Wausau, WI → Madison, WI · Regional long-distance move
About 153 road miles heading south. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,070–$3,070, delivery in 1–2 days, 107 carriers on the Wausau side and 228 in Madison.
Madison sits about 153 miles south of Wausau, so this is an in-state move that most movers classify as a regional long-distance move.
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 $2,070 to $3,070 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 20 min.
On the Wausau side there are 107 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (58 of them authorized for interstate work), and 228 around Madison (120 interstate). For an in-state 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.
Wausau has a population of about 40,000 and Madison about 286,233. Madison is the denser city (3,390 people per square mile versus 2,080 in Wausau), which often means shuttle trucks, parking restrictions or building move-in windows on delivery day.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,190 | $1,460 | $1,780 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,240 | $1,510 | $1,840 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,070 | $2,520 | $3,070 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $3,310 | $4,030 | $4,920 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $4,550 | $5,540 | $6,760 |
$310–$430
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,160–$1,700
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,070–$3,070
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Wausau, WI → 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: Marathon Cheese Transport LLC
Legal name: Roadready Transfer Service INC
Legal name: Larry Jerome Frick
Legal name: Lightner & Lightner INC
Legal name: Roessler LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,190 to $1,780 for a studio, $1,240 to $1,840 for a one-bedroom, $2,070 to $3,070 for a two-bedroom, $3,310 to $4,920 for a three-bedroom and $4,550 to $6,760 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 153 road miles (130 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 20 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.
No. Because both Wausau and Madison are in Wisconsin, this is an intrastate move regulated by the state rather than the FMCSA. Still, choosing a carrier with an active USDOT number is the easiest way to confirm the company is a registered motor carrier with insurance on file.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $310 to $430 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,160 to $1,700. 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 Wausau–Madison corridor.