2. Get in-home long-distance moving estimates
Would you dare to rent a moving truck and drive it all the way from Seattle, WA to Miami, FL? What could possibly happen during a 3,300-mile-DIY-drive across the entire country?
Be reasonable and find yourself one of the best long-distance moving companies in your area.
- REQUEST multiple in-home moving estimates from top-rated long-distance movers in your town or city.
- SAY NO! to moving companies that try to give you quotes over the phone or via e-mail.
- SHOW the moving experts the items you have for moving and have them calculate the moving price precisely. Ask the moving experts for accurate binding estimates in writing.
How to Choose a Good Moving Company in 31.5 Steps
3. Hire the best long-distance movers
It’s easy to get quotes from various cross-country movers but the thing is that you don’t need just any mover, you need absolutely the best long-distance moving company out there.
- COMPARE the received cost estimates in terms of pricing, additional moving services, and general conditions.
- READ moving companies reviews to check how reputable those movers are in the eyes of their former customers.
- CHECK their proper accreditation by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- PICK the long-distance mover that best fits your budget and fulfills your expectations.
How to Compare Moving Companies
4. Inventory your home and sort your items
One of the best ways to prepare for a long-distance move is to know exactly what items you’re moving so that you can prepare a good plan of action.
- INVENTORY your entire home by going from room to room and writing down all the household items found in each one.
- USE modern technology to your aid. Save precious inventorying time with MoveAdvisor – a powerful moving app that features a state-of-the-art home inventory checklist tool.
- SORT OUT your possessions into four categories: MOVE, SELL, DONATE, RECYCLE.
How to Make a Moving Inventory List
5. Decide what to do with your furniture
The cheapest way to do a long-distance move is to NOT take any furniture pieces with you. You’ll soon realize that that is a super-simple yet effective tactic.
- ASSESS the furniture pieces you have in your home. Do you REALLY have to move them all the way to another part of the country?
- BEAR in mind that most pieces of furniture are heavy, and the long-distance moving cost is calculated based on the total shipment weight.
- DO the math – unless you own antique furniture or priceless sets, it’ll be cheaper to leave the majority of your furniture behind and buy new after the move.
The cheapest Way to Move Furniture to Another State
6. Get rid of all unwanted items
The cost of a long-distance move will depend on the number of items to be moved between the two homes, as well as their total weight.
- CUT your moving costs drastically by taking only the things you will need in the future. More stuff to move means more money out of your own pocket.
- DECIDE whether to take or leave something by following the 1-year rule: if you haven’t used an item for more than 12 months, then you don’t really need it.
- SELL the things that still have any commercial value, either online or at a garage sale before the move.
- GIFT to friends or DONATE to charity the lightly-used items you’re not taking with you.
How to Declutter Your Home Before Moving: 10 Easy Steps
7. Get hold of packing supplies, including free moving boxes
The packing task is critical to the success of any residential move. So, the best way to prepare for a long-distance move is to make sure the packing process goes as smoothly as possible.
- BE mindful that you can’t pack up your things safely without the proper packing supplies: cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, stretch wrap, packing paper, and tape.
- GET hold of the packing materials in advance to prevent time-wasting interruptions when packing for a move.
- SAVE money by getting your hands on free moving boxes – cardboard boxes of various sizes obtained for free from friends, local businesses, recycling centers, or online.
Packing Supplies for Moving You Can’t Do Without
8. Use a good packing timeline
How to pack for a long-distance move? The super-important task of packing for a move can be rather confusing at times. Where to start? How to start? What to do?
- ORGANIZE the packing job perfectly by following a detailed packing timeline – the only way to use your packing time effectively.
- BREAK the home packing process into more manageable and meaningful mini-tasks so that you can keep your packing motivation fairly high.
- ASSIGN deadlines to each packing job so that you can monitor your packing process more accurately.
- GET good ideas for your own packing calendar from our super-detailed PACKING TIMELINE.
How to Pack for a Move in Only 3 Days
9. Start packing without delay
Without a doubt, packing for a move is the most time-consuming task when you’re preparing to move out – it won’t take mere hours to complete, it will take many days, often weeks to complete.
- START packing your things as soon as your move to another part of the country becomes just a matter of time.
- FOLLOW your packing timeline closely because each completed mini-task will reduce the buildup of additional stress as Moving day approaches.
- INITIATE the packing job from the rooms and areas that are the hardest ones to sort and pack. In most cases, those will be the storage areas in your home – garage, basement, attic, and closet.
How to Pack for a Move in 60 Steps
10. Get professional or non-professional packing help
The best way to move long distance is to receive packing assistance, either from some of your friends or from professional packers. After all, packing for a move is not meant to be completed by one person.
- REACH OUT to your friends and ask them to help you pack, especially if you know you’ve fallen behind your packing schedule.
- CALL OUT for friendly packing backup as early as possible to minimize the disruption of your pals’ previous plans.
- HIRE professional packers if time is running dangerously short and you’re unable to gather up your loyal friends to help you out.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Packers?
11. Prepare essentials boxes
Organizing a long-distance move can be challenging for a long list of good reasons, especially when it comes to the little details that come with it. When packing for a cross-country move, you should always pack a few essentials boxes because they will help you survive the first hours or days in your new home.
- PACK a few boxes with absolute essentials – useful things to have with you while you’re separated from the rest of your belongings.
- HAVE each family member pack their own Survival Kit with their set of essential items inside.
- KEEP all essentials boxes with you – make sure they don’t get loaded into the movers’ truck by mistake.
How to Prepare an Essentials Box When Moving
12. Do not pack items forbidden for transport
Preparing for a long-distance move can be tricky when it comes to the task of packing. For example, some things that you can pack and transport in your own car or inside a rented truck when moving locally may be forbidden for transport by cross-country movers.
- DO NOT pack any household items that are hazardous in nature – flammable (combustible), corrosive, or explosive. Also, interstate moving companies are not allowed to transport perishable foods, plants, pets, and irreplaceable items.
- REQUEST the list of non-allowed items from your chosen long-distance mover before you start packing up.
- CONSULT with our complete list of things movers won’t move so that you know what not to pack when moving across the country.
What Not to Pack When Moving: What Movers Won’t Move
13. Observe safety when packing
Our tips for a safer long-distance move continue with safety when packing – a critical issue when moving across the country. Your prized possessions will need to be well-protected simply because they will be on the road for days on end.
- CHECK carefully your cardboard boxes for any signs of damage. All your moving boxes should be strong, clean, dry, and infestation-free.
- TAPE the bottom and sides of each cardboard box before filling it up, even if the box looks sturdy enough.
- STAY below the maximum weight capacity for each cardboard box. As a rule of thumb, you should not make your boxes heavier than 50 pounds.
10 Fundamental Packing Rules for a Successful Move
14. Label all your moving boxes
Some tips for planning a long-distance move may not seem that important to you, but trust us – they are. A classic example is the act of labeling your moving boxes after you’ve filled them up.
- DO NOT underestimate the importance of labeling your boxes. If you do, you will lose precious time locating and identifying all unmarked boxes after the move.
- LABEL each box on at least two of its sides as soon as you’re done packing it. Write down its contents, destination room, and special handling instructions, if any.
- DESIGNATE a different color for each destination room, either through the use of color markers or multicolor labels.
How to Label Boxes for Moving
15. Save money on your long-distance move
Considering that the average cost of a long-distance move is around $4,300 (move distance: 1,225 miles; shipment weight: 7,400 lbs.), you must do everything in your power to reduce your moving expenses.
Saving money on your long-distance move should be your top priority!
- FIND affordable cross-country movers by requesting free long-distance moving quotes and comparing their moving rates and services.
- REDUCE the number of items you’re moving to a minimum – no need to pay for the transportation of things you’ll never use again.
- PACK UP your things on your own to save from not having to pay professional packers. Ask friends to help you pack if you’re running short on time.
How to Save Money on a Long-Distance Move
16. Prepare your pets for a long-distance move
How do you prepare for a long-distance move when you have a pet in your family? It’s never easy simply because standard moving companies are not allowed to transport pets. So, what should you do?
- TAKE your pet to the veterinary office for a thorough checkup. You need to know that your pet is ready for the long journey ahead.
- MOVE your CAT, DOG, BIRD, or another pet animal you may have in your own car – that’s the best transportation method for your animal friend. If that’s not a viable option, then take your pet on a flight with you or hire specialized pet movers for the job.
17. Change your home utilities
It’s important to know how to plan a long-distance move in order to avoid problems – unpacking in the dark, for instance – when you arrive in the new house or apartment.
That’s right, you’ll definitely want to change your home utilities before moving out.
- THINK about whether you’ll need all of the utilities you’re enjoying at the moment – electricity, water and sewage, gas, Internet, cable TV, telephone, waste removal, etc.
- CONTACT your utility companies to arrange for the disconnection of your current utilities. Do it roughly 3 weeks prior to your move-out date.
- GET IN TOUCH with the new utility providers in the destination town or city and schedule the timely activation of your new-home utilities.
How to Change Utilities When Moving: 10 Easy Steps
18. Change your postal address
The sole mission of this guide to a successful long-distance move is to prepare you for the steps ahead so that no unpleasant surprises can sneak up on you unexpectedly.
As you know, moving to a new home in another town or city in the country will also mean that your postal address is about to change too.
- CHANGE your address with the United States Postal Service (USPS) so that you can continue to receive your mail.
- START the Change of Address (COA) procedure approximately 2 weeks prior to Moving day. You can also change your address after the move.
- CHOOSE the change of address method that’s most convenient for you: online, in person, by phone, or by mail.
How to Change Your Address When Moving
19. Obtain medical and school records
When moving across the country, another important task you should remember to take care of is to obtain all necessary records and documents for finding a new family physician and registering your child at a new school after the move.
- VISIT your family doctor and request all the necessary medical records (incl. vaccination records) and documents that you will need to register yourself and the other members of your family with a new primary care physician in the new town or city.
- CONTACT the school that your school-age child attends and ask for the school records of your son or daughter. Alternatively, you can arrange for the direct transfer of those records between the two schools.
21 Things to Do After Moving to a New Home
20. Keep your valuables with you
It’s always a good start when you narrow down your long-distance moving options to hiring a professional moving company. Nevertheless, you should never entrust the pros with your most valuable items, no matter how reliable those guys look.
- PACK your high-value items such as jewelry pieces, important documents, portable electronic devices, collector’s items, etc. separately from the rest of your belongings.
- KEEP such valuables by your side throughout the move and never let them out of your sight.
- PURCHASE additional insurance for the valuable items you can’t move on your own due to their large size and weight – your brand-new 50-inch flat-screen TV, for example.
5 Things You Should NEVER Entrust to Movers
21. Guarantee moving day safety
Preparing for a cross-country move is never an easy thing to do simply because there are so many important things to think about before you reach your destination home.
One such essential task is to ensure safety on the day of the move.
- LET professional movers do all the heavy lifting – that’s why you’re paying them, right? If you do need to lift and carry a heavy object, then use the proper lifting techniques to avoid injuries.
- KEEP children and pets away from the whirlwind of dangerous activities on Moving day.
- KEEP all exit paths clear of obstacles and free from excessive dust, mud, water, snow, or ice.
- WEAR comfortable clothes that are appropriate for the occasion and closed shoes with good ankle support and anti-slip soles.
10 Safety Tips to Avoid Injuries When Moving House
22. Hire a long-distance car shipping company
When moving to a home that’s located across multiple states from where you are, you may not be too thrilled to drive your own car across the entire country.
In such cases, you may be better off having your car shipped by a long-distance car shipping company while you catch the plane to reach that new residence.
- REQUEST car shipping estimates from several reputable auto shippers with years of experience in the vehicle transportation business.
- PICK one of the best long-distance car shipping companies in your area. Base your decision on the cost estimates and the moving reviews of those long-distance car shipping companies.
- USE this car shipping checklist to prepare your car for shipping across the country.
The best long-distance car transport companies in the country are here.
23. Be ready for your long-distance movers
As explained above, the easiest way to do a long-distance move is to let experienced movers handle the toughest aspects of your relocation.
And while it’s the recommended way to move across the country, it doesn’t mean that you should do absolutely nothing while waiting for the pros to show up.
- BE present in your home at the pre-arranged time and date to welcome your interstate movers.
- SHOW the moving experts around your home and give them any specific instructions you may have. Otherwise, just let them do their job.
- PROVIDE your hired workers with refreshments (non-alcoholic beverages), snacks, and access to a bathroom.
- PREPARE tips for your movers in case you’re satisfied with their work. How much to tip movers for a long-distance move? The answer is here.
What to Prepare for Movers: What to Do Before Movers Arrive
24. Say goodbye to your friends
Planning a long-distance move can be rather difficult. And yet, the hardest thing you may have to do while getting ready to move out is to say goodbye to your best friends.
After all, you may not be able to see your pals again for a long time.
- INFORM your friends of your long-distance move as soon as possible to give them enough time to process the news. Do this in person, whenever possible.
- ORGANIZE a goodbye party for your closest friends – don’t miss the chance to spend some quality time with the people you care about one last time before you move out.
- PROMISE to keep in touch with your best friends after the move, and then make sure that you keep that promise.
How to Say Goodbye to Friends When Moving
25. Prepare mentally for your long-distance move
Moving far from family, friends, and familiar surroundings can have negative psychological effects on you, especially when you’re not mentally ready for the abrupt change.
How to prepare emotionally for a long-distance move?
- FOCUS on the positive aspects of your cross-country move rather than its negatives. Think about all the great things awaiting you at your destination.
- GET familiar with the top 10 emotions when moving house so that you can be ready for those emotional stages when they come around.
- STAY optimistic throughout the tough transitional period and never lose hope, even when things get really tough. Remember that A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Top 10 Emotions When Moving House: Search Your Feelings
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I am planning on doing a cross country move later this year. It is good to know that it would be smart to find someone with good moving rates. It does seem like a good idea to get a few different quotes before picking someone.
I like what you said about keeping exit paths clear of stuff and anything that might make the floor slippery on moving day. My sister and her family will be moving soon to the other side of the country in the middle of fall. They’ll have to make sure that they get professional help with the biggest parts of their house and furniture so that they can move safely.
I like the idea of using multicolored labels. I’m very disorganized and it’s easy for me to lose things. Having everything color-coded means I can just look at the box and know where it goes.
I love how you mentioned getting professional packing help so that you are packed in time. My husband and I are moving from New Haven, CT, to Maryland and we need help moving as all of our friends are working or out of town. We will keep these tips in mind as we search for a professional long-distance moving service near us.
Ah, thanks for the tip to start packing as soon as you know that you’ll be moving, even if you don’t know when. My wife and I want to start planning a move to somewhere warm. We’re hoping to hire some long-distance movers to lend a hand.
Thank you for telling me to create a checklist that can serve as our guide throughout the moving process to ensure that we won’t forget anything. I’m thinking of moving on our own using my husband’s old truck for our furniture pieces and since we have a lot of stuff to move, I want to ensure that everything will go smoothly. It might be better if we can install some retractable tarp systems around our truck in order to protect our stuff from unforeseen weather conditions.
I have to move all my stuff to Texas next month since it’s been a quick moving process. Thanks for letting me know to create a checklist for a guide throughout the moving process so I won’t forget anything. I’ll have to find a moving company that can have bigger trucks since mine can only hold so much.
I like that you mentioned getting assistance when preparing for a long-distance move to help me pack my belongings. I’m planning to move out of my parents’ house so I can live with my sister but she lives a few states away. I hope there are moving companies that can help me with moving all my furniture long distance.
reading your notes has been very helpful I have all to do and two months to decide lots of work I will be back on line to report , So far I have just done little packing ,. Two years ago there was a program on w5 or market place about Best Movers In Toronto I should have kept their name Maybe you know who they are .
In just a couple of weeks, my family and I will be relocating and that’s why my wife and I talked last Wednesday night about hiring long distance moving services to help with the move. I decided to do some research online and there, I came across your brilliant post. I am most fond of where you mentioned to bear in mind that most pieces of furniture are heavy, and the long distance moving cost is calculated based on the total shipment weigh. You bring up a good point here
I like this idea. Thanks for sharing this to us.
Greetings! Despite feeling a little bit disheartened, I still feel excited for my neighbor who’ll be moving to Dallas this summer after receiving a great job offer there. By the way, I salute you for talking us through the process giving extra attention and care towards fragile and precious possessions of ours to keep them intact while they’re being relocated. Maybe she could use this tip to ensure a seamless transition after this.