20+ Helpful Long-Distance Moving Tips

With numerous tasks to complete and preparations to do, a long-distance move is a complex and often stressful process.
It is not enough to only pack your belongings and arrive at the new location. When preparing for the move, you need to hire a reliable moving company and draw up a plan for your relocation.
The more details you include in your checklist, the better your chances of making everything properly. That’s why we’ve prepared tips for moving across country to give you a clear idea of where to start, what to do, and how to accomplish your relocation.

LONG DISTANCE MOVING PACKING TIMELINE

The best strategy is to start early. At least one month before the cross-country move, create a moving calendar. With this approach, you can set and meet the time frame and focus on the steps that should be taken.
Make an inventory list and prioritize your items. Once completed, start the packing process week by week.
Here’s a moving calendar for one month before a long-distance move with a weekly packing timeline:

4 Weeks Before The Move

Start the packing process in locations you rarely use. These are the attic, basement, garage, etc. There are often a lot of belongings and unnecessary stuff that need to be sorted out, packed, or thrown away.

3 Weeks Before The Move

Pack fragile and valuable items in moving boxes. It’s also better to pack various decorative elements and small items at least three weeks before the relocation.

2 Weeks Before The Move

Look at your inventory list and start packing by priority. For example, if it’s summer, start packing your winter gear and clothes. This period is perfect for items you don’t need right now or use rarely.

1 Week Before The Move

Get packing supplies for electronics, gadgets, and kitchen appliances. Find some moving cross country tips for packing to make the process easier. Read the disassembly instructions for some appliances and electronics before packing them to avoid damage.
The next step is to measure your furniture and bulky items to determine whether some of them should be disassembled before being carried out of the house.
Focus on the items you regularly use and interact with during the last week before moving.

The Day Before The Move

Make copies of all the papers and documents, and pack them in the box/case. Then pack your bathroom items.
Finish furniture and equipment disassembling.
The next step is about cables, USBs, power banks, etc. Prepare labelled cardboard boxes for those items so as not to lose anything.
Finally, essentials and medicines. Keep them with you during the move.

Move Out Day

After your morning routine, pack your toiletries and whatever else is left.
Before the cross-country movers arrive, inspect every room to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything.

TIPS FOR A LONG-DISTANCE MOVE

There are several stages in preparing and carrying out the move.
Let’s look at functional long distance moving tips and tricks to make the process easier and smoother.

Pre-Packing

Set A Budget

The first step to getting started is a budget. Moving cross-country can cost an average of $4,000-8,000. Decide how much you can spend. Based on your budget, you can make a plan for your long-distance move and get some extra options (e.g. packing services, storage facilities, portable moving containers, hiring full-service movers, etc.).

Make An Inventory

Create an inventory list. Write down all your belongings and then prioritize. Select labels and colour codes for each of the rooms and items, depending on their purpose. Decide which items you’re not going to take with you, so sell them or donate them to charity.

Find A Company

Once you’ve set a budget, made a list of items, and got an idea of ​​how to complete your long-distance move, start looking for a company. Check reviews, ask for referrals, and get quotes to find the best option.
Professional cross-country movers always provide you with an estimate before moving. Avoid companies without insurance. In addition, the lowest price may indicate hidden fees.

Choose A Season

Among reasonable tips for long-distance moving is to relocate during off-peak season. Fall and winter are the least busy seasons, so you can save money. Avoid moving during the summer, especially in August, as you can pay a lot more for long-distance movers and moving truck rentals.

Create Moving Folder

Create a folder where you can safely store all your papers, contracts, licenses, and other important documents. This will help you not to lose anything during the moving process. In addition, make digital copies of documents and back up your computer to avoid possible risks.

Packing

Get Supplies

Take a look at your inventory list and determine how many packing supplies you may need. Different items may require special cases and moving boxes to ensure their safety during transportation.
The process of obtaining all the necessary materials can be boring, but it’s important. Bubble wrap, packing paper, cardboard boxes of different sizes, moving containers – take whatever you find.
Ask your friends or family members if they can lend you some boxes. Also, you can rent moving supplies for free by hiring long-distance movers or by contacting retailers and marketplaces near you.

Pack Every Day

You should start with rarely used areas in your home, such as the basement and attic. There are typically many items that take up a lot of space. Thus, it may require some time to sort everything out and pack.
The next step is rooms. Determine which items from which rooms you don’t use right now and start packing them first.
The last rooms for packing are the kitchen, bathroom, and living room.
Packing is the most boring part of the moving process, yet the essential one. Make a plan and then pack room by room.

Rent A Container

A portable moving container is a great option for long-distance moves. The main advantage is that you can save on shipping. Renting a container is cheaper than hiring full-service movers. The average cost of such a service is about $2,000-3,000 per month. In addition, you can use such containers as storage which is very convenient during a cross-country move, as you can typically have many different items, including large and bulky ones.
So if you’re seeking long-distance moving tips in terms of saving money, container rental is the way to go!

Get Rid Of Stuff

The fewer moving boxes you have, the easier the process will be. Thus, sort out all of your belongings before packing. Look if there is something you don’t need and decide what you’re going to do with it. You can sell part of your items. Also, consider if there is anything you can donate to charity.
Be aware that cross-country movers don’t carry certain types of items (flammable, explosive, toxic, etc.). In addition, plants cannot be transported, as they may die during the move, so take care of your plants in advance.

Search Packaging Tips

Google some helpful tips on the packing process. TThere are various long distance moving tips, tricks, and lifehacks on how to pack items faster and waste less space in boxes. Also, read the instructions on how to properly disassemble some of your electronics and appliances.
Use enough bubble wrap for gadgets and valuable items. For glasses, cups, and other breakable items, use packing paper.
Place heavy items (books, shoes, gear, etc.) at the bottom of the box. The remaining space can be used for clothes, bedding, and other soft and light items.

Get Assistance

Packing requires some time and effort. Once you know your budget, you can consider different ways to accomplish it. You can get a professional packing service to boost the process or ask your friends or family members for assistance.
A packing service is a huge benefit as you get all the necessary moving supplies for free and the hard work done by professionals, but it can cost you an additional $500-$1000 or more, depending on the load.

Label Your Boxes

Label each of your boxes. Create a list where you can write down all labels, tags, and colour codes. This will make things easier in both cases:

• Before the move. You can control the process and also follow your plan and schedule.
• After the move. With a list of labels, you can inspect everything after arriving at the new location.

Labelling can be boring, but with so many boxes and cases, it’s almost impossible to keep everything in mind.

Moving Day

Recheck Everything

Double-check your belongings and house before leaving. This is among the main moving long distance tips.
With so many boxes, items, and tasks to complete, it’s so easy to forget about something. Thus, check your inventory list to ensure everything is in order. Then check all cabinets and shelves in the bathroom, kitchen, and living room for small items that you haven’t packed yet.
Go through each room one last time, so you don’t miss anything.

Remove Barriers

Before the long-distance movers arrive, take a look around.
Consider the ways how your boxes and furniture would be carried out of the house. Make sure that there are no barriers that could interfere with the process. In addition, check the outside area of your house/apartment. It’s important to guarantee your house is easily accessible for the moving truck.

Pack Essentials

Prepare a box or bag where you can put essentials, toiletries, medicines, and things you may need on the road (gadgets, power banks) in advance.
Put the essentials separately from the rest of the boxes and keep them close to you during moving.
It’s best to take this step before the move-out day, as you may not have enough time to pack everything you need after the movers arrive.

Move Valuable Items Yourself

Valuables, expensive jewelry, accessories, and important documents are always recommended to be transported by yourself.
Even though most carriers provide insurance coverage for your belongings during loading and transferring, remember that valuable items are your responsibility first of all.
Therefore, prepare a box where you can put all these items and then ship them to your new house either on your own or keep the box next to you on the way.

Protect The Floor

Another helpful tip for movers and long distance movings is to ensure your flooring and door frames are well-protected since moving and carrying furniture and boxes out of the house may scratch the floor. Use moving blankets, pads, and other surface protectors to avoid any possible damage. Also, if you have bulky items that need to be carried out, there is always a chance of damaging the door frame. Therefore, take care of doorways, walls, and floors before the movers arrive.

Arrange Cleaning

Before you leave your old home, arrange cleaning. There are a few reasons for this.
First of all, you can find some missing things you forgot about. And in many cases, cleaning helps to avoid the risk of losing something important or valuable to you, especially if it’s a tiny item.
Secondly, it is a way to show respect for the place where you used to live and for the people who may move in after you.

During The Move

Recheck Everything

Double-check your belongings and house before leaving. This is among the main moving long distance tips.
With so many boxes, items, and tasks to complete, it’s so easy to forget about something. Thus, check your inventory list to ensure everything is in order. Then check all cabinets and shelves in the bathroom, kitchen, and living room for small items that you haven’t packed yet.
Go through each room one last time, so you don’t miss anything.

Remove Barriers

Before the long-distance movers arrive, take a look around.
Consider the ways how your boxes and furniture would be carried out of the house. Make sure that there are no barriers that could interfere with the process. In addition, check the outside area of your house/apartment. It’s important to guarantee your house is easily accessible for the moving truck.

Pack Essentials

Prepare a box or bag where you can put essentials, toiletries, medicines, and things you may need on the road (gadgets, power banks) in advance.
Put the essentials separately from the rest of the boxes and keep them close to you during moving.
It’s best to take this step before the move-out day, as you may not have enough time to pack everything you need after the movers arrive.

Move Valuable Items Yourself

Valuables, expensive jewelry, accessories, and important documents are always recommended to be transported by yourself.
Even though most carriers provide insurance coverage for your belongings during loading and transferring, remember that valuable items are your responsibility first of all.
Therefore, prepare a box where you can put all these items and then ship them to your new house either on your own or keep the box next to you on the way.

Protect The Floor

Another helpful tip for movers and long distance movings is to ensure your flooring and door frames are well-protected since moving and carrying furniture and boxes out of the house may scratch the floor. Use moving blankets, pads, and other surface protectors to avoid any possible damage. Also, if you have bulky items that need to be carried out, there is always a chance of damaging the door frame. Therefore, take care of doorways, walls, and floors before the movers arrive.

Arrange Cleaning

Before you leave your old home, arrange cleaning. There are a few reasons for this.
First of all, you can find some missing things you forgot about. And in many cases, cleaning helps to avoid the risk of losing something important or valuable to you, especially if it’s a tiny item.
Secondly, it is a way to show respect for the place where you used to live and for the people who may move in after you.

BONUS LONG-DISTANCE AND CROSS-COUNTRY MOVING TIPS

Here are some additional cross country move tips that might come in handy!

Leave A Review

Don’t forget to leave a review after the relocation is complete. Describe your moving cross-country experience and rate the carrier. This helps companies to improve the quality of services and other people to choose a reliable mover.

Ask For Assistance

If you have large furniture that needs to be disassembled and moved, don’t do it yourself. There will be little result from such efforts, and you can hurt or damage the floor and walls. You can ask friends for help, or it is even better to hire professionals, as they have the necessary equipment and skills for such work.

Defrost The Fridge

Remember to empty and defrost your fridge the day before you move. It’s also a good idea to change your menu the week before you move and avoid buying new foods that require freezing.

Inspect Everything

Upon arrival, inspect your new house or apartment to see whether everything is working as it should (Internet, household appliances, utilities, etc.). Also, go through your inventory list and check your belongings for damage.
Finally, install a new security system and change the locks.

Update Addresses

Remember to update your addresses and subscriptions in advance. This step should be taken at least 1-2 weeks before moving.
Also, check if some of your deliveries still haven’t arrived. Be sure to cancel or redirect pending deliveries to the new address.

Download And Print Our Moving Checklist
Your move can be much easier and smoother if you control the process and follow the plan. Print out the moving checklist and track your progress.

HIRE PROFESSIONALS FOR YOUR LONG DISTANCE MOVE

The best way to guarantee a successful relocation is to hire professional movers.
With our experience and skills, we know how to make the complex process of moving easier, faster, and less stressful. We are ready to help you with:

• moving to Edmonton,
• moving to Vancouver,
• moving to Kelowna,
• moving to Nanaimo,
• moving to Penticton and other directions.

Get a quote or contact us, and our team will take care of your move from A to Z.
Let BestMovesCalgary do the hard work for you!