No matter what time of year you’re moving, packing and getting ready for a long-distance move can feel overwhelming. Even packing for a local move can be difficult for many people, especially if you don’t have much experience with moving.
Whether you plan to organize and handle the entire move on your own or hire a long-distance moving company to help with the process, knowing how to prepare for a long-distance move is one of the best things you can do to make everything go more smoothly.
So how do you choose the best long-distance movers? How do you figure out the right packing and moving plan for your upcoming move? We’ll share some of the best ways to handle a long-distance move and what you should look for when choosing the right moving company.
Preparing for a Long-Distance Move
So, it’s time to start planning your move. Having the right packing strategy will help you stay organized and on track. Creating a realistic timeline for packing and spreading the work out over time allows you to handle everything step by step and helps you avoid the stress and anxiety that come with last-minute packing.
Creating a moving plan early will also help you stay organized and keep track of what you’ve completed. If you start falling behind, you’ll clearly see what still needs to be done to get back on schedule. You can even use a calendar to monitor your progress, set your goals and keep track of what you’re currently working on so you stay on track.
When preparing for the packing process, follow the following packing tips:
Make a Moving Timeline
Getting ready for a long-distance move can catch you off guard, so the first thing to do is create a timeline. Set your moving date and then plan everything by working backwards from that day. Six to eight weeks is usually a good amount of time but you can adjust it depending on your situation. A simple timeline might look something like this:
- Eight weeks before your move – Collect all the packing supplies you’ll need.
- Six weeks before your move – Go through your home and get rid of items you no longer want or need.
- Four weeks before your move – Start packing things that you don’t usually use.
- Two weeks before your move – Begin packing items that you use more often.
- One week before your move – Finish packing everything except the essentials.
- A few days before your move – Pack an “open first” box with the things you’ll need during the first day or two in your new home.
Get Moving Supplies
If you’re not sure how to pack for a move or if this is your first time moving, make sure to gather the moving supplies you’ll need. To keep your preparations as smooth as possible, try to collect your packing supplies about eight weeks before your move. The last thing you want is to run out of supplies at the last minute or struggle to find what you need while getting ready for your long-distance move.
You’ll need packing boxes in different sizes, bubble wrap or other materials to protect fragile items, packing tape, and labels. You can buy these supplies, often from your moving company. But if you plan ahead, you may also find good-quality boxes or storage totes for little cost or even free from friends, family, local businesses or places like Facebook Marketplace.
Declutter Your Home
When packing for a move, it’s best to take only the items you truly want and need. Extra clutter such as broken sports equipment, decorations you no longer like or bulky furniture that won’t fit in your new home shouldn’t go on the moving truck. Before you begin packing, go through your home and remove the items you no longer want.
Unwanted items don’t always have to be thrown away. You can donate gently used things to a local charity. If you have enough time, you might also sell valuable items on Facebook Marketplace or hold a garage sale. Decluttering helps make your long-distance move easier and leaves you with fewer boxes to unpack when you arrive at your new home.
Make a Moving Checklist
Now that you’ve created a timeline, gathered your moving supplies and decluttered your home, it’s time to make a moving checklist for a long-distance move. There are many things to think about when getting ready for a long-distance move. Along with listing everything you need to pack, you should also remember to update your address, change your mail delivery, set up utilities and plan how you’ll transport pets or plants.
It can be hard to keep track of everything in your head. A moving checklist helps remove the guesswork from the preparation process and lowers the chances of forgetting something important.
Pack for Your Move
Okay. You now have your packing supplies, a timeline and a checklist. The next step is to start packing for your long-distance move. While packing, remember to pack carefully and be mindful about which items you pack together.
Never pack fragile items with non-fragile ones or with things that could damage them. Also, always label your boxes. This helps protect delicate items, keeps you organized and allows your movers to load the truck safely and efficiently.
Other packing tips include:
- Pack heavy items at the bottom of boxes.
- Fill any empty space in boxes with soft items like towels or blankets.
- Avoid putting all heavy items in one box. Spread them out so each box is easier to carry and load onto the moving truck.
- Strengthen the bottom of boxes with packing tape to keep everything secure.
- Label every box with the room it belongs to and a list of what’s inside.
- Pack an essentials box and label it “open first.”
- Seal each box tightly with strong packing tape.
Start your packing process by packing decor and nonessential items and always pack similar items together. From there, move on to things like seasonal items or belongings that may already be packed or stored in places like your attic or basement.
If you don’t have much time to pack or you’re worried about packing everything safely, you may want to consider professional packing services. Movers can help pack your belongings for your long-distance move so everything arrives safely at your new home.
Prioritize Organizing Boxes by Room
Staying organized is important to make sure the entire moving process goes smoothly and so your movers can also stay organized while loading and transporting your belongings. Try to pack items based on the room they belong to. This method also makes unpacking much easier and helps keep all of your boxes clearly labeled.
Packing in an organized way helps protect your belongings from damage. It also makes it easier to sort through your items and set aside the essentials you’ll want to keep with you while waiting for the rest of your household belongings to be delivered.
Don’t Forget to Pack Your Car
Now that your boxes are packed, it’s time to get moving. But there’s one more thing to think about—you also need to get yourself and your family to your new home. Packing your car with the right essentials for a long-distance move can make the trip more comfortable and help you be prepared when you arrive. Bring items like an extra set of clothes, bedding, snacks, important toiletries, basic cleaning supplies and a first aid kit so you’re ready for anything during the journey.
How to Choose a Long-Distance Moving Company
Along with packing for a long distance move, it’s also important to have the right cross-country moving company helping with your relocation. The movers you choose can have a big impact on how your move goes, especially when you’re traveling across several states and covering hundreds of miles.
Choosing a long-distance moving company isn’t only about the price. Let’s look at some helpful tips for choosing the right movers when you’re planning a long-distance move.
Choose Movers with Cross-Country Moving Experience
When planning a long-distance move, it’s best to have experienced professionals helping you so your belongings arrive safely and the process feels less stressful. Cross-country moves can be very challenging and having skilled movers manage and organize the move can make a big difference.
However, when choosing long-distance movers, you should look for a company that specializes in or has plenty of experience with long-distance moves. There are many more things to consider when planning a long-distance move compared to a local move. Working with experienced movers can give you peace of mind and help ensure your belongings are handled with care.
Look at Your Professional Moving Company’s Reviews
One of the biggest moving mistakes people make when searching for long-distance movers is not doing enough research. Before signing any contract, take the time to check third-party reviews of the cross-country moving company. Looking at reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau, Google Reviews, Yelp and similar platforms can help you avoid moving scams or poorly run companies.
When reading reviews, don’t rely only on the ones shown on a company’s website. Even if they are real, companies can remove negative reviews to present themselves in a better way. It’s always a good idea to check what people are saying about the company on other platforms and learn about their real experiences.
Also, if you can’t find any reviews about the moving company at all, it’s best to stay away. This is a major red flag and may indicate that the moving company is fraudulent.
Shop Around for Quotes
Along with finding a company that has strong online reviews, you should also compare moving estimates from different movers. Getting several quotes can help you avoid paying more than necessary and give you a better idea of what a fair price looks like and what may be overpriced. It will also help you spot moving scams, as they’re often priced suspiciously lower than the market rate or reputable moving companies.
Now You Know the Best Way to Move Long Distance
With the right tips for long-distance moving and packing, you’re ready to handle your relocation. Take your time when choosing a long-distance moving company and make sure they fit your needs. Remember to check reviews and compare quotes from different movers. It’s also important to create a packing timeline so you stay organized and can pack everything without feeling overwhelmed. When moving day arrives, you’ll be ready to go.
Oh, and if you’re looking for the best professional movers, look no further than STI Moving & Storage. We offer great pricing and reliable service for your long-distance move and will be there to support you every step of the way during your cross-country relocation. Call us today at 847-675-1223 or schedule your free quote online.
