When relocating to a new city or province, the first thing you’ll do is look for a reliable long-distance moving company.
A long-distance relocation is complex and may require days or weeks of preparation. The travel time alone can take from 1 day to 3 to 5 days, depending on the distance.
Although such a move can be exciting because it starts a new chapter in your life, it can also become stressful if not executed properly.
The distance alone makes this kind of move more complex, more expensive, and higher stakes than a local move. Who you hire matters a lot more when your belongings are on a truck for days.
- In this guide, we walk you through everything you need to know about what a long-distance move involves, how much it costs, how to plan it right, and who are the top 10 best long-distance moving companies in Canada.
What is considered a long-distance move in Canada?
A long-distance move is generally anything over 250 km, whether that’s staying in the same province like Toronto to Ottawa, or crossing the country entirely like Toronto to Vancouver.
Keep in mind that the threshold can vary from one company to another. Some movers define long distance as anything over 100 km, 160 km, or 250 km, so it’s always worth confirming beforehand.
Examples of popular long distance moves include:
- Moving from Montreal to Toronto
- Moving from Vancouver to Toronto
- Moving from Ottawa to Toronto
- Moving from Montreal to Ottawa
- Moving from Edmonton to Calgary
- Moving from Calgary to Vancouver
- Moving from Ottawa to Quebec
Who are the Top 10 Best Long-Distance Moving companies in Canada?
Moving long-distance is more challenging than moving across town. The drive is longer, the stakes are higher, and picking the wrong company can turn an exciting new beginning into a nightmare.
Whether you live in Quebec, the Maritimes, Ontario, Saskatchewan or British Columbia, we scanned the companies offering long-distance moves, went through the reviews, checked the credentials, and built this list.
- Déménagement Total
- High Stream Moving
- Canadian Moving Services
- Two Small Men with Big Hearts
- Centennial Moving
- Trans Canada Movers
- Great Canadian Van Lines
- Miracle Movers
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK
- Atlas Van Lines Canada
Déménagement Total
Montreal, QC
Déménagement Total is one of Quebec's most decorated moving companies, having won three Consumer Choice Awards in a row. They specialize in group moves to help reduce costs, making them one of the few companies offering this option for budget-conscious interprovincial movers leaving Quebec.
High Stream Moving
Calgary, AB
High Stream Moving has been specializing in Calgary long-distance relocations for over twelve years. They provide climate-controlled trucks, transparent pricing, and deep knowledge of routes through Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and BC mountain passes, ensuring a smooth and reliable moving experience.
Canadian Moving Services
Edmonton, AB
Edmonton's go-to for moves across Alberta and beyond, they are consistently praised for punctuality, crew friendliness, and attention to detail, qualities that matter on a long haul.
Two Small Men with Big Hearts
Winnipeg, MB
The name is memorable, but the reputation is what truly matters. With nearly four decades of experience, they have handled both local and long-distance moves out of Winnipeg, including pianos, storage, and other specialty items.
Centennial Moving
New Brunswick
Centennial Moving is the Maritimes' most trusted long-distance mover. They provide clear quotes with no hidden fees, offer car shipping services, and bring genuine expertise in Atlantic Canada routes that many national companies tend to overlook.
Trans Canada Movers
Vancouver, BC
Trans Canada Movers operates with its own fleet and does not rely on subcontractors, maintaining a consistent track record on coast-to-coast moves, including Canada–U.S. relocations. Their quotes match the final price, which is a level of transparency that's still relatively rare in the industry.
Great Canadian Van Lines
Surrey, BC
Great Canadian Van Lines has been moving Canadians coast to coast for over three decades. With an A+ BBB rating, they offer full-service packing and storage, vehicle shipping, and have built a strong repeat customer base, something that comes only from consistently doing things right.
Miracle Movers
Toronto, ON
A Toronto institution since 1992, they offer coverage stretching from Montreal to Vancouver. As a second-generation family business, they are known for transparent pricing and crews that show up when they say they will.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®
National
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is Canada's largest franchised moving network, with a 96% customer referral rate. Whether you're moving from Manitoba to Nova Scotia or Calgary to Ottawa, there's a local branch familiar with your route.
Atlas Van Lines Canada
National
Atlas Van Lines Canada is one of the most geographically comprehensive moving networks in the country, with coverage in every province and territory, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, all Maritime provinces, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut.
What should I look for when choosing a long-distance mover?
The most important things are licensing, insurance, and verified reviews. A legitimate long-distance mover should be transparent about their pricing, experienced on your specific route, and able to provide a detailed written quote
Here’s what to check before booking:
- Licensed and insured
- Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) membership
- Verified reviews
- Written quote
- Route experience
- Potential extra costs
- Clear delivery window
How much does a long-distance move cost in Canada?
A long-distance move can cost from $4,500 to $10,000 or more, depending on the distance of travel, the weight of your goods, and other services you need.
While the average spend on a long-distance move of over 100 km is around $4,500, that can easily change based on the weight of your belongings and the destination.
Moving rates are also higher during peak seasons and rising fuel costs can further drive up your moving expenses.
Below are sample moving costs from city to city and province to province in Canada. Keep in mind that these prices are not actual moving quotes and can vary based on the specifics of your relocation.
These prices below are for moving a 2-bedroom home during non-peak and non-weekend.
| Route | Estimated Cost (2-bedroom) |
|---|---|
| Vancouver ↔ Toronto | $2,145 |
| Edmonton ↔ Toronto | $6,355 |
| Toronto ↔ Ottawa | $2,311 |
| Montreal ↔ Ottawa | $879 |
| Montreal ↔ Vancouver | $6,400 |
| Vancouver ↔ Edmonton | $2,850 |
| Winnipeg ↔ Calgary | $1,650 |
* Estimated prices for a 2-bedroom home during non-peak, non-weekend periods. Final cost varies based on shipment weight and extra services.
While the travel distance between two cities or provinces can be easily fixed, the other two factors that have an impact on the total cost (overall shipment weight and extra services) can only be determined after the movers come for an in-home evaluation.
The final weight of your shipment will be verified on moving day before transport. The formula for calculating your moving cost is DISTANCE + WEIGHT + EXTRA SERVICES.
Do you have another destination not mentioned in our previous examples?
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What's the cheapest way to move long-distance in Canada?
Moving across Canada can be expensive but you can still look for ways to save on moving costs. The truth is that saving money can be done in 3 simple and effective ways.
Look for an affordable but efficient moving company
The cheapest way to transport household goods across the country is through an affordable but efficient moving company. Believe it or not, moving companies can offer solutions tailored to your needs and budget. The important thing is to COMPARE movers and their prices.
Some movers regularly transport household goods on specific routes on certain dates, allowing them to reduce their prices.
You can also reduce moving costs by scheduling your relocation during non-peak dates.
Take with you only things that really matter
We accumulate a lot of stuff over time; many of them may have sentimental value but no practical value. If you are relocating, you need to reduce the weight of your belongings to save on moving costs.
Some of the items such as old furniture, old clothes, or mementos will never be used again. It does not make sense to pay to transport them if you don't plan on using them in the future.
This is the best time to get rid of stuff you don't really need or want.
Pack your belongings yourself
If you can do your own packing, you can save money on your moving expenses. Another option is to pack what you can manage on your own and let the movers pack what you can't — such as heavy furniture or breakables.
What extra services can increase my long-distance moving cost?
Depending on the size of your move, your budget, and your ability to do some of the required tasks DIY, you may get extra help with your move.
The following services are optional and you will be charged extra if you avail them.
Professional Packing
Packing is easy if you just need to pack clothes and small items. But if you are moving to a 3-bedroom home, it can be challenging.
Furniture, kitchen appliances, mattresses, heavy items, and glassware need to be packed well to prevent damage during transport.
Movers are skilled in packing these items well to ensure they don't get damaged. The packing supplies are usually included in the cost.
Custom Crating
Some homes may have expensive and fragile items like chandeliers that need to be packed in a certain way for transport.
Custom wood crates can be provided by movers to make sure these items are intact.
Furniture Disassembly
If you can't disassemble your furniture, movers can do it for you.
They can also reassemble them in your new location.
Storage
Short or long-term storage can be arranged with your moving company.
Climate-controlled storage units are useful if you don't plan on taking some of your belongings with you or if your new home is not yet ready.
How to plan a long-distance move in Canada?
As we said earlier, a long-distance relocation will require meticulous planning and foresight. Below are the usual steps to consider for a stress-free move.
1
Establish Your Timeline
Depending on the size of your move, you should start planning 3 to 6 months in advance. This period will allow you to assess what kind of help you need, to research movers and their services, and prepare your budget.
2
Prepare a Moving Budget
Make a list of potential expenses such as:
- Moving fees
- Packing supplies
- Travel expenses: fuel, meals, and accommodations
- Moving insurance: coverage for your household goods during the move
In setting a budget, you can avoid overspending and budget constraints.
3
Prepare Your Inventory and Declutter
Take inventory of your belongings, decide what you need and what to get rid of. Know that in long-distance moves, the weight of your household goods significantly affects moving expenses.
Once you know how much you have to transport, you can determine the type of moving services you will need.
4
Compare Moving Options
Movers are not all the same in terms of services, pricing, and quality. Depending on your needs and budget, you can compare these moving options:
Professional Movers
Full-service companies handle packing, loading, transportation, and unloading. Obtain quotes from multiple providers to compare services and prices.
Truck Rentals
Best for DIY moves if you can put in personal labor and time.
Portable Containers
Some companies can deliver a portable container where you can load your moving boxes. These will be transported to your destination at more affordable rates. This can work only if you have space to park the portable container until you load all your belongings.
Professional moving companies are suitable for planning a relocation if you can’t do the driving or if you have a lot of appliances and furniture.
Aside from the transport of your goods, professional movers can also assist with packing/unpacking, loading and unloading, and short or long-term storage, among others.
How far in advance should I book a long-distance mover?
A long-distance move is not usually something you suddenly decide to do on the weekend. It is essential to plan ahead, including booking your long-distance moving company.
It is advisable to start coordinating with a moving company at least 2 to 3 months before your potential moving day. Request for moving quotes in advance so you can take your time in comparing them and ask questions.
Of course, there are still movers that accept last-minute bookings. But if you book at the last minute, like 2 weeks before your moving day, you won’t have the flexibility to compare and negotiate the price.
It is always better to have as much time to prepare so you can get all your bases covered.
The best time to move is in winter, when the kids are on vacation, and the demand for moving services is low. You can probably benefit from lower rates and save on moving costs!
Compare 5 free quotes from verified long-distance movers across Canada
Finding a high-quality but affordable long-distance moving company is not easy. However, our online comparison tool can simplify that for you.
- Just fill out the short online form on this page to receive FREE and NO-OBLIGATION quotes from reputable moving companies near you.
Compare free quotes for your long distance move today and save big time on moving expenses!
