Understanding how long it takes to move helps you plan better, budget correctly, and avoid the stress of running out of time. Most local moves take between 4 and 8 hours for typical apartments and houses, but your specific timeline depends on several factors you can control.
This article breaks down timeframes by home size, identifies factors that add hours to your move, and provides a simple formula to estimate your timeline. You'll learn how to choose the right number of movers, when to start packing, and practical ways to save time without spending extra money, giving you control over your moving schedule and costs.
How Long Does It Take to Move? (Quick Answer)
The average move time for local relocations ranges from 2-3 hours for a studio apartment to 5-8 hours for a 3-bedroom home when using 2-3 professional movers. These timeframes include loading, driving up to 30 minutes, and unloading at your new location.
Your actual moving time depends mostly on three factors:
- The size of your home and the volume of your belongings.
- Access conditions at both locations (stairs, elevators, parking distance).
- How well-prepared are you when movers arrive?
Long-distance moves follow a different timeline, typically taking 1-5 days depending on the distance traveled. This longer timeframe accounts for both travel time and whether you're using full-service movers or managing parts yourself.
While the physical loading and unloading portions remain similar to local moves, long-distance relocations require additional planning:
- Extra travel days between locations.
- Potential temporary storage if delivery windows don't align.
- Coordination with multiple moving teams in different cities.
The good news? Most 1-3 bedroom local moves can finish in a single day with proper preparation and enough help. This makes them ideal for hourly labor services where you control the timeline and only pay for the time you need.
Moving Timeline: Apartment vs. House - What to Expect
Apartment moves typically take 30-90 minutes longer than house moves with similar square footage, mainly due to access challenges. Here's why apartment moves often require more time and planning:
- Elevator reservations must be booked in advance, often with limited availability windows.
- Long hallways and multiple flights of stairs add significant transit time for each item.
- Distant parking spots force movers to walk further with each load
- Building restrictions often limit moving hours to 8 am-6 pm, creating time pressure.
For perspective, a standard 3-hour move can easily become a 5-hour project in an apartment setting. A 2-bedroom apartment might require 5-6 hours to complete, while a comparable house takes only 3-4 hours.
Houses offer several time-saving advantages that help make moving faster:
- Direct access through multiple entry points (front door, back door, garage)
- Convenient driveway parking positions trucks closer to your belongings
- Fewer building restrictions regarding moving hours or reservations
- Ground-level entries eliminate stair climbing for heavy furniture.
The trade-off is that houses typically contain more items overall, including outdoor equipment, garage storage, and yard tools that apartments don't usually have.
Smart moving preparation can significantly reduce timeline differences regardless of your property type:
- For apartments: Book elevators well in advance, measure doorways for furniture clearance, and stage boxes near exits
- For houses: Clear driveways for truck access, remove door screens for wider openings, and consolidate outdoor items
- For both: Create inventory lists, take apart furniture before movers arrive, and label boxes by room.
- For cost savings: These preparations directly translate to reduced moving time, saving you money with hourly moving services.
How Long Do Movers Take by Home Size?
Understanding typical moving timelines by home size helps you budget the right amount of time and labor for your move. These estimates account for standard inventory and access conditions, though your specific circumstances may vary.
Studios
Studios and efficiency apartments typically take 2-3 hours with two movers handling the complete process from loading through unloading. These compact spaces average 20-30 boxes plus basic furniture like a bed, dresser, small dining set, and living room basics. The simpler inventory means less time spent wrapping and protecting items, though tight spaces can slow movement.
1-Bedroom Apartment
A standard 1-bedroom apartment requires 2-4 hours with two movers, taking longer if you have a home office or a large wardrobe. The typical inventory includes 40-60 boxes, bedroom furniture, a full living room set, a kitchen table, and appliances you're taking. Adding a third mover can reduce this to 2-3 hours, which often costs less overall than paying two movers for the longer timeframe.
2-Bedroom Home
Two-bedroom residential moves average 3-6 hours with a 2-mover crew, accounting for 60-80 boxes and furniture for multiple rooms. This size is when taking furniture apart becomes important. Bed frames, dining tables, and desks need to be broken down for safe transport. The timeline varies based on whether you have kids (more items), work from home (office equipment), or have collected many belongings over the years versus having fewer possessions.
3-Bedroom Home
Three-bedroom homes need 5-8 hours with 2-3 movers, though four movers can cut this to 4-6 hours for time-sensitive moves. You're looking at 80-120 boxes plus furniture for every room, often including heavy items like pianos, exercise equipment, or multiple entertainment centers. This size typically requires a larger truck (20-26 feet), and how items are loaded becomes important to maximize space and prevent damage.
4-5+ Bedroom Home
Large homes require 8-12 hours, even with 3-4 movers, sometimes spanning two days for extensive inventories or special items requiring extra care. Beyond standard household goods, these moves often include multiple home offices, workshop tools, extensive outdoor furniture, and recreational equipment. The complexity increases with moving specialty items like safes, pool tables, or grand pianos that need additional time and expertise to move safely.
What Factors Change How Long Your Move Takes?
The following factors significantly impact your moving timeline, from adding hours to potentially saving you time and money. Understanding these variables helps you plan realistically and make smart decisions about your move strategy.
Access and Parking Distance
Every 50 feet between your door and the moving truck adds approximately 15-30 minutes to your total move time. Street parking 200 feet away can add over an hour compared to a driveway loading situation. Reserve parking spots in advance, get necessary permits, and use traffic cones to secure the closest possible position to minimize this costly distance.
Stairs and Elevator Reservations
Each flight of stairs adds 30-60 minutes to your move, with narrow or turning staircases adding even more time. Elevator moves seem faster but include waiting time, size restrictions requiring multiple trips, and protective padding installation. Many buildings limit elevator use to 2-3 hour windows, forcing crews to work faster or risk not finishing the move.
Inventory and Furniture Complexity
Special items dramatically impact timelines. Pianos add 45-60 minutes, home gyms need 30-45 minutes for disassembly and moving, and delicate artwork requires careful wrapping. The difference between 50 packed boxes and 50 loose items can be 2 hours of additional packing time. Professional movers handle 10-15 properly packed, uniform boxes per hour versus 3-5 boxes worth of loose items.
Packing Readiness and Labeling
Arriving with scattered belongings versus organized, labeled boxes can double your move time. Color-coded labels by room, fragile markings, and "load last" designations save 30-45 minutes on a typical move. Having boxes sealed, stacked, and staged near the exit shows movers you value their time and your money.
Disassembly and Reassembly Scope
Furniture disassembly adds 10-20 minutes per major piece but saves more time during transport and prevents damage. A sectional sofa that won't fit through doorways intact could add an hour of struggle versus 15 minutes of planned disassembly. Keep furniture hardware in labeled bags taped to the furniture pieces to avoid searching during reassembly.
Long Carry and Building Restrictions
Properties with long driveways, garden apartments with central courtyards, or high-rise buildings with distant loading docks create "long carry" scenarios. These situations can add 25-50% to base move times. Some buildings restrict moves to freight elevators located far from residential units, requiring equipment like dollies and straps to manage the distance efficiently.
Drive Time Between Addresses
Local moves under 10 miles typically include 30-45 minutes of drive time in the total estimate. Crossing town during rush hour or navigating downtown areas with truck restrictions can double this. Consider traffic patterns when scheduling, and provide movers with specific truck-friendly routes to avoid low bridges or narrow streets that cause delays.
How Do You Estimate Your Move Time? (Simple Formula and Examples)
Accurately estimating your move time allows for proper planning, helps prevent rushed decisions, and lets you book the right amount of moving help. Our formula provides a reliable framework that accounts for your specific circumstances while considering variables that frequently impact moving timelines.
Step-by-Step Formula
Calculate your move time using this simpple formula: (Hours per room × Number of rooms) + Access time + Drive time = Total move hours. This practical approach accounts for your specific situation while providing a reliable estimate.
Start with these baseline measurements:
- 1.5 hours per room is your standard calculation base.
- 30 minutes for each access challenge (stairs, long carry, elevator).
- Actual drive time between locations.
- Adjust final numbers based on crew size and home complexity.
Example: 2-Bedroom with Elevator
A 2-bedroom apartment with elevator access calculates as follows:
- (1.5 hours × 3 rooms) = 4.5 hours base time.
- Add 0.5 hours elevator time.
- Add 0.5 hours drive time.
- Total: 5.5 hours with standard 2-person crew.
This matches the typical 5-6 hour timeframe for this size move. Adding a third mover could reduce this to 4 hours, potentially costing less overall despite the additional hourly rate.
Example: 3-Bedroom with Stairs and Long Carry
For a 3-bedroom house with second-floor bedrooms and street parking 150 feet away:
- (1.5 hours × 4 rooms) = 6 hours base time.
- Add 1 hour for stairs.
- Add 0.5 hours for a long carry.
- Add 0.5 hours drive time.
- Total: 8 hours with two movers.
This scenario works better with a 3-4 person crew to complete the move in a single day. When comparing costs, four movers working 4 hours often costs less than two movers working 8 hours, while significantly reducing physical strain and potential overtime charges.
How Many Movers Should You Hire to Finish on Time?
Selecting the right number of movers is important for completing your move efficiently and cost-effectively. This decision impacts not just the timeline but also the overall cost and stress level of your move.
Two Movers
Two movers offer the most affordable hourly rate, but work best only for smaller moves. They're ideal for studios and 1-bedrooms where access is straightforward and timing isn't critical.
This minimal crew can handle 200-300 cubic feet per hour, making them suitable for moves under 1,500 cubic feet. However, the longer completion time can actually make this option more expensive for larger homes compared to adding more movers.
- Best for: Studios and 1-bedroom apartments.
- Efficiency: 200-300 cubic feet per hour.
- Cost consideration: Lowest hourly rate but potentially higher total cost for larger moves.
Three Movers
Three movers provide the best balance for most residential moves. This crew size cut moves time by 30-40% compared to using just two movers, often resulting in better value despite the higher hourly rate.
The third person creates a more efficient workflow by organizing the truck while the other two carry items. This eliminates bottlenecks and significantly reduces the risk of damage to your belongings.
- Best for: 2-3 bedroom homes and multi-level properties.
- Key advantage: One person organizes while two carry, creating a continuous workflow.
- Safety benefit: Handles stairs efficiently with two carrying while one spots for safety.
Four Movers
Four movers significantly speed up the moving process for larger homes and complex situations. This crew size allows for work to happen simultaneously, with one team loading the truck while another brings items from inside, or teams can handle different floors independently.
While the hourly rate is highest with four movers, the reduced hours often result in a lower total expense. The distributed workload also means less physical strain, helping maintain a consistent pace throughout the entire move.
- Best for: 3+ bedroom homes and time-sensitive relocations.
- Efficiency boost: Can work in two separate teams simultaneously.
- Cost benefit: Higher hourly rate but typically lower total cost for large moves.
When Should You Start Packing and How Long Does Packing Take?
DIY packing takes considerable time when done properly. A 3-bedroom home typically requires 4-5 days of dedicated packing time. To manage this efficiently, start with non-essential items 3-4 weeks before moving day.
Begin with a strategic approach to minimize stress:
- Dedicate 1-2 hours daily to packing instead of marathon sessions.
- Pack seasonal items, books, and decorative pieces first.
- Box rarely-used kitchen items weeks ahead without disrupting daily routines.
- Label each box clearly with contents and the destination room.
Professional packers offer significant time savings. A team of 2-3 professionals can complete the same 3-bedroom home in just 4-6 hours. This efficiency comes with corresponding costs:
- 1-bedroom homes: $300-500.
- 2-bedroom homes: $500-800.
- 3-bedroom homes: $800-1,500.
While professional packing services seem expensive initially, consider the hidden costs of DIY packing. Taking days off work or risking damage to valuable items from rushed packing can quickly exceed professional service fees.
The hybrid approach offers the best balance between cost and protection. By packing non-fragile items yourself while hiring professionals for delicate possessions, you can achieve significant savings while ensuring proper protection for valuable items.
- Save 40-50% compared to full-service packing.
- Professionals handle kitchen items, artwork, and fragile items.
- Schedule professional packing for the day before your move.
- Gain peace of mind knowing valuable items are properly protected.
How Can You Save Hours on Moving Day Without Extra Cost?
Before moving day arrives, proper preparation can significantly reduce your moving time and stress. Planning ahead for furniture, appliances, and essentials leads to a smoother process overall.
Start with furniture and logistics the night before:
- Take apart furniture in advance, keeping hardware in labeled bags taped directly to each piece, saving 30-45 minutes on moving day.
- Remove bedroom doors for king-size mattresses and large dressers to prevent damage and eliminate struggle time.
- Stage boxes near your exit point, creating clear pathways that allow movers to maintain a steady workflow.
Next, prepare your essentials and appliances:
- Pack a clear plastic "first day" box with toilet paper, hand soap, towels, phone chargers, and basic tools for immediate access.
- Disconnect appliances according to manufacturer instructions, defrost freezers, and secure washer drums.
- Clear access to where the moving truck will park, removing obstacles for efficient loading.
Finally, take these additional steps to prevent complications:
- Photograph electronic setups before disconnecting and use colored tape to match cables with corresponding ports.
- Empty all furniture drawers completely, even if movers say they can handle them full, as the weight damages furniture.
- Remember that these preparations directly translate to saved hours and money when using hourly moving services.
Optimize Your Move with Local Expertise
We've explored how good planning and preparation reduce moving time and costs. The right crew size, packing ahead of time, and smart organization can save both work and money.
Local factors can impact your moving experience. In Charlotte, growth has created challenges around Uptown, South End, and Ballantyne during busy hours. Buildings like The Vue and Catalyst require elevator bookings in advance and have limited moving hours. In Raleigh, the spread-out layout creates different challenges. Neighborhoods like North Hills, Downtown, and Cameron Village have strict parking rules requiring permits that you need to get ahead of time. The Research Triangle and university areas get very crowded during semester changes.
Moving Muscle offers affordable solutions in these regions with flexible scheduling and same-day service when available. This flexibility helps with both planned moves and unexpected situations. By using the time-saving strategies from this guide along with Moving Muscle's local knowledge, you'll have a smooth, efficient moving experience.
FAQs
How long does it take to move into a house from an apartment?
Moving from an apartment to a house usually takes the same time as any similar-sized move (4-8 hours). The apartment pickup might take longer because of elevator or stair delays, while the house delivery often goes faster because of better access.
When should I book movers for the fastest service?
Book 2-3 weeks ahead for the best crew availability and moving times. Moving Muscle also offers same-day service when crews are available, which works well for urgent moves or when other movers can't fit your schedule.
How does weather affect moving timelines?
Weather can significantly impact moving schedules. Rain or snow can add 1-2 hours to your timeline because of extra protection needs and slower loading/unloading. In extreme heat, movers may need more breaks. Try to schedule your move during mild weather when possible, and have backup plans for unexpected weather changes, including tarps and floor protection.
What's the best time of day to schedule a move?
Early morning (7-9 AM) is typically best for moving. This gives you the full day to complete everything while avoiding rush hour traffic and summer heat. Morning timing also provides extra time if problems come up. For apartment buildings, morning slots are often less busy since many buildings schedule multiple moves throughout the day.
