If you’ve lived in Chatsworth for a while, Burbank can feel like a whole different world even though it’s just across the Valley. You’re not dealing with a cross-country relocation, but it still has all the emotional and logistical weight of a “real move”: new neighborhood, new commute, new routines.
We work with a lot of families, couples, and solo professionals moving from Chatsworth to Burbank, and we’ve seen the same questions come up again and again:
- What’s the best time of day to move?
- How do we handle narrow Burbank streets and parking?
- Is it worth hiring movers for such a “short” distance?
- How do we move without turning the whole week into chaos?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the move as we’d plan it with our own clients at United Prime Van Lines—step by step, without the salesy fluff.
Chatsworth vs. Burbank: What This Move Really Changes
Moving from Chatsworth to Burbank is only about 25–30 miles, but on a lifestyle level, it’s a decent shift. Understanding that change helps you plan better.
The Daily Rhythm: Suburban Calm to Studio Energy
Chatsworth has that quieter, more spread-out feel. Wider streets, more single-family homes, a bit more breathing room. Burbank is tighter, busier, and more walkable in many areas, especially near the studios and downtown.
That affects your move in a few ways:
- Parking can be trickier in Burbank. Especially in multi-unit buildings and busier residential streets.
- Narrower streets and low-hanging trees can affect where we can park the truck.
- Elevators, stairs, and loading zones are more common on the Burbank side than in Chatsworth single-family homes.
When we plan a Chatsworth-to-Burbank move, we always ask about your exact Burbank address and building type first. The new place often matters more than the old one when it comes to logistics.
Driving Reality: It’s Not Just “It’s Close, We’ll Wing It”
On paper, it’s a short move. In practice, if you’ve driven the 118, 5, or 170 during the wrong time of day, you already know how quickly things can go sideways.
For this route, we pay attention to:
- Rush hours: Early morning and late afternoon can double your drive time.
- Studio schedules: Major studio shift changes in Burbank can spike local traffic.
- Special events: TV tapings, premieres, and events around downtown Burbank can affect parking and access.
A “short” move can drag into a 10- or 11-hour day if it’s not timed well. We focus a lot on timing because that’s where you save the most stress and money.
Emotional Side: It Still Feels Like a Big Move
Even if you’re staying in the Valley, this isn’t “just a quick hop.” You’re:
- Changing your routines.
- Learning new routes and stores.
- Possibly changing schools for kids.
- Adjusting to busier sidewalks and streets.
We like to treat this as a proper move, not a half-step. The more seriously you take the planning, the smoother and calmer the actual moving day usually goes.
Timeline: When to Start Planning Your Chatsworth to Burbank Move
Let’s walk through a reasonable timeline. You don’t have to be perfect with it; think of this as a flexible framework, not homework.
4–6 Weeks Out: Big-Picture Decisions
Around a month (or more) before the move is when you want to:
- Lock in your move date (or at least your target week).
- Decide if you’re hiring movers or doing it yourself.
- Confirm move-in rules with your Burbank building or landlord.
If we’re helping, here’s what we typically do at this stage:
- Ask about both locations: stairs, elevators, parking, gate codes.
- Check if your Burbank address has any special move-in windows (like “No move-ins after 5 PM” or “No trucks in the alley”).
- Talk about your furniture and heavy items: pianos, large sectionals, glass cabinets, etc.
- Give you a realistic estimate for time and cost based on your situation, not a generic number.
Even for a local move, it’s smart to get your date on the calendar early—especially if you want a Friday, weekend, or month-end.
3–4 Weeks Out: Decluttering and Packing the Easy Stuff
Use this window to reduce what you’re paying to move.
Focus on:
- Stuff you haven’t used in a year or more: old décor, clothes, extra kitchen gadgets.
- Garage and storage areas: these add volume (and cost) fast.
- Paper clutter: old bills, manuals, random stacks of “we’ll go through this later.”
We always tell clients: moving is the perfect excuse to be ruthless. It’s cheaper to donate or trash something in Chatsworth than to move it to Burbank and let it sit in the closet another two years.
If you want us to handle packing too, this is when we schedule that, so we can bring the right amount of materials and plan the team.
2 Weeks Out: Lock Down the Details
Two weeks out is where we want everything “real” on paper:
- Confirm move date and start time.
- Confirm building access, codes, and elevator reservations.
- Decide what’s going in your own car (documents, meds, valuables, daily essentials).
- Decide if you need disassembly/reassembly for beds, desks, etc.
On our side, this is when we:
- Assign your crew.
- Choose the truck size.
- Plan the route and general timing.
- Note any special handling items (mirrors, artwork, TV mounting, etc.).
If you’re moving into a Burbank apartment, we’ll also ask about:
- Walk distance from truck to unit.
- Any stairs beyond what the building provides.
- Parking rules (no blocking driveways, time limits, etc.).
Those details are what separate a smooth 6-hour move from a dragged-out 11-hour one.
1 Week Out: Packing Push and Utilities
This is when you really feel the move.
Try to:
- Pack most non-essentials: books, off-season clothes, décor, spare linens.
- Start a “first 3 days” essentials box (more on that later).
- Confirm utilities at both places: internet, power, gas, water.
- Notify any important services: banks, insurance, subscriptions that send mail.
If we’re doing just the loading and transport, aim to have at least 70–80% of your home packed by this point. If we’re doing full packing, you just need to separate what’s NOT going on the truck (things you’ll carry yourself).
How We Time a Chatsworth to Burbank Moving Day
Timing is everything in LA. You know that from driving; it’s double true on moving day.
The Sweet Spot for Start Time
For a Chatsworth-to-Burbank move, we often recommend:
- Early morning start—somewhere in the 8–9 AM range.
Why:
- We can load in Chatsworth before the heat and traffic peak.
- We hit the freeway before late-afternoon gridlock.
- We get you into Burbank early enough to unpack daytime essentials and still breathe.
Afternoon-only moves on this route tend to feel rushed and stressful. If your building in Burbank limits move-in times (for example “No move-ins after 5 PM”), an early start is non-negotiable.
How Long Does a Typical Move Take?
There are a lot of variables, but for a rough idea:
- Small 1-bedroom apartment: ~4–7 hours total, door to door.
- 2-bedroom apartment or small house: ~6–9 hours.
- 3–4 bedroom house with full garage: ~8–11+ hours.
A few things that make it longer:
- Long walks from unit to truck (especially in Burbank complexes).
- Narrow, tricky parking that forces extra trips.
- Heavy or delicate items that need careful wrapping and handling.
- Last-minute packing on move day (this one always adds time).
With United Prime Van Lines, we try to be very honest about time. We’d rather set a realistic window upfront than tell you a fantasy number and then spend the day apologizing.
Packing Strategy for a Short Local Move
It’s tempting to think, “We’re just going across the Valley, we don’t need to pack perfectly.”
That’s the quickest way to end up with broken glasses and mystery boxes.
Where You Can “Relax” and Where You Really Shouldn’t
You can be a bit more relaxed about:
- Labeling by priority rather than perfect rooms (e.g., “Open First – Kitchen” instead of “Kitchen – Box 4 of 9”).
- Keeping some clothes on hangers if we’re using wardrobe boxes.
- Leaving some non-fragile items in dresser drawers (if the furniture allows, and we confirm it’s safe).
You do not want to be relaxed about:
- Fragile items (glass, ceramics, electronics).
- Liquids that can leak.
- Anything sentimental that’s hard or impossible to replace.
We bring proper moving blankets, shrink wrap, padding, and straps for your furniture. But boxes are on you unless you ask us to pack, so it’s worth doing that part right.
A Simple Room-by-Room Approach
Here’s a straightforward way to tackle it:
- Living room: Remove and wrap all décor, photos, and electronics first. Label clearly. Keep remotes and small cables in a zip bag.
- Kitchen: Start with rarely used items—fancy glassware, holiday platters, backup appliances. Save everyday dishes for closer to move day.
- Bedrooms: One box for off-season clothing, one for immediate clothing, one for personal items. Strip nightstands and dressers of loose items.
- Bathroom: Keep a small “last-day” and “first-night” kit; the rest can go in labeled boxes early.
- Garage: Be selective. Tools, seasonal gear, and clearly useful items are worth moving. Broken, rusty, “maybe one day” stuff usually isn’t.
Labeling tip we use all the time: put room + importance level on every box.
- “Kitchen – Daily”
- “Bedroom – Seasonal”
- “Office – Non-urgent”
When we unload in Burbank, this helps us place the boxes where they’ll be easiest for you to deal with.
The Essentials Box (or Suitcase)
Whether it’s a 5-mile move or a 500-mile move, you’ll want a small set of things that never leave your sight:
- Important documents (IDs, passports, leases, insurance).
- Medications.
- Charging cables and small electronics.
- A few changes of clothes.
- Basic toiletries and shower items.
- A towel, bed sheets, and pillowcases.
- Pet supplies (if you have pets).
Keep this in your car, not on the truck. We tell every client this, and we do the same thing when we move our own people. That one box can make the first 24 hours in Burbank feel civilized instead of chaotic.
Burbank-Specific Moving Challenges (And How We Deal with Them)
Burbank is a great place to land, but it does have its quirks from a mover’s point of view.
Parking and Access in Burbank
Here’s what we run into a lot:
- No dedicated loading zone by the building.
- Street parking only, with limited space for a truck.
- Time restrictions (no parking during certain hours).
- Tight alleys with low-hanging wires or tree branches.
Before your move, we like to:
- Look up your address on satellite view to see the street and access points.
- Ask you for photos or short videos of the front of your building and the route from street to unit.
- Check if we need to bring a smaller truck for better maneuverability.
If city permits are needed for special parking in front of certain buildings, we’ll tell you that in advance instead of letting it become a “surprise” on moving day.
Elevators, Stairs, and Long Walks
Some Burbank buildings are elevator-friendly. Others are old-school walk-ups. A few are long, winding complexes where “Oh, it’s just around the corner” actually means “It’s across three courtyards and two gates.”
This matters because long walks:
- Add time.
- Increase crew fatigue.
- Require more planning for how we stage items going in and out.
We build that into your estimate and schedule. That way, you’re not shocked when a seemingly “short” move takes an extra hour or two because of the building layout.
Studio Schedules and Traffic Waves
If you’re near the studios (Warner Bros., Disney, etc.), shift changes can noticeably affect local traffic. You won’t always see this on standard GPS estimates.
When we plan routes and timing, we factor in:
- Main studio shift hours.
- School pickup/drop-off if you’re near schools.
- Freeway choke points (especially the 5, 170, 134).
We do this so your stuff is moving when traffic is relatively sane, not when everything comes to a standstill for half an hour.
Should You Hire Movers for a Chatsworth-to-Burbank Move?
We’re biased, obviously—this is what we do. But we also see a lot of people start with the “We’ll just do it ourselves, it’s close” plan and end the day exhausted, bruised, and wishing they hadn’t.
Here’s how we think about it honestly.
When DIY Might Make Sense
Doing it yourself can work if:
- You’re moving a small studio or lightly furnished 1-bedroom.
- You have strong, reliable help (not just “maybe they’ll show up” friends).
- You’re okay with the move taking most of the day or more.
- You don’t have a lot of heavy or awkward pieces.
You’ll still likely need:
- A rental truck or large van.
- Dollies and moving pads.
- Ratchet straps.
- A good amount of physical energy.
When It’s Probably Time to Call Us
Hiring United Prime Van Lines usually makes sense when:
- You’re moving a 2-bedroom or larger place.
- You have stairs at either location.
- You own heavy items: large dressers, full sectionals, glass cabinets, solid wood furniture, piano, etc.
- You’re on a tight schedule (e.g., must be out today, must be done before work tomorrow).
- You’re just not up for an all-day physical grind—which is completely fair.
What we actually do for you on this route:
- Plan the timing around LA traffic flows.
- Protect your furniture with pads, shrink wrap, and proper handling.
- Handle the loading and unloading so you’re not lifting all day.
- Disassemble and reassemble basic furniture if needed.
- Keep the day organized so you’re not chasing random boxes and screws.
We treat a Chatsworth-to-Burbank move with the same care we’d treat a longer-distance one—just condensed into a single day.
Making Moving Day Feel Less Chaotic
This part isn’t just about logistics; it’s about your sanity.
The Night Before: A Few Simple Wins
We always suggest:
- Clear one path from door to main rooms so movers aren’t stepping over bags and boxes.
- Set aside anything that is not going on the truck and mark it clearly.
- Charge your phone fully and keep chargers easy to reach.
- Get a decent night’s sleep if you can—tomorrow will be busy even if everything goes right.
If we’re arriving early, treat it like an early flight day. You’ll thank yourself.
Day-of: Your Role vs. Our Role
On move day, here’s how it usually divides:
What we handle:
- Protecting furniture.
- Carrying boxes and items.
- Loading the truck safely and tightly.
- Driving the truck from Chatsworth to Burbank.
- Unloading and placing items in the right rooms.
What you handle:
- Being available for questions and decisions.
- Pointing us to what’s going and what’s staying.
- Directing where things go in the new place.
- Keeping pets safe and out of the way.
- Keeping your essentials with you.
You don’t need to hover or micromanage. In fact, it usually slows things down. We’ll check in with you at key points; the rest of the time, you can focus on the big-picture decisions.
Moving with Kids or Pets Between Chatsworth and Burbank
Short-distance moves can actually be trickier with kids and pets because everyone thinks, “We’ll just handle it on the fly.” It still helps to plan.
Kids: Keeping Them Grounded in the Chaos
We’ve seen what works for parents on this route:
- Pack a “kid box”: favorite toys, books, snacks, PJs, one comfort item.
- If possible, have them visit the new Burbank place before moving day so it feels familiar.
- Let them pick something small for their new room (a poster, lamp, or rug) in advance.
On moving day itself, consider:
- Having them spend part of the day with a relative, friend, or sitter.
- Bringing them to the new place once the big furniture is in, so it feels more like a home and less like a storage unit.
We’ll work around kids, but we are carrying heavy things—keeping them a bit out of the main traffic zone makes it safer for everyone.
Pets: Minimize Their Stress
For pets, the move is basically a nightmare of strange noises and people. To make it easier:
- Keep them in a closed room on move-out and move-in, with food, water, and their bed or litter box.
- Or better, let a friend or daycare watch them for the main bulk of the move.
- Move them in your own car, not the truck.
- Set up a quiet space for them in the Burbank home first—one room with familiar items and minimal traffic.
We always ask about pets before we start so we can keep doors closed and be mindful when moving things in and out.
Settling into Burbank After Leaving Chatsworth
Once the last box is off the truck and we’re gone, your work isn’t quite over, but your back should be in much better shape than if you did this alone.
Unpacking in a Smart Order
You don’t have to unpack everything in a day. Focus on:
- Bedroom basics: bed assembled and made, simple clothing options.
- Bathroom essentials: towels, soap, shower setup, toilet paper.
- Kitchen minimums: coffee/tea setup, basic dishes, a pan or two.
Then you can tackle:
- Kids’ rooms.
- Home office.
- Décor and books.
- Garage or storage.
If we’ve placed boxes by room and importance (based on your labels), this part feels far less overwhelming.
Updating Your World to “Burbank Mode”
Over the next week or two, you’ll want to:
- Update your address with DMV, banks, insurance, and subscriptions.
- Get familiar with your trash/recycling schedule.
- Find your new grocery store, pharmacy, and gas station of choice.
- Explore nearby parks, coffee spots, and restaurants.
You moved to Burbank for a reason—studios, job, schools, lifestyle. Give yourself a little time to enjoy that, not just exist in a sea of half-open boxes.
How United Prime Van Lines Fits into Your Chatsworth-to-Burbank Move
We’re not here to tell you that you can’t move without us. People do DIY moves all the time. But if you want to:
- Avoid hurting your back on that giant dresser.
- Skip renting and driving a truck in LA traffic.
- Keep your day somewhat sane and predictable.
- Have experienced movers who actually know the Valley.
Then we’re ready to take a lot of that weight off your shoulders—literally and figuratively.
Here’s what we typically do for a Chatsworth-to-Burbank move:
- Help you pick a realistic date and start time around traffic and building rules.
- Show up on time with the right crew and truck size.
- Protect your furniture with blankets, shrink wrap, and proper handling.
- Load, drive, and unload efficiently, without rushing carelessly.
- Put your items into the correct rooms at the new place, based on your labels and directions.
You’re still in charge. We’re just making sure the actual move part is handled professionally so you can focus on starting your new chapter in Burbank instead of just surviving moving day.
Whenever you’re ready, we can walk through your specific situation—size of your home, timing, any heavy or special items—and give you a straightforward plan and quote. No pressure, no surprises, just a clear path from Chatsworth to your new Burbank front door.
