Moving from Madison, WI to Denver, CO
About 979 miles across a state line, from Wisconsin into Colorado, so the federal interstate rules apply from the first quote.
Distance estimated from city coordinates; the calculator measures your exact route. Prices from our published model, not quotes.
In short
Moving from Madison, WI to Denver, CO covers about 979 miles and is an interstate move. Full-service movers cost $4,406 – $5,874 for a two-bedroom home in our model, delivered in 3 to 7 days. About 168 people a year move between the two counties (Census).
The route
At 979 miles between Wisconsin and Colorado, this sits in the range where carriers differ most. Some run it dedicated with a firm date; others consolidate it with other shipments and quote a window of 3 to 7 days. The price gap between those two is real — a two-bedroom home runs $4,406 – $5,874 full-service — so ask which one you are buying.
- Move type
- Interstate move
- Driving
- 2 days on the road (about 18 hours of driving)
- Usually moves on
- either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load
- Book ahead
- 4 to 6 weeks
Cost of moving from Madison to Denver
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $3,304 – $4,406 | $2,379 – $3,172 | $1,586 – $2,115 |
| 1 bedroom | $3,965 – $5,287 | $2,855 – $3,806 | $1,903 – $2,538 |
| 2 bedrooms | $4,406 – $5,874 | $3,172 – $4,229 | $2,115 – $2,820 |
| 3 bedrooms | $5,066 – $6,755 | $3,648 – $4,864 | $2,432 – $3,242 |
| 4 bedrooms | $5,727 – $7,636 | $4,124 – $5,498 | $2,749 – $3,665 |
| 5+ bedrooms | $6,608 – $8,811 | $4,758 – $6,344 | $3,172 – $4,229 |
Transport only, for an estimated 979 miles, from our published model: distance × home-size factor × service rate, shown as −10% to +20% around the base figure. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items sit on top. How we price it.
Worked example: a two-bedroom home, Madison to Denver
979 miles × 2.0 (two-bedroom size multiplier) × $2.50 (full-service rate) = $4,895. The range runs 10% under that to 20% over: $4,406 to $5,874, transport only. Every parameter is on the methodology page; moving cost per mile explains why the rate falls with distance.
How many people move from Madison to Denver
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates that about 168 people a year (±87) moved from Dane County, WI, home to Madison, to Denver County, CO, home to Denver. Going the other way: about 50 people a year (±44). Movers from Dane County make up 0.2% of the 77,381 people a year who moved into Denver County from another county or state.
At state level, the 2024 survey counts about 2,273 people a year (±995) moving from Wisconsin to Colorado and about 2,372 people a year (±792) from Colorado to Wisconsin — a net gain for Wisconsin of about 99 people a year.
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee County, WI | 1,643 ±293 |
| Columbia County, WI | 1,125 ±315 |
| Cook County, IL | 1,074 ±243 |
| Jefferson County, WI | 888 ±258 |
| Rock County, WI | 794 ±213 |
| County | People a year |
|---|---|
| Arapahoe County, CO | 14,135 ±1,426 |
| Jefferson County, CO | 8,268 ±979 |
| Adams County, CO | 5,952 ±1,174 |
| Douglas County, CO | 2,979 ±673 |
| Boulder County, CO | 2,746 ±450 |
Licensed movers at each end
12 household-goods carriers with interstate authority are based within 30 miles of Madison (25 counting those licensed only inside Wisconsin). 10 of them had a roadside inspection in the last 24 months, and 22.0% of their 41 vehicle inspections ended with a truck put out of service. The largest by registered fleet:
| Carrier | Based in | Size | Inspections, 24 mo | Vehicle out of service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reynolds Transfer & Storage IncUSDOT 74488 | Madison · 0 mi | 34 trucks | 6 | 25.0% of 4 |
| O'Mara Moving Systems IncUSDOT 74476 | Madison · 5 mi | 18 trucks | 36 | 16.7% of 24 |
| Mad City MovingUSDOT 699743 | McFarland · 8 mi | 14 trucks | 0 | — |
| Yerges Van Liners IncUSDOT 46561 | Fort Atkinson · 28 mi | 12 trucks | 3 | 100.0% of 2 |
| Capital City Transfer IncUSDOT 257153 | Verona · 12 mi | 8 trucks | 1 | — |
| Gorilla Movers of Wisconsin IncUSDOT 2627768 | Sun Prairie · 12 mi | 7 trucks | 4 | 0.0% of 3 |
How these figures are calculated
At the Denver end
For a local crew after delivery, the largest licensed carriers within 30 miles of Denver: Buehler Companies Alliance Relocation & Student Movers (Aurora, 38 trucks), All My Sons Moving & Storage of Denver LLC (Denver, 27 trucks), Amazing Moves Moving & Storage (Denver, 20 trucks), Johnson Storage & Moving Co (Centennial, 20 trucks).
Rules that apply to this move
Because the truck crosses from Wisconsin into Colorado, 49 CFR Part 375 applies: a written estimate before loading, no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate collected at delivery, and full-value protection unless you choose released value in writing. See binding vs non-binding estimates and valuation explained.
Before you book Madison to Denver
Ask: dedicated or consolidated?
This is the distance where carriers split. A dedicated truck costs more and delivers on a date; a consolidated load costs less and delivers in a window. Decide which you are buying before you compare prices.
Get it binding or not-to-exceed
A non-binding estimate is a guess with no ceiling. On 979 miles the gap between a guess and a weighed load is measured in four figures.
Arriving in Denver
A local move inside Denver later — across town, out of temporary housing — is billed by the hour: about $525 – $859 for a two-bedroom home and $885 – $1,587 for three bedrooms. The nearest cities we cover from Denver are Aurora (about 7 mi), Fort Collins (about 65 mi), Colorado Springs (about 74 mi).
Other routes from Madison
All routes from Madison, nearest first.
| Route | Distance | 2-bedroom, movers |
|---|---|---|
| Madison to Milwaukee, WI | ~87 mi | $515 – $845 |
| Madison to Green Bay, WI | ~141 mi | $635 – $846 |
| Madison to Chicago, IL | ~142 mi | $639 – $852 |
| Madison to Cedar Rapids, IA | ~162 mi | $729 – $972 |
| Madison to Grand Rapids, MI | ~219 mi | $986 – $1,314 |
| Madison to Saint Paul, MN | ~263 mi | $1,184 – $1,578 |
| Madison to Minneapolis, MN | ~272 mi | $1,224 – $1,632 |
| Madison to Des Moines, IA | ~280 mi | $1,260 – $1,680 |
Also moving to Denver: from Aurora, CO, from Fort Collins, CO, from Colorado Springs, CO, from Albuquerque, NM.
Madison to Denver moving FAQ
How much does it cost to move from Madison to Denver?
From our published model, full-service movers over about 979 miles cost about $3,304 – $4,406 for a studio, $4,406 – $5,874 for a two-bedroom home and $5,066 – $6,755 for a three-bedroom home, transport only; packing, storage and specialty items are extra.
How long does a move from Madison to Denver take?
The drive is 2 days on the road (about 18 hours of driving), but the move usually takes 3 to 7 days because it moves on either a dedicated truck or a consolidated load, depending on the carrier and the season. Ask for the delivery window in writing. Book ahead: 4 to 6 weeks, 6 to 8 in summer.
What is the cheapest way to move from Madison to Denver?
Loading a freight trailer yourself: about $2,115 – $2,820 for a two-bedroom home, against $4,406 – $5,874 with full-service movers; a moving container is $3,172 – $4,229.
Do I need an interstate-licensed mover for Madison to Denver?
Yes. Madison is in Wisconsin and Denver is in Colorado, so the carrier needs active FMCSA interstate authority (an MC number) as well as a USDOT number. 12 listed movers within 30 miles of Madison hold it.
How many people move from Madison to Denver each year?
The Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2016–2020) estimates about 168 people a year (margin of error ±87) moved from Dane County, which contains Madison, to Denver County, which contains Denver.
Sources for this page
The published cost model; US Census Bureau ACS migration flows (± is the 90% margin of error); the FMCSA Motor Carrier Census and Safety Measurement System; 49 CFR Part 375. Data last refreshed September 24, 2026.