Long-distance moves can be incredibly time- and energy-consuming. When relocating, both you and your chosen items will have to travel to your new destination. The last thing you want, at the end of this process, is to be stuck in an empty house or apartment without any of your belongings because you miscalculated how long it would take to move.
There is no blanket length of time it will take for you to move interstate. The time depends heavily on the distance you are traveling, as well as other factors (some predictable – some less so).
Below, we have compiled a list of factors to consider when estimating the duration of your move.
6 Factors That Affect How Long Your Move Will Take
Distance
The time taken for long-distance moves depends, of course, on how far you are moving.
On average, a moving truck will travel 500 miles a day. So, if you were moving from Las Vegas to New York City, for example, a moving truck would take on average 5 days. Las Vegas to Los Angeles would take about a day, and Las Vegas to Seattle would take about 2 days.
However, it is not enough to simply use the average distance a moving truck will cover in a day to estimate how long your move will take. This is because other factors could influence how long your move will take, especially with interstate moves. Some of these will be mentioned below.
Weather Conditions
Bad weather conditions can seriously delay your move. Snow and ice could cause roads to be blocked. A truck could get stuck in a bad storm. Wet roads may cause truck drivers to drive slower.
The possibility and length of a delay due to bad weather conditions will depend entirely on the weather conditions. However, if you are moving in the winter, it is more likely that you will encounter some sort of delay due to bad weather.
Often, interstate movers and long-distance moving companies will have cheaper rates during the winter. So, if you choose to move during the winter to save costs, the increased chances of a delay from the weather are something to bear in mind.
It is difficult to predict the delay weather conditions could cause on your move. However, to be safe, you should account for at least an extra day for shorter moves. For longer moves, especially in winter, you might want to account for at least 2-3 days of potential delay.
Traffic
The time taken for long-distance moves further depends on the traffic conditions. Some of these are easier to predict than others. For example, if you will be passing through many major cities during rush hour, it is easy to predict that this will delay your move.
On the other hand, some traffic conditions can come as a surprise. For example, there could be an accident on the route, which could cause a traffic jam or delay on the road.
Ultimately, the delay that traffic could cause can depend on unpredictable factors. However, to be on the safe side, it is better to add on at least an extra day for potential traffic delays.
Traffic Laws
The length of time long-distance moves take is not only dependent on how movers can deliver your belongings. This is because truck drivers, by law, can only drive up to a certain amount of hours per day. They need to be given time to stop and rest. Therefore, traffic laws can influence the delay of your move.
Traffic laws are easier to predict than many other potential causes of delay. This is because most interstate movers and long-distance moving companies will account for this delay. They will incorporate driving laws into their estimate for the duration of your move.
Stops Along the Way
Gas is expensive, and interstate movers and long-distance moving companies may move various people’s goods in one go to minimize gas expenses. While this saves money, it will cost time. This is because the moving truck will have to pick up and drop off various shipments. It will likely make multiple stops along the way, a few of which may include small detours.
The more items you are moving, the fewer other shipments will be delivered with your belongings. This is because there will simply be less space on the moving truck. If you are only moving a few, small belongings, you will likely experience significant delays.
Luckily, most long-distance moving companies and interstate movers will give you the option to move only your belongings. However, this will cost you. Therefore, if time is of the essence, you can prevent stops along the way from delaying your move. However, if you would prefer to save money, you should account for potential delays from stops along the way.
Size of your Apartment/House
When you are determining the time frame of your move, you should not only consider how long it will take to transport your belongings but you also need to consider how long it will take for a long-distance moving company to load your belongings onto a moving truck. This depends on how many belongings you are transporting, which usually depends on the size of your apartment or house.
For a studio apartment, it will usually take long-distance moving companies about 2-3 hours. It should take them about 3-7 hours for a 2-4 bedroom apartment or house. If your apartment or house has at least 5 bedrooms, it could take the movers between 8-10 hours.
Conclusion
Long-distance moves are no easy feat. There is so much that you have to consider and account for. Most interstate movers and long-distance moving companies will provide you with a rough time for your move taking all of the above factors into account.
If you’re looking for a reliable long-distance moving company based in Las Vegas, get in touch with us today. We’ll help you plan your move and fill you in on how long your long-distance move will take.
Below, we have compiled a list of factors to consider when estimating the duration of your move.
6 Factors That Affect How Long Your Move Will Take
Distance
The time taken for long-distance moves depends, of course, on how far you are moving.
On average, a moving truck will travel 500 miles a day. So, if you were moving from Las Vegas to New York City, for example, a moving truck would take on average 5 days. Las Vegas to Los Angeles would take about a day, and Las Vegas to Seattle would take about 2 days.
However, it is not enough to simply use the average distance a moving truck will cover in a day to estimate how long your move will take. This is because other factors could influence how long your move will take, especially with interstate moves. Some of these will be mentioned below.
Weather Conditions
Bad weather conditions can seriously delay your move. Snow and ice could cause roads to be blocked. A truck could get stuck in a bad storm. Wet roads may cause truck drivers to drive slower.
The possibility and length of a delay due to bad weather conditions will depend entirely on the weather conditions. However, if you are moving in the winter, it is more likely that you will encounter some sort of delay due to bad weather.
Often, interstate movers and long-distance moving companies will have cheaper rates during the winter. So, if you choose to move during the winter to save costs, the increased chances of a delay from the weather are something to bear in mind.
It is difficult to predict the delay weather conditions could cause on your move. However, to be safe, you should account for at least an extra day for shorter moves. For longer moves, especially in winter, you might want to account for at least 2-3 days of potential delay.
Traffic
The time taken for long-distance moves further depends on the traffic conditions. Some of these are easier to predict than others. For example, if you will be passing through many major cities during rush hour, it is easy to predict that this will delay your move.
On the other hand, some traffic conditions can come as a surprise. For example, there could be an accident on the route, which could cause a traffic jam or delay on the road.
Ultimately, the delay that traffic could cause can depend on unpredictable factors. However, to be on the safe side, it is better to add on at least an extra day for potential traffic delays.
Traffic Laws
The length of time long-distance moves take is not only dependent on how movers can deliver your belongings. This is because truck drivers, by law, can only drive up to a certain amount of hours per day. They need to be given time to stop and rest. Therefore, traffic laws can influence the delay of your move.
Traffic laws are easier to predict than many other potential causes of delay. This is because most interstate movers and long-distance moving companies will account for this delay. They will incorporate driving laws into their estimate for the duration of your move.
Stops Along the Way
Gas is expensive, and interstate movers and long-distance moving companies may move various people’s goods in one go to minimize gas expenses. While this saves money, it will cost time. This is because the moving truck will have to pick up and drop off various shipments. It will likely make multiple stops along the way, a few of which may include small detours.
The more items you are moving, the fewer other shipments will be delivered with your belongings. This is because there will simply be less space on the moving truck. If you are only moving a few, small belongings, you will likely experience significant delays.
Luckily, most long-distance moving companies and interstate movers will give you the option to move only your belongings. However, this will cost you. Therefore, if time is of the essence, you can prevent stops along the way from delaying your move. However, if you would prefer to save money, you should account for potential delays from stops along the way.
Size of your Apartment/House
When you are determining the time frame of your move, you should not only consider how long it will take to transport your belongings but you also need to consider how long it will take for a long-distance moving company to load your belongings onto a moving truck. This depends on how many belongings you are transporting, which usually depends on the size of your apartment or house.
For a studio apartment, it will usually take long-distance moving companies about 2-3 hours. It should take them about 3-7 hours for a 2-4 bedroom apartment or house. If your apartment or house has at least 5 bedrooms, it could take the movers between 8-10 hours.
Conclusion
Long-distance moves are no easy feat. There is so much that you have to consider and account for. Most interstate movers and long-distance moving companies will provide you with a rough time for your move taking all of the above factors into account.
If you’re looking for a reliable long-distance moving company based in Las Vegas, get in touch with us today. We’ll help you plan your move and fill you in on how long your long-distance move will take.
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