What’s the Cheapest Day to Hire Movers in Raleigh?

Written, Edited and Fact Checked by Taras Kim

Fact Checked by Wellknown Moving Raleigh

Updated: May 01, 2025

Looking to cut costs on your upcoming move in Raleigh? The day you pick could make a big difference.

When getting ready to move, most people focus on major choices like which Raleigh moving company to go with or how much help they’ll need. But one easy way to spend less—without sacrificing quality—is picking the right day of the week. In a busy and growing place like Raleigh, moving rates often go up at certain times, especially during high-demand periods. Planning your move around those peak times can help you get better pricing and more options.

Raleigh is a popular spot for people relocating, which means local movers are often booked solid—especially on weekends and at the start or end of the month, when most leases begin or end. These busy times usually bring higher rates—sometimes more than you'd think. The upside? Movers usually charge less during the middle of the week, when demand drops. That price drop can lead to noticeable savings.

Now we will show you the cheapest day of the week to hire movers in Raleigh, explain why that day is usually the most affordable, and share some helpful tips to stretch your moving dollars even more.

The Cheapest Day to Hire Movers in Raleigh: Midweek is Your Best Bet

Wondering which day offers the lowest moving rates in Raleigh? Most of the time, it’s Tuesday through Thursday. These midweek days tend to have the best prices, and the reason is pretty straightforward: less demand.

Most people plan their moves for weekends or around the first and last days of the month. That’s when leases turn over and people are more likely to have time off work. As a result, demand jumps—and so do prices—on Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays. Midweek moves don’t see the same crowd, which means moving companies are more likely to offer deals to fill open spots.

In Raleigh, where moving activity picks up during summer and at the start and end of the month, the price difference is easy to notice. Based on 2024 quotes from local movers, rates can be 10% to 25% lower if you schedule on a Tuesday or Wednesday instead of a Saturday. For example, a two-bedroom move that runs $750 on the weekend might cost about $650 midweek—with the same crew and same service, just on a different day.

Learn more about cost of movers in Raleigh in our article.

These aren’t just estimates, either. Local movers list weekday rates between $120 and $140 per hour, compared to $160 or more on busier days. If you’re moving a larger home or going a longer distance, the savings add up fast.

Weekday vs. Weekend Moves

If you’ve got some wiggle room in your schedule, asking about midweek options can be one of the easiest ways to cut costs without losing out on service quality. Up next, we’ll break down the differences between weekday and weekend moves so you can pick the option that works best for your timing and your wallet.

When choosing between a weekday or weekend move in Raleigh, price usually leads the list—but it’s not the only thing to think about. Each has its pros and cons, and your best option depends on how flexible your routine is.

1. One clear benefit of moving midweek is the lower cost. Movers are usually less busy from Tuesday to Thursday, which often means better hourly prices and more open slots. In a city like Raleigh, where demand spikes during the busy season from May through August, this can really lower your overall bill. But midweek moves may also mean using vacation time from work or having kids miss school, which might not be ideal for every family. In some cases, that time tradeoff might cancel out the savings.
2. Traffic is another thing to consider. Anyone who drives in Raleigh knows that weekday mornings and late afternoons can get backed up on roads like I-40, I-440, and Capital Boulevard. Hiring movers early in the day can help skip the worst of it, but weekday traffic can still cause delays. Weekend traffic tends to be lighter—especially from mid-morning to early afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays—though this can vary depending on the area and time of year. You can track traffic jams in real time here.
3. Availability also plays a big role. If you're planning to move on a weekend, it’s a good idea to lock in your booking early. Saturday is by far the most popular moving day in Raleigh, and top movers fill their schedules quickly. During the school year, this demand increases as families try to move before classes start—especially in early August, when the Wake County school year begins. Midweek bookings are usually easier to get and might even come with last-minute discounts.

In the end, the better choice depends on what’s more important to you. If saving money and having more choices for mover availability matters most, aim for a weekday. But if taking time off is tough, paying a little more for a weekend move might be worth it. Either way, Raleigh movers are used to both options—just be sure to schedule ahead and pick the day that works for your situation.

How Moving Costs in Raleigh Vary by Day, Size, and Timing

Mover pricing in Raleigh can swing quite a bit based on not just the size of your place but also the day you choose to move. From what we’ve seen helping thousands of customers around the area, weekday moves—especially on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays—often cost noticeably less than weekend ones.

Here’s a typical example. A two-bedroom apartment move within Raleigh might cost around $650 to $700 if done midweek with standard service. That same job on a Saturday? It could be closer to $750 or even $900, depending on demand, crew size, and timing. The service and time spent don’t change much—but the day you choose can increase the rate by 20% or more.

Rates also shift depending on how big your home is and when during the month you’re moving. For instance, a mid-month Wednesday move for a three-bedroom home might be about $1,250. Book that same move on the final weekend of the month, and the cost could rise past $1,500—largely because that’s when many leases end and mover schedules fill up.

These examples aren’t outliers—they’re part of a larger pattern in Raleigh. Like other fast-growing cities, Raleigh sees big price swings around weekends and peak moving times, especially during summer. If your schedule lets you move on a less busy day, even a small shift can save you a few hundred dollars. That extra cash can go toward packing help, short-term storage, or just keeping your move within budget.

The Best Time of Day, Month, and Year to Move in Raleigh

Picking the right time can make your Raleigh move easier and cheaper. The best time of day, month, or year to move depends on a few simple things: weather, how busy movers are, and what dates are open.

Best Time of Day to Move

Let’s start with time of day—morning is usually your best bet. Moves that start between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. tend to be faster and more comfortable. Raleigh’s heat and humidity can slow down a move in the afternoon and make it tougher for everyone involved. Morning moves also help you avoid traffic on roads like I-440 and US-1, which can get packed later in the day. Plus, starting early means you’ll likely be done by late afternoon, giving you time to settle in before the evening.

Best Time of Month to Move

As for the best part of the month to move, shoot for mid-month. That’s because most leases in Raleigh end or start around the 1st or 30th, so those are the busiest—and most expensive—days to hire movers. Scheduling your move between the 10th and 20th usually means lower prices and more open slots. You might even find movers more willing to adjust times or offer better deals.

Best Time of Year to Move

Now let’s talk about the best time of year. Fall and winter are considered the slow season for moving in Raleigh, which often means better rates. Fewer people move between November and March, so companies have more open slots and lower prices. Raleigh winters are generally mild, so bad weather rarely causes problems. On the other hand, summer is the busiest time to move, especially from May to August, as families try to settle in before the school year starts—leading to higher prices and tighter schedules.

So, if you’re trying to save money and avoid the rush, go with a morning move in the middle of the month during fall or winter. You’ll likely get better prices and avoid the rush of peak moving times in Raleigh.

Tips to Save Even More on Your Raleigh Move

If you want to cut moving costs in Raleigh without sacrificing quality, a few smart steps can go a long way. From what we’ve seen helping people move around the city, the little things you do ahead of time can have the biggest effect on what you end up paying.

• Start by getting as much done as you can before the movers show up. If your boxes are packed, labeled, and ready to go, the crew can move quicker—saving you time and money. Some moves have wrapped up an hour faster just because the customer had everything by the door and took furniture apart ahead of time. If you're moving from a larger apartment building, especially downtown or near NC State or Glenwood South, be sure to book the elevator early. That can help avoid hold-ups, and some buildings even require it for safety reasons.
• Parking is another detail that’s easy to miss but can make a big difference. If the moving truck has to park far away, the extra walking adds time to your bill. If parking is tight, ask your building manager or even contact the city to look into a temporary loading zone permit. Taking a few minutes to sort that out could save you serious money on extra labor time.
• And don’t forget one of the simplest ways to spend less: avoid busy days. As mentioned earlier, the beginning and end of the month—especially weekends—are the most packed times to move in Raleigh. If you can schedule your move for midweek and mid-month, you'll likely see lower prices and better availability. Some local movers even offer special rate days where prices drop because crews aren’t fully booked. These deals aren’t always listed online, so be sure to ask. We’ve seen people save 10–15% just by shifting their move by a day or two.

Final Thoughts

Planning a move in Raleigh doesn’t have to lead to surprise expenses or last-minute problems. As shown in this guide, your best bet is to move midweek, mid-month, and early in the day. These times usually come with lower prices, fewer delays, and a smoother overall process.

But timing isn’t the only thing that matters. The smoothest moves tend to happen when people plan ahead, ask good questions, and work with movers who know the Raleigh area. From the busy summer season to the slower winter months, knowing how demand shifts through the year gives you an advantage when scheduling.

If you’re getting ready to move, now is the time to start getting quotes, checking schedules, and asking which days offer the best deal. A quick chat with a mover might lead to savings you won’t find by browsing websites—especially if you’re open to adjusting your date.

Whether you’re going a few blocks or heading to another city, the choices you make now will shape how your move goes later. With smart timing and local knowledge, you’re already on the right track.

If you follow these tips, you can save money by hiring a moving company in Raleigh.