Cheapest Way To Move From US to Canada

Undeniably, Canada is one of the most breathtaking places to live on the planet. It is known for its stunning scenery, outdoor adventure, natural parks, ice hockey, northern lights, maple syrup, and generally lovely people. Regardless of where you choose to settle in Canada, it’s very unlikely that you’ll regret your decision. Though, of course, each Canadian city comes with its own unique characteristics, amenities, and attractions.

Moving from the United States to Canada and trading in the American dream for a Canadian one is certainly going to present some challenges. One of the keys to a successful relocation, however, is planning ahead – especially when it comes to your budget. Aside from all the potential complications that may come up during a long-distance relocation like this, a lack of understanding about what it costs to move to Canada may be keeping you up at night.

What is the cheapest way to move from US to Canada? How much does it cost to hire professional movers? Can I afford a full-service, long-distance moving company for my move? These may be some of the many questions you find yourself asking.

For starters, take a deep breath. Sit back and relax, as this is where we come in! Keep reading for our comprehensive guide on all there is to know about moving from the United States to the Great White North, including the cheapest way to get it done.

Cheapest Way to Move from US to Canada

When it comes to moving from the United States to Canada, the best way to move may not always be the cheapest. However, because of how complex and involved these relocations can be, an increased cost is often expected. While you can attempt to DIY your relocation, this is highly advised against.

Instead, hiring professional movers will ensure that your belongings arrive safely at their destination in Canada. While professional movers are often more expensive, it is possible to find a moving company that guarantees the quality of service, safety, convenience, and even affordability.

So, if your goal is to make your move as affordable as possible, consider the following methods to keep costs down on your relocation from US to Canada:

1. Collect multiple moving estimates.

Don’t just simply jump at the first moving company that offers you the cheapest rate for your move from US to Canada. Instead, you should take the time to research movers, shop around, gather estimates from multiple moving companies, and compare all of the offers you get. This will not only ensure that you get the best rate, it’ll also help you avoid scams.

As you are comparing the estimates you receive, throw out any that come in far below the others. This is a major red flag and often indicates a rogue mover, which is why it’s so important to collect multiple quotes.

2. Do your own packing.

The packing process is, arguably, the most overwhelming, time-consuming, and labor-intensive part of moving. In some cases, you may have to enlist your friends and/or family members to help. Additionally, when moving from the US to Canada, your goods are going to be in transit for quite some time. This means that they will need some extra protection and no one knows how to correctly pack for a long-distance journey than professionals.

While hiring professionals is convenient and ensures the safety of your stuff, you will save a considerable amount of money by choosing to do the packing yourself. Just make sure that you do some research, and have everything carefully packed for when your movers show up on moving day.

3. Avoid peak moving season.

Like most industries out there, the moving industry has peak and off-peak seasons. Knowing when peak season is for moving companies is another way that can help you save money on your relocation. Since moving during the summer and on the weekends is so popular, this causes a higher demand for movers and moving services. Because of the increased demand, prices go up and you’ll likely end up spending more than expected to move during these times.

Therefore, if you want to save money and make your move as cheap as possible, consider moving during “off-peak” season, or when the moving industry is slower than usual. This is typically when professional moving companies offer the best deals. The off-peak season for moving companies is generally in the fall and winter months, as well as during the week. You also want to avoid moving at the beginning and end of any month, as this is when leases typically end.

Schedule your relocation during these times to enjoy the cheapest way to move from the US to Canada.

4. Limit what you take with you.

Moving is the perfect time to take a look at your belongings and really think about what you do and do not need in your life. As you are packing, go through your stuff and set aside anything you want to sell, discard, or donate. Not only does this mean you will have less stuff to move, thus making your move cheaper overall, but selling items can put some extra cash in your pocket that can be used for various moving expenses.

Use your move as a fresh start, as there really is no better time to declutter your life than when you’re planning to relocate internationally from the US to Canada.

5. Ask about discounts.

Oftentimes, you can get the best rate from your moving company by simply inquiring about the moving discounts they offer. AAA offers moving discounts for members and many movers offer reduced prices during different times throughout the year (like the off-peak seasons, as previously mentioned).

If you are an active member of the military or a veteran, look for movers that offer a military discount. These companies will give discounts to members of the military, veterans, and their families. Some companies even offer discounts for seniors, first-time customers, and returning customers, so always be sure to ask about what moving discounts you may be eligible for.

Many companies offer a range of discounts to help entice customers, so they’re usually very transparent about them. However, if the company doesn’t openly mention their discounts, it never hurts to ask!

Cheapest Way To Ship To Canada From US

When you take a look at the overall cost to move to another country, this is often enough to make the average person reconsider their entire location. However, moving from the United States to Canada is actually not as expensive as many assume especially when you choose affordable service providers.

Hiring Three Movers is one of the cheapest ways to ship to Canada from US. We offer the most affordable rates in the industry. We’ve put together some average international rates for shipping goods to Canada, including the duration of the trip for some popular US to Canada routes.

Cost to Ship Goods from US to Canada

Keep in mind that, the estimates outlined below are just that – estimates. They are based on port-to-port transport the average three-bedroom home in a 20-foot container. The best and most accurate way to know how much it’ll cost to ship your goods to Canada is to speak with a reputable moving company.

Note: These shipping costs do not factor in any additional services, like packing, unpacking, insurance, or door-to-door transport. Therefore, they should be used for budgeting and estimation purposes only.

Air Freight Costs

While container transport is the most common way to ship goods to Canada, it’s not the only option. Although the United States and Canada neighbor each other, your starting location may be in the southern portion of the U.S. In this case, if you’re on a time crunch, air freight may be your only option to get your belongings to their destination in time.

Shipping goods via air freight is significantly faster than traditional shipping methods, but also considerably more expensive. In fact, air freight can cost nearly seven times more than container shipping. To help put things in perspective, the following table outlines some rough estimates for air freight shipping goods from the US to Canada.

Note: If you live on the West Coast, you will have no choice but to ship your goods via sea, as there are no cargo flights that service Los Angeles.

Factors that Influence Moving Costs

One of the keys to making your move from the US to Canada as affordable as possible is to understand the factors that influence moving costs. This can help you plan strategically to avoid any unnecessary costs and keep your relocation expenses as low as possible. With that said, here are the major factors that will impact the cost of your US to Canada relocation:

• The size of your relocation. As a general rule of thumb, the bigger your move, the more expensive it will be. This is based on both the volume and weight of the household goods that you plan to move.
• Your specific move route. While some routes are pretty common and well-travelled, others are not. Fortunately, moves between the US and Canada are common. However, if you are moving to or from a rural location in either country, you might have to pay more. Whereas, common routes between major cities will typically be more affordable because of the competition.
• The distance of your move. The further the distance between your starting location in the United States and your final destination in Canada, the more expensive it will be to transport your goods.
• Your chosen transportation method. The method of transport that you choose for your move has one of the biggest impacts on final moving costs. Container shipping via ocean freight is the most affordable option, while air freight shipping is the most expensive choice.

Choose the Best US to Canada Movers!

When it comes to moving from the US to Canada, nothing will make the entire process easier and more convenient than hiring a professional moving company. At Three Men And A Truck, we understand that each relocation is unique, which is why all of our estimates are customized to the individual. This ensures that you get only the services you need, at the best rate possible.
If it’s the cheapest way to move from US to Canada that you seek, look no further than Three Men And A Truck for all your international moving needs. We offer some of the most competitive rates in the industry, without compromising our legendary, quality of service. Give us a call today for your FREE, no-obligation moving quote and find out how you could save up to 20% on your next move!