Nov 13, 2026 Long Distance Moving Services
Posted by: Mcmmanager
Moving from Montréal to Western Canada is one of the longest moves you can make in the country. Calgary is about 3,700 km away by road, Vancouver about 4,800 km, and Vancouver Island adds a ferry crossing at the end. The good news: with the right plan, a cross-Canada move is very manageable. This guide explains how long the move takes, what affects the cost, when to book, how to handle the ferry to the Island, and what to set up after you arrive.
Most people moving from Montréal to the West hire a long-distance moving company and either drive or fly themselves. Your belongings travel by truck across five or six provinces, so book early, get a written quote based on the size of your home, and plan for delivery several days after pickup. If you are going to Vancouver Island, choose a mover that books the ferry for the truck, so you do not have to manage it yourself.
The drive from Montréal to Calgary covers about 3,700 km along the Trans-Canada Highway through Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Montréal to Vancouver is about 4,800 km and crosses the Rockies. For a moving truck, the trip usually takes several days, and the exact delivery window depends on the route, the season and whether your belongings travel in a dedicated truck or share space with other loads.
You will also change time zones. Calgary is two hours behind Montréal, and Vancouver and Victoria are three hours behind.
Calgary is a popular choice for people leaving Montréal because of job opportunities, the mountains nearby and housing that is often more affordable than Vancouver. Winters are cold but sunny, and chinook winds can bring sudden warm spells.
Vancouver has mild, rainy winters and a busy housing market, so many newcomers rent first in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond or Surrey before buying. Many buildings in Metro Vancouver require you to book the elevator and loading zone in advance, sometimes with a deposit. Ask your building manager about move-in rules as soon as you sign the lease.
Victoria, Nanaimo and the rest of Vancouver Island are reached by BC Ferries from the mainland. The main routes are Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay for Victoria, and Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay or Tsawwassen to Duke Point for Nanaimo. Moving trucks need a reservation and can face long waits in summer and on holiday weekends, so build an extra day into your plan.
There is no single price for a cross-Canada move, because every home is different. The main factors are the distance, the size of your move, packing services, access at both homes (stairs, elevators and parking), the time of year, and whether you need storage between homes. A move to Vancouver Island also includes the ferry fare for the truck.
To compare movers fairly, ask each company for a written quote after a video or in-home survey of your belongings. Check what the quote includes: packing materials, furniture disassembly, insurance, ferry fees and storage. A low quote that leaves these out often costs more in the end.
Avoid the days around July 1 if you can. In Québec, many leases end on June 30, so July 1 is the traditional moving day and trucks, crews and rental vans are in very high demand across Montréal. The whole summer is busy for long-distance moves across Canada, so prices are often higher and dates fill up quickly.
Fall, winter and early spring are usually quieter, and you may get more flexible dates. If your timing is fixed by a new job or a school year, book your long-distance mover 6 to 8 weeks ahead, or earlier for summer.
Many people fly to Calgary or Vancouver and let the movers handle their belongings. If you prefer to drive, the trip to Calgary usually takes four to five days of steady driving, and the trip to Vancouver five to six. Plan overnight stops in advance in winter, when highway conditions in northern Ontario and the Rockies can change quickly.
If you do not want to drive, you can ship your car separately with a vehicle transport company.
Moving to another province means changing your health coverage. In Alberta, you should apply for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan within three months of moving. Coverage starts on the first day of the third month after you establish residency, and your Québec coverage continues until then. British Columbia has a similar waiting period for the Medical Services Plan, so apply soon after you arrive. Contact the RAMQ before you leave to confirm how long your Québec coverage lasts.
You will also need to exchange your Québec driver’s licence and register your vehicle in your new province. Both Alberta and British Columbia require a vehicle that was registered in another province to pass an inspection before you can register it. Plan for this in your first weeks, and keep your Québec registration and insurance documents handy.
Use this checklist to keep your move on track:
My City Movers handles long-distance moves to and from British Columbia and Alberta, with teams in the Lower Mainland and Calgary. For long-distance moves, your belongings travel in a dedicated truck, not mixed with other customers’ loads, and go straight to your new home. Every move includes free liability and cargo insurance. We can also pack your home, supply boxes and moving kits, and store your belongings if your new place is not ready yet.
Whether you are heading to Calgary, Vancouver or Vancouver Island, tell us your moving date and the size of your home, and we will give you a clear quote with no surprises on moving day.
About 3,700 km by road along the Trans-Canada Highway. Driving yourself usually takes four to five days.
About 4,800 km by road. Driving takes five to six days, and the route crosses the Rocky Mountains, so check road conditions in winter.
It depends on the route, the season and whether your belongings travel in a dedicated truck. Ask your mover for a confirmed delivery window before moving day.
The cost depends on distance, the size of your move, packing, access at both homes, the season and storage. Get a written quote after a survey of your belongings to compare movers fairly.
Book 6 to 8 weeks ahead, or earlier for summer. Avoid the days around July 1 in Montréal, when demand for movers is highest.
Moving trucks cross on BC Ferries, usually from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay for Victoria or to Duke Point for Nanaimo. The truck needs a reservation, and the ferry fare is often part of the quote.
In Alberta, coverage starts on the first day of the third month after you establish residency, if you apply within three months. BC has a similar waiting period. Your Québec coverage continues during the wait, but confirm the details with the RAMQ before you leave.
Yes. In Alberta and British Columbia, a vehicle registered in another province needs an inspection before you can register it, and you will need to exchange your driver’s licence.
With My City Movers, every move includes free liability and cargo insurance. Ask any mover what their coverage includes and get it in writing.
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