The Best Time of Year to Move Long Distance (Save Up to 30%)

Timing your long distance move correctly can save you hundreds — sometimes thousands — of dollars. Moving companies price based on demand, and demand varies significantly by season, day of week, and time of month.

Peak vs. Off-Peak Moving Season

Peak Season: May through September

Summer is by far the busiest time for long distance movers. Families move during summer to minimize school disruptions, leases typically end on June 30 or August 31, and good weather makes moving easier. During peak season:

• Prices are typically 20-30% higher than off-peak
• Movers book up quickly — some are unavailable on certain dates
• Delivery windows may be longer due to high demand
• You may have less flexibility on move dates

Off-Peak Season: October through April

Moving in the fall or winter offers significant advantages:

• Prices are typically 20-30% lower than peak season
• More mover availability and flexible scheduling
• Better service as movers have fewer jobs to juggle
• More negotiating power on price

Best Days of the Week to Move

Within any given month, the day of the week matters:

• Monday–Wednesday: Cheapest days. Movers have more availability and often lower rates.
• Thursday–Friday: Moderate pricing. Good balance of availability and cost.
• Saturday–Sunday: Most expensive days. High demand from people who can't take weekdays off.

Best Time of Month to Move

Moving companies tend to be busiest at the beginning and end of each month (when leases start and end) and on weekends. The sweet spot for lowest prices:

• Move between the 8th and 22nd of the month
• Avoid the first and last week of any month
• Avoid holidays and long weekends

How Much Can You Actually Save?

A real example: Moving a 3-bedroom home from Florida to New York in July (peak) might cost $7,500. The same move in November (off-peak) on a Wednesday (mid-week) in the middle of the month might cost $5,200 — a savings of $2,300 or 31%.

When You Can't Control the Timing

Sometimes a job relocation or lease end date doesn't give you flexibility on when to move. In that case, focus on what you can control:

• Book as early as possible to lock in better rates
• Compare multiple quotes — even in peak season, prices vary significantly
• Be flexible within a week-long window if possible
• Consider mid-week pickup even if delivery falls on a weekend

Book Early No Matter What Season

Whether you're moving in peak or off-peak season, booking early is always advantageous. The best movers fill their schedules weeks in advance. Booking 6-8 weeks out gives you the best selection of carriers and often better rates than last-minute bookings.