Going the Distance: Tips for Your Long Distance Move

Published: August 21, 2017

Moving across the country is an exciting life event, but that excitement isn’t always positive. Long distance moves can be stressful and exhausting if not properly planned for beforehand. Luckily, UNITS Moving and Portable Storage has some tips that will make your cross country move a breeze. So take a deep breath, relax and check out our advice on planning a successful long distance move:

Purge before loading up

Long distance moves are no time to bring out your inner hoarder. The more large, heavy items you bring with you, the more expensive and cumbersome the move will be. However, you don’t need to toss out all your furniture and spend a fortune repurchasing new versions after the move. In order to bring the appropriate amount of furniture, make a map of your new home and “place” your furniture around the house. This will give you a good idea of how much space you’ll have and allow you to post that extra dresser you won’t need on Craigslist before moving.

Go crazy with labels

Time to bust out the Sharpies and label makers. All those cardboard boxes will look way too similar once they’re piled in the living room of your new house. Save yourself the time and mess of prying open each box to determine what room it belongs in. Label each box with a summary of its contents and the room they belong in. Yes, this means organizing your possessions before packing them away in boxes, but trust us, it’ll be worth it when you can actually find the things you’re looking for afterwards. Place the items you’ll need first in the back of the UNITS container so it can be unloaded first (think: plates, bowls, cups, silverware, bed linens and towels).

Pack a bag of essentials

No one wants to have to dig through a packed moving truck or car trunk to find a toothbrush. Even if your move won’t require a stay in a hotel, pack an overnight bag. Toss in essentials such as deodorant, shampoo, and an extra pair of socks. This way, if you arrive at your new home late at night and are utterly exhausted, you can simply grab your overnight bag and head off to bed. This is especially helpful if you’re moving long distance with young children. Pack changes of clothing, a blanket and favorite toys and movies to keep them occupied on the drive and while you unpack.

Plan it like a road trip

The actual day of your move will be far less stressful and tiresome if you plan out your long drive more like a road trip. Research unique restaurants your family would enjoy eating at along the route. Find a hotel to stay in with a pool your kids can play in. See if there are any national landmarks or famous museums you might want to stop in as a short break from driving. The trip may take a few hours longer, but you and your family will arrive in your new city much happier.

Give yourself time

Even when you’re just relocating across town, moving to a new place takes a toll on your mental and physical state. When your new home is hundreds of miles from your old one, it’s absolutely necessary to give yourself some adjustment time after the move. Don’t plan to arrive at your new house on Saturday and be ready to start your new job Monday. Give you and your family a few days to get to know the area: go out to the pizza joint around the corner, meet some neighbors, walk around downtown. This gives your body time to recover from the physical exertion of moving and lets your mind slowly adjust to the new environment.

On top of these five tips, the easiest way to make your long distance move a success is by using UNITS nationwide moving services. We’ll bring you a ready-to-pack storage container that you can load up and we’ll take care of picking it up and transporting it to your new home. Take the stress out of long distance moving.