Summer vs. Winter Moving: Pros and Cons

Moving is stressful enough without Mother Nature throwing you curveballs. Whether you’re sweating through boxes in July or navigating icy driveways in January, timing your move can make a huge difference in your sanity (and your wallet).

The Summer Move: When Everyone Else Has the Same Idea

Summer remains the moving industry’s busy season for good reasons. Kids are out of school, making family relocations less disruptive to education. The weather generally cooperates, because no one wants to carry a couch through a snowstorm. Longer daylight hours mean you can start early and work late without fumbling for porch lights.

The housing market typically peaks in summer too. More homes hit the market between May and August, giving buyers better selection. Sellers know families want to settle before the school year starts, creating more inventory and negotiating opportunities.

But here’s where it gets tricky. Since everyone moves in summer, good moving companies book up fast. We’re talking weeks or even months in advance for popular weekend dates. Prices spike accordingly, sometimes 20-30% higher than off-season rates.

The heat can be brutal. Imagine it’s 95 degrees, you’re carrying boxes up three flights of stairs, and your deodorant gave up hours ago. Heat exhaustion is real, and so is the risk of your chocolate decorations melting into modern art. Electronics need extra care in hot moving trucks, and certain items might need climate-controlled transport:

Candles and wax items
Vinyl records and tapes
Wine and other alcohol
Musical instruments
Artwork and photographs
Medications and cosmetics

The Winter Move: The Road Less Traveled (Sometimes Literally)

Winter moving has some surprising perks. You’ll have your pick of dates and crews. Some companies throw in free packing materials or reduced hourly rates just to keep trucks rolling.

The cool weather makes physical labor more bearable. No sweat-soaked clothes or emergency water breaks every ten minutes. Your belongings face less risk from heat damage, and you won’t compete with vacation traffic on the highways.

Weather unpredictability tops the concern list though. A forecast showing clear skies can turn into a blizzard warning overnight. Ice creates genuine safety hazards on walkways, loading ramps, and highways. Some moving companies cancel for severe weather, potentially leaving you scrambling.

Daylight becomes precious in winter. Starting your move at 7 AM means working in darkness, and by 5 PM, you’re using phone flashlights to read box labels. Utility transfers get complicated too. Nobody wants to arrive at a house with no heat in January.

Making Your Decision Based on Your Life

Family dynamics matter when choosing your moving season. Moving with school-age kids? Summer eliminates missed classes and adjustment periods mid-semester. But if you’re single or your kids are preschool age, winter’s cost savings might outweigh scheduling concerns.

Job flexibility plays a huge role in timing. Some industries have natural slow periods that make moving easier:

Accountants should avoid tax season (March-April)
Retailers skip November and December
Teachers lean toward summer breaks
Construction workers avoid their busy season

Your destination affects everything. Moving from Phoenix to Minneapolis? Winter might mean avoiding Arizona’s crushing heat but arriving to Pennsylvania’s brutal cold. Research both locations’ typical weather patterns during your potential moving months.

The Sweet Spot Months

Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer compromise solutions. Weather tends toward mild, kids can finish school terms, and prices fall between peak and off-season rates. These shoulder seasons provide many summer benefits without the extreme heat or premium pricing.

Spring moves risk rain though, and fall moves might conflict with the school year’s beginning. No perfect month exists, only months that work better for your specific situation.

Practical Tips for Any Season

Book early regardless. Even winter moves need advance planning. Lock in rates and dates at least 6-8 weeks ahead.

Build in buffer time. Summer traffic and winter storms both cause delays. Don’t schedule your move the day before starting a new job.

Protect temperature-sensitive items. Whether it’s your grandmother’s oil paintings or your laptop, know what needs climate control and plan accordingly.

Have a Plan B ready. Summer moves might need:

Extra water and cooling breaks
Early morning start times
Portable fans or cooling towels

Winter moves might need:

Salt or sand for walkways
Backup dates for weather delays
Warm clothes in accessible boxes

We’re Here to Help You Make the Call

Your perfect moving season depends on your priorities. If saving money matters most and you can handle weather uncertainty, winter works. If you need maximum convenience and housing options, summer makes sense despite the higher costs.

Consider creating a simple pros and cons list for your situation. Factor in your job flexibility, family needs, budget constraints, and risk tolerance for weather delays. Sometimes the “wrong” season becomes the right choice when you look at your specific circumstances.

Remember that moving companies deal with weather year-round. They know how to protect belongings and navigate challenges. Choose a reputable company like BMS Moving & Storage, and they’ll help you succeed regardless of when you move. The best time to move is ultimately when it works for your life, not what the calendar says.