How To Move Long Distance.

Moving to a new city is challenging. A long-distance move across state lines can feel impossible! If you want to get long distance movers, you will need to do some research early, do not call movers on a last-minute basis. You can avoid being taken advantage of or avoid scammed when you plan ahead. But don't worry. This guide on moving long distances will answer all your questions and help you feel more prepared. The more preparation you do, the easier your long-distance move will be.

Here are some critical steps you can take when planning your big move:

Create A Schedule For Your Move

It doesn't matter how much of a minimalist you think you are. You can't procrastinate when planning a long-distance move. As soon as you know you're moving, get to work and create a schedule. Don't wait until the last minute. As this will cause unnecessary stress for both you and your movers. Start by figuring out when you need to be in your new location. Keep all of your personal documents and jewelry. Do not let your movers take anything you may need, such as - Contracts, a deed, passports, birth certificates, social security cards, ID cards, and car keys. For example, do you need to be there on a particular day to start a new job or ensure your kids are present on the first day of school? Or What documents will you need when you get to your new home? Break the moving process into smaller, more manageable chunks, and assign deadlines for key tasks. For example, give yourself specific dates for scheduling movers, packing certain rooms, and setting up utilities in your new home.

Update Your Mail, Utilities, And Important Records

Few things are more frustrating than moving to a new place and needing access to essential documents because you forgot to update your address (or updated your address too late). It's easier to handle these tasks while you're still in your current home rather than waiting until you've moved. Reach the post office and arrange to have your mail forwarded to your future address. You can do this online and pick the day you want to start receiving mail at the new place. Contact utility companies and get your house or apartment's utilities transferred to your name. Updating utility information ensures you arrive at a freezing home or an apartment with an internet connection.

How To Pack For Your Long-Distance Move

It's easy to feel daunted when packing for a long-distance move. It takes much more planning than a local move. However, these packing tips can help you streamline and tackle this daunting project:

Create A "Pack" & "Do Not Pack" List

Making lists can help you feel more in control when you begin packing.

Grab a notepad or open the Notes app on your phone and conduct a walk-through of your house or apartment. Then, create two lists for each room: One for things you want to pack and one for things you don't. At first, this might seem like a time-wasting task. But it can save you a lot of time when you start packing. Creating "pack" and "do not pack" lists also saves you from transporting a ton of unnecessary clutter when you relocate to your new home. You're starting over in a new place. So why would you take some old stuff you don't need anymore?

Declutter & Donate Unwanted Items

After finalizing your "do not pack" list, decide what you want to do with the leftover items you don't want to take with you during your long-distance moving experience. Although, in most cases, you'd be selling it or disposing of it, you can ask your moving company about junk removal services. Do you want to have a yard sale and make extra cash from your belongings? You could also donate them to a local shelter or thrift store. However, some will need to go straight into the trash. Dedicate a day or two (or more if possible) to decide what's staying and what's going on, and simplify your move as much as possible.

Gather Packing Supplies

Now that you have packed, simplified, and taken into account all of your belongings, your next job is to gather as many packing materials and moving supplies as possible. If you can spend extra money, you can buy high-quality moving boxes of various sizes. If you want to reduce moving costs, you can reach out to local businesses and ask if they have leftover boxes at a discounted price; some moving companies would even provide the boxes for free.

Some people also give moving boxes away after they move, so check online to see if anyone near your vicinity has some boxes, they'd like you to take off their hands; a convenient search would be Craigslist.com. In addition, make sure you have a lot of tapes, bubble wrap, and packing paper.

Organize And Prioritize Your Packing

After you have a generous number of boxes, a pile of tape, and rolls of bubble wrap ready, organize and prioritize packing your remaining belongings. Look over your remaining belongings and decide which ones can be packed now and which ones you'll need to keep using until the day you move.

For example, if you're moving in the summer, you can pack your winter coat and snow boots now. However, keep warm-weather clothes readily accessible to stay comfortable leading up to your move.

As you pack, do your best to organize your belongings logically. For example, pack all your office supplies in one box and label it "Office." Then, put all your winter clothing in another moving container and mark it "Winter clothing."

Like the list-making process, organizing as you go takes extra time initially. However, it also saves you a lot of time when you arrive at your new destination and start unpacking.

Be Cautious With Fragile Items

In general, it's better to over-prepare when packing fragile items.

In other words, adding an extra layer of bubble wrap isn't hurt. However, skimping on the bubble wrap because you want to save time or money might be.

Label boxes that contain fragile or valuable items, too. Adding this label reminds you and your movers to treat the box with extra care.

Prepare For Travel

Once you feel more confident about your packing process, it's time to think about travel logistics. You likely won't make it to your new destination in one trip. To ensure you're safe and comfortable and have a chance to recharge throughout your journey, follow these travel preparation tips:

Make All Travel Arrangements

You can trust that your movers will get your belongings safely to your new home. Now, you need to make plans to ensure you, your family, and your pets arrive safely.

Give yourself plenty of time to make travel arrangements. Are you going to drive? Fly?

If you're driving, research the fastest route and identify hotels or Airbnbs where you can stay.

If you're traveling with pets, ensure each hotel or Airbnb is pet-friendly. Invest in travel crates or harnesses for your pets so they stay comfortable.

Search online for the most affordable plane tickets for those flying to their new home. Consider options for flying your pets, especially if they're not small enough to sit in the cabin with you.

Plan For Your Delivery Window

Plan around your moving company's delivery window. Make sure that, if the movers don't arrive for a week or two after you do, you can still get by without having to buy a bunch of extra stuff. First, decide what to take with you and what to load on the moving truck or transport using van lines. Then, pack all your must-haves in the car or luggage to keep with you. Must-haves might include a few sets of clothes, your moving-related paperwork, personal records like birth certificates and pet health documents, and toiletries like a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant.

You might also want to pack a few air mattresses to have a place to sleep while waiting for your furniture to be delivered.

Share Key Information With Your Movers

Pass along critical information to your professional movers to minimize confusion when they arrive at your new home.

For example, do they have to park in a specific place? Will they need a parking pass? Do they need to use the freight elevator at your new apartment building?

Make the delivery process easy for your movers. The simpler it is, the less hassle everyone (including you and your family) has to deal with.

Long Distance Moving Checklist

A detailed moving checklist can make even the longest, most complex moves feel more manageable. Here are some easy-to-reference checklists to help you stay on track as you prepare to move long-distance:

3 Months Out

Choose a move date
Consult your landlord and let them know you're moving.
Organize financial documents to share with your new landlord or mortgage lender.
Create a moving budget.
Look for a new place to live.
Assess your home and create a "pack" and "do not pack" inventory list.
Research and get moving estimates from multiple companies

2 Months Out

Finalize new rental or home sale.
Give notice at children's schools.
Check-in with children's new school
Book movers
Pick up packing supplies.
Update address
Research driver's license renewal in your new state
Update home/auto/health insurance information with providers.
Start packing
Hire painters and cleaners.
Donate, sell, or dispose of unwanted items.
Update utility information

1 Month Out

Check-in with the moving company
Pack non-essentials
Decide what's coming with you vs. being transported by movers.
Take the car to the mechanic to ensure it's in good shape for the drive.
Finalize repairs to your current home/apartment.
Pack day-of bags/boxes.
Prepare your car
Dispose of unwanted leftover items.
Coordinate with the new landlord or your realtor to ensure your new home is ready for you to move in.

FAQ

Are you still feeling confused about how to handle a long-distance move? If so, check these frequently asked questions to address your lingering concerns:

How Can I Move Long Distance On A Budget?

The Cheapest way to move long distances is by getting rid of almost everything and just taking what you need. One of the best ways to save cash when moving long-distance is to start early. The more time you give yourself to plan, the easier it is to get multiple quotes and find the best prices. For example, Larger long distance moving companies are expensive, so plan ahead so that you can find a small moving company you are comfortable with.

What Should I Not Move Long Distance?

Certain items aren't worth taking with you when interstate moving or making a big cross-country move. So here are some belongings you should consider selling at a garage sale or donating instead of taking with you when you move:

Old clothing: If you haven't worn it in months or years, and it's not a sentimental piece, don't bring it with you.
Old furniture: Furniture is bulky, heavy, and hard to move. If you don't love it, don't bring it.
Appliances: Similar to furniture, appliances are bulky, heavy, and hard to move.
Extra vehicles: Instead of paying to ship all of your cars, keep your primary vehicle and sell the others to avoid additional expenses.
Personal Documents. You are going to need all of your legal documents, so take them with you.
Car Keys What if your movers are running a little bit behind schedule? You'll need your car, right?

Consider sorting through your books and blu-rays, too. Paring down your collection and removing media you no longer enjoy will lighten your load and make a long-distance move cheaper.

How Do Long Distance Movers Work?

When you partner with a long-distance professional moving company, they assign a dedicated project manager who acts as your guide throughout the moving process.

A team of full-service movers can help with packing, loading the truck, transporting items, and unpacking them. They may even offer storage services and real-time tracking updates to keep you informed about the status of your belongings.

How Do I Move Furniture a Long Distance?

The best long-distance moving companies, like www.americanationalmovers.com, will make it easy for you to move your favorite pieces of furniture.

They'll wrap your furniture in plastic and moving blankets to prevent scratches or dents. They can also disassemble and reassemble furniture to make it easier to pack and transport.

How Do I Pack Clothes For Moving Long Distance?

For the parts of your wardrobe that you do want to take with you on your long-distance move, these tips can help you ensure they stay clean and in good condition:

Do laundry first; Don't bring a bunch of dirty, smelly clothes while moving cross-country.
Pack shoes separately from clothes to avoid getting them dirty.
Place your heaviest items at the bottom of the box.
Use trash bags to protect hanging clothes.
Label every box.

Pack a separate "first-week" box or suitcase and keep it with you during the move. Fill the box or suitcase with in-season clothes, so you don't have to scramble to find clean items as soon as you arrive.

Should I Buy Long-Distance Moving Insurance?

Moving insurance covers losses and damage. If anything goes wrong, the policy ensures you'll be reimbursed.

Losses, damage, and theft can affect anyone, regardless of the distance they're moving. However, a long-distance moving experience presents even more opportunities for your belongings to get lost, damaged, or stolen.

Investing in long-distance moving insurance will save you a lot of money and headaches. It'll also give you peace of mind knowing that the moving company will reimburse you in the event of a mishap.

Prepare For Your Long-Distance Move Today

Long-distance moving is time-consuming and stressful. Don't let your nerves get the best of you, though.

With careful planning and preparation, you can set yourself and your loved ones up for a (mostly) stress-free moving experience.