June 30, 2021

The Ultimate Guide to Preparing for a Long-Distance Move

Moving is stressful. Moving a long distance can be extremely stressful. Not only do you have to pack up your whole life and somehow transport it to your new home, you also have to do that over hundreds or thousands of miles.

Many people think of moving as a sort of road trip but with a lot of boxes in your car. If you’re only moving to the other side of town or maybe an hour away at most, this seems like a feasible DIY plan. You can take multiple trips until you get everything, possibly without spending more than gas money.

But if you’re moving farther away, it becomes more complicated. If you have to fly to your destination, how will you get your boxes and vehicles there? If you can drive, how will you get everything in one trip?

Here at Texas Movers Group, we know how troublesome long distance moving can get. So, we’ve compiled this guide to help you prepare for your long-distance move:

Planning

The most important part of any move is planning. But it’s more than just knowing how to get from point A to point B. Use the following tips to plan your move and set the foundation for success:

Plan your route and travel method.

This part of the plan depends on where you’re moving from and to.

If you plan on driving to your new home, map out your route. Include any stops you may want to make along the way. Make a budget for this trip including gas, accommodations, food and other expenses.

If you need or want to fly or take other public transportation, wait to buy your tickets until you’ve made arrangements for everything else first. Alternatively, consider purchasing tickets that can be changed or refunded in case something comes up.

DIY or Professional?

The easiest and most reliable way to make a long-distance move is to hire a moving company. Movers can pack, load, transport, and unload everything for you, so all you have to worry about is getting yourself there. At Texas Movers Group, we offer customizable services to fit your needs.

If you don’t want to hire movers, you need to decide how you’ll get your belongings to your new home. The cheapest way would be to try and fit everything into your vehicle with you. This is rarely feasible, however, so you will probably need to look at rental options.

Depending on the amount of things you will need to move and the capabilities of your vehicle, there are a variety of rental options at your disposal. For example, you could tow a trailer for extra storage or rent a truck that can tow your vehicle and haul your things. You also have the option of movable storage containers, which is essentially shipping your belongings in one big box.

What is your time frame?

Whatever methods of transportation you choose, there will always be a time frame to consider. If you need to be out of your old home or moved into the new one by a certain date, plan accordingly. Keep in mind that some methods for moving your belongings have variable delivery dates or arrival windows.

Preparation

Once you have your plan in place, it’s time to get ready to move. Aside from packing, there are a few things you can do beforehand to make the move easier.

Downsize

The time before a big move is a great opportunity to downsize. The less you have to move with the better.

Sort out essentials

If you think about traveling, you usually just bring along clothes, toiletries and maybe some food for the trip, plus electronics. When you’re moving, unless you’ll be staying in a hotel until you’ve moved in, you’ll need to pack some extra things so you won’t be stuck without them while unpacking or waiting for your stuff to arrive:

Cleaning supplies
Toilet paper
Towels
A few sets of kitchen utensils, tableware and cookware
Hand soap
Laundry detergent

Make sure to hold these essentials back when packing and keep them with you or easily accessible among your boxes.

Packing

Packing and unpacking are the biggest chore of moving. If you’re doing it yourself, set aside plenty of time so you can get the job done while not in a rush. Take the extra effort to label your boxes and arrange them so you can get out the more important items first.

It’s also a good idea to gather packing materials that are a little sturdier than normal. The longer the haul, the more opportunities for things to get broken or crushed. Use specialty packing organizers to keep things like dishes safe.

Once you’re all packed, it’s time to hit the road. If you’re using a moving service like Texas Movers Group, all you’ll have left to do is get to your new home and settle in. We’ll handle the rest.