From Calgary to Surrey and Back Again: A Two Small Men Moving Story

Long-haul moving is one of the most demanding parts of the moving industry. Unlike local moves, long-distance moving requires detailed planning, strict safety protocols, and hours — sometimes days — of focused driving. Every kilometre brings new variables, from changing weather to mountain terrain, and success depends on experience, preparation, and trust.

For Montell Beals, a long-haul driver with Two Small Men With Big Hearts, one move from Surrey, British Columbia to Calgary, Alberta became a story that captured everything this work represents.

“This story is a cool one to me,” he says.

At the time, the job seemed routine. Montell had been assigned to transport one of the company’s sales agents who was relocating from the Lower Mainland to Alberta.

“So I did a long haul two years ago,” he explained. “It was to pick up one of our sales agents that was moving from Surrey to Calgary.”

Although the route is common, it is never simple. The drive covers roughly 1,000 kilometres and winds through steep mountain passes and long stretches of isolated highway.

“That’s going to be like 11 hours,” Montell said.

Because of regulated driving limits and safety requirements, the move had to be completed over two days. “I drive one day — 11 hours. I’m only allowed to do 13 hours of driving in a day.”

Long-distance moving leaves little room for improvisation. Dispatch coordination, weather tracking, rest periods, and timing all need to align before the truck ever leaves the yard. When a fully loaded moving truck heads into the mountains, preparation is everything.

When Montell arrived at the Surrey pickup location, the move immediately stood out — not because it was difficult, but because it wasn’t.

“It was actually a really easy one,” he said.

Everything was already waiting outside to be loaded onto the truck, conveniently.

“He had everything already outside and ready to go as soon as we pulled up,” Montell recalled. “Him and his girlfriend worked their butts off and brought every single last thing that they had outside.”

That level of preparation dramatically improves a long-haul move. With items ready to load, the crew could focus on safe packing, furniture protection, and weight balance — all critical factors when preparing for mountain driving.

“It just made it work for us,” Montell said. “It was pretty easy going.”

He explains that this kind of readiness is rare.

“We show up and often customers ask us, ‘How can I help? I feel useless just standing around watching you guys,’” he said. “And it’s like, ‘We’re getting paid to be here — you guys sit back and relax.’”

Seeing everything prepared ahead of time was a welcome surprise.

“So yeah,” Montell laughed, “that was pretty darn sweet.”

Once the truck was loaded, the long-haul portion of the move began. The drive from Surrey to Calgary is well known for its scenery, particularly during the summer months.

“In the summer, it’s beautiful,” he says. “The roads are dry. It’s easy going.”

Even then, the trip demands constant attention.

“It’s a really long drive,” he added. “Challenging roads for sure. Nine times out of ten — actually ten times out of ten — Vancouver drives are always solo,” Montell explained. “So it’s normally a long haul by myself.”

Spending long hours alone behind the wheel requires mental discipline as much as physical stamina.

“With the beauty of BC, honestly that drive is awesome,” he said. “Just being able to look at things keeps me a little sane.”

To stay focused, Montell relies on routine.

“Podcasts and music are really my go-to things,” he said.

During the move, a casual conversation changed everything. While talking about an upcoming vacation, Montell mentioned his hometown.

“We were talking about Halifax,” he said. “He overheard us talking about Halifax and then I found out that he was my cousin.”

The discovery was completely unexpected.

“I had no clue that I had a cousin in BC,” Montell said. “I’m from the other side of Canada.”

The coincidences didn’t end there. When the truck arrived in Calgary to unload into a storage facility, Montell stumbled across another relative.

“We went to drop his stuff off at a storage unit in Calgary,” he said. “And then I ended up running into my first cousin — the only cousin that I thought I knew. This random lady overhears us talking and she says, ‘Oh, I’m from Halifax.’”

Minutes later, the connection became clear.

“We found out that she was my first cousin — my uncle’s daughter. I haven’t seen her since I was a kid.”

What began as a standard long-distance move had turned into a personal reunion brought together by conversation, coincidence, and thousands of kilometres on the road.

“Our thing is local roots, national reach,” Montell said. “I just felt connected in such a weird way working through this company.”

The move didn’t end when the truck doors closed at the storage unit. Once housing was secured, Montell returned to complete the delivery.

“He went into storage while he organized a place,” Montell explained. “Then I came back to move him into his new home.”

The consistency built lasting trust.

“Every time he’s moved since he’s been in Calgary, I’ve done his moves,” Montell said. “I’m his guy.”

Years of long-haul moving have reinforced one lesson above all else: safety always comes first.

“I’m really big on safety, especially when driving through the mountains,” Montell said.

Even familiar routes demand respect.

“I know what to expect,” he explained, “but unexpected things still happen.”

That reality became clear during a recent winter drive.

“I actually hit an elk two weeks ago,” Montell said. “That was the first time I’d ever hit an animal that large. I had a grand piano on my left side.”

The road was pitch black, which made the experience all the more startling. 

“I had to swerve to try to get out of his way,” he recalled, “but I didn’t want to swerve too much and end up in the ditch.”

He managed to reduce the impact, but the Elk wasn’t so fortunate.

“I clipped the last ten inches of his body.”

The damage was limited to a headlight and a dented bumper and everyone inside the truck was safe.

“Thankfully it didn’t flip,” Montell said. “Everyone was safe except for the elk.”

Experiences like that stay with a driver.

“It’s about being aware,” Montell said. “Taking your time.”

For long-haul movers, preparation doesn’t end when the truck leaves the yard.

“Being aware of your surroundings,” he emphasized, “and being as vigilant and safe as possible.”

Because no matter how many times you’ve driven the route, the mountains always demand respect. For Montell, this Surrey-to-Calgary move represents what long-distance moving is truly about; endurance, trust, adaptability, and unexpected human connection.

It’s a reminder that moving isn’t only about transporting furniture across provinces. It’s about carrying people’s lives safely across long roads, unpredictable conditions, and moments that can’t be planned — all with professionalism, care, and heart.

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