Rolling Over 401k to Gold IRA - Timeline Concerns

• •I've got an old 401k from a previous institution, roughly $75k, that I'd like to move.
• •The new institution I'm with only offers traditional mutual funds, which just isn't cutting it for my long-term diversification strategy.
• •I'm trying to get a sense of how accurate those estimates usually are.

Hey everyone, I've been doing a ton of research lately regarding rolling over a portion of my old 401k into a Gold IRA, and I'm looking for some real-world experiences on the timeline. My current portfolio is sitting comfortably around the $350k mark, and with all the economic uncertainty, I'm feeling the urge to diversify and add some physical gold exposure. I'm a university professor here in Richmond, and my research brain is going into overdrive trying to understand all the potential pitfalls and, specifically, the speed of this process.

I've got an old 401k from a previous institution, roughly $75k, that I'd like to move. The new institution I'm with only offers traditional mutual funds, which just isn't cutting it for my long-term diversification strategy. I've been looking at a few different Gold IRA providers, and they all quote varying timelines for the direct rollover process – anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. I'm trying to get a sense of how accurate those estimates usually are. Is it common for these things to drag on, or do they generally stick to the advertised schedule?

My main concern is getting caught in some kind of market swing during this transfer period. If it takes longer than expected, am I essentially just sitting on the sidelines with funds in limbo? Has anyone experienced significant delays? What was the biggest headache you encountered during your rollover? Also, any Virginia-based folks out there who've done this recently, did you find any local peculiarities or advantages for custodians or depositories?

I've already consulted with a financial advisor, but I trust the collective wisdom of this community for practical, lived experiences. Any insights or war stories about your 401k to Gold IRA rollover timelines would be immensely helpful!