Every year, most household moves happen between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If you’re planning a summer move in the Lehigh Valley, the Pocono Mountains, or anywhere in northeast Pennsylvania or New Jersey, you’re far from alone. That also means moving company calendars fill up fast, prices climb with demand, and the families who plan ahead tend to have a much smoother experience than those who don’t.
Why Summer Dominates the Moving Calendar
The timing isn’t a coincidence. Families with school-age children prefer to move between academic years to avoid disrupting routines. College students relocate in late May and again in August. Many apartment leases in Easton, Allentown, and throughout the region renew in June or July. Mild weather makes moving day significantly more manageable than a February morning in the Poconos. All of that demand is concentrated in roughly 13 weeks, and everyone feels the pressure
Book Early for the Smoothest Experience
Moving companies fill their summer calendars weeks, and sometimes months, ahead. If you’re targeting a June or July date, start contacting movers now rather than after you’ve finalized a closing date or a lease start. Waiting until two or three weeks out often means picking from whatever’s left — which usually isn’t the crew you’d choose first.
When you do reach out, request an on-site estimate rather than a phone quote. An in-person walkthrough gives you a far more accurate number and helps the mover understand the full scope of the job: furniture sizes, stairwells, long carries, anything requiring special handling.
Pro Tip: If your timeline has any flexibility, mid-week and mid-month moves typically cost less. Peak demand clusters around weekends and the first and last few days of the month — even shifting by a few days can make a noticeable difference in price and availability.
Know What Goes Into the Price
Local moves in Pennsylvania are usually charged by the hour, based on crew size and truck. Long-distance moves are priced by weight and distance traveled. In either case, how prepared you are on moving day heavily influences the final number. Packed boxes, clear pathways, furniture disassembled where possible — these reduce time and cost in very practical ways.
Before you sign, ask your mover to walk through everything included in the estimate and clarify what could affect the price. Fees for stairs, long carries, packing materials, or heavy items added on moving day are common surprises. Get everything in writing before the crew shows up.
Moving in the Heat Takes a Plan
A move in July presents different challenges than one in October. Movers are working physically hard through real heat — and so is everyone coordinating the day. Start as early in the morning as possible to take advantage of cooler temperatures. Hydrate throughout the day and keep water accessible for your crew. If you’re moving a large household, consider spreading the work over two days rather than pushing everyone through a single sweltering stretch.
When Timing Doesn’t Line Up Perfectly
Summer moves don’t always close and start on the same day. If your new home isn’t ready, or a closing gets pushed back, short-term storage keeps your belongings secure and your move on track. AAA Moving’s storage services are directly connected to your move, so you’re not scrambling to coordinate a separate facility at a difficult time.
Smart Summer Move
The best moving dates go fast. AAA Moving serves families throughout northeast Pennsylvania and New Jersey with experienced crews, transparent pricing, and reliable service. Contact us today for a free estimate and lock in your summer move.