Is it cheaper to move mid-week?
Quick Answer
Yes. Tuesday through Thursday are typically 10-15% cheaper than weekends for local moves. Movers have more availability and may offer discounts to fill slow days. For long-distance moves, mid-week pickups may lead to faster delivery.
Mid-week moves are cheaper because demand is lower. Here is how the day of the week affects pricing.
Saturday: most expensive and most popular day to move. Movers are fully booked, so there is less room to negotiate. No explicit surcharge usually, but highest effective pricing due to demand.
Sunday: many movers charge a 10-20% premium or have minimum hour requirements. Some companies do not operate on Sundays.
Monday and Friday: moderate demand. Mondays are often booked by people who took the weekend to pack. Fridays are popular for starting a long-distance move before the weekend.
Tuesday through Thursday: lowest demand. Movers are more likely to offer discounts (10-15% off), flexible scheduling, and experienced crews who are not stretched across multiple jobs.
Holiday weekends: highest premiums of the year. Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Independence Day weekends can carry 25-50% surcharges.
For local hourly moves, the savings on a mid-week day can be significant: $120/hour vs $140/hour for a 3-person crew across 6 hours means $120 saved. Add in the negotiating power of a slow day and you might save $200-$400 total.
For long-distance weight-based moves, the day of pickup affects delivery speed more than price. Mid-week pickups often get faster delivery because trucks depart more frequently during the work week.