What Does It Actually Cost to Move Long Distance from Toronto?
If you are making a long-distance relocation from Toronto and need help estimating what the move will cost, you’re not alone; most people want to know how much they will spend on moving before packing a single box!
We’ve pulled together price data across the most common routes out of Toronto (Montreal, Halifax, Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver) so you can plan your budget without guessing. Whether you’re working with long-distance movers, Toronto is already on your shortlist, or you’re still comparing options, the numbers below give you a solid starting point.
For all home sizes, the same cost variables apply. The way to prevent shocks on the day of your move is to know these variables ahead of time.
What Drives the Cost of a Long-Distance Move?
Four things have the biggest impact on your final quote:
- Extra kilometres mean extra cost, particularly once the move requires multi-day driving.
- Long-distance movers typically charge based on the volume (cubic feet) or weight of your shipment (not on the hours it takes to transport it).
- May through August is peak season, so if you can wait to move until September or October, you may be able to save up to 15 to 20 percent in total moving costs.
- Many services that you might request from your long-distance moving company could add to the total moving cost; for example, packing, storage, shipping your vehicle and moving a piano.
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There are some concerns unique to moving into or out of a condo, for example, elevator reservations, building insurance certificates and strict time limitations. If you’re moving out of a high-rise condo, budget at least $200–$500 extra to move from that location.
Moving Costs from Toronto (Route-by-Route Breakdown)
Average Moving Cost from Toronto (By Route and Size)
| Destination | Distance (km) | Studio / 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto → Montreal | 540 | $1,150 | $2,800 | $4,300 |
| Toronto → Halifax | 1,760 | $1,800 | $4,400 | $6,600 |
| Toronto → Winnipeg | 2,100 | $2,100 | $5,200 | $7,800 |
| Toronto → Calgary | 3,400 | $2,500 | $6,300 | $9,500 |
| Toronto → Vancouver | 4,400 | $4,600 | $9,300 | $14,000+ |
Toronto to Montreal (~544 km)
This long-distance route is the most frequently booked long-distance route in Ontario. It is a single-day drive, which keeps your labour costs down. Typical costs for a studio or 1-bedroom apartment range between $800-$1,500, and a 3-bedroom house ranges from $3,000-$5,500. One thing to note when moving from Toronto to Quebec: when you establish residency in Quebec, you must comply with the unique vehicle registry (SAAQ) and driver’s license exchange rules of Quebec so you’ll need some time after you move to take care of administrative issues.
Toronto to Halifax (~1,760 km)
Minimum two-day travel time to get to Nova Scotia from Ontario. Your furniture will most likely be delivered in 5-10 business days after your move; many moves run as consolidated loads. The cost of relocating a two-bedroom house from Toronto to Nova Scotia ranges from approximately $3,200 to $5,500. Additional delivery fees apply to remote parts of Nova Scotia. You should always check your exact postal code with your mover before moving.
Toronto to Winnipeg (~2,100 km)
The move from Ontario to Manitoba is a straightforward prairie route with predictable price points. For example, most moves from Ontario to Winnipeg for a typical 2-bedroom house range from $3,800 to $6,500. The transit time is generally 4–7 business days. The winters in Winnipeg can be bitterly cold, so if you can afford to be flexible, try to avoid the months of December or January, as weather delays are common, and some companies charge for overnight crew accommodation.
Toronto to Calgary (~3,400 km)
Alberta is a highly sought-after destination for Torontonians leaving Ontario because of job opportunities and lower housing prices. The costs for moving a two-bedroom home can range from $4,500-$8,000. Another benefit of moving to Alberta from Ontario is that there is no provincial sales tax in Alberta, which is often a nice shock when comparing estimates from Alberta and Ontario movers.
Toronto to Vancouver (~4,400 km)
The Toronto–Vancouver route is the longest and generally the most expensive conventional route. Typical 1-bedroom or studio apartment moves range from $3,800 to $5,500, while a typical 3-bedroom home may cost more than $14,000. In addition, because Vancouver is a very busy city, there are many neighbourhoods that have very limited access to trucks, condo elevator reservation rules to make things even more difficult and parking permit logistics, which adds to the final bill at the end of your move. If you’re also shipping a car, you will typically add about $1,500 – $2,500 for auto transport in addition to your household goods quote.
Shared Load vs. Full Trailer: Which One Makes Sense?
There are two traditional pricing approaches for long-distance movers: shared or less-than-truckload (LTL) and dedicated load.
Less-than-truckload – Your shipment will share space on the truck with shipments belonging to other customers. So you only pay for the cubic footage that your belongings occupy. A great option for smaller moves, costs are generally lower than those for dedicated loads; however, delivery windows are generally longer (7 to 14 days on average) since the truck will travel a consolidated route.
Dedicated (full truck) – Your entire truck will be used exclusively for your move. More reliable delivery schedules and shorter delivery times. Generally, the standard cross-country trailer holds about 1,300 cubic feet, which is enough space for a 2 to 3-bedroom home. Generally, the upfront costs will be more than using less-than-a-truckload, but you will have a more predictable delivery schedule.
When moving with less than 500 cubic feet, the shared load price will usually beat the dedicated load price. When moving to a location that is beyond the 500 cubic feet mark and is on a tight time frame, evaluation of both methods should be performed to determine which option will benefit your move the most.
How to Get an Accurate Quote (and Avoid Surprises)
Before calling a moving company, prepare a detailed inventory – not “6 kitchen boxes,” but an itemized breakdown: box counts, large furniture by name and anything that needs special handling. If you can submit an accurate inventory to at least one reputable moving company, they can provide you with a written flat fee quotation that is guaranteed so that you have no surprises on moving day.
Watch out for companies that quote over the phone without asking for inventory details, demand a large cash deposit upfront, or come in 30–40 percent below every other estimate you’ve received.
Hidden Costs Worth Budgeting For
Moving supplies and packing service – Expect to spend $500 to $2,000 on packing material and service, depending on the size of your home.
Storage options – If there is a gap between your move out date and your move in date, expect to pay $300 to $400 per month for short-term storage.
Car carrier – Expect to spend between $1,200 and $2,500 per car for transportation depending on your route.
Long carry or carry fees – If trucks cannot park near your door, you may incur additional fees of $75 to $200.
Stair carry fees – Most movers allow you one flight of stairs at no charge; if you have more than one flight of stairs, you’ll typically pay $50-$100 for each subsequent flight of stairs.
Cross-border customs (for moves to the US) – Cross-border customs include: paper work, customs broker fees and customs duty fees, for a minimum budget total of $200 to $500.
RELATED READ | A Guide to Sustainable Moving From Start to Finish
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