When is the best time to move? A month-by-month guide

The best time to move is mid-September through mid-October. Movers are more available, the weather is comfortable for heavy lifting, and you're not competing with half the country for the same weekend slot. But depending on your priorities, the "best" time might vary — are you trying to avoid the summer heat, or looking for maximum scheduling flexibility?

Here's what most "best time to move" guides get wrong: they tell you to move in January to save money. But based on over 200,000 Lugg bookings in 2025, the average cost of a move barely changes month to month. What does change is demand — and that affects availability, scheduling flexibility, and how rushed your experience feels. If you have any control over your timeline, timing your move around demand is the smartest play.

What Lugg's booking data tells us about moving demand

We analyzed over 200,000 Lugg moves across thousands of U.S. cities in 2025. Here's what the data actually shows:

Data based on ~200,000 Lugg moves in 2025 across all U.S. markets.

The takeaway that surprises everyone: The average cost of a Lugg move barely changes by month — less than a 5% spread between the cheapest and most expensive months. That's because Lugg charges based on job duration, not demand. Unlike traditional local moving companies, with Lugg there's no surge pricing, no seasonal markups, no "peak summer rate."

What does change dramatically is volume. Peak summer months see nearly 70% more bookings than winter. That means tighter scheduling windows, busier crews, and less flexibility to pick your ideal time slot. The "savings" of moving off-peak aren't about price, they're about getting the exact date and time you want.

The best season to move

If you have flexibility, fall is the winner. September and October give you the best combination of comfortable weather, available movers, and scheduling flexibility. But every season has trade-offs.

Fall (September – November): the sweet spot

After Labor Day, the moving industry exhales. Families are settled into the school year, summer leases have turned over, and demand drops significantly. Movers are more available, which means you're more likely to get your preferred date and time slot, and you won't be competing with half your city for the same Saturday morning.

The weather cooperates, too. In most of the country, September and October are warm enough to keep your muscles loose but cool enough that nobody's overheating carrying a dresser up three flights of stairs.

Spring (March – May): good for sellers, busier for renters

If you're selling a home, spring is prime time — curb appeal is at its peak, buyers are active, and you'll likely get more competitive offers. But if you're renting, spring is when demand starts climbing toward summer levels, especially in May when the end-of-lease crunch begins. Lugg's booking volume in May jumps over 40% compared to February.

Summer (June – August): peak demand

This is when most people move. Between school schedules, college graduations, and the simple fact that nobody wants to move in a snowstorm, summer accounts for roughly 28% of all annual Lugg bookings, with August being the single busiest month. That doesn't mean you'll pay more (Lugg's pricing stays flat year-round), but it does mean tighter scheduling, busier crews, and less flexibility to grab your ideal time slot.

That said, if you have school-aged kids or your lease is locked to a summer end date, this might be your only option — and that's fine. You can still save by picking the right week and day. (If you're dealing with a college move, August is especially hectic in college towns, so book early.)

Winter (December – February): most flexible, but plan for weather

Winter is when you'll have the most scheduling flexibility. Demand is at its lowest — Lugg sees nearly 70% fewer bookings in January than in August — which means more time slots to choose from and less competition for weekend dates. With traditional movers, winter is also when you'll find the best rates since they negotiate to keep crews working. But you're gambling with weather. A snowstorm can delay your move by days, icy roads make the drive risky, and shorter daylight hours mean less time to get everything done.

If you're moving somewhere that doesn't get harsh winters — say, Phoenix, Los Angeles, or Miami — winter is genuinely the best time to move. You get maximum scheduling flexibility, the lowest traditional mover rates, and none of the weather risk.

The best month to move

Not all months within a season are equal. Here's the month-by-month breakdown:

Best overall: September and October

Summer demand has eased, weather is comfortable in most markets, and mover availability rebounds. These are the "Goldilocks" months — Lugg's data shows demand in October is noticeably below August's peak, with scheduling easier to lock in.

Most flexible: January and February

Post-holiday demand is at its annual low. If scheduling flexibility is your top priority and you can handle potential weather disruptions, winter gives you the widest selection of dates and time slots. With traditional movers, you'll also find the lowest rates.

Best for apartment renters: October

Many leases run September to August or start on October 1. If you can time your lease to start in October, you'll avoid the summer rush entirely and have your pick of available apartments — and available apartment movers.

Most hectic: July and August

Peak demand, peak heat, tightest scheduling. Lugg sees more bookings in July and August combined than any other two-month stretch. If you can avoid them, do.

The best time to move into an apartment

Apartment moves have their own rhythm, and the timing matters even more because you're often dealing with rigid lease dates, overlapping rent payments, and building rules about elevator reservations and move-in hours.

The golden rule for apartment moves: avoid the first and last three days of any month. That's when most leases start and end, and it creates a bottleneck — elevators are booked, movers are slammed, and your building's loading dock has a line.

If you can negotiate your lease to start mid-month (the 10th through the 20th), you'll find that movers are more available and less rushed. Some landlords will even prorate your first month's rent, which means you're not paying double for the overlap. (Moving into your first apartment? This timing trick is especially worth knowing.)

Best months for apartment moves: September through November

Summer is peak apartment turnover season, especially in college towns and major cities. By September, the rush is over, and you'll have more negotiating power on both the apartment itself and your moving costs.

Cheapest months for apartment moves: December through February

Fewer people want to sign a lease in the dead of winter, so landlords are more flexible on price, move-in incentives, and lease start dates. The trade-off is a smaller selection of available units.

The best day of the week to move

Tuesday is the best day of the week to move

Here's why.

Everyone wants to move on a Friday or Saturday so they can use the weekend to unpack. That's understandable — but it means movers are juggling more jobs and scheduling is tighter. With traditional moving companies, weekend rates are often higher too. By choosing a Tuesday or Wednesday, you get a crew that isn't rushing to their next booking and more flexibility to pick your ideal time slot.

Based on Lugg booking patterns, here's how demand breaks down by day:

One thing worth knowing: while industry rates fluctuate by day, Lugg never charges surge pricing — no matter when you book. A Saturday move at peak time costs the same rate as a quiet Tuesday morning. Same goes for on-demand bookings versus scheduling ahead. You won't pay more just because everyone else is moving the same day.

The mid-week hack: If you can take a single day off work, a Tuesday or Wednesday move is worth it. You'll get a less stressed crew, more time slot options, and often a faster move because traffic is lighter.

The best time of day to move

Start early. Aim for a 7:00 or 8:00 AM start time if your building or neighborhood allows it.

Early morning moves have three advantages: your movers are fresh and energized (not coming off a previous job), you beat afternoon traffic during the drive, and you avoid the worst heat of the day in summer. An early start also gives you a buffer if things take longer than expected, you won't be unloading in the dark.

If you're using Lugg, early morning slots tend to be the most available since most people default to mid-morning or afternoon bookings. It's one of those rare cases where the best option is also the easiest to book.

How to save money no matter when you move

Since Lugg's pricing is based on job duration — not when you book — the best way to reduce your moving costs is to reduce your moving time. Here's how:

Declutter before you move, not after

Every item your movers carry costs time, and time is money. Sell, donate, or schedule a junk removal for anything you don't want to bring to the new place. A smaller move is a cheaper move.

Pack everything before your movers arrive. With Lugg, all items must be packed and ready to go before your movers show up. Since Lugg charges a base rate plus per-minute labor time, having everything boxed, labeled, and staged near the door means less time on the clock and a lower total cost. (Not sure where to start? Here are the top packing supplies you'll need.)

Disassemble furniture ahead of time

Same logic — less work for your movers means less time on the clock. Take apart bed frames, remove table legs, and detach anything that will fit through doorways more easily in pieces. Keep the hardware in labeled bags taped to each piece.

Book early, but not too early

For a summer move, book at least 3–4 weeks in advance to lock in your preferred date. For off-season mid-week moves, 1–2 weeks is usually plenty. With Lugg, you can book on-demand — even same-day — but planning ahead gives you more time options.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest month to move?

With traditional movers, January is typically the cheapest month because demand is at its annual low and companies compete for fewer customers. But not all moving services work this way. Based on over 200,000 Lugg moves in 2025, the average cost of a move varied by less than 5% across all 12 months — because Lugg charges based on job duration, not seasonal demand. The real advantage of moving off-peak is scheduling flexibility, not price.

When is the cheapest time to move into an apartment?

December through February is the cheapest window for apartment moves. Fewer renters are looking for apartments in winter, so landlords are more likely to offer move-in incentives, reduced deposits, or flexible lease start dates. Movers are also more available — Lugg sees about 40% fewer bookings in winter compared to summer — so you'll have more flexibility scheduling your move.

What is the best day of the week to move?

Tuesday and Wednesday are the best days to move. Weekend demand means movers are juggling more jobs, and with traditional companies, Saturday rates are often higher. Choosing a Tuesday means lighter traffic, more available movers, and a less rushed experience. With Lugg, there's no surge pricing regardless of the day — you're paying the same rate on a Saturday as a Tuesday — but mid-week still means more scheduling flexibility.

How far in advance should I book movers?

For a summer move (June–August), book 3–4 weeks in advance to secure your preferred date. For an off-season move or a mid-week slot, 1–2 weeks is usually sufficient. With Lugg, you can book on-demand — even same-day in most markets — but planning ahead guarantees your preferred time slot.

Does the time of day matter when moving?

Yes. An early morning start (7:00–8:00 AM) is ideal. Your movers are fresh, you avoid afternoon traffic, and you skip the worst heat of the day. Morning slots also give you a buffer if the move runs longer than expected, so you're not unloading after dark.

Is it cheaper to move on a weekday?

With traditional moving companies, yes — weekday moves are consistently cheaper because lower demand means lower rates. With time-based services like Lugg, the rate is the same regardless of the day. But weekday moves still have advantages: your crew is less likely to be running back-to-back jobs, and you'll have more scheduling flexibility.

Should I move at the beginning or end of the month?

Neither, if you can avoid it. The first and last few days of any month are the busiest for movers because most leases start on the 1st and end on the 30th or 31st. If you can move mid-month (between the 10th and 20th), you'll find more scheduling flexibility and less competition for movers and building elevators.

What is the worst time to move?

The last weekend of June and the first weekend of July are typically the most expensive and most hectic times to move. You're dealing with peak demand, peak heat, and peak competition for movers. If your timeline is flexible, shifting even two weeks later into mid-July or waiting until September can make a meaningful difference in cost and experience.