Moving guide
The best time to move in San Antonio
Timing changes how a move goes: the heat, the traffic, and how hard it is to get the date you want. Here's how the San Antonio calendar plays out.
By the We Moving Co. team · Updated · 3 min read
The short version
- Fall through early spring is usually the easiest stretch: milder weather and more open dates.
- Summer is the busiest season, with school breaks, PCS orders and triple-digit heat.
- The last days of every month fill first, because that's when most leases end.
- Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons for both heat and traffic.
- Our rates are the same all year. What changes is availability and how comfortable the day is.
1.Season by season
Fall (September to November) is a sweet spot for a lot of people. The worst heat breaks, school is back in session, and dates open up. Early fall can still be hot, so a morning start helps.
Winter (December to February) is usually mild, with the odd cold snap or freeze. The holidays are quiet, and January and February are good months to find open dates.
Spring (March to May) brings good weather and rising demand. April is Fiesta month, and late spring is when heavy storms and flash flood warnings become more common.
Summer (June to August) is peak season. Families move between school years, military families get PCS orders, and highs regularly sit in the upper 90s or pass 100°F. Book early and start early.
2.Moving in the heat
A summer afternoon in San Antonio is hard work for everyone, and heat slows a crew down a little no matter how good they are. If you're moving between June and September, these help:
- Ask for a morning arrival window
- Run the AC at the new place before the truck arrives, and keep doors closed between trips where you can
- Keep cold water on hand for everyone, including you
- Move candles, vinyl records, medication and electronics in your own car; a closed truck gets very hot
3.The month-end crunch
Most leases end on the last day of the month, so the last few days and the first day of the next month are the hardest dates to book, for movers, elevators and loading docks alike. If you can, move mid-month, or ask your landlord about overlapping a few days between leases.
If your dates don't line up, we can load a storage unit in between.
4.Fiesta, game days and other traffic
Fiesta San Antonio runs for about a week and a half each April, with parades and events that close streets downtown and along Broadway. If you're moving near downtown or Alamo Heights that month, check the parade schedule before you pick a date.
Big games and concerts downtown affect parking too, and so does river season in New Braunfels. See our New Braunfels page for what summer weekends there are like.
5.School calendars and PCS season
Most San Antonio-area school districts start in August, so families aim to move in June and July. PCS season for Joint Base San Antonio peaks in the same months. Together they make early summer the most competitive time of year to book. More on that in military moves.
6.Day of the week and time of day
Weekdays are usually easier to book than Saturdays. Morning starts beat afternoon heat and rush-hour traffic on I-35, I-10, US 281 and Loop 1604, which matters because the drive between addresses is part of the time on the clock.
7.Rain and flash floods
San Antonio gets heavy downpours, especially in spring and fall, and low-water crossings can flood quickly. Check the forecast the night before. If severe weather makes a move unsafe and we have to reschedule, our Terms let you pick a new date or get your deposit back in full.
Questions people ask
What's the cheapest time to move in San Antonio?
Our rates are the same all year, so the cheapest move is the one that takes the least time. Mild weather, a weekday, a morning start and good prep all help. Mid-month dates outside summer are usually the easiest to get.
Is it a bad idea to move in July?
No, just plan for it. Book early, ask for a morning start, and keep heat-sensitive things in your car. Plenty of San Antonio families move in summer on purpose, because of school and PCS timing.
Can movers work in the rain?
Light rain is usually fine with pads, wrap and floor runners. Severe storms and flooding are different; if it isn't safe, your move lead will talk through a new date with you.
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