11 Tips for Making Long-Distance Moves Easier

11 Tips for Making Long-Distance Moves Easier

While long-distance moves can be overwhelming, proper preparation can help you make the process much smoother and less stressful. From budgeting and creating a moving checklist to choosing the right moving boxes and hiring reliable movers, every step plays a role in making your move efficient and stress-free.

two movers in uniform carrying boxes

If you're about to move over a long distance, stay on this page. In this article, we're sharing 11 expert long-distance moving tips to help you stay organized and reduce stress, so let's dive in.

1. Plan your long-distance move ahead

Careful planning is critical to a smooth and stress-free long-distance moving process. So, how to plan a long-distance move?

It's always a wise idea to start early, at least two months in advance. Create a detailed moving calendar, breaking down tasks week by week, including booking movers, decluttering, packing, and utility arrangements.

Next, make up an inventory list of your belongings. Decide what to take, donate, or sell. Make a checklist for essentials like toiletries, documents, and other items you'll need immediately upon arrival.

Also, think of any additional services you'll need, such as dismantling bulky furniture or car shipping within Canada. This will help you narrow down your search for suitable long-distance movers from the outset. In addition to saving you a lot of stress, early preparation gives you time to compare prices and book a reputable moving company for your preferred date.

2. Create a comprehensive moving checklist

Next, create your moving checklist. It will help you streamline your packing process, stay on schedule, plan your moving budget, and, ultimately, reduce stress and chaos on the big day.

Use Google Sheets or MS Excel for your checklist, creating subsheets for each room. List the items from each room to get an idea of what equipment you'll need to relocate your furniture and what packing supplies you'll need for securely packing fragile items.

Based on these lists, create a separate subsheet detailing the types and amounts of packing supplies to buy.

3. Budget wisely for your move

Relocating over long distances is a costly endeavor. Estimating your moving costs in advance will help you avoid unexpected expenses on the way to your new home.

Calculate hotel stays, meals, boxes, packing tapes, and bubble wrap to gauge the total cost. If you go for a do-it-yourself move, don't forget to include rental truck fees, fuel, and tolls.

Alternatively, if you're going to hire professional movers, request quotes from several companies to find the best deal without compromising on service. When requesting your moving estimates from local moving services or cross-border movers, remember to take into account any additional assistance you might want to use, such as dismantling the furniture, temporary storage, or packing service. The good news is that Regina Movers can do this job for you - we provide our clients with a list of vetted professional movers to choose from.

Lastly, it's always wise to set aside an emergency fund for any unexpected expenses that may arise.

4. Declutter and downsize before packing

Moving is an ideal opportunity to lighten your load and start fresh in your new house or apartment, so decluttering and downsizing sounds like a great idea. Moreover, decluttering also makes unpacking at your new home much simpler.

Still, there's more to decluttering and downsizing than just that: the bigger moving truck you need for your long-distance relocation, the more you're supposed to pay. As a result, minimizing your possessions can go a long way toward saving money. 

Before you start packing, examine your belongings and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or throw away. Start with one room at a time, separating items into clear categories. Be honest with yourself — if you haven't used something in over a year, it's probably time to let it go.

You can sell unwanted items online, host a garage sale, or donate them to charities that accept gently used goods. Once again, the less you have to transport, the easier and cheaper your move will be.

5. Pack smart with the right supplies

Packing for a long-distance move is more than just tossing items into boxes. It's a daunting task that involves researching packing techniques and selecting the right packing supplies to prevent damage and save time during unpacking. Long story short, here are a few helpful tips on how to pack for a long-distance move.

How to pack for a long-distance move

  • Invest in high-quality boxes and packing materials. Choose sturdy, appropriately sized cardboard boxes to handle the weight of your items. During the packing process, avoid overloading large boxes, as they may get too heavy to lift or, in a worse scenario, break. Stock up on the necessary packing supplies like packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and labels. Consider specialty boxes for delicate items such as dishes, mirrors, light fixtures, and electronics.
  • Pack strategically. Place heavier items at the bottom of the box and lighter items on top, filling empty spaces with crumpled paper or bubble wrap. Pack fragile items individually and cushion them. Keep important documents and valuable items in a separate box or bag that you can access easily.
  • Create an essentials box. Pack a box with necessities for your first few days in the new home — clothes, toiletries, basic kitchen supplies, and chargers.

6. Label boxes clearly for easy unpacking

A successful long-distance move is not just about packing and moving — unpacking multiple boxes is a long and exhausting process. This is where labeling boxes saves the day. One of the simplest packing tips, it can save you countless hours and stress when it's time to unpack in your new home.

For this, you'll need markers and sticky labels — these should be easy to find at your local stationery store. Label each box with its contents and the room in which it belongs. For example, write "Kitchen — Dishes" or "Bedroom — Linens." Also, consider color-coding your labels by room — red for the kitchen, blue for the bedroom, and so on.

Don't forget to add notes like "Fragile" or "This side up" for moving boxes with breakable or sensitive items so that movers handle them with extra care during loading and unloading.

Finally, number your boxes and keep a master inventory list. This way, you can quickly check if anything is missing without having to open every box.

7. Hire reliable long-distance movers

Let's face it: the moving company you choose can make or break your long-distance moving experience. Start by researching reputable long-distance moving companies, looking for good reviews, strong ratings, and proper licensing. Request moving quotes from several companies and choose the one that best meets your needs and budget.

A word of advice: steer clear of movers that offer unusually low rates, as this might be a sign of poor service or hidden fees.

If you don't have enough time to do the research, Regina Movers can help. Get in touch with us, and we'll provide you with a list of vetted long-distance movers that suit your requirements. Your only job will be to choose. It's the easiest way to find a reliable moving company that will deliver all your belongings safely and on time.

8. Understand your moving insurance options

While moving companies typically provide basic coverage, it's usually limited and may not cover all types of damage, so consider getting insurance to protect your valuable items that can be damaged, broken, or stolen during the moving process. Before purchasing moving insurance, carefully study and compare claim processes, deductions, and coverage limits offered by different providers.

9. Prepare a survival kit for moving day

Moving day can be hectic, especially if it is a cross-country move. You'll definitely need a survival kit with all the essential items on hand.

Pack toiletries, snacks, water, a change of clothes, a first-aid kit, medications, portable chargers, and any other personal items you may need throughout the day. Don't forget important papers like IDs, contracts, and your moving inventory list. Keep these items in a separate, clearly marked bag or box you can access easily.

10. Stay organized with important documents

Losing documents among multiple boxes or not having necessary ones at hand when you need them can turn your moving day into a disaster. Luckily, this is easy to avoid.

Assign a folder for essential papers, such as your moving contract, identification, medical records, insurance details, and other paperwork. Keep this folder with you during the move, rather than packing it in a box, so you can easily access these documents if needed.

11. Settle into your new home efficiently

You're almost there! Finally, it's time to focus on settling into your new home. First of all, unpack things you'll need immediately, such as toiletries, bedding, and kitchen items. Next, tackle the most important rooms. Of course, begin with the kitchen, moving then on to the bedrooms so everyone has a space to relax.

Don't rush — as you unpack, take the time to organize belongings properly. Place items where they make the most sense so you don't have to rearrange them later. Also, contact the utility companies to ensure that your electricity, water, and internet are set up and working.

Now, take a break and explore your new neighborhood. Find nearby grocery stores, restaurants, and other services to help you feel at home in your new surroundings.

Successfully wrapping up your long-distance move

Lastly, double-check your new home for any issues or damages that may have occurred during the move. Contact the moving company or insurance provider if necessary. Finally, don't forget to notify banks, subscription services, and the post office of your new address.

A cross-country move is a stressful process with so many things to keep in mind. The good news is that Regina Movers can take on a big part of your moving tasks. We can help you find a moving company to cover your every moving need, whether it's a cross-country vehicle transport or packing and then unpacking large or valuable items. Our company partners with trusted movers, so you can rest assured that with us, you'll have a successful long-distance move. Feel free to contact us and get a quote.

We hope you find our long-distance moving tips & tricks helpful.