How Many Hours Should You Expect a Move to Take?

A local move may take anywhere from a few hours to a full day or longer. The biggest factors are the amount being moved, the size of the crew, the distance between properties and whether everything is ready when the movers arrive.

A small, fully packed apartment with easy access may be completed in several hours. A large home with stairs, heavy furniture, a full garage and a long drive between addresses may require most of the day or more than one truck.

General Moving-Time Estimates

These broad ranges can help with early planning:

Home type	Possible moving time
Studio apartment	2–4 hours
One-bedroom apartment	3–5 hours
Two-bedroom home	4–7 hours
Three-bedroom home	6–9 hours
Four-bedroom home	8–12 hours
Five-bedroom or larger home	Full day or multiple days

These are not guaranteed completion times. Your move may take longer or less time depending on the inventory and conditions.

What Can Make a Move Take Longer?

Unfinished packing

Loose belongings, open boxes and unprepared furniture slow the loading process. Unless packing is included in your service, boxes should be sealed and labeled before the crew arrives.

Stairs

Stairs require careful handling and repeated trips. Narrow staircases or turns may also require furniture to be disassembled.

Elevators

An elevator can help, but it can also become a bottleneck. Reserve a dedicated elevator whenever possible and confirm the building’s approved moving hours.

Long carries

If the truck cannot park near the entrance, the crew must carry belongings a greater distance. This is common at some apartment communities, townhome developments and downtown properties.

Heavy or unusual items

Safes, pianos, oversized tables, fitness equipment and appliances require additional planning. Tell the moving company about these items before moving day.

Furniture disassembly

Beds, desks, tables and sectional sofas may need to be taken apart before they can be moved safely.

Traffic

Traffic on Interstate 85, Interstate 985, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and other major North Georgia routes can add time between locations.

Closing delays

When a home purchase and move occur on the same day, delayed access to the new property can interrupt the moving schedule. Coordinate keys, closing documents and possession times carefully.

How to Help Movers Finish Faster

• Complete packing before moving day.
• Label boxes by destination room.
• Separate items that are not being moved.
• Reserve elevators and loading areas.
• Clear walkways and driveways.
• Disassemble simple furniture when appropriate.
• Keep children and pets away from active loading areas.
• Provide accurate information before the move.
• Confirm that someone can provide access at both addresses.
• Keep important documents, medications and valuables with you.

Should You Move and Close on the Same Day?

It is possible, but it introduces risk. If the closing is delayed, the moving crew and truck may be left waiting with your belongings.

When possible, build a small buffer between gaining possession of the new home and beginning the move.

Get a More Reliable Time Estimate

A moving company can give you a more useful estimate after reviewing your home size, inventory, access conditions and destination. Photos or a walkthrough can reveal factors that are easy to miss during a brief phone conversation.

Tell Us About Your Move and Get a Time Estimate