Planning Your Move: A Strategic Guide to Calculating Time Off for Moving

No matter how you move, one thing is always certain: it will take time. But how much time is something you can constrain.

Working with a professional moving company like United Van Lines will help you minimize the amount of PTO your move consumes. We’ll help you to devise a moving schedule tailored to your needs — starting with our 8-week moving checklist — to show you how to budget, plan and organize like an expert.

Over the last 100 years, we’ve earned the distinction of being America’s #1 Mover^® because we understand how to make a move run smoothly and efficiently. Let us help you plan your move strategically to save time, money and stress.

Understanding Company Leave Policies & Moving Benefits

While many companies provide time off to employees, most don’t offer dedicated “moving leave.” But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t employment benefits you can take advantage of during a move.

Before you request time off from your employer, review your employee benefits package. Are there restrictions on how you can use PTO for moving? Any flexibility? Can you request additional days off? Make sure you comply with your employer’s policies. It is also best to get your PTO request approved well in advance — preferably eight weeks or more. That way, when you book your move, you’ll already know you have the time off to manage it.

If you’re moving for your career — especially a job transfer — you may be offered a relocation package. This can cover everything from the cost of a full-service move to assisting with the sale of your house. Be sure to review the terms carefully before signing and consider whether you can negotiate the benefits, like additional days of PTO. United Van Lines is happy to partner with your employer — including the U.S. military — to provide everything you need, from packing to storage services.

Employers may also partner with service providers to offer you company discounts on things like phone, internet, cable, rental cars, food and airfare. See which offers you can take advantage of during your move.

How to Calculate Time Off for Your Move

• Break down the move into four distinct phases: Preparation, Actual Move, Utility/Setup and Settling In. 
• Provide the “Travel Day Formula” (Total Miles ÷ 350) for long-distance moves.

Moving has four key phases: preparation, packing, moving day and settling in. The first two phases set you up for success, and the final phase makes you feel at home. But it’s the third phase — the actual move — which requires the most energy. During this time, your to-do list can feel daunting. You’ll be packing up final boxes, cleaning your house and ensuring everything at your new place is set up for your arrival. We recommend budgeting time off so that you can take care of these tasks without having to worry about work at the same time.

So, how much PTO should you budget for your move?

Dedicate at least one day of PTO on both ends of your move, plus additional days as needed for travel. For local moves, that means three days of PTO. If you’re moving long-distance, budget one day of PTO for every 350 miles you’re traveling in your own car. Remember, you may not be able to get an early start on moving day. See the full breakdown recommended PTO for a move in the chart below.

Want to avoid a lengthy road trip? United Van Lines can ship your vehicles door-to-door.

*Please note: Your shipment time will differ from the recommended number of PTO days. When you book your move, your United move coordinator will discuss when you should expect your belongings to arrive.

Strategies to Optimize and Conserve Your PTO

We know that moving isn’t the way most people want to use their vacation days. Some people have limited PTO or even no paid time off at all. United Van Lines’ dedicated move coordinators can help you maximize efficiency and minimize time away from your job. We can also help you conserve PTO by packing and unpacking your belongings and shipping your cars.

Weekend moves give you four days of time off for just two vacation days — an ideal solution for local and regional moves. Moving mid-week is less popular, so booking your move on a Tuesday or Wednesday may allow you to secure earlier moving dates, and it could even save you money on hotels if you’re driving long-distance.

There may be some lag time between when you arrive at your new home and when your shipment arrives. Conserve a vacation day for unloading, even if it is separate from the main chunk of PTO you take around moving day.

A final tip: Coordinating service appointments can be challenging during a move. Working remotely as you tie up loose ends and adjust to your new surroundings can give you more flexibility without consuming PTO, if it is a possibility.

The United Van Lines Advantage: Minimizing the Burden of Moving

When you work with United Van Lines, you’re not just hiring a mover, you’re getting a dedicated partner who will make your move easier. Our professional teams provide expert-level planning, efficient solutions for packing and settling in, and responsive services to ensure the relocation process is simple and stress-free.  

Our comprehensive moving services — like storage and debris removal — can help you conserve your PTO and make the days you do take off more productive. Our flexible process begins with a home survey to assess your exact needs, which can be conducted virtually or at your home. From there, we’ll provide you with a detailed, binding quote outlining all the services and the timeline for your move. See what sets our moving process apart.

Plan Your Next Move with America’s #1 Mover®

Professional moving services can save you money, stress and PTO days. If you’re concerned about how much time off you need for a move, speaking with a moving expert at United Van Lines — America’s #1 Mover^® — can put your mind at ease.  

Our dedicated moving specialists will help you schedule a virtual home survey to assess your needs. We’ll talk you through all the stages of your move, so you’ll understand how much time each one might take. Whether you’re moving for your career or because you’ve found a better place to live, United can help you make the most out of your PTO days so you can spend more of them doing the things you really love.