If you’re looking for trusted and reliable long-distance movers in the Vancouver area, you’ve come to the right place. Simple Moves & Storage is an award-winning moving company specializing in long-distance relocations across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and everywhere in between. With a 4.8-star rating and decades of experience, we make cross-province and cross-country moves simple, efficient, and stress-free.
At Simple Moves, we understand that a long-distance move is one of the biggest transitions you’ll face. Whether you’re relocating from Vancouver to Calgary for a new job, moving from Surrey to Toronto to be closer to family, or heading from Langley to Edmonton for a fresh start, our professional team handles every detail so you can focus on what matters most — settling into your new home.
Long Distance Moving Across Canada
A long-distance move is defined as any relocation covering more than 160 kilometres between origin and destination. Simple Moves & Storage provides dedicated long-distance moving services across all Canadian provinces, with our most popular routes connecting British Columbia with Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.
Unlike many moving companies that consolidate multiple shipments onto a single truck, we offer dedicated long-distance moving. This means your belongings are the only items on the truck — no sharing space with other customers, no risk of mix-ups, and no unnecessary delays waiting for other pickups or deliveries along the route. We guarantee both the timeline and the price.
Our long-distance moving coverage includes moves within BC (Vancouver to Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George, Victoria, and Nanaimo), interprovincial moves from BC to Alberta and beyond, and full cross-country relocations from coast to coast. No matter where you’re headed in Canada, Simple Moves can get you there.
How Long Distance Moving Works
Planning a long-distance move involves several important steps. Here is what the process looks like when you choose Simple Moves & Storage:
Step 1: Get a Quote
Contact us at (604) 670-6050 or fill out our online quote form. We’ll discuss your move details including your origin and destination, the size of your home, any specialty items (pianos, antiques, fragile artwork), and your preferred moving dates. For long-distance moves, we provide flat-rate quotes so you know exactly what you’ll pay — no surprises on moving day.
Step 2: Inventory and Planning
We’ll work with you to create a detailed inventory of everything being moved. This helps us determine the right truck size, the number of movers needed, and the estimated weight and volume of your shipment. A thorough inventory ensures accurate pricing and smooth logistics on moving day.
Step 3: Packing
If you’ve chosen our full-service option, our team arrives with all necessary packing materials — boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, tape, and specialty crating for fragile items. We carefully pack each room, labelling every box with its contents and destination room for easy unpacking. If you prefer to pack yourself, we can supply packing materials at competitive prices.
Step 4: Loading
On moving day, our crew arrives on time with the appropriate truck and equipment. Every piece of furniture is wrapped in moving blankets and secured with straps. We use floor runners to protect your home’s floors and door frame protectors to prevent scuffs. Loading is done strategically to maximize space and minimize shifting during transit.
Step 5: Transit
Your belongings travel on a dedicated truck driven by experienced, professional drivers. We provide tracking updates so you know where your shipment is at all times. Our drivers follow safe driving practices, take required rest breaks, and adhere to all provincial and federal transportation regulations.
Step 6: Delivery and Unloading
When we arrive at your new home, our team carefully unloads everything, placing furniture and boxes in the rooms you designate. We reassemble any furniture we disassembled, remove all packing materials if you chose our full-service option, and do a final walkthrough to make sure everything is accounted for and in good condition.
Popular Long Distance Moving Routes and Transit Times
We handle moves across every major corridor in Canada. Here are the most popular routes from the Lower Mainland and their estimated transit times:
| Route | Distance | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver to Calgary | ~1,050 km | 1–2 days |
| Vancouver to Edmonton | ~1,160 km | 1–2 days |
| Vancouver to Kelowna | ~390 km | Same day or next day |
| Vancouver to Kamloops | ~355 km | Same day or next day |
| Vancouver to Prince George | ~775 km | 1 day |
| Vancouver to Saskatoon | ~1,650 km | 2–3 days |
| Vancouver to Winnipeg | ~2,260 km | 3–4 days |
| Vancouver to Toronto | ~4,400 km | 5–7 days |
| Vancouver to Ottawa | ~4,560 km | 5–7 days |
| Vancouver to Montreal | ~4,870 km | 6–8 days |
| Vancouver to Halifax | ~5,970 km | 7–9 days |
Transit times are estimates and can vary based on weather conditions, road closures, and the time of year. We always communicate realistic timelines upfront and keep you informed if anything changes during transit.
Long Distance Moving Pricing
Long-distance moves are priced differently from local moves. Instead of hourly rates, long-distance pricing is typically based on the weight or volume of your shipment combined with the distance travelled. Here are the main factors that affect your long-distance moving cost:
- Weight and volume: The total weight of your belongings and the space they occupy on the truck are the primary cost drivers. A one-bedroom apartment will cost significantly less than a four-bedroom house.
- Distance: The total kilometres between your old and new home directly impacts pricing. Longer distances mean higher fuel, driver, and time costs.
- Time of year: Moving during peak season (May through September) may cost more than moving in the off-season. Booking early can help secure better rates.
- Access and logistics: Stairs, elevators, long carries from the truck to your door, narrow hallways, and parking restrictions can add complexity and cost.
- Additional services: Packing, unpacking, specialty item handling, storage, and vehicle shipping are optional add-ons that affect the total price.
Simple Moves offers flat-rate pricing for long-distance moves, giving you a guaranteed price with no hidden fees. Once we provide your quote, that’s the price you pay — even if the move takes longer than expected. Call (604) 670-6050 for a free, no-obligation estimate.
Our Long Distance Moving Services
Long-distance moving requires specialized planning, equipment, and expertise. We offer multiple service levels so you can choose the option that fits your needs and budget:
- Full-Service Move: We handle everything from start to finish. Our team packs all your belongings, loads the truck, drives to your new location, unloads, and unpacks. All you have to do is show up at your new home and start settling in.
- Moving Only: You pack your own belongings, and we handle loading, transportation, and unloading at your destination. This is a great option if you want to save money and have time to pack in advance.
- Self-Service (Coming Soon): We deliver a container to your home, you load it on your own schedule, and we transport it to your destination. You meet us at your new location where we can assist with unloading.
- Vehicle Shipping: We arrange safe vehicle transport via rail across Canada. Vancouver to Calgary or Edmonton takes approximately 2 weeks. Vancouver to Toronto is about 4 weeks. Vancouver to Montreal is approximately 5 weeks. Your vehicle ships with body insurance included, and you get door-to-door service for the same price as depot-to-depot.
What’s Included in Your Long Distance Move
Every long-distance move with Simple Moves & Storage includes the following at no extra charge:
- Dedicated moving truck: Your shipment travels alone — no sharing space with other customers.
- Moving blankets and padding: All furniture is wrapped in thick moving blankets to prevent scratches, dents, and damage.
- Straps and tie-downs: Everything is securely fastened inside the truck to prevent shifting during long-distance transit.
- Professional loading and unloading: Our experienced movers handle all the heavy lifting at both ends of your move.
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly: Beds, desks, shelving units, and other items that need to be taken apart are disassembled and reassembled at your destination.
- Floor and door protection: We use runners and padding to protect floors and door frames during loading and unloading.
- Basic liability insurance: Standard coverage is included with every move, with options to upgrade to full replacement value protection.
Packing and Storage Add-Ons
In addition to our standard moving services, we offer the following add-ons for long-distance moves:
Professional Packing Services
Our team can pack your entire home or just the items you’d rather not handle yourself, such as dishes, glassware, artwork, and electronics. We use high-quality packing materials and proven techniques to ensure everything arrives safely. Partial packing is available if you want to handle most of the packing yourself but need help with fragile or specialty items.
Packing Materials and Supplies
We supply all the packing materials you might need, including moving boxes in various sizes, bubble wrap, packing paper, tape, wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes, dish pack boxes with cell dividers, and custom crating for artwork, mirrors, and fragile items.
Storage Solutions
If there’s a gap between your move-out and move-in dates, or if you need to downsize temporarily, our storage services provide a secure, climate-appropriate facility for your belongings. Short-term and long-term storage options are available, and your items remain on the truck or in a dedicated storage unit — no double handling.
Cross-Province Regulations and Logistics
Moving between provinces in Canada involves regulatory considerations that many people don’t think about until it’s too late. Here’s what you should know:
- Commercial vehicle requirements: Long-distance moving trucks must comply with federal and provincial transportation regulations, including weight limits, hours of service for drivers, and vehicle safety inspections. Simple Moves maintains full compliance at all times.
- Insurance licensing: Moving companies operating across provincial borders need appropriate licensing and insurance. Simple Moves carries full WCB, liability, and cargo insurance for interprovincial moves.
- Restricted and prohibited items: Certain items cannot be transported across provincial lines, including hazardous materials (propane tanks, paints, solvents, cleaning chemicals), perishable food, live plants (which may require phytosanitary certificates), and firearms (which have specific transport regulations).
- Alcohol regulations: Each province has different rules about transporting alcohol. Generally, you can bring personal quantities, but large amounts may require documentation.
- Vehicle registration and licensing: If you’re moving to a new province, you’ll typically need to register your vehicle and update your driver’s licence within 30 to 90 days, depending on the province.
Our team will advise you on any items that cannot be shipped and help you plan accordingly so there are no surprises on moving day.
Insurance Options for Long Distance Moves
Protecting your belongings during a long-distance move is essential. Simple Moves offers two levels of coverage:
Basic Liability Coverage (Included)
All long-distance moves include basic liability coverage at no additional charge. This provides protection based on the weight of the item — typically $0.60 per pound per article. While this covers most situations, high-value items may benefit from additional coverage.
Full Replacement Value Protection
For complete peace of mind, you can upgrade to full replacement value protection. Under this plan, if any item is lost, damaged, or destroyed during your move, Simple Moves will either repair the item, replace it with a similar item, or provide a cash settlement based on the current market value. This option is highly recommended for long-distance moves where belongings spend extended time in transit. Ask us for details and pricing when you request your quote.
Tips for a Successful Long Distance Move
After helping thousands of families move across Canada, here are our top tips for making your long-distance relocation as smooth as possible:
- Create a detailed inventory list: Document every item being moved, including serial numbers for electronics and photographs of valuable pieces. This is invaluable for insurance purposes and for ensuring nothing goes missing.
- Keep valuables with you: Important documents (passports, birth certificates, financial records), jewelry, medications, and irreplaceable family photos should travel with you, not on the moving truck.
- Pack an essentials box: Prepare a box or suitcase with everything you’ll need for the first 2–3 days in your new home: toiletries, a change of clothes, phone chargers, basic kitchen items, bedding, and snacks. Your moving truck may arrive a day or two after you do.
- Transfer utilities early: Contact your current utility providers (electricity, gas, water, internet, TV) at least two weeks before your move to arrange disconnection. Set up services at your new address to be activated before or on your arrival date.
- Update your address everywhere: Notify Canada Post for mail forwarding, update your address with banks, insurance companies, subscriptions, the CRA, your employer, schools, and your doctor’s office.
- Declutter before you pack: A long-distance move is priced by weight and volume. Selling, donating, or disposing of items you no longer need can significantly reduce your moving costs.
- Label boxes clearly: Mark each box with its contents and the room it belongs in at your new home. Use coloured tape or stickers for quick identification. This makes unloading and unpacking much faster.
- Book early: Long-distance moves require more coordination than local moves. Booking 4–6 weeks in advance (or more during peak season) ensures you get your preferred dates and the best rates.
- Take photos of electronics setups: Before disconnecting TVs, computers, and entertainment systems, photograph the cable connections so you can easily reconnect everything at your new home.
- Prepare your home for the movers: Clear pathways, reserve elevator time if you live in a condo, arrange parking for the truck, and make sure all items are accessible. The more prepared you are, the faster and more efficiently loading day goes.
Why Choose Simple Moves for Your Long Distance Move?
- 30+ years of experience: Our team has been moving families across Canada for over three decades. We know the routes, the challenges, and the best practices for a smooth long-distance move.
- Dedicated shipments: Your belongings travel alone on a dedicated truck. No consolidation, no co-loading, no risk of mix-ups with other customers’ items.
- Guaranteed pricing: We provide flat-rate quotes with no hidden fees. The price we quote is the price you pay.
- Fully insured and bonded: We carry comprehensive WCB, liability, and cargo insurance for complete peace of mind.
- Award-winning service: Recognized by HomeStars, ThreeBestRated, and Houzz as one of the top moving companies in the Lower Mainland.
- 4.8-star rating: Our customers consistently rate us among the best movers in Vancouver and the surrounding area.
- On-time arrivals: We respect your schedule and show up when we say we will — at both pickup and delivery.
- No hidden fees: Transparent pricing with everything spelled out in your quote. What you see is what you pay.
How to Choose the Right Long Distance Moving Company
When you’re planning a long-distance move, choosing the right moving company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Here’s what to look for:
Insurance: Only hire moving companies that carry proper insurance coverage. A reputable long-distance mover will have WCB, liability, and cargo insurance. This protects your belongings in case anything unexpected happens during transit. At Simple Moves, we carry comprehensive coverage for every long-distance move we handle.
Licences and compliance: Ask to see a moving company’s licences and verify they comply with provincial and federal transportation regulations. Check with local associations and regulatory bodies to confirm the company is properly registered and in good standing.
Reviews and reputation: Read online reviews on Google, HomeStars, and other platforms. Look for consistent positive feedback about professionalism, punctuality, care with belongings, and fair pricing. Be cautious of companies with very few reviews or a pattern of complaints.
Transparent pricing: A trustworthy moving company provides clear, detailed quotes with no hidden fees. Be wary of estimates that seem too good to be true — low-ball quotes often lead to surprise charges on moving day.
Awards and recognition: While not required, awards from organizations like HomeStars, ThreeBestRated, and industry associations indicate a company that meets high standards. Simple Moves is a proud recipient of multiple industry awards.
Frequently Asked Questions About Long Distance Moving
How much does a long distance move cost?
Long-distance moving costs depend on the weight and volume of your shipment, the distance between your origin and destination, the time of year, and any additional services you need. A one-bedroom apartment moving from Vancouver to Calgary might start around $3,000–$4,500, while a three-bedroom house moving from Vancouver to Toronto could range from $8,000–$15,000. Call us at (604) 670-6050 for a personalized quote.
How far in advance should I book a long distance move?
We recommend booking at least 4–6 weeks in advance for long-distance moves. During peak season (June through August), booking 6–8 weeks ahead is advisable to secure your preferred dates. However, we can sometimes accommodate last-minute moves — contact us to check availability.
Do you provide packing materials?
Yes. We supply all types of packing materials including moving boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, tape, wardrobe boxes, dish pack boxes, and custom crating for fragile items. You can purchase materials separately or include them as part of a full-service packing package.
Can you move my vehicle across Canada?
Yes. We arrange vehicle shipping via rail across Canada. Transit times vary by route — approximately 2 weeks from Vancouver to Calgary or Edmonton, 4 weeks to Toronto, and 5 weeks to Montreal. Body insurance is included, and you get door-to-door service at the same price as depot-to-depot.
What items can’t be moved long distance?
Hazardous materials (propane, gasoline, solvents, paint, cleaning chemicals), perishable food, live plants (in some cases), and firearms (without proper documentation) generally cannot be transported on a long-distance moving truck. Our team will provide a complete list of restricted items when you book your move.
Is my stuff insured during a long distance move?
Yes. Every long-distance move with Simple Moves includes basic liability coverage. You also have the option to upgrade to full replacement value protection for comprehensive coverage on all your belongings. We recommend the upgrade for long-distance moves, especially for high-value items.
How long does a cross-country move take?
Transit time depends on the distance. Vancouver to Calgary takes 1–2 days, Vancouver to Winnipeg 3–4 days, Vancouver to Toronto 5–7 days, and Vancouver to Halifax 7–9 days. These are transit times only — the full moving process including packing and loading may add 1–2 days at the origin.
Do you offer storage for long distance moves?
Yes. If you need temporary storage between your move-out and move-in dates, we offer both short-term and long-term storage solutions. Your items can remain securely stored until you’re ready for delivery.
What’s the difference between a dedicated and consolidated shipment?
A dedicated shipment means your belongings are the only items on the truck — you don’t share space with other customers. A consolidated shipment combines multiple customers’ belongings on one truck to reduce costs but may involve delays and a higher risk of mix-ups. Simple Moves uses dedicated shipments exclusively for all long-distance moves.
Can I track my shipment during transit?
Yes. We provide regular updates throughout the transit process so you always know where your belongings are and when to expect delivery. You can reach us anytime at (604) 670-6050 for a status update.
Do you move during winter?
Yes. We move year-round, including during winter months. Our drivers are experienced with winter driving conditions across all Canadian provinces. We take extra precautions during winter moves, including monitoring weather and road conditions, using appropriate winter tires, and adjusting schedules if safety requires it.
What happens if my belongings are damaged during the move?
In the unlikely event that something is damaged, you should notify us as soon as possible. If you have basic liability coverage, compensation is calculated by weight. If you have full replacement value protection, we will repair the item, replace it with a comparable item, or provide a cash settlement at current market value. We take every precaution to prevent damage, but we stand behind our service if anything goes wrong.
How do I prepare appliances for a long distance move?
Refrigerators should be defrosted and dried at least 24 hours before moving day. Washing machines drums should be secured with transit bolts. Disconnect gas appliances and have them professionally capped. Our team can advise you on specific preparation steps for each appliance when you book your move.
Long Distance Moving Routes We Cover
Simple Moves & Storage handles long-distance relocations from the Lower Mainland to destinations across Canada. Here are some of the most common routes we serve:
BC Interior and Northern BC
- Vancouver to Kelowna
- Vancouver to Kamloops
- Vancouver to Prince George
- Vancouver to Nanaimo and Victoria (with ferry)
- Vancouver to Penticton and Vernon
BC to Alberta
- Vancouver to Calgary
- Vancouver to Edmonton
- Vancouver to Red Deer
- Vancouver to Lethbridge
- Surrey to Calgary
- Langley to Edmonton
BC to Saskatchewan and Manitoba
- Vancouver to Saskatoon
- Vancouver to Regina
- Vancouver to Winnipeg
BC to Ontario and Eastern Canada
- Vancouver to Toronto
- Vancouver to Ottawa
- Vancouver to Hamilton
- Vancouver to Montreal
- Vancouver to Quebec City
- Vancouver to Halifax
Don’t see your route listed? We move to virtually every city and town in Canada. Call (604) 670-6050 to discuss your specific route and get a free quote.
Ready to Get Moving?
Planning a long-distance move doesn’t have to be stressful. Simple Moves & Storage has the experience, equipment, and dedication to make your cross-province or cross-country relocation as smooth and hassle-free as possible. Whether you’re moving across BC or across Canada, our team is here to help every step of the way.
Call us today at (604) 670-6050 for a free, no-obligation quote, or fill out our online estimate form to get started. Let us show you why thousands of families trust Simple Moves for their long-distance moves.
Read More
Areas We Serve
Simple Moves & Storage proudly serves communities across the Lower Mainland and beyond:
