Compare LTL and truckload freight rates to or from Madison, WI. Get free freight quotes with clear pricing and transit options from vetted carriers in minutes.
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Shipping Freight To and From Madison, WI
Madison, WI is a strategically positioned freight market in south-central Wisconsin. Sitting at the convergence of I-90, I-94, and I-39, Madison provides direct highway access to Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis-St. Paul — making it a strong distribution point across the Upper Midwest.
The I-39/90 corridor connects Madison directly to Chicago and the broader national LTL network. Carriers operating out of Chicago’s major freight hub extend strong coverage and competitive rates into the Madison market.
Rail freight in Madison is served by the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR), connecting the region to Class I intermodal networks through Milwaukee and Chicago. Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) supports cargo operations with access to national air freight hubs.
- Located at the junction of I-90, I-94, and I-39
- Strong connectivity to Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis
- Rail access via Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR)
- Served by Dane County Regional Airport (MSN)
- Access to competitive Midwest carrier networks
Madison’s economy supports consistent freight demand across government, university, biotech, manufacturing, and food processing sectors — driving steady inbound and outbound shipment volume.
Whether you’re shipping a single pallet from a Sun Prairie warehouse, moving LTL freight to Chicago, or managing truckload lanes across the Midwest, Freightquote helps you compare rates, view transit options, and book quickly.
Example LTL Freight Rates: Madison, WI → Chicago, IL
Below are example LTL freight rates for a standard 48" × 48" pallet, dock-to-dock, business pickup and delivery. These examples illustrate common weight breaks for shipments moving from Madison, WI to Chicago, IL.
| Pallet Weight | Freight Class | Example Rate* |
|---|---|---|
| 250 lbs | Class 250 | $130.64 |
| 500 lbs | Class 125 | $127.05 |
| 750 lbs | Class 92.5 | $143.44 |
| 1,000 lbs | Class 70 | $125.13 |
| 1,250 lbs | Class 70 | $142.39 |
| 1,500 lbs | Class 65 | $160.52 |
| 1,750 lbs | Class 65 | $173.34 |
| 2,000 lbs | Class 60 | $165.81 |
*Pricing subject to change based on market conditions, capacity, accessorials, and shipment specifics. Snapshot example for illustrative purposes only.
Get your Madison, WI freight rate in minutes
Popular Freight Lanes from Madison, WI
- Madison → Chicago
- Madison → Milwaukee
- Madison → Minneapolis
- Madison → Detroit
- Madison → Kansas City
Compare rates instantly for these lanes and thousands of additional shipping routes nationwide. Freightquote connects you with a large network of trusted carriers offering less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) services, making it easy to find the right solution for shipments of any size.
Whether you're shipping across Wisconsin, the Midwest, or nationwide, our online quoting tool allows you to:
- Compare carrier options side-by-side
- View estimated transit times
- Book shipments quickly with competitive rates
Madison, WI Freight Coverage Area
Freightquote supports pickups and deliveries across the Greater Madison and South-Central Wisconsin region, including:
- Madison / Dane County core
- Sun Prairie / East Madison industrial parks
- DeForest / North Dane County distribution corridor
- Middleton / West Madison warehouse zone
- Janesville / Rock County freight corridor
- Beloit / South Wisconsin border freight zone
- Columbus / Columbia County industrial corridor
- Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) cargo freight zone
Whether your shipment originates in a Dane County industrial park, a distribution facility near the airport, or a downtown Madison business address, we connect you with reliable carrier capacity.
Madison Freight Shipping FAQs
- How do I get Madison, WI freight shipping rates without creating an account?
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Freightquote allows you to compare Wisconsin freight rates online with no mandatory signup. Enter your shipment details — origin, destination, size, weight, and service needs — to view available carrier options and pricing instantly.
- Will my Wisconsin freight quote include transit time estimates?
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Yes. When you get a freight quote through Freightquote, you can compare both rates and estimated transit times side-by-side, so you can select the carrier option that best fits your shipment timeline and budget.
- What information do I need to quote freight to or from Madison, WI?
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To generate an accurate Wisconsin freight shipping quote, you will need:
- Pickup and delivery ZIP codes
- Pallet dimensions (length, width, height)
- Total weight
- Freight class can be entered if known, or it will be automatically calculated for you
- Any required accessorial services (liftgate, appointment delivery, inside pickup, etc.)
Complete shipment details help Freightquote return more accurate pricing and reduce the risk of added charges after booking.
- What accessorial services are common in the Madison, WI area?
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Common accessorials in the Madison and South-Central Wisconsin market include liftgate pickup or delivery, appointment scheduling, limited access delivery (for university campuses, government facilities, or industrial parks with restricted access), inside pickup or delivery, and residential delivery. Shippers moving freight to or from the Dane County Regional Airport cargo zone may also require specific scheduling based on terminal hours. Freightquote’s quoting tool surfaces relevant accessorial options based on your shipment details.
- What types of freight commonly ship to and from Madison, WI?
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Madison’s freight mix reflects the region’s diverse economy. Common commodities include food and agricultural products from Wisconsin’s dairy and grain industries, biotech and pharmaceutical supplies tied to UW–Madison research and life sciences companies, manufactured goods and industrial equipment, retail merchandise, construction materials, and technology hardware. State government procurement also generates regular inbound freight volumes across a range of categories. Freightquote handles all standard NMFC freight classes for both LTL and truckload shipments.
- What makes Madison, WI a freight shipping hub?
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Madison sits at the convergence of I-90, I-94, and I-39, giving shippers direct highway access to Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and major Midwest markets. The Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR), headquartered in Madison, connects the region to Class I intermodal rail networks through Milwaukee and Chicago. Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) supports scheduled cargo operations for time-sensitive shipments. Combined with strong freight demand from state government, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and a growing biotech and manufacturing sector, Madison supports consistent carrier coverage and competitive LTL rates throughout the region.
- How do Madison, WI freight rates compare to shipping from Milwaukee?
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Madison and Milwaukee are approximately 80 miles apart, and both markets are well-served by major LTL carriers operating throughout Wisconsin. For lanes heading southeast toward Chicago and the broader Midwest, rates from both cities are typically competitive, though Milwaukee’s larger freight volume and proximity to Chicago can produce slightly denser carrier coverage on certain lanes. For Midwest destinations like Minneapolis or Kansas City, Madison’s position along I-90/94 and I-39 often provides direct routing. Use Freightquote to compare live rates from both origin points and find the best option for your specific lane.