A Complete Guide: When Is the Best Time to Move?

If you’re thinking about moving, you’ve come to the right place. At Bellhop, we’re experts in all things moving and are here to shed light on some of your most pressing questions.

That means:

• What months are best and worst to move?
• When should you coordinate a move with kids?
• And more!

So, grab your notepad, and take a seat. We’re going to cover not just the good times to move but the best time to move based on several factors. Let’s get this move on the road!

When is the best time to move?

There are many things to consider when it comes to the best time to move. For instance, you have to think about kids, school, weather, and housing. Below, we’ll go over everything you need to know so that you can finally set your moving date.

What is considered the peak moving season?

Peak moving season is when everyone seems to be moving, and movers’ prices are at their highest. What is this mysterious time of year, you might ask? That would be summer (June, July, and August)!

What months are moving season?

While summer is the peak moving reason, it’s not the only moving season. In fact, moving season is between the beginning of April and the end of September, heading into October.

Best month to move

• For Parents: Have an elementary student or high schooler at home? If so, the best month to move for you is generally summer. That’s when your kids will be out of school on break, so you won’t have to pull them out during the year to move. That will allow them to enjoy the last school year with their friends, formal dances, and other important events. (Note: moving costs can be the highest at this time of year since that’s when everyone else is moving, so don’t forget to budget accordingly.)
• For Renters: The best time to move for renters varies. There are more apartments on the market from May to September, which means you’ll have the most options if you move during those months. However, it’s most affordable to start a rental agreement between October and April, particularly in the winter, according to Investopedia. So, check out what’s for rent in your target city or, better yet, neighborhood. If there’s nothing on the market in the winter, consider waiting for spring or summer so that you can almost guarantee a place since that’s when college students leave. If prices are too high in the spring and summer for your liking, wait for winter when prices are at their lowest. 
• For Budgeters: If you want to keep your move as affordable as possible, moving in the winter is your best bet. Most kids are in school then, so parents are less likely to want to move. Plus, there’s snow to think about, depending on where you live. However, if you’re comfortable driving a moving truck, have no kids, and simply want to save money, you can’t get much better than winter. (Also, if your only hesitation is driving the moving truck in the winter, don’t forget to reach out to long-distance movers who can drive the truck for you. That way, all you’ll have to worry about is commuting from one location to the next.)
• For Everyone Overall: Schedule your move between September and April to keep things affordable. It’s outside of the movers’ busy season, so it can be easier to coordinate your local move or move across the country. Moving anytime in winter (and especially January) is the best time to move in 2022 if you want to keep costs down. There will be fewer people trying to secure the same moving date, which can give you peace of mind that you’ll be at your new location in no time and ready to start work. 

Best day to move

The best days for short-distance moves are Monday through Thursday. There aren’t as many people moving during that time, so it can be simple to schedule and more budget-friendly. 

If you’re wondering when the best time to move out of state is, we recommend Friday. That way, your movers have the weekend to finish up and get you all moved into your new home before the next workweek. 

Best time of day to move

Moving in the early morning is best overall. Starting early in the summertime, for instance, can help you and your movers avoid the heat. Moving right after waking up can also help you get done faster, allowing you to spend the rest of the day organizing your new home instead of unloading boxes. 

If you are a night owl and moving in the morning is not an option, moving at night can be great, too. Simply reach out to your movers for an estimate so that you know how to budget. 

Cheapest month to move

The cheapest month to move is generally January. Fewer movers are out on the road at that time, so it’s easier to schedule a move, and you can usually do so at a reduced rate. 

Of course, if you’re going to move in January, consider the type of move beforehand. Long-distance moves from one side of the country to another could be worth scheduling at a different time of the year when the road conditions are better. 

Although, not all states experience a full-blown winter (e.g., Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, and Florida). So, you could very well move from one of those states to another and avoid snow and ice along the way, depending on how far you’re moving. (Always check the road conditions and forecast before your move.)

Why is summer the moving season?

For one, you have college students heading back home until the fall. You also have families moving so that they can avoid pulling their kids out of school during the school year. Both of those groups of people make for a busy moving season in 2022 and the following years. 

Also, you can’t forget that summer has some of the best weather of the year (or at the very least, no snow or ice!). That makes for safer travels, especially if you’re moving across the country. 

Another reason that summer is such a popular time of year to move is because that’s when most rentals open up. That can make it easier to find a place to live if you’re looking to rent an apartment in a new city. 

Tips for relocating in the middle of moving season

As we mentioned before, peak moving season (aka summer) is a busy time of year to move. However, these simple tips can make your relocation much less stressful and more affordable: 

#1: Schedule your move in the early morning.

Moving in the morning is the best thing you can do for your budget. So, have some coffee ready, and plan your move in the AM. It can help you beat the heat and get your things on the road faster. (Also, if you plan your move right, you might be the movers’ first job of the day, which means that they’re likely to get you out of there quicker!)

#2: Stick to a weekday move in the middle of the month. 

While Fridays are generally the easiest for long-distance moves, the cheapest times to move are Monday through Thursday. And if you really want to cut costs, schedule your move in the middle of the month. 

#3: Ask around for packing supplies.

An easy way to save on your move is to get packing supplies from a friend, family member, neighbor, or coworker. There’s a good chance that one person in your network has moved recently (or knows someone who has moved), meaning they probably have a garage full of moving boxes just sitting there. Before you buy packing supplies, ask your connections to see if anyone has any. Just make sure they’re in good condition before packing up your things!

#4: Pack before the movers arrive.

Not all movers offer packing services. To help speed things along, make sure everything is packed in boxes and ready upon the movers’ arrival. That way, they can spend their time loading things into the moving truck instead of waiting for you to tape up any last-minute boxes. 

#5: Secure your moving date right away.

Since movers are so in demand in the summer, it’s not always possible to stick to your target moving date. So, what can you do? We suggest scheduling your move as soon as you know you’re moving and once you find out when your new lease starts so that you get first dibs on moving dates. 

#6: Get a babysitter.

We love our kids, but when you’re a parent, your eyes and mind are on them at all times. That can make it challenging if you’re trying to hurry up a move. For that reason, we recommend having a family member or babysitter keep an eye on your kiddos on moving day so that you can focus on getting the house ready to vacate. 

#7: Get quotes from different movers.

A good way to save money during a peak season move is to get an estimate from at least three movers. Many factors can affect your move (e.g., your current location, destination, number of belongings, home or apartment size, etc.). However, most movers can offer an estimate online to help you know what to expect for pricing. (Check out Bellhop’s moving cost calculator here.)

#8: Ask about specials and promotions.

Even if a mover doesn’t offer promotions during peak moving season, it can’t hurt to ask. You can also find deals online. Then, you can book your move at a reduced rate. (How reduced that might be can vary, but any money saved is good, if you ask us!)

Note: Remember that it is more expensive to move in the summer due to the increased demand for movers. That means that if you hope to move on a budget, you might want to try a different month or find other ways to cut costs in your move. (Decluttering before moving day can help a ton with this!)

What’s the worst time of year to move?

This really depends on how you look at it. For instance, if you have kids in school, moving in the fall or spring might not be for you. After all, you’d have to pull your kids out of school in the beginning or middle of the school year, assuming you’re moving out of their current school district. 

Also, if you live in a place like Minnesota or North Dakota, winter is one of the worst times to move. Minnesota gets anywhere from 36 inches to over 70 inches of snow. North Dakota gets about 39 inches each year–well above the national average. That much snow can make it tricky to drive (especially if you’ve never driven a moving truck before with breakable items inside), and there may even be some road closures. 

So, all in all, here’s what we have to say about what’s the worst time of year to move:

• It depends on your specific move.
• It depends on whether you have kids in elementary, middle, or high school.
• If you need to move this year but don’t want to worry about scheduling, avoid Memorial Day to Labor Day. At this time of year, movers’ schedules are packed full, so it may cost more to move. 

Is it better to move on a weekday or weekend?

If you’re slammed during the workweek and only have time to move over a weekend, don’t worry. Movers make weekend moves all the time and will be happy to assist you. However, it is generally more affordable to move on a weekday than it is on a weekend since most people opt for a weekend move due to work, school, extracurricular activities for kids, etc. 

Want to move for the lowest rate? Plan for a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. (Any of those days would make the list for the best time to move in 2022.) You can put the dollars you save toward other things, such as new furniture, home décor, school clothes, security deposits, pet deposits, etc. 

Need help moving?

Bellhop is at your service. We’re reliable local and long-distance movers that can assist you with loading, unloading, delivery, and much more. We can even help you coordinate your move from beginning to end, including helping you find the best time to move. 
Find movers near you today.