
Planning a move from the East Coast to the West Coast or vice versa? If so, you need to make sure your belongings get there in one piece. Plus, costs are higher the further you go, so it’s important to plan your move carefully before you end up with damaged furniture or an empty wallet.
The good news is that we’re here to help. Read on to learn more about our tips for moving across the country.
What Is a Cross-Country Move?
Cross-country moves tend to be moves that cover a long distance. While moving across the country may sound like it has to be a coast-to-coast move, it’s important to note that this isn’t always the case. For example, a cross-country move is considered a move that crosses state lines or one that covers a distance greater than 400 miles; this is what many moving companies consider a cross-country move to be.
5 Tips for Moving Across Country
Moving across the country is a big deal. Not only can it be costly, but you need to make sure your belongings get to the other side of the country in one piece. The good news is that we have some tips to help you ensure the process goes smoothly. Learn more about them below.
1. Use the Best Interstate Moving Companies
One of the best things you can do when moving across the country is choosing the right moving company. The best interstate moving companies, like GoodMigrations’ picks, offer the most value by ensuring that your belongings make it safely across the country.
Sure, it’s great to save some money, but is it worth it if your bed frame doesn’t make the trip in one piece? The best moving companies also have friendlier movers, better overall service, and even better guarantees.
2. Keep Your Belongings Secure
Next, it’s time to focus on your belongings. You’ll want to make sure everything is adequately wrapped using plastic wrap, cardboard, packing tape, bubble wrap, and anything else you can use to protect delicate items. The better you wrap your items, the better the chances of them surviving the ride to your new home across the country.
3. Pack Your Essentials Separately
This might seem like an odd one, but you’ll want to keep some essentials separate from the items that will be shipped in a moving truck or a different vehicle. You’ll want to keep things like toothpaste, some clothing, some electronics, and anything else you tend to use every day separate because you may not have access to the moving truck once it starts moving across the country.
We also recommended keeping important documents and anything you would keep in a safe with you at all times, as well, because you don’t need others going through that stuff.
4. Downsize
If you’re moving across the country, it’s not a bad idea to downsize. Take some time to go through your belongings and get rid of anything you don’t think you’ll need. This is especially important if you plan on moving to a smaller home that doesn’t have enough space for all your things.
Another benefit of downsizing is that it will save you money. Due to movers having to move fewer items, the cost is often less, and you may even need fewer vehicles.
5. Communicate with Movers
This is an underrated tip because many people feel that they can give movers a single set of instructions and let it go from there. However, this is not the case, and while sometimes it will work out okay, you’re almost always better off staying in constant contact with your movers.
You’ll want to keep them updated on your timeline and communicate about any changes that may happen. Furthermore, if you have friends and family helping you, make sure you keep them in the loop as well; they can’t help if they’re uninformed.
Moving Across the Country the Easy Way
Moving across the country doesn’t have to be challenging. While it may seem overwhelming at first, as long as you follow the tips we covered in this article, you shouldn’t have any issues.
Once you know what a cross-country move is and how to get it done safely, it’s all about contacting the right moving company and getting it done.