September 1 in Boston is not a normal moving day.
It’s thousands of people moving across the city at roughly the same time, trucks fighting for curb space, furniture appearing on sidewalks and at least one person learning the hard way why you do not take a moving truck onto Storrow Drive.
If you’re moving tomorrow, here’s the stuff that can save you time, money and a deeply unnecessary tow.
First: that empty parking spot might not actually be yours
Temporary move-in parking restrictions are active across several Boston neighborhoods during the broader move-in period.
For September 1 specifically, the City lists restrictions in Fenway, Mission Hill and parts of Roxbury. In Fenway, Sept. 1 restrictions include sections of Gainsborough Street, Hemenway Street, St. Stephen Street, Symphony Road and Westland Avenue. Mission Hill has a much longer list, while restrictions on parts of Coventry and Tremont streets in Roxbury also run through Sept. 1.
So even if you parked somewhere yesterday, check the signs again before walking away from the car. The City says restrictions can change and has issued more than 2,500 moving-truck permits for August 29 through September 1 this year.
Basically: if there’s a sign, read it.
Boston towing is not big on second chances.
If your car disappears
Start here:
Boston Police Tow Line: 617-343-4629
City of Boston Tow Lot: 617-635-3900
You can also search the City’s online tow database using your license plate.
If someone is parked in a moving space you legally reserved, call Boston Police at 617-343-4911, explain that it’s a non-emergency and provide the vehicle’s plate number.
Screenshot those numbers now.
Searching “where did Boston tow my car” while standing next to an empty curb is not how you want to spend move-in day.
Didn’t get a moving permit? Know what the permit actually does
A Boston moving-truck permit isn’t legally required, but it reserves legal curb space for your truck. Without one, normal parking restrictions still apply.
A standard permit reserves two spaces from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. A one-day permit for two non-metered spaces currently costs $69. Online applications normally need to be submitted at least 15 days ahead, while in-person applications require at least three days.
So if you’re reading this on August 31, getting a normal permit for tomorrow is basically off the table.
But there is one move-in-week exception worth knowing.
From August 31 through September 2, the City blocks off some common moving locations specifically for moving-truck drop-offs. Those particular spaces do not require individual moving permits. Follow the posted signs instead of assuming every empty curb works the same way.
And please:
Do not take the moving truck onto Storrow Drive
Massachusetts DCR says Storrow Drive, Soldiers Field Road and Memorial Drive are not open to moving vans, trucks and other oversized vehicles.
Bridge clearances can be as low as nine feet.
DCR also warns that regular GPS and navigation apps may not account for the height or size of your vehicle. Check the truck’s dimensions and use a route that actually accommodates it.
“Storrowing” sounds funny until the truck has a new sunroof.
Truck rental quote looks insane? Compare the full move
Boston’s move-in period creates heavy demand for moving trucks, and pricing can vary by the date, vehicle and pickup location.
For U-Haul specifically, in-town rentals use a flat rental charge plus a per-mile fee, while one-way prices depend on truck size, origin, destination and move date. Rates can also change until the reservation is confirmed.
So before panic-booking:
Compare in-town and one-way quotes. The lowest advertised base rate is not automatically the lowest final cost.
Check different truck sizes. U-Haul itself notes that a larger truck can sometimes reduce mileage, fuel use and repeat trips if it lets you move everything at once.
Look at the full cost. Mileage, fuel, optional coverage, equipment, taxes or fees and additional rental time can change the math.
And if your lease and move schedule allow August 31 or September 2, compare those dates too.
September 1 is Boston’s Super Bowl of moving.
You’re paying for the privilege of playing on game day.
What if you arrive and your apartment isn’t ready?
This is where the day can go from annoying to serious.
Maybe the previous tenant hasn’t fully moved out. Maybe promised repairs aren’t finished. Maybe you open the door and find a condition you were not expecting.
First:
Document everything.
Contact the landlord or property manager in writing. Take photos and video. Save your lease, receipts, texts and emails.
Massachusetts landlords are required to maintain rental units in a habitable condition under the State Sanitary Code.
If you’re dealing with a potential housing-code problem, you can contact Boston Inspectional Services at 617-635-5300. The City also accepts non-emergency housing and environmental-health concerns through 311, and says free home inspections are available year-round.
For broader housing help:
Boston Office of Housing Stability: 617-635-4200
The office helps residents dealing with housing instability and can connect tenants with housing and legal resources.
One thing not to do:
Don’t assume you can book an expensive hotel and automatically send the landlord the bill.
Whether temporary accommodation or other costs are the landlord’s responsibility can depend on the circumstances and your legal rights. Document the situation and get housing or legal guidance before assuming reimbursement is guaranteed.
If the apartment issue is temporary and you just need somewhere for your belongings, ask storage companies about short-term storage options rather than automatically committing to a longer rental in the middle of the panic.
The Sept. 1 survival list
Before leaving for the new place, make sure you have:
Keys confirmed.
Truck confirmed.
Parking signs checked.
Lease saved on your phone.
Landlord’s number saved.
Photos of the old apartment taken.
Photos of the new apartment before unpacking.
Tow numbers saved.
Your truck’s height checked.
Storrow Drive deleted from the truck route.
September 1 is going to be chaotic either way.
The goal is to make sure the chaos belongs to somebody else.
Information was verified on August 31, 2026 using current City of Boston, Massachusetts DCR, Massachusetts Attorney General and provider guidance. Parking restrictions, rental pricing and other move-in information can change. This article provides general moving and housing information, not individualized legal or financial advice.