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Tips for moving during football season

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Published: Jan 23. 2025

Moving during football season in Oxford, Mississippi can be a challenging experience, especially with the excitement surrounding Ole Miss home games. Thousands of fans crowd the streets, creating heavy traffic, limited parking, and high demand for local services. These challenges make it important to plan ahead. Booking movers, such as Spyder Moving and Storage MS, early can help secure the resources you need for a smooth move. Avoid game days, navigate traffic smartly, and check parking regulations to prevent delays.

Why moving during Ole Miss football season is challenging.

Moving to Oxford MS during football season can be tricky. Ole Miss football games bring in huge crowds, especially on home game weekends. The Grove fills up with tailgaters, and traffic around campus and The Square becomes a big problem. Parking spaces are hard to find, and some roads are even closed for game-day events. These things can make it harder to move into your new home. To avoid added stress, it’s a good idea to plan ahead, avoid game days, and prepare for delays. Moving to Oxford MS during this time takes extra effort, but with planning, it’s manageable. 

Research the Ole Miss football schedule

When planning a move, it’s important to check the Ole Miss football schedule. The university releases the schedule ahead of time, so you can plan your move around home games. Moving on a game weekend can lead to problems like heavy traffic, limited parking, and overbooked local services. It’s best to avoid those weekends if you can. Non-game days or bye weeks are much better since everything will be less crowded. You’ll also have an easier time booking residential movers and finding rental trucks. Planning around the schedule helps avoid stress and makes your move to Oxford much smoother. 

A person using their laptop to prepare for moving during football season
Looking up the Ole Miss football schedule is the best way to prepare for moving during football season.

Book moving services well in advance

During football season, it can be harder to book packers and movers or rent a moving truck in Oxford because so many people are visiting for the games. If you need these services, it’s important to book them early. Try to reserve your movers or truck several weeks or even months ahead of your moving date. Booking early helps make sure you can get the help you need and may also save you money. Waiting until the last minute during busy weekends can lead to higher prices or limited options. Planning ahead makes moving during football season much easier. 

Be strategic about moving day timing

Even if you don’t move on a game day, the time you choose is very important. Traffic in Oxford gets worse on the days right before and after a home game. To make things easier, try to schedule your move for early in the morning or later in the evening when traffic is lighter. Tailgating and game-related activities can make roads very busy during the day. Keep in mind that traffic from a Saturday game often carries over into Sunday, so plan around that. Many moving companies in Mississippi recommend planning carefully to avoid delays caused by heavy game-day traffic. 

Understand parking regulations in Oxford

Parking is an important part of any move, especially during football season in Oxford. Some areas require residential parking permits, so it’s a good idea to check with your city office or homeowner’s association to find out the rules. If you’re using a moving truck, you might also need a temporary parking permit to reserve a spot near your home. Parking can be very limited on busy weekends, so planning ahead can save you a lot of stress. Mississippi long distance movers often recommend handling parking details early to avoid last-minute issues, especially during crowded football weekends in the area.

A mover carrying boxes from a van while helping someone who is moving during football season
Learning about local parking regulations will help you prepare for moving during football season in Oxford MS.

Avoid The Grove on game days

The Grove is the main spot for Ole Miss tailgating, and it gets very crowded on game days. Roads around The Grove and the campus are usually packed with cars, and parking is almost impossible to find. If you’re moving during football season, try to avoid this area completely. Use a map or navigation app to plan routes that take you away from The Grove and campus traffic. If you’re moving into a house or apartment near the university, be ready for delays and give yourself extra time. If possible, plan your move on a day when things are quieter.

Navigating traffic in and around campus

Moving during football season means dealing with heavy traffic near the Ole Miss campus. It’s important to plan ahead and be careful when driving. Use a navigation app to check traffic in real time so you can avoid the worst areas. Some streets, like Jackson Avenue and University Avenue, get very crowded on game weekends and can cause big delays. To save time, try taking less busy roads like College Hill Road or Old Taylor Road.

Coordinate with your new neighborhood

If you’re moving into a shared space or a neighborhood with strict rules, it’s a good idea to talk to your new neighbors first. Let them know when you plan to move, especially if you’ll have a large moving truck that might block driveways or parking spaces. Being upfront about your plans can help avoid any problems. If you’re moving into an apartment complex or a place with an HOA, make sure to check their rules. Some places have restrictions about moving during certain times. Checking these rules ahead of time can make your move go more smoothly for everyone.

People shaking hands
Meeting your future neighbors ahead of the move to discuss your schedule with them will help you get started on the right foot with your new community.

Secure accommodations for friends or family helpers

If your friends or family are helping you move, you’ll need to plan for where they can stay. During football season, hotels and short-term rentals in Oxford fill up fast, especially on game weekends. It’s a good idea to book a room for them as early as possible to make sure they have a place to stay. If you want to save money or avoid the hassle of finding lodging, you can have them stay at your new home if there’s enough space. Planning ahead for their accommodations can make moving day a lot easier for everyone.

Pack efficiently to minimize delays

Packing efficiently is important for any move, but it’s especially important when moving during football season. To make things easier, label all your boxes clearly so you know what’s inside. Pack everything in an organized way to make unloading quicker. Be sure to pack the things you’ll need right away in boxes that are easy to find. This will save you time when you’re settling in. If you have large furniture, take it apart before moving day to make it easier to load and unload.

Consider temporary storage options when moving during football season

If you can’t schedule your move around game weekends, using temporary storage can be a big help. Renting a storage unit lets you move your things little by little instead of all at once, which helps you avoid the heavy traffic that comes with football season. There are several storage facilities in Oxford, but they can get full quickly during busy times, so it’s important to reserve your unit early. Lots of professional commercial movers also recommend this for businesses moving their offices to Oxford, as it gives you more flexibility and makes the moving process much easier to handle.

A storage unit facility hallway
Renting a local storage unit will give you extra time to get settled without piling up clutter in your home.

Utilize grocery and delivery services

After you move into your new home, grocery delivery services can make things a lot easier. During game weekends, stores in Oxford can get crowded, and traffic can make getting there stressful. Using services like Instacart or other local delivery options saves you from having to deal with all of that. You can order everything you need and have it brought right to your door. This is also really helpful if you’re busy unpacking and don’t have time to go out. Grocery delivery can save you time and make settling into your new home a lot less stressful.

Know local events and festivals beyond football

Moving during football season can already be a challenge, but it’s important to remember that Oxford also hosts other events and festivals that might affect your plans. These events can bring extra traffic and make it harder to get things done, like finding parking or getting help from local services. To avoid running into problems, check the local events calendar before you schedule your move. Knowing about these events ahead of time can help you pick a better day to move.

Communicate with your moving company

When you’re moving, it’s important to stay in touch with your moving company to confirm schedules, routes, and when they’ll arrive. If you’re moving during football season, make sure the movers know about the extra traffic and delays that can happen on game weekends. Ask if they’ve worked in Oxford before and if they know how to handle busy days like this. It’s also a good idea to talk with them about backup plans in case there are delays or road closures. Movers from Oxford MS often know how to deal with these challenges, so good communication is very important.

Movers carrying moving boxes
Communicating with your moving team will help you avoid misunderstandings and delays.

Assemble a game plan for tailgate weekends

If you have to move on a game weekend, it’s important to plan ahead to handle the extra challenges. Expect more noise, big crowds, and delays, especially near campus and The Square. Roads like University Avenue and Park Drive can get very busy during peak hours, so it’s best to avoid those streets if you can. Use a navigation app to find detours or less crowded routes. Make sure to give yourself extra time in case of unexpected delays. Having a plan in place can help make the process easier, even if you’re moving during such a busy weekend.

Double-check utilities and address changes

Before moving day, make sure your utilities are set up and ready to use. This includes water, electricity, and internet. Utility companies can get really busy during football season, so it’s better to schedule service setups or transfers on non-game days to avoid any delays. Also, remember to update your address with the post office so your mail goes to the right place. Don’t forget to update your address with your bank, insurance, and any other important services. Taking care of these things early is especially important when you’re moving during football season, as it helps avoid unnecessary problems.

Post-move recommendations

After you’ve moved in, start by unpacking the most important items first. This will make your home feel more comfortable and ready to use right away. Focus on essentials like kitchen items, toiletries, and clothes you’ll need. Once you’re settled, try to explore Oxford on weekends when there isn’t a football game. The town is less crowded, and it will be easier to check out local grocery stores, restaurants, and other places you’ll need to visit. Taking time to get familiar with the area when it’s quieter will help you feel more comfortable in your new home and routine.

People unpacking after a move
When you first move in, start by unpacking all the most important items like kitchen items, toiletries, and clothes you’ll need right away.

What to do if moving day falls on a home game?

If you have to move on a home game day, it’s important to be prepared and flexible. Start as early as you can to avoid the worst traffic. Talk with your moving company or anyone helping you to make sure everyone knows the plan. It’s a good idea to plan backup routes in case some roads are closed or too crowded. Be ready for delays, as things will likely take longer than usual. Staying calm and focused can make the day go more smoothly. Moving during a game day can be tricky, but with good planning, you can still get it done.

Use these tips when moving during football season

Moving during football season in Oxford can be tricky, but good planning can make it easier. The big crowds and traffic during Ole Miss game weekends create challenges like parking problems and busy roads. To avoid stress, try not to move on a game weekend, and book your moving services as early as possible. Stay flexible and plan for delays in case things don’t go exactly as scheduled. Keep an eye on the football schedule and other events happening in Oxford. With some planning and preparation, moving to Oxford during football season can still go smoothly, even during this busy time.