When planning a move, most people focus on finding the right moving company and organizing their belongings. But there’s one often-overlooked factor that can dramatically affect both your moving costs and your overall experience: the day of the week you choose to move.
The timing of your move matters more than you might think. Moving on the wrong day can mean paying 20% to 40% more than necessary, dealing with limited availability, and navigating heavy traffic. On the flip side, choosing the optimal day can save you hundreds of dollars while giving you a smoother, less stressful moving experience.
This guide breaks down the best and worst days to schedule your move, backed by industry data and real-world insights from professional movers.
Why the Day of the Week Matters for Your Move
Moving companies don’t charge the same rates every day of the week. Like airlines and hotels, moving companies adjust their pricing based on demand. High-demand days mean premium prices and limited availability. Low-demand days translate to better rates, more scheduling flexibility, and often better service.
Three key factors make certain days more expensive than others:
Demand and availability. When everyone wants to move on the same days (typically weekends), moving companies can charge more. They know their trucks will be booked regardless of price. During slower weekdays, companies compete for your business by offering lower rates.
Traffic and logistics. The day you move affects road conditions, parking availability, and building access. Weekend moves often mean navigating busy retail areas and competing with other movers for building elevator reservations. Weekday moves typically involve less traffic and easier logistics.
Your schedule flexibility. Weekend moves seem convenient because they don’t require time off work. However, this convenience comes with a significant price premium. If you can arrange to take a weekday off, the money you save on moving costs often exceeds the value of a vacation day.
The Best Days to Move: Monday Through Thursday
Based on industry data and feedback from moving companies across the country, Monday through Thursday are consistently the best days to move. Here’s why each weekday offers distinct advantages.
Tuesday and Wednesday: The Sweet Spot
Tuesday and Wednesday are considered the absolute best days to move. These mid-week days experience the lowest demand for moving services, which translates directly to lower costs and better availability.
Cost savings. Moving companies often offer their best rates on Tuesday and Wednesday because these are their slowest booking days. You might save 15% to 30% compared to weekend rates. Some companies even offer midweek discounts to fill their schedules.
Better availability. You’ll have more flexibility choosing your preferred time slot and won’t need to book months in advance. This flexibility also means the moving company is more likely to accommodate special requests or last-minute changes.
Less competition for resources. Fewer people moving means easier access to building elevators, loading zones, and parking spaces. You won’t be competing with three other moving trucks trying to access the same building.
Lower traffic. Weekday traffic patterns are predictable. While you might encounter rush hour, it’s generally easier to navigate than all-day weekend traffic congestion.
Monday: Start Your Week Strong
Monday moves offer many of the same benefits as Tuesday and Wednesday, with one additional advantage: you have the entire week ahead to unpack and settle in before the weekend.
Psychological fresh start. There’s something satisfying about starting your move at the beginning of a new week. It feels like a clean slate in multiple ways.
Full week to get organized. By moving on Monday, you have Tuesday through Friday to unpack essentials, set up utilities, and handle any unexpected issues before the weekend arrives.
Competitive pricing. While not quite as cheap as Tuesday or Wednesday, Monday rates are still significantly lower than weekend pricing.
The main challenge with Monday moves is that some moving companies have limited availability because they’re catching up from weekend moves or handling deliveries from long-distance moves that wrapped up over the weekend.
Thursday: The Strategic Choice
Thursday is an increasingly popular choice among savvy movers. It offers weekday pricing with an added bonus: you can unpack over a three-day weekend.
Weekday rates with weekend flexibility. You get the cost savings of a weekday move but still have Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday to unpack and settle into your new home.
Less pressure to finish quickly. Unlike a Friday move where you’re racing against the weekend, a Thursday move gives you time to handle the essentials Thursday evening, then tackle the rest over the next three days at your own pace.
Good availability. Thursday is busier than Tuesday and Wednesday but still offers much better availability than Friday or weekends.
The timing works especially well for families with children. Kids can spend Thursday at school, and you can move while they’re out of the house. They’ll have the weekend to adjust to their new home before starting at a new school the following Monday.
The Worst Days to Move: Weekends and Fridays
While weekends might seem like the obvious choice for moving, they’re actually the most expensive and challenging days to relocate.
Friday: The Trap of Convenience
Friday has become one of the most popular moving days, and that’s precisely the problem. Everyone has the same idea: take Friday off work and have the whole weekend to settle in.
Premium pricing. Moving companies know Friday is in high demand, so they charge accordingly. You might pay 20% to 30% more for a Friday move compared to mid-week.
Limited availability. Friday time slots fill up fast, especially during peak moving season (May through September). You’ll need to book weeks or even months in advance.
Rush hour nightmares. Friday afternoon traffic is notoriously bad in most cities. Your move could take significantly longer than planned if you’re trying to navigate rush hour with a moving truck.
Exhausted weekend. The promise of having the weekend to unpack sounds great in theory. In practice, you’ll be so exhausted from moving day that you’ll spend most of Saturday recovering, leaving you only Sunday to actually unpack.
Saturday: Peak Demand Means Peak Prices
Saturday is the single most popular day for moving. Approximately 20% of all moves happen on Saturdays, making it the worst day for both cost and convenience.
Highest rates. Saturday moves command premium pricing. Moving companies can charge top dollar because they know people will pay for the convenience of not missing work.
Booking challenges. If you want to move on a Saturday, especially during summer, you’ll need to book your movers two to three months in advance. Last-minute Saturday moves are nearly impossible to arrange.
Competing for resources. On any given Saturday, multiple moves are happening in the same neighborhood, apartment building, or condo complex. You might wait hours for elevator access or struggle to find legal parking for the moving truck.
All-day traffic. Unlike weekday traffic that peaks during rush hour, weekend traffic is unpredictable all day. Shopping centers, recreational areas, and road construction can cause unexpected delays.
Sunday: Slightly Better but Still Expensive
Sunday moves are marginally better than Saturday in terms of availability and sometimes cost, but they still come with challenges.
Moderate pricing. Sunday rates are typically lower than Saturday but higher than weekdays. You might save 10% to 15% compared to Saturday.
Religious and business restrictions. Some areas have noise ordinances that restrict moving activities on Sunday mornings. Additionally, many building management offices are closed on Sundays, which can complicate elevator reservations or key pickups.
Limited time before work. Moving on Sunday means you’re going back to work Monday morning, likely still surrounded by unpacked boxes. This can create significant stress.
Interestingly, some data suggests Sunday might be one of the cheaper weekend options in certain markets, but it still doesn’t compete with weekday pricing.
Additional Timing Factors That Affect Moving Costs
Beyond the day of the week, several other timing factors influence your moving costs and experience.
Time of Month Matters
The date you choose within the month significantly impacts pricing and availability.
Avoid the first and last week. Most leases begin or end on the first of the month, creating massive demand during the first week and the last few days of each month. Moving companies charge premium rates during these periods.
Target mid-month (10th-20th). The second and third weeks of the month see the lowest demand. Combining a mid-month date with a Tuesday or Wednesday move creates the perfect storm for savings.
Watch out for the 15th. While generally good, the 15th can be busy in markets where mid-month lease dates are common.
Moving mid-month offers another advantage: more flexible scheduling. Building managers are less stressed, elevator access is easier, and you won’t be competing with dozens of other residents trying to move simultaneously.
Time of Day Considerations
The specific time your move starts can also affect both cost and convenience.
Early morning (8-10 AM) is best. Starting early means cooler temperatures (crucial during summer), more energy for physical labor, and a better chance of completing your move with daylight to spare.
Avoid afternoon starts. Movers who start in the afternoon might be on their second job of the day, potentially tired or rushed. You also risk running into evening darkness if the move takes longer than expected.
Late evening moves. Some companies offer discounted rates for evening moves when trucks would otherwise sit idle. However, moving in the dark presents safety risks and practical challenges.
Seasonal Considerations
The time of year dramatically affects moving demand and pricing.
Peak season (May-September). Summer is the busiest moving season, with nearly 50% of all moves happening during these months. Families move to avoid disrupting the school year, and warmer weather makes moving more pleasant. Expect premium pricing and limited availability.
Off-season (October-April). Winter months, particularly January and February, offer the lowest moving rates of the year. Companies are hungry for business and often provide significant discounts. The tradeoff is potentially dealing with cold weather, snow, or rain.
Spring and fall shoulder seasons. March, April, October, and early November offer moderate pricing and decent weather. These months can be ideal if you want to avoid both peak-season prices and winter weather challenges.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Moving Day
While weekdays offer clear financial advantages, the “best” day for your move depends on your specific circumstances.
Work Schedule Flexibility
Can you take a day off work without major consequences? If you work for yourself, have flexible PTO, or can arrange remote work, a weekday move makes perfect sense. However, if taking time off creates significant problems at work or you’ve exhausted your vacation days, a weekend move might be necessary despite the cost.
Consider this: if moving on Tuesday saves you $400 compared to Saturday, and you’d use a vacation day worth $200 in salary, you’re still ahead $200. Plus, you’d have the weekend free to relax rather than spending it hauling boxes.
Family and School Considerations
Families with school-age children face additional constraints. Moving during the school year? A weekday move while kids are at school can be less stressful for everyone. You can pack and move without entertaining bored children, and they won’t miss a school day.
Moving in summer? You have more flexibility, but you’ll also pay peak-season rates regardless of which day you choose.
If children are changing schools due to the move, timing matters. A Thursday or Friday move allows them to start at their new school on Monday, beginning the week fresh rather than joining mid-week.
Long-Distance vs. Local Moves
Local moves (within the same city or metropolitan area) can typically be completed in a single day, giving you maximum flexibility to choose the cheapest day.
Long-distance moves spanning multiple days are less affected by your starting day since movers are committed to your move for several days regardless. However, you still want to consider:
Delivery timing. If your belongings will arrive mid-week, taking time off work to receive the delivery might be easier than trying to coordinate a weekend delivery.
Highway traffic. Starting a long-distance move on a Friday means driving through weekend highway traffic. Starting Monday or Tuesday means less congested interstates.
Weather Conditions
The day of the week doesn’t change the weather, but it can affect how you handle weather challenges.
Weekday moves in bad weather. If weather forces a delay or makes moving dangerous, rescheduling a weekday move is often easier than trying to find another available weekend slot.
Seasonal patterns. In Portland, for example, winter moves mean potential rain. Summer moves mean dry conditions but potentially hot weather. Plan your move time accordingly.
Budget Constraints
How much moving costs affects your decision. If your budget is tight, the savings from a Tuesday or Wednesday move could be substantial. Data shows mid-week moves can save 15% to 30% compared to weekend rates.
Example: A local move that costs $1,200 on Saturday might cost $900 on Wednesday. That $300 savings can be used for new furniture, utility deposits, or simply kept as a cushion for unexpected moving expenses.
Real-World Examples: The Cost Difference
Here’s what actual pricing differences might look like for a typical three-bedroom house move in the Portland area:
Saturday move: $1,400 – $1,600
Friday move: $1,200 – $1,400
Sunday move: $1,100 – $1,300
Thursday move: $1,000 – $1,200
Tuesday/Wednesday move: $900 – $1,100
The exact savings vary by company and season, but the pattern holds: weekday moves cost significantly less.
Case Study: Mid-Week Move Savings
Consider a Portland family moving from a townhouse in Beaverton to a house in Lake Oswego. They initially planned a Saturday move in July, receiving quotes around $1,500.
After learning about weekday savings, they rescheduled to a Wednesday in early July. The same moving company quoted $1,050 for the Wednesday move. By being flexible with the day of the week, they saved $450 while getting the same quality service.
That savings paid for professional packing services for their kitchen and garage, making the overall move even easier.
Tips for Maximizing Savings on Your Move
Choosing the right day is just one strategy for reducing moving costs. Combine these additional tips with a weekday move for maximum savings:
Book early. Even for off-peak weekday moves, booking at least 4-6 weeks in advance ensures you get your preferred date and time slot.
Get multiple quotes. Contact at least three moving companies to compare pricing. Let them know you’re flexible with your moving date and ask specifically about their cheapest days.
Ask about discounts. Some companies offer additional discounts for senior citizens, military members, or customers moving during their slowest periods. Always ask what discounts might apply.
Declutter before you move. The less you move, the less you pay. Moving costs are typically calculated by weight or hourly rate, so reducing your load reduces your bill.
Pack yourself. Professional packing services are convenient but expensive. If you can pack most items yourself, you’ll save significantly.
Be flexible with timing. If a moving company has a cancellation or an open slot on Tuesday morning, they might offer a discount to fill that slot. Being flexible can yield unexpected savings.
Move during off-season. Combining a Tuesday move with an off-season month like January or February can result in dramatic cost reductions.
Making the Final Decision: Your Moving Day Checklist
When deciding which day to schedule your move, ask yourself these questions:
- Can I realistically take a weekday off work without major consequences?
- Do I have school-age children whose schedules I need to consider?
- How tight is my moving budget? Would saving $300-500 make a meaningful difference?
- Am I willing to book several weeks in advance to secure a good weekday slot?
- Is this a local move I can complete in one day, or a long-distance move spanning multiple days?
- What’s the weather forecast for my moving week?
- Are there any local events (street festivals, marathons, construction) that might affect my move on specific days?
Your answers to these questions will guide you toward the best day for your specific situation.
The Bottom Line on Best Moving Days
The data is clear: Tuesday and Wednesday are the absolute best days to move for most people. These mid-week days offer the lowest prices, best availability, and least stressful moving conditions.
Thursday provides a nice compromise if you want weekday savings but also want a long weekend to unpack. Monday moves work well if you want to start fresh at the beginning of the week.
Weekends, particularly Saturday, are the worst days to move in terms of cost and logistics. Unless you have absolutely no flexibility in your schedule, avoiding weekend moves will save you significant money and stress.
The ideal scenario for maximum savings: a Tuesday or Wednesday move between the 10th and 20th of the month, during the off-season (October through April), with an early morning start time.
Remember, the “best” day ultimately depends on your individual circumstances. Weigh the financial savings against your work schedule, family needs, and personal preferences. Even if you can’t move on the absolute cheapest day, knowing these patterns helps you make an informed decision that balances cost with convenience.
Ready to schedule your move in Portland? Redefyne Moving & Storage offers competitive rates throughout the week, with special pricing for mid-week moves. Our experienced team can help you choose the optimal day for your specific situation. Contact us today for a free quote and let’s find the best day for your stress-free move.
