7 Tips for Staying Sane During a Long-Distance Move

Moving is difficult as it is, but add in a cross-state or cross-country journey, and you’ve got quite the recipe for stress. There’s no denying that long-distance moves are a lot, but they don’t have to feel that way. With a solid plan, flexible budget, and an open-minded spirit, they can be far less taxing—and, in some cases, even fun. 

Whether you’re only going from one end of your state to another or journeying thousands of miles, these tips for long-distance moves will help you both before and long after you’ve arrived to your new home.

1. Plan As Far in Advance As Possible

There are a lot of possible reasons you might have to make a big move on a moment's notice—new jobs, family emergencies, the list goes on. Whether you have a lot or a little time, it's a good idea to start planning as soon as you decide to relocate.

Ideally, you’ll have at least one to two months to assemble a strategy—this is the minimum range needed to organize a budget, hire a moving company or reserve a moving pod, and pack your belongings, though more time is always better. 

2. Make a Detailed Checklist of What You Need to Do

There is a lot of room for error in a long-distance move, which is why it's so important to make a detailed to-do list well beforehand. For instance, a solid cross-country move checklist will include tasks like registering kids for school, finding a new doctor or vet, and making appointments to set up internet, electric, and gas within a week of your arrival, in addition to all the basics like packing and hiring movers. That last one can be done even before you arrive if you have friends or family on the ground in your new locale who don't mind taking care of it for you. 

Once you’ve knocked out all the big to-dos, leave room for the fun stuff. Scope out your new neighborhood on Google Earth, sign up for a new gym, or ingratiate yourself in local online forums to start making connections in your new hometown. 

3. Develop a Budget for Before, During, and After the Move

Long-distance moves require a lot of time, but they also aren’t cheap—a cross-country move costs between $2,400 and $6,900 on average. When making a budget for such an expense, it’s a good idea to divide it into three parts and spend them separately: one for before, one for during, and one for after. That way, you don’t have to worry that your gas money was spent on packing boxes—and anything you have leftover at the end can go toward making your new abode extra special. 

4. Splurge On Extra Insurance

When it comes to long-distance moves, Murphy’s law applies: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. That’s why it never hurts to get more insurance than you think you need. Moving companies offer insurance in their plans, but, in most cases, you won’t regret spending more on additional protection. 

For instance, the full-value protection offered by moving companies will cover the cost of most objects, but not the extremely valuable ones. You’ll spend more to recruit a third-party insurer, but they’ll do a better job of ensuring that all your objects—no matter the value—are accounted for should the worst occur. 

5. Decide on a Mode of Transport For Your Belongings

The best way to move cross-country is hotly debated, but you have a few options for getting your belongings from point A to point B. 

A popular option is hiring a moving company near you. They'll show up on moving day with a truck, load it up for you, haul everything to your final destination, and unload it into your new home. If you want to go this route, it's essential to learn how to compare moving companies to find the best possible option. That includes learning about the average hourly costs for such work, as well as getting recommendations from friends and trusted experts, and requesting quotes from at least three companies. 

Moving pods offer a little more flexibility. You can rent them well in advance of your move and pack them up at a leisurely pace or use them as storage while you get organized. When it's time to go, you simply schedule a pick-up and delivery date and let the company take care of the rest.

Finally, you can rent a truck and move your belongings yourself. This option can be pretty demanding if you've got a large family and a lot of stuff, but it can be doable if you're traveling solo or in a pair with only the necessities, like for a move to college.  

6. Get Rid of What No Longer Serves You

There's never a better time to Mari Kondo your life than in the time before a long-distance move. Take stock of your belongings and decide what you need and can do without. Plan giveaway parties with friends to get rid of non-essentials. Host garage sales, sell inexpensive furniture on Facebook Marketplace and replace them when you arrive. Toss anything that's broken or no longer brings you joy. That way, your new home will be decluttered before you even arrive. 

7. Bring What You Need to Survive the First Week—Or Longer

Odds are, your things won’t arrive at your destination until well after you have arrived. That means you’re going to need to pack for the time being—bring at least a week's worth of clothes, something to sleep on like an air mattress or a sleeping bag, and appliances to store and cook food (like a mini-fridge or a hot plate) to tide you over in between.