Moving in Los Angeles summer means 95°F by 10am, 105°F in the Valley, and your moving crew melting before noon. Every summer, we watch DIY movers collapse from heat exhaustion, professionals quit mid-job, and electronics literally cook in hot trucks. After thousands of summer moves without a single heat injury, here's SOS Moving's guide to surviving LA's brutal moving season.
LA Summer Moving Reality
Temperature timeline:
- 6am: 75°F (tolerable)
- 8am: 85°F (warming fast)
- 10am: 95°F (getting dangerous)
- 12pm: 100°F+ (brutal)
- 2pm: 105°F (peak hell)
- 4pm: 103°F (still terrible)
- 6pm: 95°F (barely better)
Worst areas:
- Valley: Add 10°F to everything
- Downtown: Concrete radiates heat
- Inland Empire: Desert conditions
- East LA: No ocean breeze
Only salvation: Beach cities stay 80°F.
Start Time Is Everything
6am start (BEST):
- Cool enough to work hard
- 4 hours before brutal heat
- Finish by noon ideally
- Parking easier
- Crew fresh
- Your survival likely
8am start (OK):
- Already warming
- 2 good hours max
- Rush hour traffic
- Getting uncomfortable
10am or later (DISASTER):
- Already 95°F+
- Crew exhausted quickly
- Dangerous conditions
- Everything takes longer
- Heat exhaustion likely
SOS Moving summer schedule: 6am starts only.
Hydration Strategy
Professional formula:
- Water every 20 minutes minimum
- Electrolytes every hour
- No energy drinks
- No alcohol night before
- Begin hydrating day before
Quantity needed:
- 1 gallon per person minimum
- 2 gallons if over 95°F
- Sports drinks: 2-3 bottles
- Keep extras cold in cooler
Warning signs of dehydration:
- Stopped sweating (emergency)
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Confusion
Stop immediately if these occur.
What to Wear
Correct clothing:
- Light colors (reflect heat)
- Moisture-wicking fabric
- Long sleeves (sun protection)
- Hat essential
- Sunglasses
- Closed-toe shoes
Never wear:
- Black clothing (absorbs heat)
- Cotton (traps sweat)
- Tank tops (sunburn)
- Shorts (leg protection)
- Sandals (drop hazard)
Protecting Your Belongings
Electronics in heat:
- TVs can warp
- Computers overheat
- Vinyl records melt
- Photographs stick
- Candles liquify
- Makeup melts
Protection strategy:
- AC your car for electronics
- Move these items first
- Never leave in truck
- Use coolers for sensitive items
- Climate-controlled transport
Truck Temperature Reality
Inside cargo area:
- Outside 95°F = Inside 115°F
- Outside 105°F = Inside 130°F
- Metal surfaces: 150°F+
- No ventilation
- Heat rises to roof
Consequences:
- Furniture glue fails
- Wood warps
- Leather cracks
- Electronics die
- Plants wilt instantly
Never leave loaded truck in sun.
Break Schedule
Summer break requirements:
- Every 30 minutes: 5-minute water break
- Every hour: 10-minute shade break
- Every 2 hours: 20-minute AC break
- Lunch: Full hour in AC
Non-negotiable:Breaks aren't weakness. They prevent hospital visits.
Room Strategy
Pack night before:Everything boxed, ready to load. No packing in heat.
Loading order:
- Heavy items first (while energy exists)
- Electronics/sensitive items to car
- Regular boxes
- Light items last
Cooling rotation:One person in AC packing inside while others load truck. Rotate every 20 minutes.
Parking and Shade
Shade priorities:
- Park truck in shade if possible
- Create shade with tarps
- Use building shadows
- Morning: East side shade
- Afternoon: West side shade
Parking reality:Shade worth parking ticket. $73 ticket beats heat stroke.
Special Considerations
Pets in summer moves:
- Never in truck
- AC car only
- Extra water
- Consider boarding
- Move separately if needed
Plants:Will die in truck. Accept it or transport specially.
Food items:Nothing perishable. Everything spoils.
Medications:Keep with you in AC. Heat destroys many medicines.
Valley-Specific Hell
Valley adds 10°F minimum:
- Woodland Hills: Consistently hottest
- Northridge: Brutal concrete heat
- Van Nuys: No shade anywhere
- Reseda: Asphalt everywhere
Valley strategy:5am starts or evening moves only.
Beach Cities Advantage
Cooler zones:
- Santa Monica: 75-80°F
- Manhattan Beach: Ocean breeze
- Marina del Rey: Marine layer
- Venice: Bearable
Moving to beach from Valley? Do it early, enjoy cool destination.
When to Cancel/Postpone
Cancel if:
- Heat advisory issued
- Over 110°F predicted
- Crew seems dehydrated
- You feel dizzy/nauseous
- Anyone vomits
Better to reschedule than hospitalize.
Evening Moves
After 6pm advantages:
- Temperature dropping
- Sun less direct
- Survived peak heat
Disadvantages:
- Everyone exhausted
- Running out of light
- Neighbors annoyed
- Still 90°F+
Professional Summer Rates
Why summer costs more:
- Hazard conditions
- Longer breaks needed
- Earlier starts
- Crew exhaustion
- Higher insurance
SOS Moving summer rates: Same price, earlier starts.
DIY Summer Moving Disasters
Common amateur mistakes:
- Starting at noon
- No water prepared
- Black clothing
- No breaks
- "Pushing through"
Results:
- Heat exhaustion
- Emergency room visits
- Damaged belongings
- Unfinished moves
- Dangerous situations
Post-Move Recovery
After summer move:
- Continue hydrating
- Cool shower
- Light meal only
- Rest in AC
- Monitor for heat illness
- Next day: Still hydrate
Recovery takes 24-48 hours.
Summer Moving Survival Kit
Essential items:
- 2 gallons water per person
- Electrolyte drinks
- Cooler with ice
- Towels (cooling)
- Sunscreen SPF 50+
- First aid kit
- Thermometer
- Fans (battery)
The Professional Advantage
Summer moves require experience. Knowing when to break, how to hydrate, which sequence prevents exhaustion—this knowledge prevents disasters.
SOS Moving crews train for summer conditions. We start early, hydrate constantly, rotate systematically. No heat injuries in our history.
Moving this summer? Call 909-443-0004. We'll schedule your 6am start, bring extra water, and handle the heat professionally. Your job: stay in the AC and supervise. Beat the heat with experience.
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