The cheapest days to hire movers in Los Angeles are usually Tuesday and Wednesday. Fewer people move mid-week, especially between the 10th and 20th of the month and outside the peak season of May through September. That doesn't mean all movers discount weekdays. Some companies offer the same rate all week long. The only way to know is to have each company price two or three dates using the same inventory and access details.
If you can choose, consider a Tuesday or Wednesday morning between October and April. Compare the full written estimates, not just the hourly rates you see advertised. In Los Angeles, traffic and the distance to the door can add more to the bill than the date. And, in addition, the access to the interior of the building counts when there are stairs or elevators. The estimate should also include packing, crew size and California’s drive-time rules.
Cheapest time to move in Los Angeles: quick answer
| Timing factor | Usually the lower-cost choice | Usually the higher-demand choice | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day of the week | Tuesday or Wednesday | Friday through Sunday | Midweek dates usually have more crew and truck availability. |
| Time of the month | 10th through 20th | First and last few days | Lease turnovers and home closings put more moves near the beginning and end of the month. |
| Season | October through April | May through September | Summer schedules fill faster because of school breaks and housing activity. |
| Time of day | First available morning start | Late morning or afternoon | An early start leaves more time before afternoon traffic builds. |
The best chance is Tuesday or Wednesday morning, mid-month, from late fall to early spring. Your lease could specify the month, but you might be able to find a better date or start time.
How much do movers cost in Los Angeles in 2026?
The average cost of two movers and a truck in Los Angeles is $100 – $170 per hour. A small local move can start in the $ 400s . A bigger apartment or house move can cost $1,500 or more. These are market figures. They are not a promised Move & Care rate. In our 2026 Los Angeles moving cost guide, we break down the ranges by home size.
For an hourly move, the calculation is:
Moving cost = hourly rate x billable time + disclosed materials or additional services.
Loading, unloading, applicable drive time and extra stops may be billable time. Bad access can also slow down the work. Be sure to ask if the rate includes the truck and fuel. Then check what furniture protection is included and if packing materials are extra. Stairs or a long carry could also influence the estimate. Make sure to check the minimum hourly before booking.
Example using California double drive time
Let’s say the crew of two spends two hours total loading and unloading. It takes 30 minutes to drive between the addresses. When California's double-drive-time rule is in effect, those 30 minutes are charged as 60 minutes. For example, the move has 3 billable hours:
- Loading and unloading 2 hours
- Actual driving time from origin to destination: 30 min
- Time used for billing: 60 minutes
- Total billable hours: 3 hours
- $100 to $170 per hour (roughly $300 to $510 before any disclosed materials or additional services)
This example only illustrates how the calculation works. It's not a forecast for a specific move. The bills may be different between two homes of the same size, depending on whether one has an elevator wait, a long carry or a slower route.
Why Tuesday and Wednesday are usually cheaper
Most customers would prefer to move without having to miss work for a day. So Friday, Saturday and Sunday book up fast. The same thing happens around the first and last of the month when a lot of leases turn over. A moving company has a finite number of crews and trucks, so those dates mean less availability on the schedule.
Tuesday and Wednesday are sandwiched in between those busy times. An open midweek date might be cheaper but better availability is the more reliable plus. You have a better chance of comparing qualified movers and getting the first morning start. Weekend rates will be different, so get written estimates for the same move on more than one date.
What is the cheapest month to move in LA?
January and February are often among the slowest months. The larger off-season is generally from October through April. Many families take advantage of school breaks between May and September, when moving tends to be busier. The most popular summer dates can be booked out weeks in advance.
The winters are mild in Los Angeles, but local demand still follows the national moving calendar. The hourly rate may be the same but you may have more choices if it is a winter date. The market does not have a uniform percentage discount. Each company has its own rate based on date, size of crew and work done.
Choose the start time around LA traffic and parking
Still, on an hourly move the low rate can add up to a big bill if the job goes long. Starting in the morning gives the crew more time before the afternoon traffic jam. Choose the hour, check both addresses. Your building may have time restrictions on moving hours. School zones or curb restrictions may limit truck access. The route between the addresses can also make a later start more expensive.
And freeway traffic can matter as much as parking. If the truck can’t stop close to the entrance, the crew has to lug each item farther, and the extra walking takes time. Looking for parking for a moving truck on a busy street? Use our Los Angeles moving truck parking permit guide. Temporary Tow Away sign requests must be made through MyLA311 at least 10 business days prior to the need.
In the case of an apartment or condo, the building schedule is first. Before you hire a mover, ask your property management company about moving hours, elevator reservations, loading-dock access and certificate of insurance requirements. A cheap midweek slot won’t save money if crew have to wait for an elevator or use an entrance further from the truck.
California pricing rules to check before hiring movers
If your household move starts and ends in California, verify the company with the California Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS). The state’s guidance as of September 2026 still requires a written Not-to-Exceed price based on visual inspection of the goods. Don't rely on a price given over the phone or online.
The California Household Movers Act and Maximum Rate Tariff 4 continue to govern intrastate household moves. For hourly moves the tariff usually charges for loading and unloading one time and then doubles the time driving between origin and destination. The tariff has exceptions for some move types.
Check these points before signing:
- The mover's California household mover permit is in good standing.
- The inventory and services are precisely what you need.
- The Not-to-Exceed amount is provided in the document.
- This includes the hourly rate, minimum hours, drive-time calculation and material charges.
- Stairs, elevators, long carries, parking conditions, extra stops all revealed.
- You know the protection you selected for loss or damage.
A very low estimate may just be leaving part of the job out. Provide each mover with identical inventory and addresses. Add same notes about access and request same services. Otherwise you aren't comparing the same move.
How to lower the cost of an LA move without choosing an unlicensed mover
- Suggest two or three possible dates. Ask which gives the lowest complete estimate. Tuesday and Wednesday are good days to start, but the actual schedule of the company is more important than a general rule.
- If possible, move mid-month. The 10th to the 20th usually avoids the lease-turnover crunch that occurs around the first and last days of the month.
- Reduce the inventory before estimates are made. Use our decluttering before moving guide. Then provide each company with the same final item list.
- Pack everything up before the crew comes in. Mark and seal each box. Fragile or specialty items that are easily damaged may still be worth the money to pack professionally.
- Parking & Building Access. Book. Check loading area, elevator, service entrance & COI deadline before moving day.
- Obtain complete written estimates. A mover with a lower hourly rate may have a larger crew or require more minimum hours. The material costs and the drive time calculations can also add to the total.
- Look at the mover. Use BHGS for moves within CA. If you are moving between states, look up the carrier’s registration with the FMCSA Protect Your Move program.
When should you book movers in Los Angeles?
To get a good rate for a flexible local move in a quieter month, start comparing movers about three to four weeks ahead. Expect six to eight weeks for a summer or weekend move, especially near month-end. The same extended window applies to large homes and buildings that require a COI or elevator reservation. These are planning windows, not legal due dates.
The parking deadline may be earlier than the mover’s booking deadline. Los Angeles requires a minimum of 10 business days for temporary tow away sign requests. There may also be a need for advance notice there, so check both addresses before you pick a date.
Questions to ask when comparing cheap moving dates
- Would Tuesday or Wednesday or some other date give the lowest total estimate?
- Is the hourly rate different on weekends / month end?
- How many trucks and movers are included?
- What's the least per hour?
- How would the driving time be calculated for these two addresses?
- What materials or services cost extra?
- What if I change my inventory or access conditions?
- Is the written amount a California Not to Exceed price?
Move & Care is a local and long distance moving company serving the Los Angeles area. If you have flexible dates, send us your inventory and two or three options. Learn how schedule and crew size impact your Los Angeles moving estimate. We will also consider access to both addresses and the route between them.
