Cheapest Day of the Week to Move

The day of the week that you decide to move to your new home can have a big impact on the money that you spend on movers. Some days are cheap, and some days are expensive, even though it sounds a bit absurd considering they’re within the same week.

In this post, we’re going to help you learn which is the cheapest day of the week to move.

Let’s get started without any further ado.

The Short Answer: Weekdays Are Cheaper for Moving

Monday through Thursday are the cheapest days to move.

Tuesday and Wednesday are typically the absolute cheapest because that's when moving companies have the lowest demand and are most willing to negotiate rates.

Friday is a transition day. Some companies charge weekend rates starting Friday, while others still offer weekday pricing. It depends on the company and how busy they are, so you need to ask specifically about Friday rates when getting quotes.

Saturday and Sunday are the most expensive days to move. Saturday is usually the worst because everyone wants it. Sunday is slightly less expensive in some markets but still costs significantly more than any weekday.

The reason is simple: demand drives pricing. Weekends have the highest demand because most people work Monday through Friday and can't take time off. Moving companies know this and price accordingly.

Why Weekdays Cost Less

Most people work Monday through Friday and can't take time off for a move. That means moving companies have lower demand on weekdays and entire crews sitting around waiting for jobs. They're willing to offer discounts to fill their schedule rather than have workers idle.

Movers also have more availability and can be flexible with timing on weekdays. You're not competing with dozens of other people for the same time slots. If you want to start at 8 AM, they can probably make that happen. If you need to push your move back a few hours, they can accommodate. That flexibility disappears on weekends.

Why Weekends Cost More:

Everyone wants to move on weekends. High demand equals higher prices. It's basic supply and demand. Moving companies can charge premium rates and still book out completely because they know people will pay.

There's also less flexibility on timing. You get the slot they give you, and if you don't like it, there are ten other people waiting to book that spot. Peak season weekends in the summer can be booked solid months in advance, especially in college towns or cities with high turnover.

And moving companies know you're desperate. If your lease ends on a Saturday and you can't move in until Sunday, you don't have much choice. They have all the leverage.

Day-by-Day Breakdown

Monday:

Generally cheap but not the cheapest. Some moving companies are still catching up from weekend jobs, so availability can be slightly tighter than midweek. But it's still way cheaper than weekends and has good availability overall. Pricing is slightly higher than Tuesday or Wednesday, but nowhere near weekend rates.

Tuesday & Wednesday:

These are the cheapest days to move. Lowest demand across the industry. Moving companies often offer their best rates because they need to fill their schedule. You get maximum flexibility on timing and scheduling, and these are the easiest days to book last-minute if you're in a pinch.

If you can only take one day off work, make it a Tuesday or Wednesday. The savings are worth it.

Thursday:

Still cheap, comparable to Monday. There's slightly more demand than on Tuesday or Wednesday as people start prepping for weekend moves, but availability is still good overall. Pricing is closer to Monday than to Friday, so it's a solid choice if Tuesday or Wednesday doesn't work.

Friday:

Hit or miss pricing. Some companies charge weekend rates starting Friday because they know people are trying to move before the weekend hits. Others still offer weekday pricing, especially if it's not peak season. It really depends on the company and how busy they are.

Ask specifically about Friday rates when getting quotes. Don't assume it's the same as Thursday. If a company charges weekend rates on Friday, you might as well wait until Saturday if you can't swing an earlier weekday.

Saturday:

Most expensive day of the week. Highest demand. Everyone wants Saturday because they can wake up, move, and still have Sunday to unpack and recover before work on Monday.

Premium pricing, sometimes 20-30% higher than weekdays. You need to book weeks or months in advance, or you won't get a slot, especially during the summer. And there's less flexibility on start times. You'll probably get an 8 AM or 2 PM window; take it or leave it.

Sunday:

Second most expensive, sometimes tied with Saturday, depending on the market. Still high demand but slightly less than Saturday since people want the day to recover before Monday.

Some religious movers don't work Sundays, which reduces your available options. Pricing is similar to Saturday rates in most cases. It's marginally better than Saturday, but not by much.

Example Cost Figures Compared Across Different Days of the Week

To give you a better idea of the difference between the costs of moving across different days of the week, here is a table that we’ve created for both short-distance and long-distance moves. The figures in the table are used as examples and should be used for reference only.

Assumptions

• Same move, same company, same distance, and inventory
• Differences reflect demand and crew availability, not service level
• Weekend pricing reflects higher demand, not guaranteed surcharges

Local Moves

Long-Distance Moves

Wrapping This Up

Bottom line: Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest days to move. You can save 15-30% compared to weekend moves just by picking a different day.

If you can swing it, take a day off work. The money you save usually covers your lost wages and then some, especially if you're doing a long-distance move or have a lot of stuff.

Plan ahead and ask about weekday discounts directly. Some moving companies don't advertise them but will offer lower rates if you specifically request a Tuesday or Wednesday slot.