We’ve moved Surrey families into townhomes in Sardis and Vedder, houses on Promontory and acreages out near Ryder Lake and Yarrow. We’ve also moved people back to Surrey for work or family. The best moves are the ones where the plan covers the road, the weather and both front doors.
This page walks you through moving from Surrey to Chilliwack. It covers the route, the cost, how long it takes, and the mistakes that waste time and money. Use it to plan, whoever you book.
Have a moving date? Call (778) 962-1619. We’ll look at your home and route, then give you a clear quote.
Chilliwack at a Glance: What’s Different From Surrey
Chilliwack sits in the east of the Fraser Valley, about halfway between Surrey and Hope. It’s part of the Fraser Valley Regional District, not Metro Vancouver.
Here’s what that means for your move and your first weeks there.
- The city runs its own services. Water, sewer, garbage and parking are handled by the City of Chilliwack. Set up accounts before you arrive.
- The areas differ a lot. Downtown and Chilliwack proper have older homes and some apartments. Sardis, Vedder and Garrison Crossing have many newer townhomes. Promontory is built on a hillside. Yarrow, Greendale, Rosedale and Ryder Lake are more rural.
- Bigger lots mean more to move. People who move here often bring more outdoor gear: sheds, tools, bikes, kayaks and garden equipment.
- The weather can be harsher. The east of the Valley often gets more snow and stronger winter winds than Surrey.
If you’re moving within Chilliwack itself, see our page for movers Chilliwack BC.
The Route: Surrey to Chilliwack on Highway 1
Almost every move on this route uses Highway 1, the Trans-Canada.
- Distance: about 90 to 100 km, depending on where you start in Surrey and where you’re going in Chilliwack.
- Drive time: around 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes for a loaded truck in normal traffic.
- Main exits: most of Chilliwack is reached from the Lickman Road, Vedder Road or Young Road exits.
The Sumas Prairie Stretch
Between Abbotsford and Chilliwack, Highway 1 crosses the Sumas Prairie. This low, flat farmland flooded badly in November 2021, and the highway was closed for days.
That’s rare. But it’s a good reason to check DriveBC on the morning of any move in heavy rain or a winter storm. We do that before every Valley move, and we’ll call you if conditions change the plan.
Rush Hour Matters
Highway 1 near Langley and Abbotsford gets busy on weekday mornings heading west and afternoons heading east. A morning start in Surrey usually means a smoother drive east.
What Our Surrey to Chilliwack Moving Service Covers
As a moving company Surrey to Chilliwack families rely on, we handle the full move from door to door.
- A planning call first. We go through your rooms, your big items and both homes. We note stairs, driveways, parking and anything outside.
- Wrapped and padded furniture. Every piece is wrapped. Mattresses get bags. We protect floors and door frames at both homes.
- Loaded for the highway. Heavy items go low and tight at the front of the truck, so nothing shifts on the long drive.
- Unloaded where you want it. We place furniture in the right rooms and rebuild anything we took apart.
Furniture Moving Surrey to Chilliwack
Large furniture is where most moves slow down. Think sectionals, king beds, hutches, solid-wood tables and gym gear.
Townhomes in Sardis and Garrison Crossing often have narrow, steep stairs. A sectional that went into a Surrey condo by elevator may not turn the corner on those stairs. If a piece needs to come apart, we do it in Surrey, bag and label the hardware, and rebuild it in Chilliwack.
Very heavy items need extra people and equipment. Tell us early about safes, pianos, chest freezers, hot tubs and workshop machines. Our furniture movers Surrey page explains how we handle large pieces.
Apartment Movers Surrey to Chilliwack
Apartment moves on this route need a little more timing than most.
- Book elevators at both buildings. Many stratas only allow moves at certain times.
- Leave a long gap. Allow at least 2 to 2.5 hours between your Surrey and Chilliwack bookings. That covers the drive, the highway and a buffer.
- Check the paperwork. Some buildings charge a move fee or ask for a certificate of insurance from your mover.
Same Day Move Surrey to Chilliwack: How It Works
A same day move Surrey to Chilliwack is very doable for most homes. Here’s a typical day for a two- or three-bedroom home:
- 8:00 a.m.: the crew arrives in Surrey and walks through the home with you.
- 8:15 a.m. to around noon: loading, depending on volume and access.
- Midday: the drive east on Highway 1.
- Afternoon: unloading and setup in Chilliwack.
Larger homes, acreages with outbuildings, or homes that aren’t fully packed can run past one day. In that case, we might start earlier, bring a bigger crew, or split the move over two days. We’ll suggest the best option when we quote.
Surrey to Chilliwack Moving Cost: What You’re Really Paying For
Most local movers Surrey to Chilliwack charge by the hour, not a flat rate. On this route, the drive is a bigger part of the bill than on short moves. So it helps to know how your Surrey to Chilliwack moving cost is built.
- Volume. How many rooms, how full they are, and what’s in the garage, shed and yard.
- Crew and truck size. A bigger crew costs more per hour but often finishes in fewer hours.
- Drive time. On this route, the drive alone is over an hour each way. Ask whether the mover charges the return trip too.
- Access. Stairs, steep or narrow driveways, long carries and elevator waits.
- Packing. Whether you pack, or we pack some or all of the home.
A fair Surrey to Chilliwack moving quote shows the hourly rate, the expected hours and how travel is charged. If any of these are missing, ask before you sign.
For an accurate estimate, list your items in our volume calculator or send them through our moving quote Surrey page.
Want a written estimate? Call (778) 962-1619. Tell us your rooms, access and date. We’ll send a quote with the expected hours shown.
Moving to Chilliwack: What New Residents Should Sort Out
Moving to Chilliwack brings a few changes that are easy to miss in the rush.
- Utilities. BC Hydro covers both cities, so you can usually transfer your account. FortisBC gas can also be transferred. Water and garbage are set up with the City of Chilliwack.
- Winter driving. Chilliwack can get heavy snow and strong east winds in winter. If your move is between November and February, keep a backup date in mind.
- Commute testing. Many people keep working in Surrey or Langley after the move. Drive your commute once at rush hour before you commit to a home.
- Rural homes. If you’re buying an acreage, ask if the home uses a well or a septic tank. It changes how you set things up in week one.
Chilliwack to Surrey Movers: Moving Back West
We also work as Chilliwack to Surrey movers. The plan is similar in reverse, with a few changes.
People moving to Surrey from Chilliwack often go from a house to a townhouse or condo. That means less room. Decide what won’t fit before moving day: extra furniture, garden gear and garage items. Selling or donating these first makes the move faster and cheaper.
Surrey townhouse complexes in Clayton, Grandview Heights and Fleetwood often have tight internal roads and little visitor parking. Give us the complex name and unit number so we can plan where the truck will park.
To see the full range of help available once you’re in Surrey, visit our moving services Surrey page.
Practical Tips for Fraser Valley Moving
These tips come from what we see on Fraser Valley moving jobs, especially the longer runs east.
Drain and Pack Your Outdoor Equipment the Week Before
Lawn mowers, trimmers, pressure washers and boat motors need their fuel drained. Movers can’t carry gasoline or propane. Do this a few days ahead, so the smell has time to air out.
Run Down Your Freezer
A full chest freezer is heavy and can spoil on a long, warm day. Start eating it down two weeks before the move. Defrost it the day before so it’s dry when we load it.
Send Us Photos of the New Street
Promontory streets can be steep. Some new streets in Sardis and Vedder aren’t on every map yet. A rural lane may have soft shoulders. Photos help us bring the right truck and plan where to park.
Keep Pets and Kids Out of the Truck Path
On long moves, the crew works fast to keep the hours down. Set up one quiet room or book a sitter for the day. It’s safer for everyone and keeps doorways clear.
Plan Your Own Drive
Leave Surrey a little before the truck, or right after it. Make sure you reach Chilliwack with the keys before the crew does. A truck waiting outside a locked house is paid time.
Common Mistakes on Surrey to Chilliwack Moves
Forgetting That the Drive Is Paid Time
On a 20-minute move, travel barely shows up on the bill. On this route, it can be two hours or more there and back. Ask every mover how they charge for it.
Underestimating the Garage and Yard
Sheds, workbenches, bikes, tools and patio sets often take as long to load as a bedroom. List them in your inventory.
Ignoring the Weather Forecast
A winter storm or heavy rain on the eastern Valley can slow the highway. Check DriveBC the day before, and keep your phone on so we can reach you.
Booking a Truck That’s Too Big for the Driveway
A large truck may not fit a steep or narrow driveway in Chilliwack. If we know ahead, we can bring a smaller truck or plan a short carry. If we find out on the day, it costs time.
Not Getting a Written Quote
A verbal “it’ll be about six hours” is easy to forget. A written quote with the rate, expected hours and travel charges protects both sides.
Pro Tips From Local Movers Who Run This Route
- Book the first slot of the day. You beat the eastbound traffic and give the crew a full afternoon to unload.
- Choose a mid-month weekday if you can. End-of-month weekends are the busiest days for Valley moves.
- Pack the garage first. It’s the slowest part of most Chilliwack moves, so start there, not in the bedrooms.
- Keep one room empty at the new home. Use it for boxes you don’t need right away. The rest of the house stays clear for furniture.
- Ask about two-day moves for acreages. Loading the house one day and the outbuildings the next can be cheaper than one very long day.
- Have a backup date in winter. If a storm closes or slows Highway 1, a backup date saves a lot of stress.
Why People Choose Our Surrey to Chilliwack Movers
We try to keep this move simple and honest.
- A Surrey crew that knows the Valley. We drive Highway 1 to Chilliwack often, and we know its exits, its traffic and its weather.
- Clear quotes. The hourly rate, expected hours and travel time are all shown.
- Furniture protection on every move. Pads, wrap and mattress bags come as standard.
- Straight advice. If a smaller truck or a two-person crew is enough, we’ll say so.
We also run other Valley routes, such as Surrey to Mission movers and Abbotsford to Surrey movers. If you’re starting from Langley, see our Langley to Chilliwack movers page. For a wider look at the region, visit our Fraser Valley movers page.
Conclusion: Planning Your Move From Surrey to Chilliwack
Good Surrey to Chilliwack movers plan for the full picture: the hour-plus drive, the eastern Valley weather and access at both homes. Do your part too. List everything, including the garage and yard. Drain your outdoor equipment, send photos of tricky streets, and ask for a written quote that shows how travel time is charged.
If you’re moving between Surrey and Chilliwack in either direction, tell us your date, addresses and what’s moving. We’ll give you an honest estimate and a clear plan for the day.
Talk to our team: call (778) 962-1619 or request a quote through Book A Move.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving From Surrey to Chilliwack
1. How long does a move from Surrey to Chilliwack take?
The drive takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes in a moving truck. Most of the day goes on loading and unloading.
Here’s a rough guide when access is good at both homes:
- Studio or one-bedroom: about half a day to three-quarters of a day.
- Two- or three-bedroom home: usually a full day.
- Large homes or acreages with outbuildings: a long day, or two days.
Unpacked rooms, steep driveways and a full garage add the most time.
2. How much does it cost to move from Surrey to Chilliwack?
Most moves on this route are charged by the hour. The total depends on how much you’re moving, the size of the crew and truck, access at both homes, packing, and how travel time is charged.
Because Chilliwack is over an hour away, travel time is a bigger part of the cost than on shorter moves. Always ask whether the return drive is included. Our current rates are: [CLIENT TO ADD: hourly rate range by crew size and travel-time policy]. Send us your inventory, and we’ll give you a written estimate with expected hours.
3. Can you move me from Chilliwack to Surrey?
Yes, we’re Chilliwack to Surrey movers too. We drive out to Chilliwack, load your home, then unload in Surrey the same day for most moves.
If you’re downsizing to a Surrey townhouse or condo, decide early what you’re not taking. Garage items, extra furniture and garden gear are the usual ones. Every item you sell or donate before moving day saves loading time.
4. What happens if the weather is bad on moving day?
We check DriveBC and the forecast before every Fraser Valley move. In heavy rain, snow or strong winds, Highway 1 can slow down. That’s especially true on the Sumas Prairie stretch and around Chilliwack.
If the roads look unsafe, we’ll call you as early as we can. We might suggest an earlier start, a later start or a new date. Safety comes first, for your things and for our crew. For winter moves, we recommend picking a backup date when you book.
5. Do I need to empty my chest freezer and fuel tanks?
Yes. Movers can’t carry gasoline, propane or other fuels in the truck. Drain the fuel from mowers, trimmers and other equipment a few days before the move. Take propane tanks off barbecues. Leave them behind, or carry them yourself in line with safety rules.
For chest freezers, start eating down the contents about two weeks ahead. Defrost and dry the freezer the day before. A full freezer is very heavy and can spoil during a long day, so moving it empty is safer for the freezer and the food.


