Long distance moving across the country can be one of the most stressful life events. Very few people look forward to it. And for a good reason.
Without a strategy, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the moving process. It becomes expensive, time-consuming and mentally taxing. 82% of Americans who moved in 2024 surveyed said it was stressful. Many even broke down in tears.
Fortunately, with the right plan and help, anyone can have a stress-free long distance move. In this guide, we cover the best strategies for a long distance move that go beyond the chaos.
Moving to a new city long distance: 6 Best stress-free moving strategies
Contents:
- Why Planning Ahead Matters
- How To Find Reliable Long Distance Movers
- The Decluttering Strategy That Saves Money
- Packing Tips That Actually Work
- Moving Day Must-Dos
- Managing The Emotional Side
- Wrapping Things Up
Why Planning Ahead Matters?
One thing about a long distance move is that it’s not a one-day job. It’s a project that starts a few months before the D-Day.
As such, the sooner you start to plan the move the better. The most common mistake is to procrastinate. When it’s time to move, people will then scramble to the last minute to do everything. This causes stress, confusion and costly mistakes.
Here’s the secret. Planning eight to twelve weeks in advance gives you enough time to:
- Compare different moving companies
- Decide what to take and what to leave
- Handle logistics without feeling pressured
This way you avoid rushing and missing important details, having double-booking by moving companies and paying exorbitant last-minute fees.
We highly recommend creating a moving timeline for your upcoming relocation. Break down all the tasks and set a due date week by week. This alone reduces the stress of long distance moving significantly.
How To Find Reliable Long Distance Movers?
Finding reliable long distance movers is the most important decision in the entire moving process.
The problem is that movers vary greatly in quality. There are some companies that provide excellent services. But there are also ones that will leave your belongings damaged and with a post-move headache that will last for weeks.
So how do you find those that are worth hiring?
Firstly, get moving quotes from at least three different companies. Compare their rates and services. Read reviews about them online. Make sure they are licensed and insured by checking the FMCSA database.
Pay attention to what’s said in online reviews. Look at how companies respond to complaints. It’s normal to find some negative reviews here and there. But patterns of damaged goods or hidden charges are red flags.
In our experience, here are some of the things to look for:
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Valid licensing and insurance documents
- Positive feedback from verified reviews
- Good communication during the whole process
- Experience with long distance moves
Hiring professional moving companies that know what they’re doing will help ease the entire process. Survey data shows that 76% of people who hired movers were satisfied with the service. 81% said that they would hire them again.
The Decluttering Strategy That Saves Money
This might be the one thing most people don’t do. Or at least they do it at the last minute. The truth is that the less you pack and move, the cheaper it will be.
Long distance moving companies typically charge either by weight or by volume. The more stuff there is, the higher the bill will be.
Decluttering is where you sort out your belongings and decide what to take with you and what to leave behind.
Doing this before you start packing will not only save you moving costs but also means less hassle unpacking.
Go room by room and sort everything into three categories. Keep, donate and trash. Be ruthless with your decision making. That old chair in the corner collecting dust? Do you really want to pay to ship it hundreds of miles away?
Sell items online or host a garage sale. Donate all the usable goods to local charities. Throw away anything that’s broken, worn out or just has no value to you.
In our experience, people will significantly reduce the amount of things they have. It means less moving costs and less unpacking on the other end.
Packing Tips That Actually Work
Packing is the area where most people struggle and get it wrong.
Throwing things into boxes at the last minute. Forgetting to label boxes. Packing everything into flimsy boxes that protect nothing. And when their items arrive damaged, it’s all a surprise to them.
Our packing strategy:
- Use good quality packing materials
- Boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, markers, all essential
- Pack room by room and label every box
- Write the contents and intended room on each label
Some quick tips that we can share with you:
- Pack heavy items in small boxes
- Lighter items in bigger boxes
- Wrap fragile items individually
- Fill in all empty spaces in boxes to prevent shifting
- Pack important documents separately in an essentials bag
Pack non-essential items first. Things like decorations, books and off-season linens can be packed weeks in advance. Pack everything you will use every day as late as possible.
Preparing For Moving Day
Moving day is often a chaotic blur of confusion and frustration. This is caused by a lack of preparation and planning.
The night before, confirm the time the movers are coming with the moving company. Do a final inventory of your stuff to make sure that everything is packed and labeled.
Charge all your devices, keep important documents handy.
Create an essentials bag that has:
- All important documents and IDs
- Medications, toiletries and a few snacks
- Phone chargers
- Change of clothes for the day
- Basic cleaning supplies
Do a final walkthrough of the house on moving day. Check closets, cabinets, drawers and storage spaces. Take photos of all the empty spaces for your security deposit.
Try to be available to answer any questions the movers have. Clear communication will ensure no mistakes and that everything is done on time.
Managing The Emotional Side
Long distance moves are very emotionally charged experiences.
It’s difficult to leave behind your home and the familiar. Then there are also all the emotions involved in actually moving. The logistics involved, say goodbye to friends and family and the stress that comes with it.
Acknowledging that there are all these mixed emotions will help you deal with it better.
Take breaks when you feel overwhelmed. Stay in touch with family and friends throughout the entire moving process. And remind yourself that it will take time to settle into your new place.
Studies have found that it takes on average of 74 days to start to feel settled after a long distance move. Give yourself that time to adjust and be kind to yourself.
Wrapping Things Up
Moving long distances can be an enjoyable experience if you are prepared for it. To have a stress-free long distance moving process, it all boils down to good planning, hiring the right help and executing a solid strategy.
Begin planning early. Get quotes from different moving companies. Declutter before you start packing. Pack everything properly and label it. Prepare an essentials bag for moving day.
We want to leave you with a few simple tips that will ensure a stress-free long distance move:
- Start planning 8-12 weeks out
- Get multiple quotes from licensed movers
- Declutter to reduce costs and moving hassles
- Pack properly with quality packing materials
- Create an essentials bag for moving day
- Give yourself time to adjust to the emotional changes
A long distance move is not a simple task. But it doesn’t have to be a nightmare either. Implement the strategies we have talked about today and the process becomes a lot more manageable.
The important thing to note is that a move should be treated as a project. Break it into pieces. Execute each phase with focus. And don’t hesitate to ask for professional help when needed.
That moving truck pulling away from your old home need not feel like a disaster. It can be the first step to a new and great experience.
