Moving companies’ representatives often note that many people underestimate how long long-distance moves actually take — they mostly consider the driving time and don’t take into account several other key aspects of the move, like logistics, planning, and coordination. Those parameters, however, can extend the timeline quite significantly.
Here are some of the main reasons why long-distance moves often take longer than expected and why it is important to set realistic expectations before you start planning your own move.
The planning stage
Booking movers, securing dates, and getting quotes require time, and coordinating schedules with the moving company (especially in peak season) may mean waiting weeks. Although there are many teams to choose from, most customers prefer hiring a highly experienced long-distance moving company that is well-known and can guarantee a desired result at a reasonable price. As a result, some companies are overbooked, and you have to acknowledge that.
When the team finally arrives at your place, it will have to pack and prepare your belongings for transportation, which also requires some time that you might not take into account at first.
Route distance and driving regulations
Another thing that you have to remember is that moving trucks cannot drive as quickly as personal cars, and that greatly extends the overall timeframe for a delivery. If you add the fact that federal and regional laws often limit how many hours truck drivers can operate per day, and consider that long routes require mandatory rest breaks, fuelling stops, and overnight stays, you can see why some moves might take a while.
All of it is somewhat expected, but some things are completely out of the company’s control — there’s not much a driver can do when they get stuck in traffic or face dangerous weather conditions. Both might add hours or even days, depending on the situation, and even though most companies add some buffer time in their estimations, it might not be enough.
Consolidated shipments and multiple stops
If you decide to agree on a consolidated shipment, you have to understand that there is a chance that your belongings may be delivered after other stops along the route — and there might be issues with other customers along the way. While it is a cheap and efficient way for movers to deliver items, it can significantly increase delivery time for you.
Scheduling around peak seasons
Summer, weekends, and month-ends are the busiest times for movers, and that high level of demand can stretch timelines — after all, the company has to properly balance multiple moves so that every client is satisfied. If you choose to schedule around peak seasons, you need to make peace with the idea of waiting longer for pick-up and delivery slots.
Storage and holding requirements
If delivery dates don’t align, belongings might have to go into short-term storage. For example, if a customer can’t receive goods right away or if the moving company is staging multiple shipments, oftentimes, there is no better alternative solution for the issue. However, this may add extra days or even weeks to the move. If you want to prevent this, ensure that you can always receive your items right on time.
