Moving interstate or long-distance is a large undertaking that cannot be done last-minute or without the proper planning.
Before you even make your way to your new home, you have to make sure that not only everything is squared away at your current residence, but that your items are packed responsibly and on the right timeline, and that you’ve got the right movers and the right process to transport your items to your new place.
When it comes to having the right process for your interstate move, make sure to start planning early and do thorough research on your moving company. Looking for the most important steps to follow for a successful interstate move? We’ve got it covered in this article.
How to Move Interstate
The most important thing you can do when it comes to moving cross-country or across several states is to start the planning process as early as possible. Long-distance moving is a very complicated and detail-oriented process that needs to have a lot of thought and preparation done to ensure that the process goes smoothly and that your items are kept safe.
What makes interstate moving a major project is that it involves many different steps that all need to come together to make your process as smooth as possible. When starting the process, you need to have the right vision for how you’d like your move to go.
Hiring the Right Moving Company
The best way to make sure your vision aligns with reality is to have the right moving company on your side. Interstate moving companies have the experience and expertise that will make sure you and your belongings reach your new home safely.
To start the process of looking for the right full-service long-distance movers, there are a few good ways to find a dependable company.
1. Look at Reviews & Get Recommendations
When you start to research full-service movers, start by getting recommendations from friends and family regarding companies that they’ve used previously. Hearing first-hand experiences from dependable people who you trust is a great way to find a genuine company that will give you a good moving experience.
Another good way to find a dependable moving company is by thoroughly researching reviews online. When looking at any moving company, you should always check to make sure that you’re taking a look at what others have to say about the company, but this is especially important for long-distance movers. After all, they’re the ones responsible for keeping your items safe as they travel through the country.
Make sure to look beyond the reviews that are posted on a moving company’s website as well. Websites can easily monitor or organize comments or reviews to predominantly show positive ones, so don’t take their word for it! Look at review sites like Google, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, and more to ensure that the consensus is positive when it comes to people’s overall moving experiences
Keep a special eye out for how a company has treated their customers who have lodged complaints or their report of how they were treated if something went wrong in their moving process. This will give you a good idea of how a company approaches customer service and responsibility.
2. Shop Around for Quotes
When looking for the best interstate movers or best cross-country movers, you should never go with the best company you look at. Make sure to shop around and get as many quotes as possible to make sure you’re getting the best prices.
Getting a bunch of quotes from several moving companies will also make sure that you’re making sure not getting scammed since you can compare so many different services and prices. Make sure you work with cross-country movers who don’t have hidden fees and disclose all prices so you don’t end up with unwelcome surprises once your items have arrived.
One of the biggest perks to comparing services and prices is also that you’ll notice which companies are offering the best competitive prices and best rates. Only go with the company that has the right services for you at the prices you’re looking for
3. Have the Right Packing Strategy
Before you begin your moving process, you have to make sure that you have the best packing strategy possible. After all, having the right packing strategy makes all of the difference in keeping your items safe and organized.
The most important part of the packing process is to ensure that you give yourself enough time to properly and thoroughly pack up your things in a manner that doesn’t stress you out, and keeps your items safe. You’ll always want to start as early as possible so you have time to sort and declutter your things and figure out what you’re bringing with you and what you’re leaving behind. With the items you’re thinking of eliminating, always consider how annoying or bulky it’ll be to pack or move, how much you use or want them, and how easily replaceable it is.
Starting the packing process early will also give you plenty of time to take the care needed to pack up fragile items carefully and safely
4. Moving During the Right Season
The season you move during can make all of the difference when it comes to the ease of your moving process. The Peak moving season is generally thought to be between April and September, with particularly busy times from June-August. A lot of long-distance and interstate moving companies will find themselves booked solid during this time, and it might be hard and expensive to find a moving company for your relocation if you don’t book well ahead of time during this period.
You can find a lot of lower prices and more flexibility in your move if you move off-season. When deciding a time to move, take into consideration the weather both in your current location and in your destination. If you’re moving to a colder climate, make sure to put in extra work to protect your items during packing and to take extra time to properly prepare for the temperature you might be met with upon your arrival.
5. Research Your Route
For both your journey and to give yourself some peace of mind regarding your items’ travels, research the routes that can be taken from your current home to your new one. Make sure your driver informs you as to the route they’ll be taking at your destination, and learn the route for yourself as much as possible. If your truck doesn’t have GPS tracking, contact your moving company to find out what roads your driver will be on, and try to keep up with the truck as much as possible.
For your journey to your new place, make sure your family and pets are as prepared as possible for the journey. Plan out rest stops, places to get food, and places to stretch your legs (or see something cool!) along the way. Make sure to plan out and book hotels if you’re looking at a multi-day journey so you’re not running the risk of looking for somewhere last minute or driving when you’re tired.
Give yourself plenty of time to make the trip in case of any detours or unexpected factors at play, from road work to weather, and more. Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint! Don’t try to do too much at once.
When tackling a long-distance move or an interstate move, you should always make sure you have the right movers on your side for your transition. The best cross-country movers for your relocation are Bekins Van Lines. Having cultivated a reputation over the past several decades for providing customers with the best pricing, service, and overall experience for their long-distance moves, we’ll work tirelessly to make sure your items arrive safely and efficiently.
