When is the best time to move?

The best time to move depends entirely on your own decisions. Moving demand can shift so much throughout the year that choosing the right season, month, or even day of the week may affect both your moving costs. However, because other moving tasks occupy them, people often forget to choose the time of the year for their relocation. Remember that this small detail can make a huge difference in the ease of your relocation and the size of your bank account. Moreover, making this decision enables you to hire good movers, on time. So, in the spirit of learning and avoiding mistakes, Lippincott Van Lines Connecticut is here to help you plan the best time to move in terms of convenience and cost.

What would be the best time to move?

The answer to this question is: it depends! There are many factors to consider when booking your move. Do you have kids and don’t want them to miss classes? Are you planning to save some money? Have you already contacted some of the residential movers? Below are the reasons each season may be the most suitable for your move, depending on your specific needs:

• Fall: Excellent moving weather, and you may be able to get a better deal on a home during the off-season.
• Winter: This is the cheapest time of year to relocate because demand is at its lowest. Schedules for moving companies are more flexible.
• Spring: The weather will be milder than in the winter, and demand will be lower in March and April.
• Summer: This is an excellent time to sell your home because demand is high, and you may get a higher price. Also, if you are moving with children, this is the best time because they will be out of school.

Best month of the year for moving

If you define “best” by cost, then you are more likely to save money on a relocation between late September and April. Typically, demand for movers slows during this time period, and rates are low. According to various moving professionals, the peak moving season lasts from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend, with the spring and summer accounting for roughly 70% of all moves.

What is the reason for this? Families with children typically relocate during the summer months to avoid disruptions during the school year. Moving is also easier in the spring and summer when the weather is nice.

What is the cheapest time to move?

If you calculate the costs of DIY moving in 2026, you will see that hiring professional movers is actually more cost-effective. Therefore, the cheapest time to move is usually when fewer people are trying to book the same trucks, crews, and time slots. Simple enough, right? Moving prices often follow demand. When demand goes up, availability gets tighter. When demand slows down, you usually have more options.

That’s why the off-season is often your best bet if saving money is the goal. In most cases, this means late fall through early spring. Summer, especially June, July, and August, tends to be much busier because families often want to move while school is out, the weather is easier to work with, and the real estate market is more active.

But the season is only part of the story. The exact day you choose matters too. Want a better shot at lower rates? Look at a mid-month weekday. Dates at the beginning and end of the month are often busier because many leases turn over around the 1st. Weekends also fill up quickly because most people prefer not to miss work.

So, what should you avoid?

• peak summer weekends
• holiday weekends
• last-minute booking
• end-of-month dates

Of course, your final price will still depend on

• home size
• distance
• packing needs
• stairs
• specialty items
• mover availability

But choosing a slower moving date gives you one big advantage: flexibility. More flexibility means more room to compare estimates, choose a better time slot, and plan without feeling rushed. If you calculate the costs of DIY moving in 2026, you will see that hiring professional movers is actually more cost-effective.

Mid-month is perfect for your relocation

Instead of moving at the beginning or end of the month, our long distance movers recommend planning a “mid-month” transition. If you can avoid moving on the first and last weekends of the month, going with a mid-month and mid-week move is strongly recommended. This is typically when demand is lowest and, thus, when your costs are lowest. As a general rule, because most leases begin on the first of the month, this day is more likely to be busy for moving companies.

What is the best day of the week to move?

The best day of the week to move is usually a day that gives you breathing room. For many people, that means Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Why? These midweek days tend to be less crowded than weekends, which can make it easier to find an available moving crew, choose a better arrival window, and avoid the rush of everyone trying to move at the same time.

Our CT local movers commonly recommend Monday through Thursday for better availability, and recent moving advice also points to midweek dates as a smart way to reduce stress and improve scheduling flexibility.

Monday can work well, especially if you want the move done early in the week. However, it may occasionally be affected by delays or scheduling pressure left over from a busy weekend. Friday is convenient because it gives you the weekend to unpack, but that same convenience makes it popular. Friday is the most popular moving day, followed by Saturday and Monday.

Saturday and Sunday are not “bad” days, but they are often busier because people want to avoid taking time off work. That can mean fewer open slots and less flexibility. If your schedule allows it, a midweek move can give you a calmer experience — and one more bonus. You still have the weekend to:

• unpack
• clean
• organize
• settle in

Avoid moving around holidays by all means. Christmas season, Halloween celebrations, and Thanksgiving Day will bring many tourists. Therefore, the moving costs will be higher.

Don’t move during the rush hour!

If you are an early bird, here is some good news: mornings are the best time to move. If you hire a professional moving company, they will want to arrive in the morning, between 8 and 10 a.m. Early mornings usually mean cooler conditions for the movers during the warmer months. Hiring furniture movers to manage your belongings is also recommended because your transition will be finished sooner. Pack everything the night before so you can go on a trip early in the morning.

Remember, your moving professionals will appreciate that they don’t have to work when it is over 30 degrees outside or when the streets are too crowded. Therefore, make sure you think carefully and plan accordingly.

Best time of day to move

For most moves, the best time to start is early in the morning, ideally around 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Why so early? Because moving day almost always takes more energy, time, and coordination than people expect. A morning move gives you more daylight to work with, which is especially helpful if the job takes longer than planned. It also helps you avoid the hottest part of the day during summer. That can make the move easier for everyone, especially when heavy furniture, stairs, and multiple trips to the truck are involved.

There’s another benefit, too. Your movers are usually starting fresh in the morning. If you book an afternoon slot, your schedule may depend on how smoothly their earlier jobs went. One delay can push everything back. Annoying? Definitely. Avoidable? Sometimes.

That does not mean afternoon moves are always a problem. For a smaller local move, an apartment move, or a short-distance relocation, an afternoon time slot can still work well, especially if your building has flexible access. Evening moves, however, can be trickier. Many apartments, condos, and loading docks have move-in hour rules, elevator restrictions, noise policies, or parking limits.

In Connecticut, traffic should also be part of the plan. Busy routes like I-95, I-84, and I-91 can slow things down during rush hour, especially later in the day. A simple move? Great. But even then, checking traffic, construction, and weather before the truck leaves can save you from unnecessary delays.

Other considerations when choosing your moving date

Apart from the time and the month of the year, there are many other points to consider when choosing the best time to move. Family situations, school, college, work, and celebrations are just some of them. Here are the most common reasons that make people decide when to relocate.

The weather

It should go without saying that you should trust your instincts. If you live in a cold climate, you’re probably better off avoiding a move in the dead of winter. After all, icy roads, hazardous conditions, and heavy lifting make for an unpleasant experience. On the other hand, if you live in warmer areas, you would want to avoid the summer heat.

Work

If you have to relocate during a busy period at work, it may be worth the extra money to relocate on a weekend date. However, you should know that moving on the weekend is more expensive and there are not so many movers available.

Family matter

Do you have school-aged children? Moving during the summer may make more sense to avoid a chaotic school year. 1 in 10 high school students who changed schools during the academic year dropped out, a rate 40% higher than students who did not change schools mid-year. This way, your children will not have to skip classes and can start a new year fresh and relaxed.

Hire movers well in advance

Once you have a moving date in mind, don’t wait too long to book your movers. The earlier you reach out, the more options you usually have. Better time slots. More flexible dates. Less last-minute pressure.

So, how far in advance should you book? If you are moving during a slower season, you may have more flexibility. But if your move falls during summer, on a weekend, or near the end of the month, booking early becomes much more important. These dates fill up quickly because many families, renters, and homeowners are trying to move at the same time.

Long-distance moves also need extra planning. Why? Because they often require:

• more coordination
• larger crews
• longer travel windows
• using a storage unit
• more detailed scheduling

Waiting too long can limit your choices and make the whole process feel rushed.

Booking ahead also gives you time to compare estimates, ask questions, confirm services, and prepare properly.

• Need packing help?
• Have heavy furniture?
• Moving from an apartment with elevator rules?

These details are much easier to manage when your movers are already scheduled. A little planning now can make moving day feel much calmer later.

Choosing the best time for your move is not a tricky task!

Of course, not everyone has the luxury of moving at the most convenient time. The “best” time for you will be determined by factors such as your location, weather, budget, family obligations, and work flexibility. Once you’ve figured these out, you’ll be well on your way to a successful relocation. Therefore, sit down and plan everything. Choosing the best time to move surely requires focus. But with some effort, you can succeed!