Moving cross-country is an exciting and challenging experience. Whether you’re relocating for work, family, or just for fun, it’s a journey full of surprises, lessons, and, of course, a few bumps in the road.
As someone who has gone through the process myself – last year when I moved from Houston to Seattle, there are certain things I wish I had known before my cross-country move. From packing tips to preparing for the unexpected, I will share some of the valuable insights I gained along the way.
Whether you’re a seasoned mover or a first-timer, there’s something here for everyone.
So, buckle up and let’s get into it!
1. Schedule an Overlap
Ah, move in day – the perfect opportunity to test just how much stress a human can endure. But what if I told you there’s a way to make the process a whole lot easier?
Scheduling an overlap between your old place and your new one is a game changer. Not only does an overlap give you some breathing room to pack, sort, and move your belongings without feeling rushed, it also allows you to take care of some important tasks like cleaning your old place.
So if you can swing it, always schedule an overlap of at least a week. It may cost you a little extra in rent or hotel fees, but the peace of mind it brings is priceless.
2. Donate or Throw Away in Advance
Moving is a great opportunity to declutter and simplify your life. It may be tempting to just pack everything up and deal with it later, but taking the time to declutter before you move will save you time, money, and energy in the long run.
Throwing away or donating things before you move can help you streamline your belongings and reduce the amount of stuff you have to pack and transport. This can save you money on moving expenses, as well as make the process of unpacking much more manageable. Plus, it’ll feel great to start fresh in your new home, with only the things that you truly need and love. If you haven’t used an item in 12 months, let it go. Your new home (and your future self) will thank you!
3. Don’t Buy New Stuff…
… until after you move!
Moving cross-country can be a stressful and expensive endeavor, and the last thing you need is more stuff to move!
Of course, it’s natural to feel inspired to buy decor or furniture for your new digs. But try to hold off until after the move. After all, if you’ve managed to live without it up until this point, you probably don’t need it now!
Your new space will tell you how it was designed to be used. If there are built in cabinets or shelves, you’ll want to use those spaces instead of buying a dresser or organizer. By waiting, you’ll save yourself a return trip to the store when you realize that the items you bought don’t fit into your new home as you had hoped.
4. Consider the Cost of Moving Items
Moving across the country can be an exciting adventure, but it can also be a pricey one. That’s why it’s important to consider the cost of moving items before you pack up your entire home. Sometimes it’s cheaper to just buy new furniture than move that $15 Ikea table across the country.
Sure, it might be hard to say goodbye to your trusty old furniture, but sometimes it’s just not worth it. Think about it: if you’re paying movers by the hour, it’s going to take a lot longer to pack and move your bulky, heavy items. And the more items you have, the more you’ll end up paying. Plus, there’s always the risk of damage or loss during transport.
Instead of lugging all your furniture across the country, consider starting fresh in your new home. You can list your old furniture on websites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist (so they won’t just end up in a landfill) and use the opportunity to find new pieces that fit your space and budget!
5. Don’t Pay for Boxes
Who needs to pay for boxes when you can get them for free? That’s right – there’s no need to spend your hard-earned cash on them. Instead, head to your local liquor store and ask if they have any boxes to spare. Trust me, they’ll have plenty. And the best part? They’ll be sturdy and perfect for packing up all your belongings.
If you need more boxes than what you can get at a liquor store, grocery stores are also a goldmine for free boxes. Just walk in and ask if they have any extras lying around. They’ll likely have a ton of different sizes to choose from, so you can pick and choose based on your needs.
6. Label Every Box
When it comes to labeling your boxes for a cross-country move, there are endless possibilities beyond simply writing “bedroom” or “kitchen” on the outside of the box .
Here are a few ways to take your labeling to the next level:
- Create a visual archive. Label each box with a huge number, take a picture of the box, put some things in, take another picture, repeat. You now have a visual archive of everything you packed and where it is. All with a few photos on your phone. You’ll thank me when you’re unpacking or trying to find something. Label each box with a number and take photos of the contents of the box. Use your camera’s editing function to scribble the number that is associated with each box onto the photo. Take another picture, and repeat! You now have a visual archive of everything you packed and where it is.
- Include a list. For each box you pack, include a list of its contents. Place the list on the top of the box, that way, the moment you open it, you can read through exactly what’s in it without having to dig through it. s you’re packing up your boxes, write exactly what
- Keep a spreadsheet. Similarly, you can number each box, make a list of what’s in the box, and put it in a word document or spreadsheet. When you’re looking for a spatula, you just need to search it and you know exactly where to look. it can be much faster than looking through photos!
Labeling your boxes may seem like a tedious task, but it’s one that can save you a lot of time in the long run!
7. Pack a First Day Box
Imagine – you’ve arrived at your new home after a long, tiring journey, only to realize that you have to dig through multiple boxes to find your toothbrush. With a first day box, you won’t have to!
The first day box is like your own personal survival kit. It should include all the essentials you need to get through your first day in your new home. Think toiletries, a change of clothes, some basic kitchen supplies, and any medications you might need.
Having these items on hand will help you feel more comfortable and less stressed during your first day in a new place. Plus, it means you can take your time unpacking the rest of your belongings without feeling like you’re in a rush to find everything you need.
8. Put Heavier Things in Smaller Boxes
In addition to packing a first day box, another important tip for a successful cross-country move is to pack heavier items in smaller boxes. It might be tempting to throw all of your belongings into the largest boxes you can find, but trust me – it’s not worth the struggle when it comes time to move them! You don’t want to end up with a box that’s too heavy to lift or worse, breaks in transit.
So, what’s the solution? Put heavier things in smaller boxes! For example, a small box of books is much easier to move than a large box. And let’s be real – books can get pretty heavy! Wine boxes are a great option for packing books because they’re sturdy and small, but still large enough for coffee table books. Plus, they’re usually free from liquor stores! Using wheeled suitcases for books is also another great option because let’s face it – books are heavy AF!
By packing heavier items in smaller boxes, you’re not only making your move easier on yourself, but you’re also making it safer. You’ll be less likely to injure yourself while moving boxes, and your belongings will be less likely to get damaged in transit. So, be mindful of the weight of your boxes and try not to pack anything heavier than you can carry. Your back (and your movers) will thank you!
9. Pack Things Strategically
Packing things strategically can be a lifesaver when it comes to moving, especially if you’re using a storage unit or a moving truck. I mean, have you ever tried to move a couch through a maze of boxes? It’s like a real-life game of Tetris, but without the fun sound effects.
To avoid this, pack your boxes in the back of the moving van or storage unit, furthest from the door. That way, you can easily unload your furniture first and then tackle the boxes without having to maneuver around them.
Plus, keeping your furniture at the front of your moving truck means you won’t have to dig through boxes to find your bed frame. And let’s be real, after a long day of travel, you’ll probably want to unpack that first.
10. Don’t Over Pack Boxes
It can be tempting to cram as much as possible into each box to save time and space. But trust me, overpacking is a mistake you don’t want to make.
Overpacking can make boxes too heavy to lift and move safely. Plus, you may end up needing to unpack and repack boxes because they’re too heavy to move – not fun!
Overpacking can also damage your items. When boxes are too full, items can become compressed and crushed during transport. This can be especially damaging to fragile items like glassware or electronics. So, err on the side of caution and use more boxes if necessary, especially since you can get them for free!
11. Make Sure Your Tools Are Accessible
Packing efficiently isn’t just about labeling boxes and knowing where everything is, but also making sure that your essentials are accessible.
Imagine trying to reassemble your furniture and all of your tools are buried – it would be a frustrating and time-consuming experience!
That’s why it’s important to pack all the necessary tools for furniture reassembly, such as a screwdriver, screws and hammer, in a spot where you can easily get to them. When you disassemble your furniture, put all the screws and bolts in a zip lock bag and tape it to the furniture piece! Otherwise you might lose it…forever. And don’t forget a box cutter/scissors. You would not believe the number of people who move in to a new place and have nothing to open hundreds of boxes with.
12. Don’t Pack Away Important Documents…
… take them with you!
Whether you’re driving or flying to your new destination, it’s essential to keep these documents close at hand.
Losing important documents is a nightmare. Can you imagine trying to replace your birth certificate, social security card, or passport in the middle of a move? It’s not only time-consuming, but it can also be costly. So, keep these documents with you to avoid the risk of losing them in the shuffle.
13. Don’t Transport Liquids or House Plants
Moving can be an adventure, but sometimes that adventure can lead to some pretty unpleasant surprises. When packing, it’s important to consider what items can be transported safely. One important tip? Avoid transporting liquids and house plants.
Picture this: you’ve been traveling for days, you finally reach your destination and open your POD. You’re met with a less-than-pleasant surprise. Your beloved house plants have tipped over, spilling soil everywhere. And to top it off, the strong scent of bleach fills the air, courtesy of a forgotten bottle that wasn’t properly closed. Even worse, your partner had warned you not to pack the bleach – it was just a couple of bucks, after all. I know this story is oddly specific, it’s because it happened to me.
So, learn from my mistakes. Instead of taking your plants with you, gift them to a friend before you hit the road. And when it comes to liquids, it’s best to dispose of them or find a safe way to transport them that won’t risk a spill.
14. Always Reinforce Boxes
Your belongings are only as safe as the box they’re packed in. That’s why it’s so important to take the time to reinforce your boxes and use high-quality packing tape.
Sure, it might be tempting to just use whatever tape you have lying around the house. But let’s be real – that cheap, flimsy tape isn’t going to hold up during transport. You need strong, durable tape that can withstand the bumps and jostles of a moving truck.
And ALWAYS reinforce the bottom of the box. This is especially important if you’re packing heavy items like books or kitchen appliances. Without proper reinforcement, the bottom of the box can easily give out. To provide proper reinforcement, place perpendicular strips of tape over the seam. This will help to distribute the weight more evenly and make the box more stable.
15. Get a AAA Membership
If your move includes driving across the country, prepare for the unexpected. Turning your cross-country move into a road trip can be an adventure of a lifetime, but it can also be full of unexpected surprises. From flat tires to unexpected weather, anything can happen when you’re on the road. That’s why it’s essential to prepare for the unexpected when moving across the country– and one of the best ways to do that is by getting a AAA membership.
With a AAA membership, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’re covered in case of an emergency. Need a tow truck? No problem. Locked your keys in your car? They’ve got you covered. And the best part? You can use your membership anywhere in the country, so you’ll be covered no matter where your journey takes you.
16. Download Podcasts Ahead of Time
If you’re a podcast junkie like myself, you understand the importance of having a good episode cued up while on the road. There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of nowhere with no service, desperately trying to find something to listen to. By downloading your podcasts ahead of time, you can avoid this nightmare scenario and ensure that you have something to keep you entertained on those long stretches of highway.
17. Camp Along the Way
If you’re driving to move across the country, planning your route and camping along the way can make your journey way more affordable. Instead of staying in expensive hotels or dining out for every meal, you can cook your own meals and sleep in a tent at a fraction of the cost!
Just, remember to consider the season when planning your move! My partner and I moved in March, and let me tell you, we had some chilly nights in our tent. If you’ll also be moving in the winter, don’t sweat it (yes, I said that ironically), you can stay comfortable in the colder months with the right equipment.
To stay warm, make sure to insulate from below with high-quality sleeping pads that have a high R-value rating. The R-value measures a pad’s ability to resist heat flow, and a higher R-value means better insulation from the cold. Choose a pad with an R-value of 5.5 or more for optimal warmth, and you’ll be able to rest easy even in the midst of winter.
18. Bring a Cooler
If you’re planning a cross-country move and you’re driving, you’ll want to bring a cooler filled with actual food. I’m talking pasta, canned soup, mac and cheese – basically anything you can easily cook on the road.
Trust me, you’ll be grateful for something other than Cheetos for dinner every night. Plus, eating out can get pricey, so doing a grocery haul ahead of time will save you so much money! Just don’t forget to bring your camping stove and biodegradable soap so you can cook and clean your dishes on the road.
19. Put Things Away as You Need Them
Moving to a new home is a chance to start fresh and embrace new beginnings. As you unpack, resist the urge to pull everything out at once. Instead, take a more intentional approach by only unpacking what you need as you need it. This process will help you naturally reach your optimal level of stuff, with only the items you truly love and use making their way into your new space.
When you do start unpacking, consider setting aside a designated area in your new home for all of your boxes. A spare closet or room is a great spot to keep things organized and out of the way until. As you go about your daily life, only take out the things you find yourself needing. By doing so, you give yourself the chance to naturally declutter and keep only the items that you truly love and use.
Give yourself a timeframe, perhaps a month or six, and let things find their own homes naturally. Where you tend to put something when you’re done with it is likely where it belongs.
At the end of the designated timeframe, take a good look at what’s left in the boxes. If you haven’t needed or wanted those items, it may be time to let them go. Remember, your new home is a chance to create a space that reflects your needs – don’t be afraid to let go of things that no longer serve you.
20. Rebuy Furniture That Disassembles Easily
Who says this is the last time you’ll be moving across the country? By thinking ahead and buying furniture that’s easy to transport, you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle and headache down the road.
If there’s furniture you need for your new home, invest in some that disassembled easily. Not only is a desk with removable legs or a couch with a removable back lighter to carry, it’s less likely to damage (or damage your home) when carried through narrow doorways.
In Conclusion
Let’s just say I hit a few bumps along the road when I moved cross-country from Houston to Seattle. I also learned a whole lot along the way. While I can’t promise you that by following these tips you’ll have a perfect move, I can promise you that you’ll avoid the mistakes I made. So, whether you’re packing up your bags for the first time or the tenth, there’s something here for everyone.
Happy moving and good luck!
Linda Sand says
If you put a couple special decor items in your first day box, you will feel at home more quickly.
barefootminimalists says
Hi Linda! So true!