How to Prepare for a Long-Distance Move
Time flies when you’re trying to move across the country, and as you eagerly and anxiously approach your long-distance moving date, it’s important to prepare. Cross-country moves can be especially complicated, but a few simple moving and packing tips can make all the difference.
At Pack N Move, our professional movers have years of valuable long-distance moving experience. From what packing supplies to invest in to making an effective cross-country moving checklist, we cover it all. Read on for expert-backed preparation advice to help you reduce stress and make the most of your long-distance move.
What Is Long-Distance Moving?
The exact definition of long-distance moving — at least based on pricing and included services —depends on which long distance movers you work with. Pack N Move considers anything further than a 50-mile radius from your previous home to be long-distance, as well as most interstate moves.
The greater distance and need to navigate legal differences between states adds complexity to the move, making preparation even more important.
The Importance of a Long-Distance Moving Checklist
The first step toward a successful long distance move is visualizing both your timeline and essential tasks. A moving checklist helps you stay organized by providing an easily-trackable list of actions and items in accordance with your schedule. For long-distance moves, we recommend starting your checklist at least 3 months in advance.
Here is an example of what to include on your long-distance moving checklist and the timeline you should try to adhere to:
- 3–4 Months Before: The ideal time to create your checklist. Consider starting a folder, binder, or online document for tracking progress and important documents. This is also the time to search for reputable moving companies.
- 2–3 Months Before: Consider making a list of anything you need to donate, throw away, or sell. You can save money and time by decluttering your home early and reducing the number of moving boxes you’ll need later on.
- 1–2 Months Before: Gather packing supplies and start packing any non-essential items. This is also a good time to notify landlords, schools, and utility companies about upcoming disconnections and transfers.
- 2–3 Weeks Before: Create and start checking off a detailed inventory of your packed items. This is also a good time to finalize travel plans and move-in logistics for both your family and belongings. Submit a change of address with USPS and update it with banks, insurance providers, and subscriptions.
- 1 Week Before: Prepare to dive deep into packing — using your checklist as you go. Focus on cleaning your home as you pack, and then start mulling over move-in day paperwork, including lease agreements and any necessary access codes or entry instructions.
- Moving Day: Remember to do a final walk-through and lock up before you leave. We also recommend taking photos for your records. Don’t forget to have any essentials, IDs, and moving documents on hand!
- After the Move: Focus on unpacking, updating licenses, vehicle info, and registrations, and getting to know your neighbors.
A moving checklist helps simplify the cleaning and packing process, so you’re less likely to forget essential items or important steps — especially vital when you could realize too late that your family heirloom is now 1,000 miles away.
Want additional long-distance moving tips? Below, we outline a step-by-step process for streamlining the potentially daunting task:
Step 1: Determine Your Moving Budget
Having a checklist good-to-go already helps simplify your first essential step: creating an accurate, even if somewhat estimated, moving budget. The average long-distance move costs between $2,500 and $5,000, but you can tweak your budget based on what you invest in. For example, your moving costs will be determined by:
- Professional movers: All moving company services, including labor costs, fuel surcharges, and tips.
- Packing supplies: Boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, labels, etc.
- Storage solutions: Temporary storage units, portable containers, off-site storage etc.
- Insurance: Moving insurance, rental insurance, coverage for high-value items, etc.
- Travel costs: Any flights or gas, hotel stays, meals, and tolls you’ll need to pay while making the move.
- New home setup costs: Any activation fees, security deposits, or connection costs for electricity, water, internet, and more.
- Cleaning services: All professional cleaning services performed either at your old or new house.
- Pet or child care: Boarding, sitters, or transportation services you need for family, pets, and other loved ones.
- Emergency fund: Consider putting additional money aside for unexpected repairs, delays, or temporary housing necessities.
While you might not need to factor every cost in for your particular move, knowing what to expect helps you avoid expensive surprises.
Step 2: Hiring The Right Long-Distance Moving Company
To avoid broken items and legal confusion, long distance moves aren’t something you want to tackle on your own. Preparing for your move requires researching moving companies to find who’s best suited to your situation. For long distance moves in particular, investing in full-service packing, transportation, and unpacking can provide peace of mind.
Here are some things to consider when looking for a professional moving company:
- Is the company legal? Verify the USDOT number on the FMCSA website.
- What do your friends and family say? Consider recommendations from trusted sources.
- Is the moving company well-reviewed or trusted by sources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB)? Only work with moving companies that have a solid reputation.
- Did you compare and contrast? Ask for quotes from at least three moving companies before making a decision.
- Is the company familiar with your needs? Choose a company that understands the areas you’re moving from and to, so they can properly navigate legal and logistical challenges.
Reliable movers, like Pack N Move, personalize the long-distance moving experience to most effectively reflect your budget and moving needs. We’ll provide an accurate, free quote that you can compare to the competition with ease. Plus, you can be confident knowing your items are always fully insured. Contact us today to move stress-free from point A to point B — no matter how far.
Step 3: Invest In Good Packing Supplies
With your budget and moving checklist in hand, it’s time to invest in essential packing supplies. Review your checklist to see what you need; large or valuable items? Make sure you invest in secure packing boxes and cushioning. Have three different kids? Streamline the unpacking process by getting the supplies to label boxes accordingly.
When it comes to packing materials, here are our top recommendations:
- Sturdy boxes of different sizes
- Large garbage bags
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap, packing paper, packing peanuts, or even blankets
- Bungee cords
- Handcart or dolly
- Markers for labeling
Consider what you’ll need to pack for your long-distance move, including basic kitchen supplies, clothes, bedding, delicate items, etc. You can also look into local retailer and moving company policies for access to free moving boxes.
Step 4: Preparing Your Current Home
As you prepare for the packing process, you’ll also want to prep your current home for sale. A few cleaning supplies later, and you’ve simplified the move for everyone involved, preventing missing items or displeased buyers later on.
- Start by decluttering each room: Don’t pack what you don’t need. Set aside time long before the final week to sort items into four groups: keep, donate, sell, or throw away. This not only empties space in your old home, but can also earn you a few extra bucks along the way through online selling or yard sales. Not sure what to keep? Ask yourself:
- Have I used this in the past year?
- Would I buy this again today?
- Does this item serve a clear purpose?
- Do I have something else that serves the same purpose?
- Will this fit or work in my new home?
- Finish cleaning and doing last-minute renovations: The more clean and damage-free your home is, the more likely you are to get the most out of your long-distance move—avoiding extra fees or buyer complaints. Here are some tips for success:
- Fill/fix imperfections in walls and floors, including painting touch-ups and covering nail holes.
- Wipe and scrub surfaces like appliances, kitchen countertops, bathtubs, etc.
- Deep clean carpets and flooring, especially if you have children or pets.
- Check for minor repairs like leaky faucets or broken outlets.
- Organize important documents and valuables: As you clean and declutter, set aside passports, medical records, titles, and financial documents in a safe, easy-to-access place. These should always travel with you, rather than in the moving truck. You can also set aside fragile items for careful packing later on.
Step 5: Pack Carefully for The Long-Distance Moving Truck
Even when you choose a reputable moving company, a lot can go wrong over the long-distance journey. To keep all your boxes safe and protected, each and every mile, make sure you pack carefully and intentionally. Here are our expert tips:
- Pack one room at a time: When decluttering and packing, speed up the process now and later by doing one room at a time. This both keeps relevant, similar items together, and allows you to strategically time your packing.
- Label with travel in mind: As you go room by room, label the boxes you pack by type and priority. For long-distance moves, we also suggest including your name and new address on both sides to avoid confusion or loss.
- Prioritize weight distribution: Choose the type of box you use and where you choose to stack it once packed based on weight. Heavier items like books should go in sturdy boxes at the bottom of a stack, while lighter boxes should be placed on top during loading. This helps prevent crushing or falling during transport, and makes lifting easier later on.
- Secure fragile items thoroughly: You bought bubble wrap and bungee cords for a reason. For fragile items like electronics or glassware, fill empty space with soft materials to avoid damage during travel. You should also label these boxes as “fragile”, so your moving company knows to handle them with extra care.
- Wrap and disassemble furniture: When possible, take apart beds, desks, tables, and shelving units to make loading easier and prevent damage. You should also wrap hard edges in blankets or towels to prevent unwanted dents during loading.
Step 6: Notify Involved Parties About Your Moving Process
Moving far away is about more than just transitioning valuable items to a new city — you’re transferring your entire lifestyle. Contacting the right parties, from transferring school records between districts to registering with the local post office, are just as important as everything else.
List your current utility providers, and prepare to both disconnect from your current home, and how you’re going to re-connect in your new home. Research local providers and pricing before you move.
You should also make sure that your move in company will have full access to the property on move-in day. Contact the local homeowner’s association (HOA) or property management company beforehand for information about access, parking, or elevator use.
Not sure who to contact? Review this comprehensive list:
- Local post office
- Utility companies (electric, gas, water, internet, trash)
- Banks and credit card companies
- Streaming services and magazine subscriptions
- Voter registration and DMV
- Insurance providers
- Employer
- Schools and daycare providers
- Healthcare providers
- Online shopping accounts
- Landlord, HOA, or property manager
Pack N Move Is Your Stress-Free Long-Distance Moving Partner
Moving across the country is a daunting task, but Pack N Move is one of the best long-distance movers you can invest in. Our full-service, long-distance moves provide everything you need with no hidden fees or charges. We work through all the typical stressors and tasks, handling sudden or urgent needs with experience. We’re committed to making sure your deliveries are on time, every time, even when they’re hundreds or thousands of miles away.
Get in touch with us today, and we’ll provide a free quote or estimate. We’ll reach out to you as quickly as we can to help you begin planning your move.