Moving During the Holidays in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, (And Surrounding Areas) – Yes, It’s Doable!

Thinking of moving during the holidays in the Triangle? Good news — you absolutely can, and we’re here to make it smooth, fast, and surprisingly stress-free.

Why Holiday Moves Actually Make Sense

While it might seem unconventional, moving during December can be one of the smartest times to relocate. Many families use this time to take advantage of end-of-year closings, use up PTO, or coordinate with school breaks. With the right team, the process can be quick, smooth, and even — dare we say — joyful.

We've helped families all across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Clayton move during the holidays without the stress. Here's how we make it work — and why it’s 100% doable for you, too.

1. Holiday Week Moves Happen All the Time

You might hear advice online saying "don’t move between Christmas and New Year’s" — but in places like Raleigh, Cary, and Apex, it's one of the most common times to close on a house or end a lease.

We often move families from neighborhoods like Brier Creek, Oakwood, and North Hills right after December 25. Why? Flexible work time, school breaks, and a clean start to the new year.

2. Plan Ahead for Utility Schedules

Here’s something many people don’t plan for: around the holidays, local utility providers reduce hours or close entirely. In Wake County, Duke Energy, Spectrum, and City of Raleigh Water often have limited customer service from December 23rd through January 2nd. If you're moving during this window, last-minute activation requests may not be processed in time — leaving you without heat, power, or internet in your new home.

In smaller towns like Wendell, Zebulon, or Knightdale, even fewer staff are available during the holidays, and requests must be submitted well in advance. That’s why we strongly advise confirming all switch-over details a week before your move, if possible.

3. Expect Holiday Traffic — But We Plan Around It

Even locals are surprised by how quickly holiday traffic escalates in the Triangle. Between December 18–31, key corridors like I-40, US-1, Capital Boulevard, and I-440 experience double the congestion — especially around major shopping hubs like Crabtree Valley, Crossroads, Beaver Creek Commons, and White Oak in Garner. GPS estimates can be off by 30+ minutes during peak times.

At John’s Moving, we use custom routing to plan every move efficiently. Our drivers know the back roads in Wake Forest and the cut-throughs in Hillsborough. That means less time stuck on Glenwood Avenue and more time getting settled in your new space.

4. When Other Movers Cancel — We Step Up

We’ve received frantic calls from families in Apex and Chapel Hill who were stood up by national moving chains or left scrambling when a crew arrived hours late with no notice. That’s not how we operate.

At John’s, we build our reputation on reliability. Our crews are fully vetted, professionally trained, and live right here in the Triangle — so they know the roads, neighborhoods, and weather patterns. You won’t get vague delivery windows or unreturned calls. Just a clear plan and a team that follows through.

Whether you’re moving from Five Points in Raleigh, Woodcroft in Durham, or a new build in Clayton, you’ll know exactly when we’re arriving — and who’s coming to help. No surprises. No no-shows. Just real people who care about doing the job right.

5. Need to Move Fast? We've Got You Covered

Life doesn't always give you weeks to plan. A landlord gives short notice. A buyer pushes up the closing date. Your family needs to relocate quickly — sometimes within a matter of days.

That’s where we come in. We specialize in responsive, local moving with quick turnarounds. Whether you’re shifting apartments in downtown Raleigh or moving into a home in Cary’s Amberly neighborhood, we can usually accommodate — even during the holiday rush.

Our team stays flexible because we know that when people call us in December, they’re not just looking for boxes and trucks. They’re looking for someone who can say: “Yes, we’ve got you covered.”