The cheapest day to hire a moving company in 2026
There’s a lot to consider when moving, but you can save money by determining the cheapest day to hire movers.
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Moving can be stressful, and the costs can add up quickly . Every box, supply and hour of labor contributes to the total, which can make an already tense process feel even more challenging for anyone managing moving-related anxiety . If you are trying to keep expenses down in 2026, it helps to understand which days tend to be the cheapest to hire a moving company and how to decide whether that timing works for your move.
Weekday vs. weekend: What's the best day of the week to hire a moving company?
Depending on the property you want to leave or move into, you might not have much wiggle room when choosing the day you move in or out. Even if the only choice you can make is between the slightly quieter time of the middle of a workday or the convenience of the weekend, you still have some control.
Most commercial moving companies have peak operating times, so if you can arrange to move during their slower times, you might be able to negotiate a discount. Corporate relocation services provider Nelson Westerberg notes that Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are typically slower weekday options due to less demand, while Friday and the weekend are generally busier for movers.
Many people like to move on Fridays because if they have to take off work (and possibly not get paid), they can work with the movers on Friday and have the whole weekend available to move in and get settled. This does forego any discount you might gain from booking your move mid-week.
Alternatively, if your family includes young children, consider any benefits to the costs and your stress levels if you can move while they're in day care, school or staying with friends or family.
Finally, choosing a weekend day to move will require you to book your moving company further out. As the weekend is the most popular time to move, you'll need to ensure you've made all the arrangements as far ahead of time as possible.
Picking the best time of day to move
Two movers carrying furniture into a new apartment
Whether you move on a weekday or a weekend, both options can suffer from the universal truth of traffic. Book your moving company with enough time for them to arrive, load the trucks and leave, so you can avoid as much congestion as possible. Piece Of Cake Moving & Storage , which is one of Yahoo Local's picks for the best Brooklyn movers , highlights that if you've agreed to pay an hourly rate, rather than a flat fee or weight-based fee, then all the time the staff and their trucks sit at red lights can add up and cause your final bill to be more than expected.
On weekdays, the optimal time for trucks to head to your new place is before the afternoon rush hour. On weekends, look ahead at your local town or city's calendar and avoid any significant events, such as parades, concerts or sports fixtures, that might block routes, increase congestion or cause delays.
In general, beginning your move as early as possible in the day is best. Surprises can come from anywhere that causes slowdowns, and the sooner the movers are heading off to the next job, the more time you'll have to unpack. All these factors can help make your moving day as cheap as possible by avoiding unnecessary issues that cause the moving company to pile on the excess charges.
Recommended reading from Yahoo: How long does it take to ship a moving pod or storage container?
Which day of the month is best to move?
Professional movers carrying a sofa out of an apartment
The home-improvement TV show and consumer advice brand This Old House has been helping people move since 1979. It reports that moving rates are typically at their highest near the beginning and end of each month. The first and second days of the month, as well as the last and second-to-last days, are often the most expensive days to move, especially if they fall on a weekend. These are the days when leases typically start and end, so demand is the highest.
It's also best to consider other seasonal factors. Spring and summer are the popular times to move due to the fair weather, and moving during holiday periods, while school is out, can also lead to higher fees. Moving companies often have the least demand during the fall and winter months, with December and January being the cheapest times to move, according to This Old House.
The cheapest day to hire movers for most people
These factors and their relevance depend on what works best for you, your family and your particular situation. Generally, the cheapest days to hire a moving company are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. To help you save money, try negotiating with your moving company to see if their terms are flexible.
One way to do this is by getting multiple quotes from movers in your area and seeing which works best for your moving budget . If you get a lower quote from a competitor, try asking for a price match. Bundling services like packing, storage and unloading can also unlock discounts. It doesn't hurt to ask if there are any promotions or flexible pricing options to help you save even more. Consider whether you want the personal service of a local moving company vs. a national mover ; both options have pros and cons.
It's always wise to reduce costs wherever possible, but consider the cost related to stress and the convenience gained or lost trying to find the best deal. The best time to move is always the one that works within your schedule and helps you achieve the goals you're setting out to accomplish as quickly and smoothly as possible.
More Yahoo Local-approved U.S. movers
Best California movers
Bakersfield / Berkeley / Escondido / Fremont / Fresno / Irvine / Los Angeles / Oakland / Sacramento / San Diego / San Francisco / San Jose / Santa Cruz / Santa Rosa
Best Florida movers
Boca Raton / Bradenton / Fort Lauderdale / Fort Myers / Gainesville / Jacksonville / Melbourne / Miami / Naples / Ocala / Orlando / Pompano Beach / Sarasota / St. Petersburg / Tallahassee / Tampa / West Palm Beach
Best New York movers
Albany / Binghamton / The Bronx / Brooklyn / Buffalo / Clifton Park / Hamburg / Ithaca / Kingston / Manhattan / New Rochelle / Poughkeepsie / Queens / Rochester / Syracuse
Best Texas movers
Amarillo / Arlington / Austin / Beaumont / Corpus Christi / Dallas / Denton / El Paso / Fort Worth / Houston / Katy / Midland / Odessa / Plano / Round Rock / San Antonio / Tyler / The Woodlands / Waco
