Weekdays Vs. Weekends: When’s The Best Time To Move?

TL / DR: Moving on weekdays usually wins. You’ll often get cheaper rental rates, longer operating hours, better availability, fewer people around your property, and easier coordination with utilities and trades. Keep reading for the why—and how to make a weekday move smooth.

Moving house can be a stressful and tiring activity – not to mention an expensive one. But it doesn’t always have to be that way. If you plan it properly and pick the best time to move, it won’t be as exhausting – or costly – as it normally is.

In most cases, we found the difference often lies not in how many things you have to move but when you decide to do it. And for many, it often boils down to weekday vs weekend moving. So which one is better?

Having rented our vans and trucks to many movers throughout the years, we’ve found that more often than not, it’s better to choose a mid-week move on a weekday. Here’s why:



Cheaper Rentals

If you want to move your things quickly and efficiently, you’ll need to hire a truck to transport them to their new location. The great thing about hiring trucks on weekdays, though, is that they’ll often be cheaper during these days. Weekends are typically peak periods for truck rentals, and many truck hire companies take advantage of this by charging higher rates.

Why this helps: Lower weekday demand can mean reduced rates and better value packages—money you can put towards packing supplies or an extra helper.

By choosing to move on weekdays and booking your truck rentals during these times, you can get cheaper rates and perhaps even rental packages that can save you more money. Many truck hire companies routinely offer rental promos and sales packages during weekdays because of lesser demand in these periods. Take advantage of this and move on weekdays if possible to avail cheaper rates.

💸 Bonus: Off-peak moving also keeps overall moving costs down when you factor in parking, tolls and time saved.

Full Service Hours

Moving and transporting equipment can be time-consuming, and it’s not unusual for it to last the whole day if you want to finish it in one go. If you want to complete your move in a single day, then you need moving services to be available for most of the day. And although many truck hire companies offer weekend services, these weekend hours are typically shorter than your average weekday business hours.

Good to know: Longer weekday hours give you a bigger buffer for pick-up/returns and surprise delays.

By moving on weekdays and booking your services on these dates, you can take advantage of longer service hours and even more comprehensive services.

More Availability

As mentioned earlier, weekends are often peak periods for moving. If you’ve planned your move well in advance and booked your services accordingly, moving on weekends may not be an issue. But if you’re moving soon and looking to save some money doing it, then weekday bookings will likely be your better option.

With most other people moving and hiring these services on weekends, booking a service during these peak periods can be difficult. This higher demand for weekend services means there’ll often be little to no availability for those who haven’t booked ahead of time. And if you do find availability for a weekend service, it’ll usually come at more expensive rates and in limited capacities.

Avoid these hassles and headaches by planning your move on weekdays instead. Not only will you have more availability options but you’ll also likely get it at a cheaper rate too.

📦 Tip: If you prefer a DIY approach, secure your moving truck rental early for mid-week dates to unlock more size options.

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More Space, Fewer People

If you have many things to move and require plenty of space on-site to move it, then weekdays are the days to do it. Neighbourhoods tend to have less people around during weekdays, at least during the day. Adults will be at work and children in school studying, which means less foot traffic at your location during the day and more space to carefully and safely move your items inside.

This is especially important if you have large and fragile items that require delicate transport. The fewer people there are in the vicinity, the more space and time you have to move your items safely.

With more people away from the neighbourhood during weekdays, you may also find more parking space for moving trucks and personal vehicles. This makes transporting items between locations easier and quicker.

🚚 Nice side effect: Easier kerbside access can reduce carry distance and time, which many local movers charge for.

More Services

When you’re moving house, you often need to work with many other services to complete your move. Whether it’s your energy provider, Internet service, or your local electrician, working closely with these service providers will ensure a smoother transition into your new home.

Unlike services dedicated to moving and transport, however, these services typically don’t have weekend service hours. This means you’re more likely to get their service on weekdays rather than on weekends. If you want to get their services on the same day of your move (or sometime around it), then it’s best that you schedule your move on a weekday. This way, you won’t have to wait over the weekend to get their service.

Weekday coordination also fits better with strata managers, building supervisors and trades, helping you complete a same-day move with utilities live by evening.

The Best Time To Move: Weekdays Vs Weekends

The best time to move for most households is a weekday during normal business hours. You’ll benefit from lower demand, more flexible time windows, and fewer bottlenecks at loading zones. This is true whether you’re hiring a truck for DIY or booking professional removalists.

Choosing weekdays shifts you into off-peak moving. That can translate into sharper rates, faster service responses, and less waiting around for keys, lifts or inspections. For DIY moves, equipment like trolleys, ramps and blankets are also more available mid-week.

By contrast, weekends concentrate demand. That often means premium pricing, tighter time slots and busier roads near popular residential buildings. Even simple tasks like collecting keys from agents can be harder after-hours or on Sundays.

If you need friends to help, coordinate early and start later in the morning. You’ll still capture the benefits of moving during business hours while giving helpers time to arrive after school drop-offs or flexible work starts.

Best Days And Times Within The Week

Tuesday to Thursday are typically the sweet spot for a mid-week move. Mondays can be busy with weekend overflow, and Fridays ramp up as people try to settle before the weekend. Aim for the first collection slot of the day for cooler temps, clearer loading zones and predictable traffic.

Time of month matters too. Mid-month dates usually beat end-of-month rushes driven by lease turnovers and settlements. If you can, avoid the last three days of any month to sidestep price and congestion spikes.

Think hyper-local. Study school zones, road works and bin-collection times on your streets. A 7–8am truck pick-up can keep you ahead of commuter peaks while still landing within supplier opening hours for any last-minute gear.

When booking your moving truck rental, add a small buffer on return time. It reduces stress and protects you from late fees if lifts, keys or access run long.

Season And Month Factors

There’s a clear peak moving season in many areas aligned to school holidays, warmer weather and year-end relocations. Prices and demand swell, especially on weekends. If you’re flexible, choose shoulder periods and weekdays to preserve budget and options.

End-of-quarter and end-of-financial-year dates can also spike demand as leases turn over and settlements land. Combine that with a weekend and you’ll face stacked schedules and fewer vehicles in the size you want.

Weather counts. Hot days slow loading and increase fatigue. Wet days complicate access and protection. Weekdays give you more latitude to adjust start times or add an extra hour to stage items safely without clashing with restricted weekend hours.

📅 Planning edge: Booking early for off-peak weekdays secures gear, keeps moving costs predictable, and leaves room to coordinate cleaners, locksmiths and inspections.

Permits, Parking And Building Access

Many apartments and busy streets require parking permits or loading-zone reservations. Councils and building managers are easier to reach on weekdays, and approvals come faster. That’s a big reason weekday vs weekend moving feels smoother in cities.

Confirm apartment move permits, lift padding and booking windows at least a few days out. Ask about height limits for basements and whether trucks can idle on-site. Align your driver’s arrival with the lift window so you’re not paying for waits.

Where street parking is tight, use cones or a vehicle to hold a bay directly in front of the entry during your slot. Weekdays usually mean fewer cars competing for that space, and rangers are on duty if you’ve officially reserved it.

🧰 Pro move: Keep a small access kit handy—tape, door stops, moving blankets and a dolly. It speeds loading and reduces property damage, which local movers and building managers will appreciate.

Tips To Remember

Moving on weekdays may be better in most cases, but it may not always be the answer for your case. Like any other recommendation, it ultimately depends on your situation. Consider all factors involved in your move, and select the best option for your needs and budget.

If you do decide to move on a weekday, however, keep these pointers in mind to take full advantage of it.

  • Schedule your move in between peak traffic hours – this will help you avoid traffic jams during peak hours.
  • Look for people to help – it might be hard to find available people on weekdays, but the additional hands can make your move much faster and easier.
  • Plan in advance – moving on weekdays often means you’ll have to take leave from your work. Consider this beforehand so you can plan your day accordingly.

Quick prep win: Confirm building lift bookings, loading zones and utility switch-overs a few days before your weekday move to avoid last-minute surprises.

If you’re looking for some great deals for vehicle rentals, just give us a call at 1300 13 14 29. We have trucks, and even utes that you can easily hire for your move.

Ready to move? Book your truck or ute with Abel

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Weekday Moving Advantages

Cheaper Rates

Lower demand means better rental deals and package offers from truck companies

Full Service Hours

Extended business hours for rentals and services with buffer time for delays

Better Availability

Higher chance of securing preferred truck sizes and service providers

More Space

Reduced neighborhood traffic and better parking availability

Coordinated Services

Easier utility setup and tradespeople access during business days

Smart Timing: Target Tuesday-Thursday mid-mornings for optimal pricing, availability, and traffic conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are weekdays generally better for moving than weekends? +
Weekdays typically offer cheaper truck rentals, longer service hours, better equipment availability, fewer crowds at properties, and easier coordination with utility providers and tradespeople, making logistics smoother and more cost-effective.
What are the cheapest days to move within a week? +
Tuesdays to Thursdays are ideal for moving, as demand peaks on Mondays (due to weekend overflow) and Fridays (pre-weekend rush). Mid-week dates also avoid end-of-month price spikes driven by lease turnovers.
How can moving on weekdays help save money? +
Lower weekday demand often means discounted truck rentals, reduced parking/toll costs, and better-value packages. Off-peak pricing and fewer booking delays can also minimize wasted time and additional expenses.
Are permits and parking easier to secure for weekday moves? +
Yes. Councils and building managers are more accessible on weekdays, speeding up permit approvals for loading zones or elevator bookings. Weekdays also see less competition for street parking near residential buildings.
What tips make weekday moves more efficient? +
Book early for mid-week truck availability, avoid peak traffic hours, confirm lift/parking reservations in advance, and coordinate helpers around school or work schedules. Mid-month moves can also sidestep end-of-month congestion.

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