How Long Does it Take to Move

Moving is an exciting step toward a fresh start, but it’s no secret that the process can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re relocating across Portland or tackling a long-distance move, one of the first questions people ask is: How long does it take to move?

The answer depends on many factors—like the size of your home, the number of boxes, weather conditions, and whether you’re handling things yourself or hiring professional movers. Some moves take just a few hours, while others can stretch across days, especially if you’re moving cross country.

The good news is that with the right moving company, you can streamline the process, save time, and reduce stress. At Smooth Move People, we combine professional service with the lowest ODOT (Oregon Department of Transportation) rates in the state. People might shop around for lower prices, but they always come back to us—because those rates don’t exist elsewhere. Beyond affordability, we bring efficiency, reliability, and a commitment to making your move as smooth as possible.

If you’re wondering how long your move might take, this guide breaks down the moving process and offers tips to make it faster and easier.

Factors That Affect Moving Timelines

The time it takes to move can vary greatly depending on several factors. Understanding these will help you plan more effectively and set realistic expectations.

Size of the Home, Apartment, Condo, Or Storage Unit

The size of your home is one of the biggest contributors to how long a move will take. Naturally, a studio apartment will require less time than a 5-bedroom house. A single mover with a few boxes might finish in 2-4 hours, while a large family home with heavy furniture could take a full day or more to pack, load, and unload.

Distance of the Move

Local moves within Portland or nearby areas are often completed in one day. However, long-distance moves or cross-country relocations take longer because of extended travel time. A typical out-of-state move can take anywhere from 1-3 days or more, depending on the mileage and the size of the load.

Packing Needs

The packing process is notoriously time-consuming, especially if you’re doing it yourself. Many people underestimate how long it takes to organize, box up belongings, and protect fragile items. If you have packed well and are ready to move, the process will move a lot faster. Hiring professional movers to pack for you can significantly save time, often reducing the task to a single day.

Number of Belongings and Boxes

The more items you have, the longer the loading and unloading process will take. If you’ve been living in one place for years, chances are you’ve accumulated quite a bit. A minimalist move with just a few boxes will go much faster than one involving years of possessions, furniture, and storage.

Special or Fragile Items

Delicate or heavy items—like antiques, pianos, or glass furniture—require extra time and care. Movers need to carefully pack and wrap fragile items to prevent damage, and loading them onto the truck takes more precision. Also, if you have large pieces of furniture that need to be taken apart before moving (and put back together), that will obviously take more time too.

Flights of Stairs and Building Access

If you’re moving out of or into an apartment with multiple flights of stairs–interior and exterior–or a tricky layout, it will add time to your move. Navigating stairs, elevators, and narrow hallways requires careful maneuvering and how far the truck is located from the apartment. Fortunately, Smooth Move People’s professional team is experienced with these challenges and knows how to keep things efficient.

Average Moving Times for Different Scenarios

While every move is unique, we can estimate how long it might take based on the type of move:

Local Moves

For local moves within Portland or nearby areas, here are typical timelines. These times can also be altered depending on the number of movers there are:

These times include kitchen and bathrooms but are affected if you have multiple other rooms, such as an office/den, bonus rooms, and so on. 

Long Distance Moves

Long-distance moves take more time because of travel time. Depending on the size of your home and the distance, most moves can be completed within 1-3 days. Smooth Move People works efficiently to ensure everything is delivered safely and on time.

Apartment Moves

Apartment moves often involve added challenges like stairs, shared elevators, and tight parking situations. While these factors may add time, our professional movers handle apartment moves with precision, ensuring minimal delays.

How Packing Affects Moving Time

One of the most time-consuming parts of the moving process is packing. If you’re doing it yourself, it can stretch out for weeks, especially if you’re balancing work, family, and other responsibilities.

DIY Packing

If you choose to start packing on your own, be prepared to dedicate significant time to the process. Packing up a 2-bedroom house might take several days, while a larger home could take weeks. Staying organized, labeling boxes, and tackling one room at a time will help, but it’s still a labor-intensive task. We recommend you start a month (or more) before moving so you can slowly but surely chip away at your stuff.

Professional Packing Services

Hiring professional movers to pack for you is a huge time-saver. At Smooth Move People, we can pack an entire home in a single day. Our trained team knows how to handle fragile items, wrap furniture safely, provide all the necessary packing materials, and bring on more hands to help if you want. This not only saves time but also ensures your belongings are packed securely for transport.

Tips to Make Your Move Faster and More Efficient

Moving doesn’t have to take forever. Here are practical tips to help you streamline the process:

• Declutter Before Moving: Before you even start packing, go through your belongings and get rid of things you no longer need. Donate, sell, or toss anything that doesn’t need to make the move. Fewer items mean fewer boxes to pack and unpack, load, and unload.
• Be Prepared for Moving Day: If you’re packing yourself, have everything packed, labeled, and ready to go by the time movers arrive. Clearly label boxes by room to make loading and unloading faster and stay organized.
• Hire Professional Movers: Hiring professional movers like Smooth Move People makes a huge difference in both time and stress. We handle everything—from packing and loading to transport and unloading—so you don’t have to.
• Pack Essentials Separately: Keep a box or bag of essentials (toiletries, medications, important documents) with you during the move. This avoids last-minute scrambling.

After the Truck is Unloaded

For many people, the moving process doesn’t truly end once all of their belongings are in their new home. While the moving truck may have pulled away and the boxes are stacked in each room, the task of unpacking and settling in can feel like its own challenge. Or maybe there are some “honey-do” lists already in place, like painting rooms or some minor remodeling.

Some individuals approach this phase with excitement, tackling one box at a time and quickly getting everything in its place within a matter of days. For others, the combination of exhaustion, work schedules, and life’s distractions can leave boxes sitting untouched for weeks—or even months. It’s common to hear stories of people discovering unpacked boxes years later, filled with items they forgot they owned.

To make the transition smoother, it helps to stay organized and prioritize unpacking essentials first. Start with the rooms you use the most, like the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms, so your daily routine can get back on track. Breaking the process into small, manageable tasks—like unpacking just a few boxes a day—can keep the work from feeling overwhelming.

If you’re feeling stuck, consider turning unpacking into a family activity or a fun project by setting deadlines and rewarding yourself as each room gets finished. Remember, the sooner you unpack, the sooner your new space begins to feel like home.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Long Does it Take to Move

How early should I schedule my move?

We recommend scheduling at least 2-4 weeks in advance, especially during busy seasons.

Can you accommodate last-minute moves?

Yes! We do our best to help clients with urgent or last-minute moving needs.

How long does it take to load and unload a truck?

It depends on the number of boxes and the size of your home, but our experienced team works efficiently to save time.

Will stairs or narrow hallways slow down the move?

They can add a little time, but our team is skilled at handling tricky spaces.

How can I make my move faster?

Declutter beforehand, label boxes clearly, and consider hiring professionals like Smooth Move People.

Why Smooth Move People Makes Moving Faster and Easier

At Smooth Move People, we know that moving can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s why we’re the go-to moving company in Portland:

Experience You Can Trust

Our team has handled moves of all sizes and complexities. Whether you’re moving a small apartment or a large family home, we work quickly and carefully to get the job done.

Lowest ODOT Rates in Oregon

We offer the most affordable moving services in the state without sacrificing quality. People might shop around, but they always come back to us.

Professional Tools and Equipment

We use the best tools—moving trucks, dollies, and packing supplies—to make the process faster and safer for your belongings.

Friendly, Reliable Service

From our first move to today, our commitment to customer satisfaction has never wavered. Our team is professional, efficient, and always ready to go the extra mile.

So, how long does it take to move? The answer depends on your home size, distance, and belongings, but the right moving company makes all the difference. Smooth Move People offers professional, reliable, and affordable service that saves you time and stress.

Whether you’re moving across town or cross country, we’re here to make your move as smooth as possible—at the lowest rates in Oregon.

Ready to move? Call Smooth Move People today to schedule your hassle-free move!