Prices vary by 30% depending on when you move. Exactly when to book and when to avoid.
Total moving costs vary by 20-30% depending on when you book, driven mostly by truck rental prices and crew availability rather than the labor rate itself. A 2-bedroom Power Move on a Tuesday in February might run $579 all in (crew plus truck). The same move on a Saturday in July can climb to $879+ because U-Haul and Penske use dynamic pricing that spikes on weekends and during summer. If you have any flexibility on your move date, this breakdown will save you real money.
- The moving cost calendar: month by month
- Peak vs. off-peak season: what drives the price difference
- Best day of the week to move
- Best time of month to move
- How to get the best rate regardless of timing
When is the best time to move? The direct answer.
The best time to move is mid-week (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) in mid-month (10th-20th) during October, November, February, or March. Avoiding Friday, Saturday, and the last week of the month saves 10-15% on labor costs alone. Avoiding the summer peak (May-August) saves another 10-20% on both labor and truck rental. The combination of all three factors can reduce your total moving cost by 25-35%.
The moving cost calendar: month by month
| Month | Demand Level | Price Modifier | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Very Low | -20% | Best prices, coldest weather, some availability gaps |
| February | Low | -15% | Good value, limited weekend availability |
| March | Low-Medium | -10% | Spring ramp begins, still good rates |
| April | Medium | Baseline | Good weather, reasonable rates, rising demand |
| May | High | +10% | Peak begins, graduate moves, apartment lease cycles |
| June | Very High | +20% | Busiest month of year, book 3+ weeks out |
| July | Very High | +20-25% | Peak heat, peak demand, least availability |
| August | Very High | +20% | Back-to-school moves, university market surges |
| September | High | +10% | Fall settling begins but still busy |
| October | Medium | Baseline | Best weather, good rates, pre-holiday window |
| November | Low-Medium | -10% | Good value, holiday scheduling is the main constraint |
| December | Low | -15% | Good prices, but many people avoid moving over holidays |
Peak vs. off-peak: what actually drives the price
Two factors drive moving costs: labor demand and truck rental prices. They peak together in summer because of the same underlying cause: most apartment leases end on June 30 and August 31, creating a massive surge in simultaneous move-outs. Graduate students, college students, and young professionals all cycle through leases at the same time.
According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 36 million Americans move each year. About 43% of those moves happen between May and August. That seasonal concentration is why summer moves cost more and book faster. Supply of movers and trucks does not scale as fast as demand spikes.
From the field
The last Saturday of the month in June is the single hardest day of the year. We have seen 60+ booking requests for that date in Charlotte alone. If you are moving at end-of-June, book 3 weeks out or accept the Friday or Sunday slot instead. The demand difference between Saturday June 28 and Monday June 30 is significant. Monday slots often go unfilled even in peak season., Tom Mumford, Undergrads founder
Get my free quote →Best day of the week to move
Undergrads charges the same locked hourly rate every day, so the labor cost itself does not move with the day of the week. What does move: truck rental prices (U-Haul, Penske, and Budget all spike on Friday and Saturday), crew availability, and parking conditions at apartment buildings. Mid-week moves tend to come in cheaper overall because the truck side of the equation is cheaper.
| Day | Truck Rental Demand | Typical Crew Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Low | High | Best availability, easy parking |
| Tuesday | Low | High | Best availability, easy parking |
| Wednesday | Low | High | Best availability, easy parking |
| Thursday | Medium | Medium-High | Good availability, start of weekly ramp |
| Friday | High | Medium | Truck prices spike, fills by Tuesday of same week |
| Saturday | Very High | Low | Most expensive truck rentals, books 2-3 weeks out in peak season |
| Sunday | Medium | Medium | Better truck pricing than Saturday, some crews unavailable early morning |
Best time of month to move
The last 5 days of the month are the busiest. Most leases end on the last day of the month, so everyone who is moving moves within the last week. If you can overlap with your old lease even a few days and move on the 25th or 26th instead of the 30th, you will find better crew availability and easier parking at apartment buildings (no one else is in the loading zone).
The 10th-20th window is the sweet spot. Low demand, easy booking, and the apartment you are moving into has usually been cleaned and prepped from whoever left on the last day of the previous month.
How to get the best rate regardless of timing
- 1Book early: even in off-peak months, popular time slots (8-9am Saturday) book out. Book 2 weeks out for off-peak, 3+ weeks out for May-August.
- 2Be flexible on exact time: many companies have discounts or better availability for afternoon starts (1pm vs. 8am) on the same day.
- 3Avoid the last day of the month: the 28th-31st window is the most competitive for everything: crew, trucks, and elevator time at your new building.
- 4Pack before the crew arrives: every box that is not packed when the crew arrives adds time. Come fully ready and pay for 2 hours instead of 3.
- 5Move mid-month when possible: the 10th-20th is consistently the best value window in every month of the year.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to move in winter?
Yes, on the total bill. Truck rental rates from U-Haul, Penske, and Budget drop 15-20% in January and February compared to the summer peak, and crews are easier to book. The trade-off is weather: cold, ice, and shorter daylight hours. For most local moves (under 2 hours), winter weather is manageable. For long-distance moves or moves that require multiple trips, winter weather adds real risk.
What is the cheapest day of the week to move?
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are the cheapest days overall. The Undergrads hourly rate is the same every day, but truck rental prices, crew availability, and competition for building freight elevators all favor mid-week. Picking a mid-week date is the easiest way to lower your total moving bill.
How far in advance should I book movers?
Off-peak months (October-April): 1-2 weeks is usually sufficient. Peak months (May-September): book 2-3 weeks in advance for weekday slots, 3-4 weeks for Saturday slots. For the last Saturday of June or August, book a full month out or choose an alternate date. Same-day and last-minute bookings are available in most markets when crew capacity allows.
Does moving date affect truck rental cost?
Yes. U-Haul, Penske, and Budget all use dynamic pricing that spikes on Fridays, Saturdays, and during summer. A 15-foot U-Haul that costs $89 on a Tuesday in March may cost $149 on a Saturday in July. Book truck rentals as early as possible and prefer mid-week dates if you can. Combining a mid-week move with off-peak season can save $150-$300 on the truck side of a typical local move.
Lock in your date today
Best slots go fast in May-August. $5 holds your date at the locked hourly rate. Pay after the move. Background-checked crew, Show-Up Guarantee. Check availability now.
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