Moving from Montreal to Ottawa: Your Complete Guide to an Intercity Move

Déménagement Le Capitaine offers a long-distance moving service between Montreal and Ottawa perfectly tailored to the needs of families and businesses. Whether you are leaving the Francophone metropolis for the bilingual federal capital or looking to settle in a city that offers excellent professional opportunities and an exceptional quality of life, we are here to support you every step of the way through this important transition.

The distance of approximately 200 kilometers between Montreal and Ottawa represents a logistical challenge that we master perfectly. With years of experience on this interprovincial route, we are accustomed to the specificities of this Quebec-Ontario move and the legitimate expectations of our clients who entrust their belongings to our team.

In this exhaustive guide, we explain everything you need to know about moving between Montreal and Ottawa: the detailed costs and the factors that influence them, the services tailored to your specific needs, the surrounding cities we serve, and our best advice drawn from thousands of successful moves to guarantee a smooth and stress-free experience.

Why Choose Déménagement Le Capitaine for Your Montreal-Ottawa Move?

Recognized Expertise in Long-Distance Moving

We are an established and recognized moving company, with an experienced team that makes the trip between Montreal and Ottawa on demand. This expertise on this interprovincial corridor gives us a considerable advantage in terms of logistics and local knowledge. Our team is perfectly familiar with the unique challenges associated with this route: optimal management of roads and highways (including Highway 40 and the 417), adaptation to variable weather conditions depending on the season, scheduling to avoid rush hour in both metropolises, and, of course, a deep understanding of the specific expectations of our clients undertaking this major life change.

Every year, hundreds of families, young professionals working for the federal government, relocating civil servants, and individuals from all walks of life trust us to safely transport their belongings along this Montreal-Ottawa corridor. This renewed trust testifies to our constant commitment to service excellence and the respect for your possessions. We treat every move with the same seriousness and professionalism, whether it is a student studio or a large family home.

Services Tailored to Your Needs

Whether you need a residential move for your household or a commercial move for your business, we offer entirely customized solutions that adapt to your reality. Are you moving a small apartment, a spacious single-family house, corporate offices, government premises, or even commercial spaces? We systematically adapt our services to the precise size of your project, your time constraints, and your particular requirements.

Our movers in Montreal and Ottawa are rigorously selected and trained to handle all your items with the utmost care, whether they are antique or fragile furniture, sophisticated office equipment, artwork, musical instruments, or irreplaceable sentimental valuables. Every member of our team understands that behind every object and every piece of furniture are memories, investments, and a part of your life.

How Much Does a Move Between Montreal and Ottawa Cost?

The cost of a move between Montreal and Ottawa depends on several interconnected factors that are important to understand in order to properly plan your budget. Unlike local moves which are generally billed by the hour, long-distance moves like this one rely on a more complex evaluation that takes various elements into account. In general, for a standard move between these two cities, rates range between $2,000 and $3,000, depending on the criteria detailed below.

The Elements That Influence the Price

• The volume of goods to be moved: This is the main factor determining the cost of your move. The more objects, furniture, and boxes you have to transport, the larger the truck will need to be, and the longer the loading and unloading time will be, which directly influences the final cost. We generally assess this volume either in cubic meters (for a precise estimate) or by the number of rooms in your dwelling (for a quick evaluation). A studio will obviously require fewer resources than a four-bedroom house with a finished basement.

• Distance and route: Although Montreal and Ottawa are separated by approximately 200 kilometers via Highway 40 East then the 417, some routes may be slightly longer or shorter depending on the exact departure and arrival addresses. A move from Plateau Mont-Royal to downtown Ottawa will not follow exactly the same route as a move from Laval to Kanata or Nepean. These variations, although minor, are taken into account in our estimate to offer you a fair and transparent price.

• Additional services: Services such as complete professional packing of your belongings, temporary storage if you have a delay between your departure and your installation, or complementary insurance for maximum protection may add fees to your invoice. Note particularly that our furniture disassembly and reassembly service is included as standard in our basic package: there is absolutely no additional cost for this service, unlike several of our competitors who charge extra for these operations.

• Time of year: Moves carried out during the summer (particularly around the famous July 1st in Montreal and September 1st in the Ottawa region) or at the end of the month are generally more expensive due to the very high demand that characterizes these periods. If your situation allows, planning your move during the low season (fall, winter, or early spring) or in the middle of the month can save you substantially.

Residential Moving: How to Prepare Well for Your Departure?

Organize Your Move Step by Step

A successful residential move between Montreal and Ottawa is ideally prepared several weeks, or even a few months in advance for more complex projects. This anticipation makes all the difference between a stressful and chaotic move compared to a fluid and controlled transition. Here is our proven advice to avoid last-minute stress and approach this important step in your life calmly:

• Sort through your possessions: Take advantage of your move to get rid of unnecessary objects that have been cluttering your space for too long. It is the ideal opportunity for a major clear-out. Sell what still has value on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji Ottawa, or Montreal, and donate clothes and items in good condition to local charities. The fewer objects you transport, the less your move will cost and the simpler and more organized your setup in your new home will be.

• Prepare your boxes methodically: Start packing with the objects you use infrequently: seasonal decorations, books, souvenirs, serving dishes. Gradually progress towards daily items as the date approaches. Carefully label each box with its detailed contents and the destination room in your new home. This organization will save our movers valuable time and greatly facilitate your subsequent unpacking.

• Inform all the right people: Remember to update your address well before the move with many stakeholders: Canada Post (which also offers a temporary mail forwarding service), your banks and financial institutions, your insurance companies (auto, home, life), utilities (Hydro-Québec in Montreal, Hydro Ottawa in the capital), your employer, the SAAQ for your Quebec driver's license (and remember to exchange it for an Ontario license if you become an Ontario resident), Revenu Québec, the Canada Revenue Agency, and your various subscriptions. This list may seem long, but each point is important to avoid missing crucial mail.

• Plan access to both residences: Make sure that access points such as parking for the truck, reservation of a service elevator, and clear entrances and stairwells are available and confirmed for the big day at both your departure and arrival addresses. In co-ownership buildings, these reservations must often be made several weeks in advance. Do not leave this detail to chance, as insecure access can turn a well-planned day into a logistical nightmare.

• Specific Quebec-Ontario considerations: If you become a permanent resident of Ontario, consider administrative procedures such as obtaining an Ontario Health Card (OHIP), changing your driver's license, and registering your vehicle in Ontario. These procedures must generally be completed within 30 to 90 days following your move-in.

Our Services to Simplify Your Life

We offer complete and professional packing services for those who lack time or prefer to entrust this important task to experts. Our specialized teams use superior quality materials: reinforced boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, thick blankets to effectively protect all your goods during transport over the 200 kilometers separating the two cities. Each fragile item is individually and carefully wrapped.

Our furniture assembly and disassembly service is fully included in our packages, which represents a considerable advantage. This service is particularly useful and even essential for beds (especially queen and king beds), large wall shelves and bookcases, imposing dining tables, modular sofas, and any other bulky or complex furniture. Our movers have the expertise and appropriate tools to quickly and safely dismantle and reassemble your furniture, without damaging either the furniture or the walls of your homes.

Commercial Moving: Professional Support

Why Choose a Specialized Mover for Your Business?

A move of offices or a business between Montreal and Ottawa requires much more precise logistics and particularly rigorous organization compared to a residential move. The stakes are different: minimizing the interruption of your commercial operations, protecting costly and sensitive equipment, and respecting often tight deadlines. Déménagement Le Capitaine supports professionals, SMEs, large companies, and even government organizations.

• Minimize downtime: We plan the move according to your specific operational constraints so as not to disrupt your productivity or impact your customers. Our team can work in phases if necessary, allowing certain departments to continue operating while others are moved. This flexibility is particularly appreciated by companies that cannot afford a prolonged interruption.

• Protect your professional equipment: We use adapted packaging for desktop and laptop computers, sensitive network servers and equipment, multifunction printers, specialized machinery depending on your sector of activity, and any other costly technological equipment. Each piece of equipment is labeled and inventoried to facilitate reinstallation in your new space in Ottawa.

Our Adapted Solutions for Businesses

Whether you are moving a small office with a few employees, a medical clinic, a law firm, government offices, or even an entire floor of a commercial building, we systematically adapt our services to your needs.

Here is what we specifically offer:

• Complete office relocation: Secure transport of all office furniture (desks, ergonomic chairs, filing cabinets, shelves), IT equipment and peripherals, specialized equipment specific to your sector, and even plants and decorations that create the atmosphere of your workspace.

• Professional archive management: Methodical packing in standardized boxes, secure transport with complete traceability, and the possibility of temporary or long-term storage in our secure facilities if your new space in Ottawa is not yet ready to receive all your archives.

• On-site installation and layout: We can help you reorganize and optimize your new workspace according to your layout plan. Our teams can position the furniture according to your directives, reconnect basic equipment, and leave you with a functional space from the first day in the federal capital.

Surrounding Cities: Moving to or from the Ottawa Area

Moving to Cities Near Ottawa

If you plan to settle in the immediate vicinity of Ottawa rather than in the city center, know that we also serve all neighboring municipalities with the same professionalism. Here are the main destinations that our customers frequently choose:

• Gatineau: Located directly across the Ottawa River, Gatineau remains in Quebec while offering simplified access to Ottawa. It is a popular destination for Francophones who wish to maintain their link with Quebec while taking advantage of the federal capital's employment opportunities.

• Kanata: Ottawa's technology district. This western suburb is home to many tech companies and offers a family living environment with excellent schools and numerous parks. Ideal for professionals in the sector and young families.

• Nepean: Residential sector southwest of Ottawa, Nepean harmoniously combines urban areas and green spaces. With its excellent services, shopping centers, and easy access to downtown, it is a popular choice for families and professionals.

• Orleans: Located east of Ottawa, Orleans is a dynamic and bilingual community that particularly attracts Francophones.

• Barrhaven: A fast-growing suburb south of Ottawa, Barrhaven is known for its new residential developments, modern schools, and family atmosphere. It is a popular choice for young families settling in the capital.

Moving from Cities Near Montreal

Are you leaving Laval, Longueuil, Brossard, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Terrebonne, Repentigny, or any municipality on the South Shore or North Shore of Montreal? We also efficiently organize moves from these cities to Ottawa and its surroundings. Our in-depth knowledge of the greater metropolitan area's road network, traffic hours to avoid, and the logistical specificities of each sector allows us to intelligently optimize routes, reduce transport times, and ultimately save you on costs while guaranteeing fast and secure delivery of your goods.

Our Commitments for a Successful Move

A Professional and Punctual Team

Our movers are rigorously selected and recruited for their proven experience in long-distance moving, their exemplary punctuality, their physical fitness, and their keen sense of customer service. They are not simply "porters," but true professionals continually trained to handle all types of goods with appropriate care and to answer your questions throughout the move, whether in French or English.

Every member of our team understands that your Montreal-Ottawa move represents much more than just transportation: it is an important life transition, sometimes linked to a career change, a professional transfer, or a new family chapter, which deserves respect, professionalism, and attention to detail. Our reputation rests on the satisfaction of our clients, and we do everything to maintain it with every move.

Comprehensive Insurance for Your Peace of Mind

All our moves are automatically covered by basic civil liability insurance which protects your goods during all phases of the move: loading, interprovincial transport, and unloading. This basic protection is included at no additional cost in all our packages.

For clients who own high-value goods (antique furniture, artwork, collections, specialized equipment) or who simply want maximum protection and absolute peace of mind, you can also purchase complementary all-risk insurance for reinforced and extended coverage of all your possessions.

Testimonial from Satisfied Customers

"Great move with Le Capitaine. From the quote to the last box, the service was outstanding! The movers were cautious, fast, and clearly experienced. We also found the price requested to be more affordable compared to what other moving companies charged!" - Justine.B.

Ready to Move Between Montreal and Ottawa?

Déménagement Le Capitaine makes every effort to ensure that your move between the Quebec metropolis and the federal capital goes smoothly and under the best possible conditions. Whether you are an individual planning a residential move, an entire family in professional transition, a relocating civil servant, or a professional coordinating an interprovincial commercial move, we support you with tailored solutions.

Contact us today to receive a free, detailed quote with no obligation ! Our team will be happy to answer all your questions and plan your successful move between Montreal and Ottawa together.