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Should You Move When It’s Zero Degrees?

By Brendan Mulroe
12/12/2025

How Can Long Distance Movers Keep You Safe, Calm, and Confident in Winter?

When the Midwest wakes up to a foot of post-holiday snow, bitter winds, and ice-slicked roads, it’s natural to wonder, “Is it safe to move right now?” Many families are feeling this fear more intensely after the major winter storm that hit right after Thanksgiving. And the worry is real: one powerful storm can disrupt an entire long-distance move if the right systems aren’t in place. But here’s the truth: you don’t need perfect weather to move safely. You need long distance movers who anticipate winter, plan for it, and protect every part of your relocation. That’s exactly what we do at National Van Lines.

What Winter Weather Fears Should You Discuss With Your Long Distance Movers?

Winter brings genuine emotional and logistical stress, especially when you’ve just watched a storm shut down highways for days. Families often worry about:

• Losing control of pickup and delivery timelines
• A single storm derailing their entire move
• Frozen or damaged belongings
• Last-minute cancellations
• Children or pets being exposed to the cold

These concerns deserve real solutions, not reassurances.

How Do Long Distance Movers Prepare When One Storm Can Change Everything?

After nearly a century of winter relocations, we’ve learned that planning must assume the weather will change. With National Van Lines, you get:

• Timelines built with protective buffers for weather volatility
• Drivers trained for subzero and icy-road conditions
• Multi-state storm tracking and route adjustments
• Load plans designed to minimize exposure
• Transparent communication before conditions shift

How Do Long Distance Movers Handle Winter Delays When Storms Hit Hard?

The fear is that a winter storm could delay your move for days,  or halt it entirely. In reality, professional delays are typically short because teams monitor:
• DOT safety alerts
• Temperature drops affecting load/unload
• Highway closures and reopening patterns
• Storm systems moving across multiple states

Prepared long distance movers respond early, not react late.

Why Can Winter Be the Smarter Season to Hire Long Distance Movers?

Despite scary weather, winter often offers practical advantages:
• More scheduling flexibility
• More available trucks and crews
• Potential cost efficiencies
• Less competition for preferred delivery windows

Once planning is in place, the experience is often calmer and more personalized.

How Does National Van Lines Protect Your Belongings in Subzero Temperatures?

Your items stay protected through:

• Heavy floor runners to block snow and ice
• Quilted insulation moving blankets
• Strategic packing for cold-sensitive items
• Rapid loading to reduce exposure
• Trailers engineered for winter long-distance hauling

Comparison Chart: How Do Long Distance Movers Handle Winter Demands?

 

Category National Van Lines Other Movers (United, Allied, Atlas, Wheaton)
Nearly 100 years of winter-moving experience Yes Varies
Employee-owned stability Yes Rare
Dedicated winter driver training Standard Practice Varies
Transparent pricing approach Yes Varies
ATA MSC Super Van Operator Drivers Yes Varies
USA Today 2025 Best Moving Companies Yes Varies
Strong GSA ratings Yes Mixed

What Should You Do If You’re Nervous About Another Winter Storm?

Start by verifying mover credentials through FMCSA and BBB. Then request a clear quote using our move calculator. National Van Lines will guide your family or business through blizzards, ice storms, and subzero weeks for generations. We’re ready to guide you too.