Everything You Need to Know About Long-Distance Moving

Despite the excitement and possibility of a long-distance move, the reality is that the process can be daunting without the proper know-how. To successfully complete your relocation with minimal stress, understanding the ins and outs of a long-distance move is an absolute must.

Fortunately, with the right knowledge, you can complete your relocation with confidence, efficiency, and convenience, allowing you to achieve all of your moving goals effectively. Interested in discovering how to complete a successful long-distance relocation? Learn everything you need to know about long-distance moving in this article!

 

How to Plan a Long-Distance Move

First and foremost, a successful long-distance relocation requires careful and considerate planning. By creating a comprehensive plan for your upcoming move, you can feel confident that everything is appropriately handled and significantly reduce the risk of anything slipping through the cracks. To plan and prepare effectively, there are a few different aspects of the move to map out.

  • Schedule & Timeline: The timeline is one of the most important aspects of your move. For various elements of your relocation, you will need to meet strict deadlines to ensure everything is ready for moving day. Creating a schedule will allow you to complete tasks on time and keep track of everything you need to accomplish ahead of the big move.
  • Budgeting: Moving can be an expensive venture, as the costs can quickly add up. Instead of going into the process without the proper knowledge, be sure to assess the financial elements of your relocation at the beginning of the moving process. This will allow you to allot the appropriate amounts to each category, accurately anticipating your spending along the way.
  • Research: Before jumping headfirst into an exciting relocation, complete thorough research on what’s involved in the process and the destination you’re moving to. It’s crucial to understand what’s ahead of you before you approach the moving process.

 

When to Book Long-Distance Movers

To prevent any last-minute hiccups ahead of your move, handle booking well in advance. Booking the necessary assistance and accommodations ahead of time will allow you to access the dates you need without difficulties. Learn what bookings to consider ahead of your long-distance move below!

  • Movers: Of course, one of the most important parties to book is your moving company. Securing your movers in advance will allow you to easily snag the dates you need, and many companies even offer discounts for booking in advance. Make sure you thoroughly research any potential movers to avoid issues along the way.  
  • Automobile Transport: For long-distance moves, automobile transport may be a necessary service to utilize. This service allows you to carefully move your car or truck to a new location without needing to drive it there yourself. This can be a great option to save time and money, and it can keep your vehicle in better condition.
  • Travel: When completing a long-distance relocation, travel is an integral part of the process. If you need to book plane tickets or other forms of transportation, be sure to handle this as far ahead as you can. Getting this aspect taken care of will result in a better process overall. 
  • Accommodations: In the same vein as transportation, accommodations for your travels are another important aspect to consider. You may need to book a hotel stay or other lodging in the time between your former home and your new residence.

 

How to Pack for a Long-Distance Move

Packing for a move is a commonly dreaded aspect of preparing for a relocation, as this can be a time-consuming, energy-draining process. However, with a methodical approach and the right strategies, you can efficiently pack for your upcoming move. Discover some steps for successful packing!

  • Declutter First: Before putting even one item into a box, start by decluttering your space. Decluttering allows you to get rid of items you no longer want or need. By decluttering your home before packing, you will reduce the amount of time and energy spent on packing and give yourself a clean slate in your new space. 
  • Acquire Materials: To safely and effectively pack your belongings, acquire high-quality packing materials, including cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, moving blankets, resealable plastic bags, permanent markers, and anything else you may need for your specific items. Using the appropriate materials will allow you to keep your belongings safe in transit, even across long distances.
  • Work Room by Room: An essential step as you pack your belongings is to work room by room. Don’t move to another room until one room is complete, as this will prevent you from mixing items from different rooms in the same box. This is crucial, as it will keep your belongings organized and set you up for a more straightforward unpacking process.
  • Don’t Overload Boxes: While you pack, avoid overloading your boxes. Distributing weight evenly among your boxes is crucial to reduce the risk of boxes breaking when lifted. Additionally, this will keep your boxes from getting crushed when they are stacked on top of each other, enabling you to experience the best results when moving your items.
  • Create an Inventory: Rather than simply labeling your boxes, creating an inventory of items in each box can be a great way to keep track of your belongings. Although this may take more time to implement, it will save plenty of time when you unpack your items, enabling you to quickly find what you’re looking for.

 

Third-Party Considerations for Long-Distance Moving

As you orchestrate your relocation, you should consider various third parties to contact and work with before moving day. Look through our list to ensure everything is taken care of ahead of the big day.

  • Insurance: Moving, especially across long distances, can result in damages to your items, even if you pack with extra padding and your movers exercise the utmost care. For this reason, investing in moving insurance is a great way to protect your items and prevent financial losses during your move. Some moving services offer insurance options, so be sure to check with your movers before booking.
  • Utilities: When moving to a new home, utilities are of the utmost importance. Make sure you cancel your utilities in your current home and set up an activation date for utilities at your new home. Ideally, you would want to have utilities activated in your new home a day or two before you arrive to avoid any potential delays. You should also cancel any subscription services to your old home or transfer them to your new one before moving.
  • Important Parties: There are lots of companies and organizations to notify before you make the big move. Notify the postal service, your bank, insurance provider, workplace, schools, doctors, and other necessary parties about your upcoming relocation. Doing this will prevent any missed communication.

 

How to Prepare for Your Moving Day

Finally, moving day has arrived! Before you set off to your new home, there are some final items to cross off of your to-do list. Check out the last steps below…

  • Pack an Essentials Bag: On moving day, you should have essentials bags for each member of your family. This should include a change of clothes (or several, depending on how far your journey is), medications, necessary toiletries, and valuable items such as jewelry. This bag will prevent you from digging through boxes immediately upon arrival at your new home. 
  • Double-Check Everything: Prior to your move, you should double-check with any services or accommodations you have booked. Confirm anything you have scheduled—such as moving services or activation of utilities—before moving day to ensure there have been no errors in communication.
  • Prepare for Emergencies: Last but certainly not least, be prepared for any emergencies or curveballs that come your way. As much as we all want moving to be a straightforward, streamlined process, factors out of your control may cause some bumps in the road. 

 

Long-Distance Moving Made Simple

With our comprehensive guide, long-distance moving has never felt easier. Looking for a moving company to simplify the process even further? Count on RLD Relocation & Logistics, your top-rated Akron movers.

For 26 years, we have provided high-quality moving solutions to our customers, empowering them to experience a simple, stress-free move. Our team works to deliver customer care and satisfaction every step of the way. Ready to move the RLD way? Request a free quote online today, and learn more about our relocation solutions at affordable rates!