About 65% of all interstate moves in the United States happen between May and September — a five-month window that represents peak demand, peak pricing, and the highest competition for mover availability. The other 35% happen during the remaining seven months, often at rates 15–30% lower, with more scheduling flexibility and shorter wait times.
If you have any flexibility on when you move, the choice of month has a bigger impact on your moving cost than almost any other single decision. This guide breaks down the tradeoffs month by month.
The Basic Rule: Off-Peak Saves Money
Moving companies price based on demand. When demand is high (summer, weekends, end-of-month), prices rise. When demand drops (winter, mid-week, mid-month), movers compete more aggressively for business.
The premium for peak season relative to off-peak typically runs 15–35% for national van lines and larger carriers, with independent operators sometimes showing even greater variation.
Peak: June, July, August (highest demand and prices)
Semi-peak: May, September (higher than off-peak but not as extreme)
Off-peak: October through April (best prices, most availability)
Month-by-Month Guide
January — Best for Price, Challenging for Weather
January is the quietest month for movers and typically offers the lowest rates of the year. The trade-off is weather: winter storms can delay moves in the Northern states, and extreme cold affects movers, trucks, and sometimes the goods themselves (sensitive electronics and some furniture don’t do well in freezing trucks).
Best for: Moving to or from Sun Belt states (Florida, Texas, Arizona), or moving within mild-climate regions. Less ideal if you’re moving out of the Midwest or Northeast during a cold winter.
Price index: 15–30% below peak summer rates
February — Similar to January
February pricing tracks close to January. Valentine’s Day weekend sees a small uptick (apartment demand), but otherwise February remains quiet for movers.
Best for: Same as January. February moves in the South and Southwest are often quite smooth — mild temperatures, available trucks, competitive rates.
Price index: 15–28% below peak
March — Prices Start Rising Slightly
March begins the ramp-up toward spring moving season. Spring Break creates some local demand, and the end of many lease cycles drives more moves. Prices are still below peak but no longer at winter lows.
Best for: A solid balance of price and weather — not yet hot in the South, winter usually moderating in the North.
Price index: 10–20% below peak
April — Spring Sweet Spot
April is arguably the best combination of price and conditions for most of the country. Weather is typically favorable almost everywhere, prices haven’t hit summer peaks, and mover availability is still good. If you have calendar flexibility, April is the most consistently recommended month for an interstate move.
Best for: Almost everywhere. Good weather across most of the country, reasonable prices, good availability.
Price index: 8–15% below peak
May — Prices Begin Climbing
May kicks off the semi-peak season. College students move home; lease cycles turn over; families try to get settled before the school year ends. Demand increases visibly and prices follow.
Best for: Moving before school’s out; families who need to be settled by summer. Still meaningfully less expensive than June–August.
Price index: At or slightly below peak (0–10% below)
June — Peak Season Begins
June is one of the three most expensive and most competitive months for moving. Demand from families trying to move before the school year spikes dramatically. Movers are booked out 6–10 weeks in advance on popular routes.
Best for: When you have no choice. Book as far in advance as possible — the January or February of the year you’re moving is not too early for a June interstate move.
Price index: Peak pricing
July — Peak Season Peak
July is the single busiest month for interstate moves. Fourth of July weekend sees a temporary dip, but the weeks before and after are extremely high-demand. Rates are at maximum. Availability is tightest.
Best for: Unavoidable situations only. Book 8–12 weeks in advance minimum.
Price index: Peak pricing (+0–10% vs June)
August — Peak Season, School-Year Pressure
August combines the heat of summer with the urgency of school-year timing. College move-ins happen at the end of the month, creating localized demand spikes in college towns. Families try to be settled before August ends.
Best for: Unavoidable. Like July, book as early as possible.
Price index: Peak pricing
September — Rapid Price Drop After Labor Day
The price difference between August 31 and September 15 can be dramatic. Once Labor Day passes and school starts, moving demand drops sharply. September is an underrated month — weather is still good in most of the country, prices fall quickly, and mover availability returns.
Best for: Families willing to move after school starts; couples and individuals without school-year constraints. Often the best value for mid-September and later.
Price index: 5–15% below peak and dropping
October — Excellent Month for Most Moves
October weather is favorable throughout most of the country (though hurricane season can affect Florida and Gulf Coast moves). Prices are clearly off-peak, availability is good, and the move itself is usually logistically smooth.
Best for: Almost any destination. One of the most recommended months for planned interstate moves.
Price index: 12–20% below peak
November — Strong Value, Holiday Complications
November prices are competitive. The complication is Thanksgiving week — both movers and consumers have strong preferences around that holiday, and the period around Thanksgiving sees a temporary demand spike followed by a trough.
Best for: Early to mid-November is excellent. Avoid the week of Thanksgiving if possible; movers charge holiday premiums and availability is tight.
Price index: 15–25% below peak
December — Mixed Picture
Early December can be good; the holiday period from December 20 through January 2 is complicated. People want movers before Christmas, and then no one wants to move during the holidays. Rates for early December are competitive; late December is variable and some companies reduce service.
Best for: First two weeks of December for most moves. Avoid mid-December through New Year.
Price index: 10–25% below peak
Day-of-Week and Time-of-Month Factors
Beyond month, two additional timing factors affect price:
Mid-week vs. weekend: Weekends cost more. Most movers charge a weekend premium — sometimes explicit, sometimes built into quoting. Moving on a Tuesday or Wednesday versus a Saturday can save 5–15%.
Mid-month vs. end-of-month: Lease cycles drive end-of-month demand spikes. Moving on the 10th or 15th of the month rather than the 28th–31st typically means better availability and slightly lower rates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Time to Move Long Distance
Q: What is the cheapest month to hire movers for an interstate move?
A: January and February are consistently the least expensive months — rates are typically 15–30% below peak summer pricing, and mover availability is best. The trade-off is winter weather risk for northern origin or destination states.
Q: How far in advance should I book an interstate mover?
A: For summer moves (June–August): 8–12 weeks minimum, ideally 12–16 weeks. For spring/fall moves: 4–6 weeks. For winter moves: 2–4 weeks is usually sufficient, though earlier is always better.
Q: Is September or October better for moving?
A: October is generally slightly better — prices are comparable to September but weather risk from late-season Atlantic storms is lower. Both are excellent months for planned interstate moves.
Q: Does the time of day affect moving costs?
A: For long-distance moves, not significantly — pricing is based on weight, distance, and season rather than hour-of-day. For local moves, some movers charge hourly and prefer earlier start times to maximize efficiency.
Q: Why is summer moving so much more expensive?
A: About 65% of all household moves in the United States happen in May–September. Families with children try to move between school years; college students move in August. This concentrated demand drives up prices and reduces availability. Movers have the same number of trucks in winter that they have in summer.
The Bottom Line
If you’re planning an interstate move and have any flexibility on timing, September through April offers meaningfully better pricing and availability than the summer peak. April and October are often cited as the optimal months combining favorable weather, competitive rates, and good mover availability.
If you must move in summer, book early — January or February isn’t too early to book a June interstate move on a popular route — and get at least three quotes to ensure competitive pricing.
Get quotes for your planned move date. Compare licensed interstate movers with availability on your timeline through our free tool.
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