How Long Does It Take to Move a 1, 2, or 3-Bedroom Home
Whether you are relocating from a compact 1-bedroom apartment or a spacious 3-bedroom house, each move comes with its own logistical demands that influence the overall timeline.
On average, it takes about 4 to 7 hours to move a 1-bedroom home, 5 to 8 hours for a 2-bedroom, and 8 to 10 hours for a 3-bedroom home, only if the items are already packed, you are working with a professional moving crew, and staying within local distances.
In cities like Eugene, Oregon, local moves typically fall within this range, especially for residential neighborhoods like South Hills, Bethel, or Cal Young where access and traffic are relatively manageable.
This guide outlines detailed time estimates for moving 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom homes based on industry-standard benchmarks. It also examines factors like packing duration, loading and unloading times, transportation distance, and crew size.
Key Factors That Affect Moving Time
1. Volume of Belongings
The number of boxes, furniture items, and miscellaneous possessions directly influences how long it takes to load and unload the moving truck.
A fully furnished home with multiple wardrobes, bookcases, and large appliances takes significantly longer than a minimalist setup with compact furniture.
Homes with cluttered basements, attics, or garages often require additional time for inventory, sorting, and secure loading.
2. Packing Status and Preparation Level
Homes that are fully packed, labeled, and ready to load will reduce total moving time substantially. If packing is incomplete or disorganized, movers may need to stop and assist, slowing down the process.
Opting for professional packing services and hiring movers can significantly streamline your move by ensuring items are packed efficiently, securely, and with proper materials.
3. Type of Home and Accessibility
The layout and accessibility of both the current and destination properties play a critical role. Ground-level homes with driveway access are typically quicker to move compared to high-rise apartments or buildings with narrow staircases, long hallways, or elevator restrictions.
Navigating stairs or waiting for elevators can be time consuming that will add to moving hours to an otherwise straightforward move.
4. Distance Between Origin and Destination
5. Crew Size and Truck Capacity
A larger moving team can significantly reduce total job duration. For example, a 3-bedroom move with four movers may take nearly half the time compared to using just two.
Similarly, using a properly sized truck avoids multiple trips between locations, saving hours of loading, driving, and unloading time.
What Causes the Unnecessary Delay?
- Elevators or staircases: Add 30–60+ minutes
- Parking distance to unit: Adds carry time
- Furniture disassembly (beds, tables): +30 minutes to 2 hours if not pre-done
How Long Does It Take to Move a 1-Bedroom Home (Fully Packed, Local Move)
For a 1-bedroom apartment or small home that is fully packed and ready to go, the move typically takes 4 to 7 hours. This includes loading, local transit, and unloading.
A 1-bedroom home is generally the fastest and most straightforward type of residential move. However, time estimates still vary based on how much you own, how well you’ve packed, and how accessible your current and new homes are.
Time Breakdown:
- Loading & unloading: 2 to 5 hours
- Transit (within city): 30 to 60 minutes
- Total move time (excluding packing): 4 to 7 hours
Packing Time and Pre-Moving Phase For a 1-Bedroom Home
If movers are also handling packing, add 2 to 4 hours depending on how many boxes, kitchenware, and fragile items need to be protected.
However, if you are packing a 1-bedroom home yourself, the process typically unfolds over 1 to 3 days during the pre-moving phase. This is the period when homeowners plan their move, gradually sort, organize, and pack belongings while managing day-to-day responsibilities.
Typical contents in a one-bedroom apartment include:
- 20–30 moving boxes
- 1 bed and mattress set
- Small sofa or loveseat
- Coffee table, TV, dining chairs
- Basic kitchen appliances (microwave, blender)
What Should Be the Crew Size and Equipment for Moving A 1-Bedroom Home?
To ensure a quick and damage-free move, having the right number of movers and proper equipment is essential.
- Movers: 2-person crew
- Truck size: 12–16 ft
- Equipment: Dollies, hand trucks, mattress covers, moving blankets, packing tape
How Long Does It Take to Move a 2-Bedroom Home (Fully Packed, Local Move)
A 2-bedroom home introduces more volume and complexity. While still manageable as a single-day move, the time required increases significantly with more furniture, more boxes, and potentially more access challenges. For a well-packed 2-bedroom home with normal access, the move typically takes 5 to 8 hours.
Time Breakdown:
- Loading & unloading: 4 to 6 hours
- Transit (within city): 30 to 60 minutes
- Total move time (excluding packing): 5 to 8 hours
Packing Time and Pre-Moving Phase For a 2-Bedroom Home
Professional movers typically need 3 to 5 hours to pack a 2-bedroom home. Fragile items, large kitchens, or wall-mounted decor can add time.
If you are packing yourself, the packing timeline usually unfolds over 2 to 5 days as part of the pre-moving phase. This is the period where homeowners and family members gradually organize, declutter, and pack belongings while balancing daily responsibilities.
Typical contents in a 2-bedroom home include:
- 40–60 moving boxes
- 2 beds, dresser, nightstands
- Sofa, TV stand, bookshelves
- Dining set, kitchen gear, office desk
What Should Be the Crew Size and Equipment for Moving A 2-Bedroom Home?
Using the right crew size and a properly equipped moving truck helps ensure your 2-bedroom move is completed efficiently and without unnecessary delays.
- Movers: 2 to 3-person crew
- Truck size: 16–20 ft
- Tools: Furniture dollies, moving straps, toolkits for disassembly, packing tape
How Long Does It Take to Move a 3-Bedroom Home
For a fully packed 3-bedroom home with professional movers handling the load, transport, and unload process, it usually takes 8 to 10 hours for a local relocation.
A 3-bedroom or a larger home typically involves a higher volume of furniture, more fragile items, and complex logistics like disassembly and reassembly of beds, tables, or shelving units.
While still manageable within a day, a 3-bedroom move demands more hands, more truck space, and a longer timeline than smaller residential relocations.
Time Breakdown:
- Loading & Unloading: 6 to 8 hours
- Transit: 30 to 60 minutes
- Total Move Time (excluding packing): 8 to 10 hours
Packing Time and Pre-Moving Phase For a 3-Bedroom Home
Professional packing services typically require 6 to 8 hours to handle a full 3-bedroom household, especially when there are large kitchens, home offices, multiple bathrooms, or specialty items like wall art, electronics, or fragile decor.
However, when packing is done by the homeowner, the pre-moving and planning phase usually takes 3 to 5 days, as people often work room by room while juggling work and family routines.
Typical Contents in a 3-Bedroom Home:
A standard 3-bedroom home generally includes 60 to 90 boxes and a broad mix of furniture and household items across multiple living areas:
- 3 beds and mattress sets
- Dressers, nightstands, and wardrobes
- Large sectional or multiple sofas
- Coffee tables, bookshelves, end tables
- Dining table with chairs
- TVs, entertainment units, and audio equipment
- Home office furniture (desk, chair, filing cabinet)
- Kitchen appliances (microwave, stand mixer, air fryer)
- Outdoor items (grill, patio furniture, garden tools)
- Contents of storage closets, garage, and laundry room
What Should Be the Crew Size and Equipment for Moving a 3-Bedroom Home?
To keep the move efficient and within a reasonable timeframe, a properly sized moving team and the right truck size are critical.
- Movers: 3 to 4-person crew
- Truck size: 22–26 ft
- Equipment: Appliance dollies, furniture pads, moving straps, disassembly tools, plastic wrap, mattress covers, packing tape
Considerations for a Long-Distance Move
Long-distance relocations involve more complex logistics compared to local relocations. Because the moving truck travels several hundred miles or more, transit time increases significantly, often spanning multiple days.
Beyond the added transit time, long-distance moves may require permits, coordination with multiple moving teams, and adherence to state or federal regulations.
Additionally, moving companies may need to schedule rest breaks or driver changes, which can extend the overall timeline.
Because of these factors, packing and preparation become even more important. Ensuring everything is well-organized, labeled, and securely packed can reduce delays and minimize the risk of damage during the longer journey.
In areas of Eugene with split-level homes or hillside properties, such as the South Eugene area, additional time may be needed for stair navigation or long driveway access.
Packing Tips For Moving to Streamline Your Moving Day
Maximizing efficiency on moving day can significantly reduce stress and save time. Here are six proven packing tips for moving to help you smooth out your entire moving process:
- Start packing early: Begin the pre-moving phase well in advance to the moving date to avoid last-minute rushes.
- Label boxes clearly: Use color-coded or numbered labels to speed up unloading and unpacking.
- Prepare a moving essentials kit: Keep important documents, medications, packing supplies, and basic supplies handy.
- Reserve parking and elevators: Coordinate with building management to secure access for the moving truck and crew.
- Communicate with your movers: Provide clear instructions and a layout of your new home to help movers place items correctly.
- Declutter beforehand: Reduce the volume to move by donating or discarding items you no longer need for an easy packing process.
If you’re moving in or out of an apartment complex in downtown Eugene, call your property manager a few days in advance to secure parking or elevator access.
While following these tips helps, partnering with experienced professionals can make a world of difference. Our team at A Great Moving Crew specializes in reliable, efficient, and stress-free moving services tailored for residents throughout Eugene and Springfield in Lane County, Oregon.
Whether you’re moving locally or long-distance, we handle every step with care to ensure all your belongings arrive safely and on time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, moving everything in a single day is possible, especially if you start early and have a well-organized plan.
For a 1-bedroom apartment, this is typically manageable with a small team. For larger homes, consider starting the process a day earlier by moving smaller items and boxes to ease the workload on moving day.
Preparing your new home/house before moving in can make the transition smoother. Ensure utilities like electricity, water, and internet are set up.
Clean the space thoroughly and, if possible, paint or make minor repairs. Arranging furniture placement in advance can also save time during the move-in process
Packing clothes can be done in several ways. Some prefer to leave clothes in drawers and wrap them in plastic, while others opt to pack them into boxes or suitcases.
If you choose to leave them in drawers, ensure they are securely taped to prevent items from shifting. Using wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes can also be an efficient option.
Fragile and valuable items require special attention. Use bubble wrap, packing paper, and sturdy boxes to protect these items.
Label these boxes as “fragile” and inform your movers about their contents. For high-value items like jewelry or important documents, consider transporting them personally to ensure their safety.
If your new home is not ready on moving day, consider renting a short-term storage unit or arranging for temporary housing.
Communicate with your moving company about the situation; many offer storage solutions or can adjust delivery schedules. It is essential to have a backup plan to avoid unnecessary stress.
Making your move eco-friendly involves using reusable packing materials like plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes.
Opt for biodegradable packing peanuts or recycled paper for cushioning. Donate unwanted items to reduce waste, and consider using a moving company that practices sustainability.
