Moving to the East End: The Hamptons, the North Fork and Shelter Island

Updated October 11, 2026

The East End is a different kind of Long Island move: longer drives, narrow roads, summer traffic and, for Shelter Island, a ferry crossing. A little planning keeps the day on schedule.

Five towns at the end of the Island

Suffolk County has ten towns. The five easternmost, Riverhead and Southold on the North Fork, Southampton and East Hampton on the South Fork, and Shelter Island between them, are often called the East End. Some areas there are incorporated villages with their own rules, so check who to ask about parking or street access for your address.

Roads and timing

The Long Island Expressway runs east to Riverhead; past that, trucks use local roads to the North Fork and the South Fork. Summer weekends are the busiest time on those roads. A weekday move with an early start is usually faster, and moving trucks cannot use the parkways on the way out from the western part of the Island.

Shelter Island and the ferries

Suffolk County lists two car ferries to Shelter Island: North Ferry from Greenport and South Ferry from North Haven. A moving truck has to cross on one of them, so plan the route, the ferry schedule and the crossing with your mover before moving day. Suffolk County also lists car ferries from Orient Point to New London and from Port Jefferson to Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Seasonal homes

Many East End moves are seasonal: opening a summer house, closing it in the fall, or moving between a rental and a new home. Storage between seasons or between closings gives you flexibility; ask us about storage. Long driveways, gravel and steps are common, so tell us how far the truck can park from the door.

Licenses

Moves within New York State are licensed by NYSDOT; our number is 34875. Moves to another state, such as Connecticut or New Jersey, need a federal license: ours is U.S. DOT No. 967970, MC-432549.

Common questions

Which towns are on the East End of Long Island?

Riverhead, Southold, Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island, the five easternmost of Suffolk County’s ten towns.

How does a moving truck get to Shelter Island?

By car ferry: North Ferry from Greenport or South Ferry from North Haven. Plan the crossing with your mover before moving day.

What is the best day to move to the Hamptons?

A weekday with an early start usually avoids the heaviest summer weekend traffic.

Are you licensed for moves to Connecticut?

Yes. Interstate moves are made under U.S. DOT No. 967970, MC-432549.

Get your free estimate

Call (516) 246-5901 or send the quote form on our home page with both addresses, the floors, elevator or stairs, your date and your main items. Moving Service By Two Guys is part of A & A Alliance Moving Inc, a family business since 1999, licensed and insured: NYSDOT 34875, NJPM 000930, U.S. DOT No. 967970. More on our company facts page.

Rules and services change. We checked the official links on this page on October 11, 2026; confirm on the linked page before you act.

Official sources

More Long Island moving guides

Moving guides · October 11, 2026