25 Cross Country Moving Tips That Will Save Your Sanity

Cross-country moving is no easy task. From packing up your household and coordinating moving day help to settling in the new house and changing addresses, there are many necessary steps to plan a long-distance move. We’ve included 25 tips for moving across the country.

25 Moving Across Country Tips

1. Use a moving checklist.

   From finding a moving company to sorting through your belongings and getting a new driver’s license, moving to a new state takes time and a lot of work. A moving checklist can help keep you complete every task you need to for your upcoming move when it needs to be done. We have several moving checklists available for you to follow. Choose allieddubaimovers.com the one that best suits your needs, such as moving with kids or moving with pets. Or make a custom moving checklist by combining several of our lists.

2. Lighten your load.

   Hiring a moving company? Remember: the cost of your interstate move is largely dependent on the weight of your belongings. This means that the more you move, the more your move will cost. Given that most cross country moves cost several thousand dollars, you’ll want to save money where you can. We recommend donating gently-used items to Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity to lighten the load. You can also try selling items through a consignment store or online marketplace. For more tips on purging your belongings before moving, check here.

3. Divide and conquer.

   Cross country moving with a family isn’t easy. However, having several extra sets of hands can certainly help. As you begin to pack up the home, ask your spouse and kids to help out. We recommend teaching them the proper ways to pack a moving box before starting the packing process. School-age children should be able to assist with packing up their own rooms. Make sure to pack non-essentials, or items you won’t need in the weeks leading up to the move (think: seasonal clothing and books), first. Pack essentials last.

4. Make all travel arrangements in advance.

   Don’t wait until the last minute to book your travel arrangements. When moving across the country, be sure to research and schedule all travel details at least a month or more in advance. From airplane tickets to hotel reservations, these travel arrangements are crucial to ensure a successful move.

5. Get your pet ready to travel.

   If you are moving with pets, don’t wait until the last minute to make their travel arrangements, especially for an out-of-state move. Several weeks out, research pet-friendly hotels where you can stay on the road. If you are flying, reserve space on your flight for your pet to accompany you. Each airline has its own regulations, and depending on your pet’s size, they may not be allowed to fly in the cabin. Before you leave the state, obtain all medical records from your current veterinarian, and once you get settled, be sure to license your pet.

6. Obtain quotes from at least three or four moving companies.

   Special services, offerings and pricing vary from moving company to moving company. Be sure to interview at least three movers to compare quotes before hiring a moversdubai for the job. For advice on what to ask your movers when you interview them, check here.

7. Check to make sure a moving company is licensed and insured.

   The last thing you want to do when moving cross country is to hire a rogue mover. Fortunately, moving scams are easy to spot if you know what to look for. Besides the too-good-to-be-true moving estimates, rogue movers are probably not licensed or insured. To check if an interstate mover is licensed, look them up using their U.S. DOT number in the FMCSA’s database. You’ll also want to check and make sure the moving company is properly insured. Moving companies should be able to provide you with proper documentation to prove this.

8. Leave the packing to the professionals.

   You can usually save money by packing your belongings yourself. However, depending on the size of your home, it can take weeks to get the job done. Hiring your movers to pack your home can reduce stress and allow you to focus on more pleasant activities, like spending time with friends and family before you go. It comes at a cost, though. Long-distance movers usually charge a flat fee ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand depending on how much there is to move. You can reduce the fee by packing some boxes yourself but leaving the rest to the professionals.

9. Consider renting a portable moving container.

   One popular cross-country moving alternative to using a professional moving company is to rent a portable moving container. These moving containers double as storage pods and are especially helpful to those in need of storage before, during or after a move. Popular moving container companies include PODS, ABF’s U-Pack ReloCubes, U-Haul’s U-Boxes and 1-800-PACK-RAT, Zippy Shell, SMARTBOX, Go Mini’s, and COWs – just to name a few. For a closer look at the best moving containers available, check here.

10. Pamper yourself.

    Make moving less stressful. Give yourself a break. Take a walk, read a book or meditate. A trip to the gym or your local yoga studio can reduce stress and anxiety, too. If you have the time to spare, you could even plan a spa day. But even a nap will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to face your moving checklist again.

11. Document the condition of your items.

    As you box up your belongings, we recommend taking photos and/or videos of all items to document the condition of those belongings at the beginning of the move. This way, if anything breaks or becomes damaged while in the hands of the movers, you will have proof that they were mishandled. This could help with filing a claim and seeking compensation for your belongings.

12. Consider purchasing moving insurance.

    When hiring a moving company, carefully look at your valuation coverage options. The company’s free, basic protection only covers the bare minimum. If you decide you need more protection, consider paying up for the Full Value Protection, which will hold your mover accountable for the actual cash value of the items. Consider purchasing moving insurance from a third-party insurance company for more comprehensive coverage.

13. Read customer reviews and moving company ratings.

    Before hiring a moving company, make sure to check customer reviews and ratings. You can find reviews on our Moving Company Directory. The directory includes customer reviews for hundreds of moving companies nationwide. Our reviews also include the moving company’s U.S. DOT number, specific moving services, fleet size, Better Business Bureau rating, any official complaints filed with the FMCSA, and whether the moving company has any association with the American Moving & Storage Association.

14. Put the utilities in your name.

    About two weeks before you move, contact your current utility company. Notify them of your move date, and ask them to disconnect utilities following your move. Then, contact the utility companies at your new home. Let them know the day you want utilities started there. You’ll need to pay a deposit to get utility services started at your new home, but it beats trying to unpack in the dark.

15. Say goodbye to family and friends.

    When you move to a new state, you leave behind loved ones. Take the time to say goodbye to family, friends and coworkers one-on-one and as a group. You’ll want to schedule time one-on-one with the people you’re closest to. Ask them to lunch or dinner. Or spend a day sharing a favorite activity, like going to the movies, with them. Then, say a final goodbye to everyone by hosting a going away party. This could be as informal as asking everyone to meet at your favorite hangout or a more structured affair at your home. Either way, it will give you one last chance to connect with your loved ones before leaving the state.

16. Entertain the kids.

    Having kids underfoot can complicate moving day. Hire a babysitter for young children, and keep older ones occupied with games and activities. You can also set up playdates for them with special friends and family members. When on the road or in the air, be sure to have activities to keep them occupied.

17. Ask the driver for a contact number.

    When moving across the country, it can take a week or more for your belongings to arrive. To stay up-to-date with the status of the moving truck, you may want to ask the driver for their contact information. Whether by phone or email, your moving company should provide some way for you to track your driver. Often, a representative at the moving company will contact the driver on your behalf.

18. Bring important paperwork and valuables with you.

    Don’t pack valuables such as jewelry and family heirlooms with the rest of your belongings. Make sure to pack any valuables in a separate and secure bag. The same goes for important paperwork and documents such as birth certificates or marriage licenses. When moving cross country, these should all be carried with you to ensure that they stay safe. https://servicebasketuae.com

19. Pack a moving day essentials bag.

    When moving cross country, it’s important that you pack a moving essentials bag and/or suitcase to keep with you throughout the move. Essentials should include everything you’ll need in the days leading up to the move up to a few days after. These might include toothbrushes, medications, toiletries, clothing, important documents, baby necessities, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, a tool kit, pet food, bottled water, wallets and extras shoes.

20. Don’t forget to tip your movers for a job well done.

    Feel your movers did an excellent job? If you decide to tip your movers, make sure to have cash on hand once the movers arrive with your belongings. Remember: you’ll need enough cash for each individual mover.

21. Have an unpacking plan.

    Once you get to your new home, start unpacking your essentials bag. Make the beds you need for the night, and then focus on the kitchen. You don’t need to unpack every item immediately, but having a functional kitchen will make your new place feel more like home. Next, focus on the living room so you have a space to relax and congregate. As you begin to unpack other rooms, realize you don’t have to unpack everything in one day or even one week. Take your time, but consider scheduling a housewarming party, so you have a deadline to have all your boxes unpacked.

22. Examine items for damage after the move.

    As you unpack your belongings, make sure to carefully examine each item, particularly large or valuable items such as furniture, antiques and china. If belongings were damaged or broken while in transit, you may be able to file a claim and receive compensation for your items. Be sure to compare the condition of your items to the photos or videos taken before the move.

23. Change your address.

    Fortunately, changing your address is extremely easy, thanks to today’s technology. To change your mailing address and ensure that you receive all snail mail, visit USPS.com and choose the date you wish to begin forwarding your mail. Changing your bank account and credit card billing address can also be completed at the click of a button online.

24. Obtain a new driver’s license.

    Plan on driving? You’ll need a new driver’s license after you move. Head to your local DMV and bring all necessary paperwork. You’ll likely need an existing driver’s license, proof of residency, proof of your social security number and an additional form of ID.

25. Explore your surroundings and meet the neighbors.

    Ready to meet the neighbors? Get outside and say hello. Walk around the neighborhood and explore the area. Stop in local coffee shops and join your local themoveme.com group to get plugged into news and happenings around the neighborhood.

Ready to move?

Get organized for your cross-country move by using Moving.com’s comprehensive Move Planner. It features customizable moving checklists, personal tasks list, helpful recommendations, email reminders and plenty of coupons to get you organized. Need help finding a long-distance moving company? Fortunately, Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers makes it easy to book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands.