The most reliable
Los Angeles Movers

The best time to move is spring or fall (but we move year-round)

Roadway Moving will complete your move no matter the weather. Rain, heat, Santa Ana winds — whatever LA throws at us, our crews show up and get the job done. That’s not a concern.

But for you, LA has a few quirks worth planning around. Summer (June through September) is mostly mild near the coast but can be brutal in the San Fernando Valley, where Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and Encino regularly hit the high 90s and occasionally cross 100°F. Loading a truck in valley heat is no fun, and your belongings feel it too — electronics, candles, vinyl records, and wood furniture don’t love sitting in a hot trailer.

Late spring brings “May Gray” and “June Gloom” along the coast — overcast and damp, but generally workable. Fall (late September through November) is the sweet spot: warm, dry days and lower humidity. Just keep an eye on Santa Ana wind season, which peaks October through December and can mean wildfire warnings in the canyons and foothills.

Winter is LA’s rainy season, mostly between December and February. Heavy rain can snarl traffic and, in hillside areas, occasionally cause mudslides or road closures.

If you need to move in August, we’ll get it done. Just pack your essentials (medications, phone chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes) separately and keep them with you rather than on the truck. If possible, have the AC running at your new place before the movers arrive.

Many buildings require a Certificate of Insurance (COI)

If you’re moving into a high-rise, condo, or managed building in LA — especially in Downtown, Century City, Westwood, the Wilshire Corridor, Marina del Rey, or Hollywood — the building management will almost certainly require your moving company to provide a Certificate of Insurance before they allow the move.

This protects the building in case of damage. Many luxury buildings in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood require the same. When getting quotes from movers, ask if they can provide a COI. A professional moving company should provide this at no extra charge. Roadway Moving is fully insured and we provide COIs to our customers as part of our standard service.

Reserve the elevator and loading dock

In larger apartment buildings, condos, and high-rises, you’ll often need to reserve a freight elevator and loading dock time slot in advance. Some buildings only allow moves during specific hours, on weekdays only, or with a building engineer present. Contact your building management as soon as you have a move date locked in. Missing your slot can mean rescheduling your entire move.

Many LA apartment communities and HOAs also charge move-in fees and require proof of renters insurance before they hand over the keys — check with your leasing office or HOA ahead of time so you’re not surprised on move-in day.

You may need a parking permit for the moving truck

This is one of the most LA-specific things on this list. Several LA-area cities require a temporary “no parking” permit to reserve curb space for a moving truck — including Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Culver City, and parts of the City of Los Angeles itself.

Without a permit, your truck can be ticketed, blocked in, or even towed — and in the meantime, the crew is stuck circling the block. Permits typically need to be applied for several business days in advance, and “No Parking” signs may need to be posted 24 to 72 hours before the move, depending on the city.

Roadway handles this for our customers. If your address is in a permit zone, we’ll let you know during your quote and walk you through what’s needed.

Plan around LA traffic

LA traffic doesn’t really need an introduction. The 405 (especially through the Sepulveda Pass), the 101, the 10, the 110, and the 5 can all turn a 20-minute drive into a two-hour saga. Rush hours stretch roughly from 6:30 to 10 AM and 3 to 7 PM, and even off-peak isn’t always a safe bet.

If you’re following the moving truck in your own car, or if friends and family are coming to help you move in, plan accordingly. Early-morning starts and weekend moves usually run smoother.

Since Roadway Moving offers flat-rate pricing, you won’t pay extra if our crew gets caught in traffic — but building your schedule around peak hours helps everything run smoother.

Hillside and canyon neighborhoods come with their own rules

If you’re moving in or out of the Hollywood Hills, Laurel Canyon, Beachwood Canyon, Mt. Washington, parts of Silver Lake or Echo Park, Pacific Palisades, or hillside Malibu, the move needs a little extra planning.

Streets are often narrow, steep, and lined with hairpin turns. Many homes don’t have direct truck access — the rig may need to park down the hill or around the corner, with a smaller shuttle vehicle handling the final leg to the front door. Some streets simply can’t accommodate a full-size moving truck at all.

This is normal for us. Our LA crews handle canyon moves all the time and know how to plan the logistics so it doesn’t slow your day down. When you book, just mention the neighborhood and we’ll send a team and vehicles sized for it.

If your move-in and move-out dates don’t line up, use our storage

It happens all the time: your lease ends on the 30th but you can’t get into your new place until the 3rd. If you need somewhere to keep your stuff in between, Roadway Moving offers short-term and long-term storage solutions in LA. Your belongings stay safe in our climate-controlled facility with 24/7 security until you’re ready for delivery.