Interstate Moving: What to Expect When Moving

Thoughtful planning is the foundation of a successful move and the first of the Bekins moving process steps. Start by requesting a free estimate to determine your moving costs. From there, you can review available services and select the options that best fit your needs and moving budget, whether that’s full service packing, specialty item handling, or standard transport.

We recommend contacting Bekins as early as possible; ideally four to eight weeks before your desired move date. The more lead time we have, the more carefully we can coordinate every detail of your move. Making your moving plan early also gives you the flexibility to explore all your service options without feeling rushed. Get your free estimate today.

One of the most valuable parts of the Bekins moving process is having a dedicated move manager in your corner from day one. Your move manager serves as your single point of contact throughout the entire move, coordinating directly with moving agents, drivers, loaders, and customer service representatives on your behalf.

Have a question about your timeline? Concerned about a specific item? Need a moving checklist? Your move manager is available for consultation at any point before, during, and after your move. In addition, you can always check out our moving guides and FAQ page for tips and answers to commonly asked questions.

Proper packing is one of the most important moving process steps, and one where the right approach makes a real difference. Whether you choose to pack yourself or leave it to the experts, Bekins has options to fit every preference and schedule.

Our professional packing services are performed by trained specialists who know exactly how to prepare items of all shapes, sizes, and fragility for safe transport. From everyday kitchenware to fine art and antiques, we use high-quality materials and label boxes to make sure everything arrives at your destination the way it left.

Prefer to pack on your own? We make that easy, too. You can purchase moving supplies directly from Bekins so you can start packing with the same quality supplies our own crews rely on, including:

• Moving boxes
• Packing tape
• Bubble wrap and protective materials
• Specialty containers

Our packing guides are also available to walk you through best practices room by room, so you’ll know how many boxes you’ll need and how to best protect all your stuff.

Whichever route you choose, we strongly encourage you to review our valuation protection options before your move date. Understanding your coverage ahead of time means there are no surprises and that your belongings are protected every mile of the journey.

When you move with Bekins, you can relax on moving day knowing that the hard work is left to the professionals. We’ll take special care of your fragile items to make sure they’ll be safe for the entire trip.

Depending on the size of your home, loading can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day. It’s important for you to be present during this step of the Bekins moving process so we can provide you with a detailed inventory list of all your belongings. When your Bekins driver arrives, they will visualize how your belongings will best fit in the truck. The driver and their crew will prepare your house by following these steps:

• Protect the floors and doorways
• Use the inventory form to document the items and their condition
• Wrap furniture pads (specially designed blankets) around your furniture to protect it from damage
• Protect overstuffed furniture in stretch wrap to prevent damage
• Load protected belongings and heavy boxes into the moving truck
• Ask you to sign paperwork such as the Bill of Lading, High Value Inventory, and Inventory

Be sure to share your travel plans with your move manager, and keep separate a moving day survival kit with essential items like paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and important documents like your driver’s license and birth certificates.

Once your belongings are on their way, your local Bekins moving agent is available to answer any questions about the progress of your shipment. Transit time varies based on distance; a local move may be completed within a day, but a long distance move could take up to a few weeks.

If your new house isn’t quite ready, Bekins also offers storage-in-transit options to keep your belongings safe and secure until you are. Want a clearer picture of your timeline? Start with a free estimate.

As your shipment approaches its destination, your driver will typically provide 24-hour advance notice of the estimated arrival window. It’s essential that you or an authorized representative be present to accept delivery. If no one is available at the time of delivery, your shipment may need to be placed in storage at your expense.

Payment is collected prior to unloading. Bekins accepts cash, money order, traveler’s check, certified check, cashier’s check, and with prior credit approval, all major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

Upon delivery, take time to carefully inspect your belongings against your inventory list. Confirm that everything arrived as expected and note any concerns before signing off.

One of the final Bekins moving process steps is getting settled, and we can help with that, too. Our driver and crew are happy to assist with unpacking on move-in day and will handle the removal and recycling of all boxes and packing materials when they’re done.

Of course, you’re welcome to unpack at your own pace. But after a long moving day, hiring movers to complete the unpacking process can make your new space feel like home that much sooner.

Your feedback matters to us. Bekins is committed to delivering a moving experience that exceeds expectations at every step, and hearing from our customers is how we continue to improve. Once your move is complete, we’d love to hear how we did.

After more than 130 years, our standard hasn’t changed: every customer deserves a move they can feel good about.

The Bekins moving process follows eight steps: planning your move, working with your move manager, packing, loading, in-transit, delivery and payment, unpacking, and feedback. Each step is coordinated by your dedicated move manager so you always know what’s happening next.

No two moves are exactly alike, so there’s no single answer. What we can tell you is that your move manager will provide a realistic, personalized timeline during the planning phase based on the actual details of your move, not a generic estimate. Local moves can wrap in a day; interstate moves typically run two to four weeks from booking to delivery.

The earlier the better. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you access to a wider range of available move dates, more time to compare service options, and a less rushed planning experience overall. Last-minute moves are possible, but early scheduling puts you in the best position for a smooth, stress-free move.

Your estimate accounts for everything that factors into the cost and complexity of your move: the volume and nature of your belongings, any items that require special handling, and the services you’d like included. It’s also your opportunity to ask questions and get a full picture of what to expect when moving with Bekins before committing to anything.

Think of your move manager as the glue that holds your entire move together. Behind the scenes, they’re managing the coordination between every person involved in your move. From your end, they’re a single, reliable point of contact who knows your move inside and out, so you’re never left wondering who to call or what comes next.

If you’re handling packing yourself, having everything ready before your crew arrives to load the moving van will keep the day on schedule and avoid added stress. If life gets in the way, let your move manager know ahead of time; there may be options to adjust your plan, including adding professional packing services to your move.

Bekins offers valuation protection options that determine how any damaged item is handled and resolved. Review your coverage during the planning phase so you know exactly what’s protected, and report any concerns by noting them on your inventory list at delivery before signing off.