New Braunfels has become one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, and it is a favorite landing spot for families leaving San Antonio for more space and a slower pace. But moving here has a wrinkle most relocation guides skip: this is a river town with a festival calendar, and both can seriously complicate your moving day. Add two separate school districts, floodplain considerations, and I-35 traffic, and a New Braunfels move takes more planning than a typical suburban one. This guide covers what to actually prepare for.
At Half Price Movers, we have been moving families between San Antonio and New Braunfels for over 40 years. Here is what experience has taught us.
Where New Braunfels Sits and Why It Matters
New Braunfels sits in Comal County on the I-35 corridor, roughly 30 minutes northeast of San Antonio and about 50 minutes south of Austin. The city was founded in 1845 by German immigrants at the confluence of the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers.
The growth here has been dramatic. The population reached about 122,000 as of mid-2025, up more than 35 percent from 2020. That growth shows up in Loop 337 traffic and in how fast new neighborhoods fill in.
It Is a Different County
Like Boerne, New Braunfels is outside Bexar County. It is in Comal County, with its own city government and its own ordinances. San Antonio's rules do not apply here.
Before your move, check with the City of New Braunfels about street parking rules, permit requirements for moving trucks, and any restrictions in the historic districts.
The Festival Calendar: Plan Around It
This is the single most New Braunfels-specific moving consideration, and almost nobody plans for it.
Wurstfest
Wurstfest is a 10-day German heritage festival held every November that draws over 200,000 visitors. The grounds sit at Landa Park, right near downtown.
If your move falls during Wurstfest and your home is anywhere near downtown or Landa Park, expect:
- Heavy traffic congestion on surrounding streets
- Limited or restricted street parking
- Slower crew arrival times
- Possible road closures near the grounds
Our advice: if you can schedule around those 10 days, do it. If you cannot, book an early morning start and tell your movers exactly where you are relative to the grounds.
Summer River Season
Summer weekends are high season for tubing the Comal and Guadalupe. Landa Park and Prince Solms Park serve as major put-in points, and the surrounding areas get crowded with visitors, outfitter shuttles, and parked cars.
If you live near river access, a Saturday move in July is going to be slower than a Tuesday move in October. Weekday moves during summer are strongly preferable.
Year-Round Events
The Comal County Fairgrounds host rodeos, markets, and community events throughout the year, and Gruene Hall keeps a busy live music calendar. Check the city and venue calendars for your move date before booking.
You can learn more about how we plan around local conditions on our residential moving services page.
Two School Districts: Verify Your Address
Here is the detail that trips up relocating families. New Braunfels is served by two separate public school districts.
- New Braunfels ISD generally serves the more central and historic parts of the city
- Comal ISD generally covers the faster-growing outskirts and the surrounding county
Which one serves you depends entirely on your specific address, and in newer developments the boundaries are still shifting as growth continues.
Verify directly with New Braunfels ISD or Comal ISD before you commit to a home. Do not assume based on what a listing says or what a neighbor tells you.
Floodplain: A Real River-Town Consideration
The Comal and Guadalupe Rivers are central to life here, and the city has flood management systems in place. But floodplain status is something every buyer should verify.
Whether a property sits in a designated 100-year floodplain can affect insurance costs and loan requirements. Confirm this during your option period, not after closing.
For moving purposes, it is also worth knowing your property's flood risk if you plan to store anything in a garage, basement-level space, or outbuilding.
Neighborhoods: Different Move Profiles
New Braunfels has a real split in housing stock, and each type moves differently.
Gruene Historic District
Gruene was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, which is why it still looks like an 1870s cotton town. Older buildings mean narrower doorways, tighter access, and limited parking. It is also a heavy tourist area with Gruene Hall and riverside dining, so traffic is a factor most days.
Established Central Neighborhoods
Areas near downtown and Landa Park tend to have older homes with mature trees. Expect the usual historic-home considerations: narrower hallways, original flooring worth protecting, and possible tree clearance issues for taller trucks.
Master-Planned Communities
Newer developments like Veramendi, Mayfair, and August Fields are a different profile entirely. Larger, newer homes with better truck access. Some communities have HOA rules on moving hours and truck parking, so check before your date.
Acreage and Hill Country Properties
Communities like Vintage Oaks offer custom homes on acreage. These bring Hill Country terrain considerations: longer driveways, possible gravel surfaces, gates, and longer carries from the truck to the house. Some of these areas also carry MUD taxes, which is worth understanding before you buy.
The I-35 Commute
I-35 is the main artery, connecting south to San Antonio and north to Austin. Downtown San Antonio typically runs 30 to 40 minutes, and South Austin 45 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
The dual-metro access is a genuine draw, especially for households where two people commute in opposite directions. But I-35 is a heavily traveled corridor, and traffic varies considerably by time of day.
For moving day, this matters because your crew's arrival time depends on it. We recommend early starts for New Braunfels moves so loading begins before the corridor fills up.
What Else to Plan For
Car-Dependent Daily Life
New Braunfels lacks the walkable density of central San Antonio or Austin. You will drive to the grocery store, to schools, and to most errands. Factor that into which neighborhood you choose.
Growth and Construction
With growth exceeding 35 percent since 2020, active construction is common on the edges of town. Check your route the week of your move for detours or road work.
Summer Heat
Texas summers are hot, and river-town humidity makes it worse. If you are moving between May and September, our guide on how to move in San Antonio summer heat covers protecting your crew and your belongings.
New Texas Residents
If you are relocating from out of state, Texas requires you to register your vehicle within 30 days and obtain a Texas driver license within 90 days. Comal County is exempt from emissions testing.
How Half Price Movers Handles New Braunfels Moves
Four decades of moves along this corridor has taught us to plan for the specifics. For New Braunfels, we prepare for:
- Festival and event calendar checks before confirming your date
- Early start times to beat I-35 and Loop 337 traffic
- Summer weekend river traffic around Landa Park and Prince Solms
- Historic district access in Gruene and central neighborhoods
- HOA and gate coordination in master-planned communities
- Acreage terrain including long driveways and gates
- Specialty handling for pianos, antiques, and artwork
We offer full-service, fragile-only packing, and labor-only options. See everything on our services overview page or check coverage on our New Braunfels area page.
Ready to Make Your New Braunfels Move Easier?
A New Braunfels move rewards a little local knowledge. Check the festival calendar before you book, verify which of the two school districts serves your exact address, confirm floodplain status during your option period, and remember you are working with Comal County rules. Handle those and the rest gets much simpler. Half Price Movers has been making the San Antonio to New Braunfels run since 1979.
You can request your free quote online anytime.
Ready to make your move? Half Price Movers has been serving Texas families since 1979. Call (210) 650-4911 (San Antonio) or (361) 937-7615 (Corpus Christi), or get your free quote at halfpricemovers.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I avoid moving during Wurstfest?
If your home is near downtown or Landa Park, yes, if you can. Wurstfest runs 10 days every November and draws over 200,000 visitors, which means heavy traffic, limited street parking, and possible road closures near the grounds. If you must move during that window, book an early start and tell your movers your location relative to the festival grounds.
Which school district will serve my New Braunfels home?
It depends on your exact address. New Braunfels ISD generally serves more central and historic areas, while Comal ISD covers the faster-growing outskirts and surrounding county. Boundaries can shift in newer developments, so verify directly with the district before you commit to a home.
Is moving from San Antonio to New Braunfels a local or long-distance move?
At roughly 30 miles, it usually falls within local service range, though the distance factors into travel time in your quote. We handle this route regularly and will explain exactly how your estimate is structured.
Do I need a permit to park a moving truck in New Braunfels?
Possibly, especially in historic districts like Gruene. New Braunfels is its own city in Comal County with its own ordinances, so San Antonio's rules do not apply. Contact the city before your move to confirm.
What is the best time of year to move to New Braunfels?
Fall and winter outside the Wurstfest window tend to be easiest. Summer brings river tourism and heat, and November brings festival crowds. If you are flexible, a weekday in early fall or late winter is ideal.
How does summer river traffic affect moving day?
Summer weekends bring heavy visitor traffic around Landa Park, Prince Solms Park, and other river access points, including outfitter shuttles and heavy street parking. If you live near river access, a weekday move will go considerably faster than a Saturday.
Are Half Price Movers licensed and insured?
Yes. We are fully licensed and insured in Texas, and our credentials can be verified through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. We are happy to provide our license number and certificate of insurance on request.
Do you move to acreage properties around New Braunfels?
Yes. We regularly handle moves to acreage and Hill Country properties in the area, including communities like Vintage Oaks. Let us know about gates, driveway length, and road surfaces when you request your quote so we bring the right equipment and crew size.