Toronto to Montreal corridor
Moving from Toronto to Montreal
It is 540 km down the 401, one of the busiest moving corridors in the country, and the parts that go wrong are rarely the drive. Permits, July 1 lease turnover and Plateau staircases are what cost people money. Here is the whole route, priced and planned.
What it costs
Long distance pricing is weight plus distance, confirmed on certified scale tickets, not an hourly rate that grows on move day. These are typical all-in ranges for the Toronto to Montreal lane with loading, transport and delivery included.
| Home size | Typical weight | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / bachelor | 1,500 – 2,000 lb | $1,500 – $2,100 |
| 1 bedroom condo | 2,000 – 3,000 lb | $1,900 – $2,700 |
| 2 bedroom | 3,500 – 5,000 lb | $2,600 – $3,500 |
| 3 bedroom house | 6,000 – 9,000 lb | $3,400 – $4,200 |
| 4+ bedroom house | 9,000 lb and up | $4,200 – $6,500 |
Add roughly $500 to $1,500 for full packing, and expect a premium of 20 to 30 percent for moves dated within a week of July 1.
The drive and the delivery window
- •540 km, about five and a half hours of driving on Highway 401 and Autoroute 20.
- •A dedicated truck means your shipment is the only load on board: same day or next day delivery.
- •A shared load is cheaper but delivery spreads across a two to four day window.
- •Winter moves on this corridor need a weather buffer day, since the 401 east of Kingston closes for whiteouts.
- •Crews cross into Quebec with all interprovincial paperwork and full-value protection available on request.
Montreal-specific logistics
- Borough parking permits: Most boroughs require a temporary no-parking permit for the truck, requested several business days ahead. Without it the crew parks a block away and you pay for the long carry.
- July 1 lease turnover: Quebec leases overwhelmingly end June 30. Book two to three months ahead for that week, or move mid-month and save.
- Exterior staircases: Plateau, Rosemont and Verdun triplexes have narrow spiral stairs. Send photos of the entrance so we bring the right crew size and hoisting gear.
- Downtown high-rises: Griffintown, Île-des-Soeurs and Ville-Marie towers need elevator bookings and a certificate of insurance, same as Toronto condos.
Your timeline
- 6 to 8 weeks out: Book the truck, especially for anything close to July 1. Start decluttering, since weight is what you pay for.
- 4 weeks out: Request the Montreal borough parking permit and book elevators at both ends if you are in a condo.
- 2 weeks out: Confirm Hydro-Québec, internet and mail forwarding through Canada Post. Book packing if you want it.
- Move week: Pack a first-night bag, keep documents with you, and confirm the delivery window in writing.
- First 90 days: Swap the licence at the SAAQ, register for RAMQ, and update your address with the CRA and your bank.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to move from Toronto to Montreal?
- Most Toronto to Montreal moves land between $1,900 and $4,200. A one bedroom condo is usually $1,900 to $2,700, a two bedroom $2,600 to $3,500 and a three bedroom house $3,400 to $4,200 or more with packing. Long distance moves are priced on shipment weight and distance, not hourly rates.
- How long does the move take?
- The drive is about 540 km and five and a half hours along Highway 401. With loading and unloading, a dedicated truck is normally same day or next day delivery. Shared loads can take two to four days because the truck stops for other shipments.
- Do I need a parking permit in Montreal?
- Usually yes. Most Montreal boroughs require a temporary no-parking permit for a moving truck, requested from the borough office several business days ahead. Plateau-Mont-Royal, Rosemont and Le Sud-Ouest are the strictest, and a missing permit means a long carry or a ticket.
- What changes when I move to Quebec?
- You have 90 days to swap your Ontario driver's licence for a Quebec one at the SAAQ, and you register for RAMQ health coverage on arrival with a waiting period of up to three months. Vehicle registration also moves to the SAAQ, and Hydro-Québec handles electricity.
- When is the cheapest time to move to Montreal?
- Avoid July 1. Most Quebec leases turn over on that date, so trucks, elevators and street space are all scarce and priced at a premium. Mid-month and October through April are the cheapest windows on this corridor.
- Can you handle the stairs on Montreal triplexes?
- Yes. Exterior spiral staircases and narrow triplex entrances are standard on this route, so we plan crew size and hoisting straps around them and confirm access with photos before quoting.
Compare other routes in our long distance moving guide, or see what a local move costs in the Toronto moving cost guide.