A good plan respects that. It picks the right day, builds in time for weather, and tells you honestly whether one day or two makes sense.

Common Kamloops moves we plan include Surrey families heading to Aberdeen and Sahali, retirees moving to Westsyde or Valleyview, and students starting at Thompson Rivers University. The smooth ones start with the same question: what will the Coquihalla be like that week?

This page explains moving from Surrey to Kamloops step by step. It covers the route, the cost, how long it takes, winter driving and the mistakes that cause delays. It also covers moves the other way, for anyone who needs Kamloops to Surrey movers. Use it to plan, whoever you hire.

Have a moving date? Call (778) 962-1619. Tell us both addresses and your home size, and we’ll send a written quote.

Kamloops at a Glance: What Changes When You Leave Surrey

Kamloops sits where the North and South Thompson rivers meet, on the territory of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc. It’s the largest city in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

A few things are different from Surrey:

• Local services. Water, sewer and garbage are set up with the City of Kamloops. BC Hydro and FortisBC can usually be transferred.
• A hilly city. Aberdeen, Sahali, Juniper Ridge and Batchelor Heights are built on hillsides. Some streets and driveways are steep.
• Spread-out areas. The North Shore, Westsyde, Brocklehurst, Valleyview and Barnhartvale can be 15 to 25 minutes apart. Give us the exact address, not just “Kamloops”.
• Hot, dry summers. Summer days are often well above 30°C. Wildfire smoke can also affect air quality some years.
• Real winters. Snow is common in town, and colder than Surrey. Your car will need good winter tires.

If you’re moving within Kamloops or from elsewhere in the Lower Mainland, see our page for long distance movers Kamloops.

The Route: Surrey to Kamloops by Moving Truck

The usual route is short to describe and long to drive.

1. Surrey to Hope. East on Highway 1 through Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack.
2. Hope to Merritt. North on the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5), over the summit.
3. Merritt to Kamloops. North on Highway 5 into Kamloops.

Detail	What to expect
Distance	About 340–360 km, depending on your start and end points
Drive time (loaded truck)	About 4 to 4.5 hours in good conditions
Highest point	Coquihalla Summit, over 1,200 m
Winter rules	Winter tires and chains for commercial trucks, from October 1 to April 30
Backup route	Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon, which takes longer

Distances and times are estimates from mapping tools. Real times change with weather, traffic and roadwork.

Coquihalla Highway Moving Truck: What’s Different

Driving a Coquihalla Highway moving truck is not like driving a car up for the weekend.

• Long climbs and descents. A loaded truck climbs slower and must brake carefully on the way down. That adds time.
• Weather changes fast. Rain in Hope can be snow at the summit an hour later.
• Closures happen. Crashes and heavy snow can close the highway for hours. We check DriveBC before the truck leaves Surrey and on the way.
• Few services. There are long stretches with no fuel or food. Our drivers plan stops at Hope and Merritt.

Winter Moving Over Mountain Passes

Winter moving over mountain passes needs extra planning. From October 1 to April 30, commercial trucks on the Coquihalla must follow BC’s winter tire and chain rules. Heavier trucks have to carry chains. Our drivers also watch the forecast closely in the week before your move.

What this means for your move:

• Keep a backup date. If a storm is forecast, we may suggest moving the date by a day. It’s safer and often cheaper than waiting at a closure.
• Start earlier. Winter days are short. We aim to cross the summit in daylight.
• Protect sensitive items. Some items don’t like freezing temperatures, such as house plants, paint, wine and some electronics. Move these in your own heated car if you can.
• Expect slower driving. Plan for the drive to take longer than in summer.

If the Coquihalla closes on your moving day, the truck can wait for it to reopen or take Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon. That route is longer. We’ll call you to agree on the best option before deciding.

What Our Surrey to Kamloops Moving Service Covers

As a moving company Surrey to Kamloops families plan around, we handle the move door to door.

Included in a standard move	Extra, only if you ask
A planning call about rooms, big items and access	Full or partial packing
Route and weather planning, including winter checks	Boxes and packing supplies
Furniture pads, shrink wrap and mattress bags	Overnight costs on two-day moves
Taking apart and rebuilding beds and tables as needed	Extra crew for very heavy items
Floor and door-frame protection at both homes
Loading, driving and unloading into your chosen rooms

Furniture Moving Surrey to Kamloops

Over four hours of mountain highway is hard on furniture that isn’t packed well.

• Heavy items go low and forward. Dressers, appliances and tables are strapped at the front of the truck.
• Fragile items travel upright. Mirrors, glass tops, art and TVs are padded on all sides.
• Hill access is planned ahead. Steep driveways in Aberdeen or Juniper Ridge may need a smaller truck or a short carry. Photos help.

If a sectional or bed frame won’t fit through a narrow stairwell, we take it apart in Surrey, bag and label the hardware, and rebuild it in Kamloops. Our furniture movers Surrey page explains how we handle large pieces.

Apartment Movers Surrey to Kamloops

Apartment moves on this route depend on timing.

• Book elevators at both buildings. Many stratas only allow moves at set times.
• Leave a long gap. Book the Kamloops elevator for at least 5 hours after your Surrey booking ends. In winter, leave even more.
• Check the paperwork. Some buildings charge a move fee or ask for the mover’s certificate of insurance.

Student moves to TRU. Late August is busy for small moves to the university area. A bed, desk, boxes and a bike usually fit in a smaller truck. Book early.

Long Distance Movers: One Day or Two?

This route is handled by our long distance movers team. With 4 to 4.5 hours of driving each way, the size of your home decides the plan.

Home size	Usual plan
Studio, 1 bedroom or a student move	One long day
2 bedrooms	One very long day, or two days
3 bedrooms or more	Load day one in Surrey, deliver day two
Winter moves of any size	Often two days, to cross the pass in daylight

A two-day move adds overnight costs. In return, the crew drives the pass rested and in daylight, and unloading isn’t rushed. As long distance movers Surrey to Kamloops families book for this route, we’ll quote both options so you can compare.

Surrey to Kamloops Moving Cost: What You’re Paying For

Your Surrey to Kamloops moving cost depends on how much you’re moving, how long the job takes and how the mover prices the drive. Some movers charge by the hour for the whole job. Others price long distance moves by volume and distance. Ask which method is used, and get it in writing.

How an Hourly Quote Adds Up

Total cost = (loading hours + drive time + unloading hours) × hourly rate, plus any return-trip charge, packing, supplies or overnight costs.

Here are rough time ranges for a packed home with good access, in summer conditions:

Home size	Loading	Drive	Unloading	Typical total
Studio / 1 bedroom	1.5–2.5 hrs	4–4.5 hrs	1–2 hrs	6.5–9 hrs
2 bedrooms	2.5–3.5 hrs	4–4.5 hrs	2–3 hrs	8.5–11 hrs
3 bedrooms	3.5–5 hrs	4–4.5 hrs	3–4 hrs	Usually two days

These are planning estimates, not quotes. Winter conditions, steep driveways, a full garage or unpacked rooms add time.

What Changes Your Price

• Volume. Rooms, plus the garage, shed and outdoor items.
• The return trip. The truck has to drive back to Surrey. Ask how this is charged.
• Season. Winter moves can take longer and may need two days.
• Access. Stairs, hillside driveways and long carries.
• Packing. Whether you pack, or we pack some or all of it.

A fair Surrey to Kamloops moving quote shows the pricing method, the expected hours or volume, the return trip and any overnight costs. If any of these are missing, ask before you book.

List your items in our volume calculator or send them through our moving quote Surrey page for an accurate estimate.

Want a written estimate? Call (778) 962-1619. Have these ready: both addresses, your move date, the number of bedrooms, any stairs or elevators, and a list of large items.

Moving to Kamloops: What New Residents Should Know

Moving to Kamloops brings a few changes worth sorting early.

• Get winter tires for your car. You’ll need them on the Coquihalla and on Kamloops hills in winter.
• Plan for summer heat. Air conditioning matters more than in Surrey. Check how your new home is cooled.
• Know the wildfire season. Sign up for local emergency alerts and keep a go-bag in summer.
• Learn the neighbourhoods. Commutes across the river or up the hills can take longer than the map suggests at rush hour.

Kamloops to Surrey Movers: Moving Back to the Lower Mainland

We’re also Kamloops to Surrey movers. The truck drives up empty, we load your home, then bring it down the Coquihalla to Surrey.

For most homes, this works best as a two-day move. Day one is the drive up and loading. Day two is the drive down and unloading in Surrey. That way, the crew isn’t driving a loaded truck over the pass late at night.

People moving to Surrey often go from a larger Kamloops house to a townhouse or condo. Decide early what won’t fit, and sell or donate it in Kamloops. It saves truck space and time. Once you’re settled, our residential movers Surrey page explains the other help we offer.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Kamloops Move

Pick Your Season Carefully

Late spring to early fall is the easiest time to cross the Coquihalla. If you have to move in winter, choose a date with a flexible backup.

Beat the Summer Heat

In July and August, Kamloops can be very hot by midday. Start unloading early if you can. Keep water handy, and don’t leave candles, crayons, vinyl records or medication in a hot car.

Send Photos of the New Driveway

Hillside homes in Aberdeen, Sahali or Juniper Ridge can have steep driveways. A quick photo helps us choose the right truck.

Keep Valuables With You

Passports, jewellery, medication, laptops and important papers should travel in your car, not the truck.

Travel Ahead of the Truck

Plan to reach Kamloops before the truck so you’re there with the keys. A truck waiting at a locked house is paid time.

Common Mistakes on Surrey to Kamloops Moves

Planning a Winter Move Like a Summer One

Snow on the Coquihalla can add hours or close the road. Winter moves need extra time and a backup date.

Squeezing a Large Home Into One Day

A three-bedroom home plus eight hours of driving round trip is too much for one day. Rushing leads to overtime and tired crews on a mountain highway.

Comparing Quotes Without the Pricing Method

An hourly quote and a volume-based quote can’t be compared directly. Ask each mover for an estimated total, including the return trip.

Leaving Out the Garage and Shed

Kamloops homes often have bigger garages than Surrey ones. The same is true in reverse. List everything outside the house too.

Not Checking Drive BC

Check the Coquihalla conditions the day before your move. If a storm is coming, call us early.

Pro Tips From Long Distance Movers Who Run This Route

• Cross the summit in daylight. In winter, that usually means an early start or a two-day plan.
• Load the first-night items last. Beds, a kitchen box and bathroom supplies come off first in Kamloops.
• Move temperature-sensitive items yourself. Plants, wine, paint and electronics travel better in a heated or cooled car.
• Fuel up in Hope or Merritt. If you’re driving your own car, there are long gaps with no services on the pass.
• Ask about combined loads for small moves. For a student or studio move, ask whether a shared or smaller truck option is available.
• Ask how the return trip is charged. It’s a fair question, and the answer helps you compare quotes.

How We Keep Your Move Transparent

Before you book, you should know how we work. On every Surrey to Kamloops move, we commit to:

• A written quote with the pricing method, expected hours, return trip and any overnight costs.
• Honest planning. We’ll tell you if one day is enough, or if two days makes more sense.
• No surprise extras. Anything outside the quote is agreed with you first.
• Furniture protection as standard. Pads, wrap and mattress bags are part of the job.
• A call if plans change. Weather and road closures get a phone call, not silence.

When comparing movers, ask each one three questions. How do you price the drive and the return trip? What happens if the Coquihalla closes? What happens if something is damaged? Clear answers are a good sign.

We also plan other Interior moves, including Surrey to Kelowna movers and Surrey to Penticton movers. Starting somewhere else? See our Vancouver to Kamloops movers, Langley to Kamloops movers and Abbotsford to Kamloops movers pages. All routes are listed on our long distance movers Surrey BC page. If you’d like us to pack too, see our full service movers Surrey page.

Conclusion: Planning Your Move From Surrey to Kamloops

The best Surrey to Kamloops movers plan around the Coquihalla. That means checking the weather, crossing the pass in daylight, and telling you honestly whether one day or two fits your home. Do your part too. Pick your season carefully, list everything you’re moving, send photos of steep driveways and keep a backup date in winter.

If you’re moving between Surrey and Kamloops in either direction, tell us your date, addresses and what’s moving. We’ll send an honest estimate and a clear plan.

Talk to our team: call (778) 962-1619 or request a quote through Book A Move.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving From Surrey to Kamloops

1. How long does a move from Surrey to Kamloops take?

The drive takes about 4 to 4.5 hours in a loaded truck in good conditions. Add loading and unloading time.

For a packed home with good access, in summer:

• Studio or one-bedroom: about 6.5 to 9 hours in total.
• Two bedrooms: about 8.5 to 11 hours, or two days.
• Three bedrooms or more: usually two days.

Winter weather, steep driveways and unpacked rooms add the most time.

2. How much does it cost to move from Surrey to Kamloops?

It depends on how much you’re moving, how long the job takes and how the mover prices it. Some charge by the hour for loading, driving and unloading. Others use volume and distance. Either way, ask how the return trip and any overnight costs are charged.

Send us your inventory, and we’ll give you a written estimate that shows the pricing method and every cost.

3. Is it safe to move over the Coquihalla in winter?

Yes, with the right planning. From October 1 to April 30, commercial trucks on the Coquihalla must follow BC’s winter tire and chain rules. Our drivers check DriveBC and the forecast before every trip.

We aim to cross the summit in daylight, build extra time into winter moves, and keep a backup date in mind. If the road is closed or unsafe, we’ll call you to agree on waiting, taking the Fraser Canyon route or changing the date.

4. Can you move me from Kamloops to Surrey?

Yes. The truck drives up to Kamloops, our crew loads your home, and we bring it down to Surrey. For most homes, we plan two days so the loaded truck isn’t crossing the pass late at night.

If you’re downsizing to a Surrey townhouse or condo, decide early what won’t fit. Selling or donating it in Kamloops saves truck space and time.

5. What should I move myself instead of putting it on the truck?

Keep valuables and essentials with you: passports, important papers, jewellery, medication and laptops. In winter, also take items that can freeze, such as house plants, paint, wine and some electronics. In summer, take items that can melt or warp in heat, such as candles and vinyl records.

Movers can’t carry propane, gasoline or other fuels, so drain mowers and disconnect barbecue tanks before moving day. If you’re not sure about an item, ask us when you send your inventory.