By Ryan Cox
Director, Allied Consumer Moving
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Long-Distance Moving Tips: Expert Advice from Professional Movers

If you’re planning a move across the country or even across your state, you may have noticed that the process is a bit more complicated than moving within the same metroplex. One of the biggest differences is time. While a typical move might be completed in one day or over a weekend, a long-distance move can take up to two weeks to complete. You also have the added challenge of packing up everything at once. If you’re just moving across town or to another city in the same state, you can bring a load at a time to your new place. With a long-distance move, you must pack up all your stuff, often living around and out of boxes for several days or weeks on both ends of the move.

With all of the different factors you need to consider in your long-distance move, it’s important that you plan ahead and get organized. Here are some long-distance moving tips to ensure your move goes smoothly.

Prepare for a long distance move

Planning Your Move

Before you fill a single box or move a piece of furniture, one tip for long-distance moving is to plan your move for a smooth transition to your new home. The first step in long-distance moving should be to create a timeline for the move. Know when you need to be established in your new home, whether it’s to start a new job or school or just getting settled into your home.

You’ll want to break down this timeline into sections, such as when to start packing, schedule movers, and close on your current home. You’ll need to think about what packing supplies you need and how to get them. Consider how you will transport your pets if you are moving long distances with cats and dogs and what you’ll do with personal items as you move. A long-distance moving checklist can save you a lot of time and worry.

Packing Like a Pro

Packing for a long-distance move is another key component to making the process more efficient. Label your boxes correctly to ensure you know where everything belongs once it arrives. If you label and group your boxes by room, it will be easier to locate what you need in your new home.

Before you start packing:

Divide your belongings into groups.
Sort through items that you no longer need.
Decide whether you will throw them away, sell them, or donate them.
Determine what will fit the new space in terms of size and design so you know how much stuff you have to pack.

Have a box for your essentials to help you stay organized during your move-in process. Label it and either pack it in the moving truck last or take it with you in your vehicle. This box should have clothing for a few days, pajamas, towels, personal hygiene products, toys for the kids, and other items you’ll need as soon as you arrive.

Choosing the Right Moving Company

When you’re trusting professional movers to transfer all of your belongings across the state or country, you want to make sure it’s a reputable company. Before you even ask for a quote, you should read reviews and confirm that the company is licensed through the FMCSA to ensure you aren’t falling victim to a moving scam.

Once you’ve narrowed down the field to real, trusted moving companies, take the time to request quotes and see how much experience the mover has in managing long-distance moves. The key is to hire a mover backed by a national company like Allied so you know they have the resources and reach to handle your long-distance move.

Some factors to consider when looking for a long-distance mover include:

References provided by the moving company, like a Better Business Bureau accreditation
In-home or virtual estimates provide a more accurate quote by inspecting the actual items that need to be moved
Proper licensing, permits, moving valuation coverage to relocate across state lines for interstate movers

It’s critical to hire your moving company as soon as possible to give them ample notice. Typically, you should schedule an estimate about six weeks before the moving date and officially book the mover at least four weeks in advance, especially if you plan to move during the summer’s peak moving season.

Beyond the basic services your mover provides, you may also want to consider paying for a full-service move that includes packing and unpacking. While it may cost a little more upfront, you gain a lot of time back to handle any other logistics involved with your long-distance move.

Plan, Plan, and Plan Some More

Unlike a standard move across town, a long-distance move doesn’t make it easy to go back and forth between homes to get everything situated. You need to take the time to plan out a schedule and get everything organized before the movers show up.

Here are some of the logistics you should sort out for your long-distance move:

Create a timeline. Start with the date you plan to be at your new place and work backward to determine your schedule for when to book the movers, start packing, and when to cancel or transfer utilities. Check out our recommended moving timeline.
Label everything. If you’re handling the packing yourself, label all of your boxes clearly so it’s much easier to organize and unpack at the new place.
Set aside clothes. It may be up to two weeks before your moving truck of belongings shows up to the new house, so make sure to pack some clothes, toiletries, and anything else you’ll need for that transition separately.
Plan for pets. If you have any pets, consider finding a daycare or pet sitter for days when the movers are at the house. You’ll also need to plan for travel. Research how to travel with pets by plane if you’re flying to your new home, or book pet-friendly hotels if your travel includes a multiple-day road trip.
Donate unwanted items. Moving is a great time for a fresh start. While you’re packing, consider whether you want to donate any of your clothes or furniture. Allied Van Lines has partnered with the Salvation Army to donate your items, with proceeds going to families recovering from addiction. Allied can also donate any unwanted food items to your local food pantry through our partnership with Move for Hunger! You can lighten your load, reduce the cost of your move, and give back to those in need.

The Moving Day

Finally, the big day arrives, and you want to enjoy the excitement without getting stressed. The key to surviving is to allow more time than you think you’ll need and trust the professionals. Get up early to be prepared for the hustle of the day. If you have younger children, you’ll want to have someone watching them or give them toys and a safe place to play while everything else is going on.

Make a long-distance checklist for what needs to be done on moving day. You’ll want to include things like cleaning after the furniture has been removed, doing a final walkthrough, and where to leave the keys to the house after you’re finished. Since the day is busy with a lot of activity, a checklist allows you to stay organized without trying to remember what needs to be done.

Another long-distance moving tip is to keep your cell phone charged, so everyone can contact you as needed. Place your box of essentials in your vehicle or a place away from everything else for easier accessibility. Have a bag or box available for all the little screws and nails that you need to take to your new home. It’s a good idea to keep a couple of labels on hand to label these items. You’ll find that putting stuff together is simpler if you know what screw matches which piece of furniture.

Organize food and drinks for the day. You don’t want to cook a meal or have to run to a restaurant to pick up items. Consider sandwiches or pizza that can be delivered and eaten quickly while you work. Keep plenty of water on hand to stay hydrated, which will help you retain your energy until the work is finished.

Settling Into Your New Home

Once you’ve arrived at your new home, the long-distance moving process isn’t completed yet. You must unpack and make the place feel like home while getting integrated into your new community. The first thing you’ll want to do is unpack your essentials box. Let the kids have their toys and introduce them to their new rooms while you work on getting organized for the first couple of days.

The most important area to get set up on the move-in day is your beds. You want a comfortable place to sleep, so you wake up refreshed for the next day’s challenges. It also helps a place feel more like home when you have your bed.

Don’t plan on cooking for the first week. Now is a great time to learn about your community. Find a grocery store to stock up on snacks, lunchmeat, pastries, and fresh fruit and vegetables for breakfasts and lunches. See what fast-food and delivery places are close to your home. You can sample a variety of pizza places until you figure out which will be your new place for family night pizza and movies at home.

Take a break from unpacking and organizing to explore your new neighborhood. Visit the local park with the kids or dogs. You might meet some of your new neighbors, but at least you’ll get some fresh air and sunshine. Check out a local museum or art gallery for a break from settling in. You’ll make new memories in your new home and help your family acclimate to their new surroundings.

Simplify Your Long-Distance Move with Allied

Long-distance moving doesn’t have to be a nightmare if you start planning early and pack everything in the best way with our long-distance moving tips. Choose a professional moving company with an excellent reputation and be organized on moving day. Take time to settle into your new home as you focus on your family to create a positive experience with your long-distance move.

Long-distance moves can seem overwhelming, but they’re a lot more manageable when you break everything down into steps and work with a knowledgeable moving provider to help you along the way.

Allied has been helping people move across town and across the country as well as international moving for more than 95 years. With reputable moving agents nationwide, we have the resources and availability to make your move as seamless as possible.