Moving into a new home or apartment is a big step, but how long does it take to move?
Moving timelines can change depending on the size of your home, the distance of the move, and how many belongings you have.
If you’re planning on moving soon, learn more about how long it takes to move and how to move without all the hassle.
Key Takeaways
- Moving times vary based on the size of your home, amount of belongings, and distance.
- Planning and packing in advance can help you speed up the moving process.
- It’s important to account for time spent unpacking and organizing when planning a move.
- A storage unit from Storage Hub can make your next move easier.
- How Long Does It Take to Move on Average?
- How Long Does It Take to Move Different Home Sizes?
- How Long Does a Move Take Based on Distance?
- What Factors Can Influence Moving Timelines?
- Tips to Speed Up the Moving Process
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take to Move on Average?
On average, moving can take anywhere from a few hours to several days. Moving is a multi-step process, so figuring out how long it takes to move starts with breaking down each step. So, how long does moving take on average?
Planning and preparing for your move, which can include decluttering, scheduling movers, and gathering supplies, can take approximately two to three weeks.
Packing often takes days or weeks, but you can start well before moving. During this time, you can also make arrangements for storage units, moving trucks, and other key resources.
Moving can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on how many trips you have to make. Once you have all your belongings in your new place, it can take anywhere from hours to weeks to unpack and get everything set up.
How Long Does It Take to Move Different Home Sizes?
The size of your home is one key factor when you’re breaking down the moving house timeline. Larger homes with more belongings lead to longer move times.
How long does it take to move a studio and one-bedroom apartment?
Moving a studio or one-bedroom apartment typically takes anywhere from two to four hours, depending on the amount of belongings you have. You’ll have to load up everything in your kitchen and bathroom, plus your bed and any bedroom furniture you have. Packing everything in advance can help you save time, but it shouldn’t take long to pack up and move a studio or one-bedroom apartment.
How long does it take to move a two- to three-bedroom home?
When you’re moving a two- to three-bedroom home, the moving time can range from four to eight hours. You have to move everything from your kitchen and bathroom, plus the belongings from two or three bedrooms throughout the house. These medium-sized homes can also have multiple bathrooms and sizable living rooms, which means it can take even more time to get everything packed, loaded, transported, and unloaded.
How long does it take to move a large home?
Moving larger homes with four or more bedrooms can take eight to 12 hours or longer, depending on the size of the home and the actual number of bedrooms. Some large homes can have three or more bathrooms, and some larger homes have a separate den and living room space. If you’re moving to a smaller home, downsizing your home can add some time to the packing and organizing process.
One important thing to keep in mind is that the moving timeline for a large home can change a lot because there are many variables. If you have a three-story house or a large garage attached to your home, it’s going to take a bit longer to pack everything up and move.
How Long Does a Move Take Based on Distance?
Distance is another key factor that impacts the moving timeline. Whether you’re moving to the same city, a neighboring town, or another state is an important detail to consider.
How long does a local move take?
Local moves are the shortest of all, with some local moves being as short as 30 minutes to an hour. If you’re moving to another house or apartment in the same city, you’ll spend most of your time loading and unloading boxes and furniture from the truck. Professional movers can make this timeline even shorter, but you should expect to spend anywhere from an hour to a couple of hours moving locally.
How long does a short-distance move take?
Short-distance moves, such as moving to another nearby city, can take anywhere from a few hours to several hours, depending on the distance. If you’re moving from one metropolitan area to another in the same state, you might be looking at an hour-long drive with no traffic. Of course, the moving timeline also depends on how much stuff you have. Moving during off-peak hours or giving yourself extra time to account for traffic can help you simplify your short-distance move.
How much time does a long-distance move take?
Long-distance moves can vary, taking anywhere from several hours to several days depending on the length of the drive. If you’re moving to another state or several states away, you may want to consider hiring movers to streamline the process. If you’re moving by yourself, make sure you know how to pack glass and other fragile items safely to protect them during transit.
What Factors Can Influence Moving Timelines?
So, how long does it take to move into a house? The answer depends on several factors, including the size of your home, distance, and your belongings.
Size of your home
Home size is one of the biggest factors that can impact the moving timeline. There’s a big difference between packing up a one-bedroom apartment and a four-bedroom house, and that difference becomes even larger if you have a garage or several bathrooms. Packing ahead of time can help you streamline the moving process, but you still have to load and unload more boxes when moving larger homes.
Amount of belongings
Everyone is different when it comes to personal belongings. If you have several knick-knacks, wall decor, and other small items, you need to spend more time packing. You can use a storage unit to keep your home free of clutter while you’re packing.
Moving distance
Long-distance moves are a lot more complex than short moves. It might only take you a few hours to move to another house or apartment in the same city, but moving to another state or a city across the state can take anywhere from a full day to several days.
Movers
Professional movers speed up the moving process and make it easier. You don’t have to move a refrigerator or load and unload heavy boxes when you hire movers. Plus, a crew of several movers can load and unload a truck faster than you can on your own. The downside is that movers can be expensive, especially for long-distance moves.
Seasonality and weather
Moving during the fall or winter can be more challenging because of the weather. When it’s raining or snowing outside, you have to be extra careful to make sure you don’t slip or damage any of your belongings. Planning your move for the spring or summer can help you save time.
Accessibility
Some homes and apartments are easier to move into and out of than others. If you have to haul heavy boxes and furniture up and down stairs or through narrow hallways, it can make your move a lot more difficult.
Parking distance
Parking as close as possible makes it easy to load and unload your moving truck. Apartments and homes with limited parking that’s further away can extend the moving timeline.
Tips to Speed Up the Moving Process
There are various steps you can take to speed up the moving process:
- Create a checklist of moving essentials to streamline packing.
- Use a storage unit to declutter your home as you’re packing and preparing to move.
- Consider hiring professional movers for more complex moves.
- Create a plan ahead of time so you’re prepared on moving day.
- Downsize and declutter so you don’t have to unpack as much after you move.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year to move efficiently?
Spring and summer are the best times of year to move efficiently because you don’t have to deal with rain, snow, and cold weather.
How do I estimate the time needed for a house move?
To estimate the time needed to move houses, consider your home size, the distance, and the amount of belongings you have. Give yourself some extra time to move just in case.
How many days do I need for unpacking after moving?
You should have at least a few days free for unpacking after moving, but it varies depending on how much you have to unpack. Smaller homes and studio apartments can be unpacked in just a few hours in some cases.
Keeping Your Move Efficient and on Schedule
So, how long does it take to move apartments or houses? The answer is different for everyone, but estimating your move time and planning ahead can make moving day easier.
If you need a safe place to keep your belongings in the meantime, Storage Hub has you covered with climate-controlled units designed to keep your items pristine. Browse available storage units in your area and start planning for your upcoming move today.
