Ottawa and Montreal moves
Ottawa to Montreal movers
TLC Moving & Storage moves households between Ottawa and Montreal in both directions, and to Laval. The drive is about 200 km by Highway 417 and Autoroute 40, roughly two and a half hours before traffic and stops. We pack, load, drive and set up at the other end. Call (613) 830-7402 or send the form for a free estimate.
- Moves in both directions, and to Laval
- About 200 km by road
- Storage in Ottawa if your dates don't line up
Why a 200 km move to Montreal still needs a long-distance plan
Ottawa City Hall to Montreal City Hall is about 200 km by road: Highway 417 east to the Quebec border, then Autoroute 40 into the city. That is roughly two and a half hours of driving before traffic and stops.
That is short for a long-distance move, but once the truck is on the 40 nobody goes back to Ottawa for a forgotten box, and you unload in another province. So we plan it the way our long-distance movers plan every move that leaves the Ottawa region: packed and secured for the highway, with both ends arranged before the truck leaves.
We are Ottawa movers, and this is a route we know: our step-by-step process for Ottawa to Montreal moves is written up in full.
What a move from Ottawa to Montreal involves
Montreal homes are built differently from most of the ones Ottawa families leave. Many have narrow staircases, outside staircases, tight hallways and small elevators or none, and street parking is tight. We plan the unload around the building you are moving into: its stairs, its elevator and where the truck can stop.
On the street, each Montreal borough sets its own moving-truck rule. The City of Montreal says a permit can be needed to reserve a space for the truck: in some boroughs to put up no-parking signs, to park on a street with meters, or to park where signs forbid it. Check your borough on montreal.ca before moving day and tell us what it says.
Once you settle in Quebec, the SAAQ lets you drive a car on your Ontario licence for the first six months. After that you need a Quebec licence, and a valid Ontario licence is exchanged without a road test.
Moving from Montreal to Ottawa
Ottawa homes tend to be roomier at the door: wider interiors, finished basements, driveways and garages. Condo buildings set their own move-in rules. Tell us both addresses and what you are bringing, and we plan the move from Montreal.
If you are leaving a Quebec lease, plan around July 1. Most housing leases in Quebec end on June 30, according to the Tribunal administratif du logement, so many people move around July 1 every year. If your dates are flexible, book early or pick a day away from it.
If your Ottawa home isn't ready when you arrive, your things can wait in storage here until it is. In Matthew S.'s review below, our crew stored their things for several days, then moved them into the new home.
In Ontario, you can drive on your Quebec licence for 60 days after you move. After 60 days, ServiceOntario says you need to switch to an Ontario licence.
How we plan a move between Ottawa and Montreal
The same steps, whichever way you are going:
1. Start four to six weeks out
Where you can, start four to six weeks before moving day. That leaves time to sort, pack in stages and line up both buildings.
2. A free estimate that covers both ends
We go over the size of the home, the rooms, large furniture and fragile pieces, your dates and both addresses, so the quote covers the whole job.
3. Packed for highway hours
Boxes packed tight and labelled by room, fragile items cushioned, furniture wrapped. Or you pack and we load. See packing services.
4. Loaded so nothing shifts
The truck is loaded to use the space and keep items from moving in transit, with boxes organised for a quick unload.
5. Delivery time and building access confirmed
Before the truck leaves, we confirm the delivery time and how we get in at the other end: the elevator, the loading area or the parking.
6. Beds first at the new place
We unload room by room, and beds and essential furniture go in first so the home is livable on the first night.
Before moving day in Montreal or Ottawa
Sort these out before the truck arrives:
Book the elevator
Ask both buildings whether the elevator has to be booked for a move, and book it early, especially near July 1.
Check where the truck can park
In Montreal, read your borough's moving-truck rule on montreal.ca. In Ottawa, ask your condo or building where and when the truck can load.
Line up storage early
If closing or lease dates don't match, arrange storage now rather than on moving day.
What Ottawa customers say about TLC
Emad was great to work with in the lead-up and even arranged to have moving supplies delivered to us ahead of our move. Amar, Dan and the rest of the team took great care moving our items, storing them for several days and moving them into our new home.
Google review, 5 July 2026
Using TLC for over 20 years. Why? Because they are reliable, trustworthy and well priced.
Google review, 1 October 2026
Questions about moving with TLC
How much does it cost to move from Ottawa to Montreal?
It depends on the size of your home, how much you want packed, whether you need storage and your date. We price each move after reviewing it, and the estimate is free with no obligation. Call (613) 830-7402.
How long is the drive from Ottawa to Montreal?
About 200 km and two and a half hours of driving from city hall to city hall, by Highway 417 and Autoroute 40, on an OpenStreetMap route read (OSRM, 2026-11-06). Moving day also includes loading at one end and unloading at the other.
When is the busiest time to move in Montreal?
Around July 1. Most housing leases in Quebec end on June 30, according to the Tribunal administratif du logement, so many people move that week. If your dates are flexible, ask us for an estimate on a day away from it.
Do I need a permit for the moving truck in Montreal?
Sometimes. Each borough sets its own rule. The City of Montreal says a permit can be needed to reserve street space for a moving truck, for example to put up no-parking signs or to park on a metered street. Check your borough on montreal.ca.
Do you move to Laval?
Yes. We move households between Ottawa, Montreal and Laval, in both directions. Call (613) 830-7402 with both addresses.
Is a move between Ottawa and Montreal a long-distance move?
Yes. For us, any move that leaves the Ottawa region is long distance. See long-distance moving.
Free estimate
Get your free estimate
Tell us about your move and we will come back with a free, obligation-free estimate. You can also call (613) 830-7402.