Long-distance moving can be an extensive and stressful process. Whether you are moving to start a new job, moving closer to your family, or just seeking a change of scenery, planning a cross-state or cross-country move is a vast transition. 

However, to make your move smooth, you don’t necessarily have to hit the books. The simple hack here is to stay organized, create a realistic schedule, and execute everything you’ve planned carefully. 

Creating a plan and schedule for a move is just the beginning; there’s much more to learn. 

In this blog, we delve into the intricacies of long-distance moving, share interesting packing hacks, and discuss the benefits of hiring a professional moving company to make your long-distance move easier.  

How to Move Long Distance Efficiently

1. Make a Moving Checklist 

Making a room-by-room checklist helps you figure out what room you should pack first and what can be packed last. Listing all the items from each room lets you understand what moving equipment you need for your bulky furniture pieces and what packing supplies you need for your delicate, fragile items. 

Steps to Create a Moving Checklist

  • Start by creating a comprehensive moving checklist using digital spreadsheets or MS Excel.
  • Organize your checklist by making subsheets for each room. For example, have separate sheets for your living room, kitchen, bathrooms, bedroom, closets, kid’s playroom, dining area, etc.
  • Now, further simplify your lists. For example, your kitchen checklist should include dishes, cooking appliances, pots, and glassware. In the same way, your living room checklist should have lamps, coffee tables, light fixtures, sofas, and TV. This will give you a clear picture of all inessential and non-essential items.
  • Finally, make a list of packing and wrapping supplies that you need to pack these items.

Remember, moving checklists are not just for the bigger rooms. They also help you understand the logistics and packing of your garage, home office furniture, moving household plants, and even the minuscule items you would have left otherwise. 

Benefits of Creating a Checklist for Successful Long-Distance Moves

Put simply, your moving checklists aid in: 

  • Organizing your essential and non-essential items  
  • Staying on schedule
  • Reducing last-minute stress and chaos
  • Prioritizing what to pack first
  • Creating moving budget 
  • Easy unpacking on a moving day

2. Follow a Schedule 

Procrastination is indeed the thief of time. Suppose you plan to leave your packing until the last day. In that case, you may face many challenges, such as using poor-quality packing materials, inadequate moving equipment, poor furniture handling, or, worst case, breakage and damage.

Your long-distance move should be free from all these setbacks. As a result, we recommend starting your planning six months before your actual moving day.  Here’s an example of a well-structured timeline: 

Six Months Before Relocation

Six months before your moving day, you should determine: 

Three Months Before Your Moving Day

  • Finalize the move-in date.
  • Communicate with your utility providers.
  • Verify details about your move with your new property manager.
  • Finalize the moving company that will make your long-distance move easy.
  • Look for storage units if need be

One Month Before Your Moving Day – 

  • Notify your local moving company of the date, time, and other removal instructions.
  • Pack your other non-essential items like extra clothes, toiletries, etc. 
  • Begin packing your closets, dressers, and other electronics. 
  • Start cleaning your backyard or exterior.
  • Update your new address everywhere. 

Above all, your moving checklist should stay handy from start to finish.  Here’s your printable moving checklist with monthly timelines and tasks that you can refer to. 

3. Downsize – Sell, Donate, or Toss! 

Start afresh! 

Declutter Before Move

Moving to a new home gives you a long-overdue opportunity to clean up your space. Now is the right time to toss unused, old, or broken items that will not add value to your new place. Hence, decluttering before moving homes will further reduce your moving costs. 

Donate Your Stuff

We know your possessions are precious to you. But if those items are no longer significant and beneficial, you should let them go. Donating your household items to your nearest thrift store or food bank is always a good idea when downsizing. 

Sell Your Stuff on Social Media Before Moving 

Apart from donating, another excellent way to get rid of your furniture is by selling them. If you have side tables, lamps, kitchen tools, appliances, or other household items, selling them on social media and local online marketplaces will be profitable.

You can also sell designer handbags or expensive clothing to consignment shops and sell your books to bookstores to earn store credits. 

Measure Your Items Before Moving

Note your items’ sizes and measurements before the move. This will help you organize your furniture according to the layout of your new home and give you a fair idea of what you need or don’t need moving forward.

This is important during a condo move, as you have to navigate stairs, elevators, etc. 

Purge Old and Rusty Items

  • Old clothing: Toss clothes that are faded or no longer fit.
  • Perishable items in your fridge/freezer: Discard items close to expiration.
  • Medicines: Toss expired pills.
  • Junk drawers and dressers: Check the condition of your dressers and toss them if they’re falling apart.
  • Outdated tech: Get rid of old phones, computers, computer parts, printers, etc. 

4. Separate Your Valuables and Pack Them Safely. 

Packing your fragile glassware with bulky items is a big no-no!  The most crucial part of long-distance moving is packing your valuables safely and ensuring their smooth transportation. The process requires precision, careful handling, and safe unloading. 

Pro Tip: For long-distance moves, carry your valuable items, like confidential documents, jewelry, and computer parts, with you instead of transporting them through a moving truck. 

Things To Consider While Packing and Moving Valuables:

  • You must have the proper packing and wrapping supplies for your fragile items and special moving boxes to pack your kitchenware, electronics, and appliances. 
  • Protect your art, TV, mirrors, and game consoles with sturdy boxes and TV protective cushions.  
  • Invest in good quality packing tapes to seal the boxes. 
  • Use packing peanuts for large items to fill spaces. 
  • Place packing paper or add padding at the bottom of boxes when packing electronic items.
  • Consider specialty moving services to move a piano, pool table, art collection, etc. 

5. Moving Furniture for Long Distance Moves

Oddly shaped, bulky, or difficult-to-lift items need to be moved strategically. For this, you might need to disassemble and reassemble the furniture. 

Disassemble & Assemble Furniture Properly 

In the case of heavy furniture, the trick is to disassemble furniture legs from your sofas, dressers, and tables, wherever necessary, to save a good amount of space in moving trucks. Here are some tips – 

  • Before disassembling, it’s better to take pictures of the furniture first, as this will help you when you put all the parts back in their place after the move.  
  • Label each piece as you disassemble it.
  • Before you start, ensure you have the correct tools, such as screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, or a drill.
  • Sometimes, when you disassemble the furniture, you take out screws and wrap the parts separately. However, this creates confusion when you unpack the furniture pieces, and you are clueless about how to place the screw again. Here’s a quick hack on organizing your furniture pieces again: 

  • Besides that, measure your doorways, hallways, and moving vehicles to evaluate the smooth lifting and moving of your furniture through your doors’ entry and exit points. 
  • Use the photos you took earlier and the labels you made during disassembly as a guide during reassembly. 

6. Buy Moving Insurance

Moving insurance is a safety shield for your possessions. It protects your expensive, fragile items and appliances that will likely get damaged or broken during long-distance moves.  Buying moving insurance provides specialized coverage for your valuables in case of accidents, theft, and damage risks. So, having the coverage will protect your belongings. However, before purchasing your moving insurance, you must compare all the insurance providers’ claim processes, deductions, and coverage limits.

7. Hire The Right Moving Company

An out-of-state or cross-country move is no less than a rollercoaster ride! You experience the thrill at the start of packing, the suspense when the actual move happens, and the relief when you finally reach your new destination. In this case, hiring professional movers is a safer option for a smooth relocation.  They are well-trained in handling cumbersome furniture and are pros at packing your items without breaking or chipping them. 

4 Advantages Of Hiring Professional Moving Companies For Long-Distance Moves – 

1. Saves Time 

When you choose the right moving company, you free up your time and focus on other essential things, such as rearranging appointments with your utility companies, talking to new property managers, and researching schools for your children.

2. Moving Expertise 

Professional movers know how to navigate moving challenges such as long flights of stairs, narrow hallways, and lifting heavy items. 

Their experience and knowledge make a cross-state move – a convenient and stress-free experience. While it may seem costly initially, the convenience and peace of mind it brings make it a worthwhile investment.  Furthermore, moving to distant locations is not a task for amateurs.

The risk of physical injuries, the high cost of renting vehicles, and the potential for mishandling delicate items are all significant challenges when attempting a move on your own. 

3. Proper Lifting of Bulky Furniture

To move safely, local movers use the right equipment to ensure careful handling and lifting of bulky items. They have high-quality dollies and hand trucks that assist them in placing your mattresses, sofas, and glass cabinets, among others, cautiously. 

In addition, experienced movers bring different dollies for different types of furniture, such as wood furniture dollies, electric dollies, and convertible hand trucks. 

4. Peaceful Relocation

The right moving company provides you with assurance and support. It expedites your long-distance move by offering a complete package, taking care of everything from packing and wrapping to loading and unloading. Their professionalism gives you peace of mind that your possessions are in good hands. 

Bottom Line

Moving long distances can be intimidating initially, but with careful planning and the right resources, it can be a rewarding experience. Remember, staying organized, prioritizing tasks, following a month-by-month schedule, and, most importantly, hiring professional movers can significantly reduce stress and make your moving process a breeze. 

However, moving companies in your area should not add to your stress. Instead, knowing you’re one step closer to a successful long-distance move should be a relief. 

That’s why you should count on Let’s Get Moving‘s team of experts!  Known for their on-time, reliable, and transparent moving services, they reassure you that your items will be safe while maneuvering the complexities of long distances. 

FAQs

How far in advance should I start planning my long-distance move?

Generally, start planning your move three to four months before the moving day. However, for a cross-country move, you should begin at least six months before. For other long-distance moves, such as across the city or the state, starting three to four months prior helps you stay on schedule. 

How much does a long-distance move typically cost?

A typical long-distance move will cost you between $1,500 and $14,000. Additionally, moving trucks’ fuel charges, tolls, and drivers’ lodging expenses are a few more additional costs you must consider.

How much should I tip my movers for a long-distance move? 

You can tip $50- $60 per mover for a long-distance move. If you see that it was a strenuous move and your mover did an outstanding job, you can tip them between $60 and $80.

How do you keep your pet safe when moving long distances?

Start with a comprehensive vet check-up to ensure your dog is vaccinated and obtain essential medical records. You should update your dog’s collar with a new pet ID tag and your new address and contact details.

Also, remember to look for pet-friendly airlines, carriers, and pet-moving services. Finally, to meet your destination country’s entry points, ensure you have all the documents handy, such as vaccinations, tests, and an international health certificate.