What Size Van Do I Need for a Long-Distance Move?
A long-distance move typically needs one van size up from the equivalent local move — commonly a Luton van in place of a long-wheelbase van — because everything has to travel in a single trip. There is no quick return run for anything left behind on a multi-hour journey, so we size long-distance loads with a margin the local job would not need.
Recommended vehicle
Typical crew: 2 crew. Prices start from £48 for a small van and one driver, or from £54/hr — get an exact quote for your move in 60 seconds.
Why we recommend this van
A local move that runs slightly over capacity is a minor inconvenience: a short second run down the road resolves it. On a long-distance move — Manchester to London, or further — that same shortfall means a multi-hour round trip, which is why we build in more capacity headroom for long-distance jobs of the same property size.
The exact van still depends on your property, using the same size guide as any local move — a 2-bed house is still a Luton van's job, a studio flat still an SWB van's.
What changes is how tightly we plan the load: long-distance crews pack for one clean pass, so nothing gets left because the van filled up an hour into loading.
What typically fits
- Your full property's furniture, sized per our standard property guide
- Extra packing protection for a longer journey
- Boxed items secured for motorway transport
- Fragile and valuable items flagged for careful loading
- A single scheduled overnight or same-day delivery window
Moving a 3-bed-or-larger house long-distance? We commonly plan two Luton vans or a 7.5-tonne lorry from the outset rather than risk a shortfall on the day.
Ready to book?
See full pricing, process and coverage for this job on our dedicated service page.
Step up or down a size: a 7.5-tonne lorry holds 36m³ and carries ~3,000kg — we confirm which one your job needs from your item list, never a guess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do long-distance moves cost more because of the van size?
Van size is one factor alongside distance and time, but the bigger driver is simply the mileage and crew hours involved. Get an instant quote with your route and item list for an exact price.
How is a long-distance move different from a local move?
The van sizing logic is the same — matched to your property — but we build in more capacity margin and pack more tightly, since there is no quick return trip if the load runs slightly over on a long journey.
Can a long-distance move happen in one day?
Most UK long-distance moves complete within a single day, loading in the morning and delivering the same day or first thing the next morning depending on distance and your preferred schedule.