What starts as a far-off idea can quickly turn into reality once your moving day gets close. Suddenly, the moving trucks are coming and your new home is just around the corner. But before you settle in and enjoy new views and a different way of life, it’s important to make sure the move goes as smoothly as possible.
As professional long-distance movers, our goal is to help you get ready and plan your move in the easiest way possible. These 15 tips are here to make your move smoother and help you settle into your new city without stress.
1. Make a Moving Checklist
What’s in a moving checklist? It’s a list of important tasks that help you stay organized and make the move go smoothly. Things like booking help for packing, arranging transportation, setting up or canceling utilities, ending subscriptions and updating your address all go on this list. Start working on it as soon as you know you’re moving—this gives you more time to take care of everything else.
Even though it might feel overwhelming at first, taking the time to research and follow your moving checklist is a key. It helps make sure you arrive at your new home safely, on time and with less stress.
2. Hire Cross-Country Movers
Moving across the country can feel scary and overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure what to expect. Whether you’re relocating to be near family or for a new job, it’s best to have professionals handle the move. They’ll make the process easier and help avoid any major issues.
Choosing the right moving company for your cross-country move can save you both time and money. They’ll assist with packing and other tasks, helping make your new journey much smoother.
Hiring professional movers gives you more control over moving day and takes a lot of stress off your shoulders. You won’t have to worry about last-minute problems or whether things will go smoothly — they’ll handle it for you.
3. Only Work With a Licensed & Insured Moving Company
So, you’ve decided to hire a moving company—great! But before you choose one, make sure they’re properly licensed and insured. This helps ensure your belongings are in safe hands and that the company is qualified to handle your move.
Every state has its own rules for licensing and insuring moving companies. Make sure the company you choose meets your state’s requirements. Ask them to show proof of their license and insurance, and check what’s actually covered. It’s also a good idea to confirm this with the insurance provider.
4. Get an Affordable Quote From the Moving Company
Moving costs can vary a lot depending on where you’re going, where you’re moving from and the services you need. That’s why it’s smart to get quotes from at least three or four moving companies. This helps you compare prices and find the most affordable moving company that still offers the quality of service you’re looking for. Once you know the price range, contact the companies directly to get the most accurate and current rates.
5. Plan Your Travel Ahead
Moving across the country can be tough, no matter who or what you’re bringing with you. That’s why it’s important to book your travel plans early. This gives you time to make changes if needed and helps make sure you arrive on schedule. Planning ahead can also help you find better deals on flights, hotels or rental cars and gives you extra time to sort out any last-minute details.
6. Be Financially Prepared
Before moving across the country, make sure you understand your finances. Look into the cost of living, taxes and other expenses in your new area. If you don’t plan your budget carefully, you might end up spending way more than expected.
7. Declutter
If you’re planning a move across the country, it’s smart to think about what you’re bringing with you. That doesn’t mean you should pack items you don’t need or can’t use. Declutter your home so you’re only taking the essentials with you.
Keep in mind that the cost of a long-distance move mostly depends on how much stuff you’re taking with you. That’s why it’s a good idea to pack light when moving across the country.
8. Document Your Goods’ Condition
It’s a smart idea to keep a record of your belongings before the move. This helps protect your items, especially fragile ones, from damage or loss. If something goes wrong, having a record can make it easier to get your stuff back or file a claim. The last thing you want is to have your items stuck in storage for months while you sort things out.
9. Keep Your Valuables With You
During a cross-country move, it’s best to keep important items with you. Things like jewelry, car keys, your wallet and documents such as passports, driver’s licenses and health records should stay close so they don’t get lost or damaged.
The last thing you want is for your important documents to get lost in the mail or go missing during the move.
10. Pack Essentials Separately
The days before and after a cross-country move can be unpredictable. That’s why it’s a good idea to pack a bag with your essentials. Include items you’ll need to stay comfortable during the trip and while you wait for the moving company to deliver your things.
11. Get Your Driver’s Contact Information
When moving across the country, your things might be in storage or on the road for a while—it could take a week or more to arrive. To make things easier, ask for your driver’s contact number. Having it can help you stay updated or ask questions about the delivery. You can also reach out to someone from the moving company to keep track of your items.
12. Stay Calm
Moving across the country is a big decision and it comes with a lot of moving parts that can feel overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to stay calm, be flexible and keep an open mind. Things might not always go as planned and that’s okay. Being patient and ready to adjust can help you avoid stress and bigger problems down the road.
13. Inspect Your Goods for Damage
Once your belongings arrive, check everything carefully to make sure nothing is damaged or broken. Your items should be in the same condition as when they left, so take time to look for any signs of wear or damage.
Filing a claim can be a hassle but sometimes it’s needed. If anything is damaged, report it as soon as it arrives at your new home. This way, you can quickly start the process to get compensation from the moving company. In some cases, you might even get a credit added to your moving account.
14. Tipping Your Movers
Tipping is a good way to thank your movers for their hard work and effort. If you plan to tip, have some cash ready when they arrive. While tipping is allowed in most states, a few states have specific laws to protect workers who earn tips.
Before choosing a moving company, check if they already include tips for their workers. Some companies add a gratuity charge to the final bill, even if it’s not clearly mentioned in the contract. This helps you understand the full cost of your move ahead of time.
15. Get to Know Your New Home
Take a deep breath—you’ve got this. You don’t need to do everything at once but it helps to have a plan for meeting people and settling in. Instead of just sitting in an empty apartment, try to build a circle of friends. Go out, be social, join clubs or local groups and connect with your neighbors. Doing this will make your new place feel more like home and help you adjust faster.
Hire STI Moving and Storage for a Hassle-Free Move
At the end of the day, it’s important to pick a moving company that fits your needs. If you’re moving across the country—especially if you’re unsure about handling transportation yourself—hiring professional movers is a smart choice.
With over 21+ years of experience, STI Moving and Storage provides trusted, affordable moving services—both locally and long-distance. Our goal is to take the stress out of your move. We use proven methods to help you plan and carry out your move smoothly and efficiently. From setting realistic goals to organizing every detail, we make sure you’re fully prepared—so you don’t feel overwhelmed or caught off guard during the process.
Moving across the country for a new job or a fresh start is a big move—but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Contact us today to schedule your first move.