If you are planning a local move in California, you may see a charge called Double Drive Time on your moving estimate or final bill. Many customers are unfamiliar with this term, so it is important to understand how it works before moving day.

Double Drive Time is not the same as charging twice for the entire move. It applies to the driving time between the pickup and delivery locations when required for an eligible hourly California move.

What Is Double Drive Time?

Double Drive Time means that the time spent driving from the pickup location to the delivery location is calculated twice for billing purposes.

For example, if the actual drive between the pickup and delivery addresses takes 30 minutes, the billable driving time would be calculated as 60 minutes. If the drive takes 45 minutes, the billable driving time would be calculated as 90 minutes.

Only the driving period between the pickup and delivery locations is doubled. The time spent packing, wrapping, loading, unloading, assembling furniture, and performing other moving services is calculated according to the applicable hourly rate and actual working time.

Why Does California Use Double Drive Time?

Double Drive Time is intended to compensate the moving company for the return portion of the trip after completing a one-way local move. Instead of charging separately for the truck’s return to its original location, the applicable driving time between the pickup and destination is doubled.

Your mover should explain the applicable hourly rate, minimum time, travel charges, and Double Drive Time before the move begins.

A Simple Double Drive Time Example

Imagine that a customer hires a moving crew for a local Los Angeles move:

• The crew spends two hours wrapping and loading.
• The drive to the destination takes 30 minutes.
• The crew spends one hour unloading.
• The applicable Double Drive Time is one hour because the 30-minute drive is doubled.

In this example, the calculated moving time would be four hours: two hours for loading, one hour for Double Drive Time, and one hour for unloading.

This is only a simplified example. Actual moving time may be affected by traffic, parking, stairs, elevators, long walking distances, building restrictions, packing needs, and the amount of furniture and boxes being moved.

Does Traffic Affect Double Drive Time?

Yes. Double Drive Time is based on the applicable actual driving time between the pickup and delivery locations, so Los Angeles traffic may affect the total.

A route that normally takes 25 minutes may take considerably longer during rush hour, following an accident, or when there is road construction. Customers may reduce unnecessary driving time by scheduling carefully when possible, but traffic conditions cannot be guaranteed.

Before moving day, confirm both addresses and provide any information about gated entrances, loading areas, parking restrictions, or streets that may be difficult for a moving truck to access.

What Time Is Not Doubled?

Double Drive Time does not mean that all moving labor is doubled. Packing, furniture preparation, loading, unloading, disassembly, reassembly, and other work are not doubled simply because Double Drive Time applies.

The moving company should record the applicable working and driving periods on the moving documents. Customers should review their paperwork and ask questions if they do not understand how the time is being calculated.

Does Double Drive Time Apply to Every Move?

Double Drive Time does not necessarily apply to every moving situation. Its application depends on the type of move, the distance, the pricing method, and applicable California moving regulations.

California intrastate moves that cover longer distances may be priced differently. Customers should never assume that the same billing method applies to every move.

Ask the moving company these questions before booking:

• Is this move charged hourly or by another authorized method?
• Does Double Drive Time apply?
• What is the hourly rate?
• How many movers and trucks are included?
• Is there a minimum number of hours?
• Are packing materials charged separately?
• Could overtime or other charges apply?

Obtaining these details before moving day helps prevent confusion when the final bill is prepared.

Giant Movers 365 Moving Policies

Giant Movers 365 has a three-hour minimum for moving services. After the minimum, additional time is charged in 30-minute increments.

The hourly rate depends on the crew and equipment assigned to the move. Packing materials are charged separately when used, and overtime rates apply after eight hours. Double Drive Time is calculated when applicable to the move.

Before booking, provide accurate information about your inventory and both properties. This should include stairs, elevators, parking conditions, long walking distances, access restrictions, fragile belongings, oversized furniture, and unusually heavy items.

Incomplete information may affect the crew size, required equipment, estimated time, and overall cost.

How to Prepare for an Hourly Move

Good preparation can help your moving crew work efficiently. Before the movers arrive:

• Finish packing and seal your boxes.
• Clearly label boxes by room.
• Reserve the elevator and loading area.
• Arrange suitable parking for the moving truck.
• Disconnect electronics and appliances.
• Remove unwanted items before moving day.
• Inform the mover about stairs, gates, and long hallways.
• Provide an accurate inventory.
• Identify fragile, oversized, or unusually heavy items.
• Confirm the pickup and delivery addresses.

You can learn more about our local moving services and packing and storage services.

Choose a Licensed California Moving Company

Before hiring movers, verify that the company is properly licensed and insured. Review the written estimate and moving documents, and make sure you understand the hourly rate, minimum time, valuation coverage, material charges, and applicable travel time.

Giant Movers 365 is a licensed California moving company operating under MTR 0192654 and USDOT 3963538. We provide residential, apartment, office, packing, loading, unloading, storage, and eligible California intrastate moving services.

We do not provide interstate moving services.

Request a Free Moving Estimate

If you are planning a move in Los Angeles or a surrounding service area, Giant Movers 365 can review your inventory, locations, access conditions, and requested services.

Visit our Los Angeles movers page or call 310-988-5051 to discuss your move and request a free estimate.