, CA → Madison, WI · Cross-country move
About 2,079 road miles heading northeast. Typical two-bedroom cost $7,520–$11,190, delivery in 5–10 days, 899 carriers on the San Francisco side and 228 in Madison.
Moving from San Francisco to Madison is a cross-country move of roughly 2,079 road miles, heading northeast from California to Wisconsin.
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 $7,520 to $11,190 with a full-service mover, and delivery usually takes 5 to 10 days after pickup because long-haul trucks consolidate several households per trip. Driving it yourself takes about 36 hours (5 driving days).
On the San Francisco side there are 899 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (270 of them authorized for interstate work), and 228 around Madison (120 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 Madison.
San Francisco has a population of about 826,079 and Madison about 286,233. San Francisco is considerably denser (18,635 people per square mile versus 3,390), so expect tighter loading conditions, parking permits or elevator reservations at the origin and easier truck access at the destination. Labor and living costs run lower in Wisconsin than in California, which tends to make destination-side services such as unpacking or storage cheaper than the same services back home.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $3,010 | $3,670 | $4,480 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $4,510 | $5,500 | $6,720 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $7,520 | $9,170 | $11,190 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $12,040 | $14,680 | $17,910 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $16,550 | $20,180 | $24,620 |
$2,890–$4,070
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$2,880–$4,230
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$7,520–$11,190
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for San Francisco, CA → Madison, WI. 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: Act 2 Services INC
Legal name: Lengner And Sons Produce Express
Legal name: Pacific Coast Container INC
Legal name: Lightner & Lightner INC
Legal name: Roessler LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $3,010 to $4,480 for a studio, $4,510 to $6,720 for a one-bedroom, $7,520 to $11,190 for a two-bedroom, $12,040 to $17,910 for a three-bedroom and $16,550 to $24,620 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 2,079 road miles (1,761 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 36 hours (5 driving days).
Expect a delivery window of 5 to 10 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 California into Wisconsin 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 $2,890 to $4,070 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $2,880 to $4,230. 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 San Francisco–Madison corridor.