Are you considering a move to another state? Hauling your life away to a new home across states can be expensive and overwhelming. There are rooms of belongings to sort and pack, then loaded and driven hundreds of miles across days through unfamiliar roads. 

But don’t worry — if you’re fully prepared for everything that is to come in this process, your relocation will go so much smoother. In this article, you will learn 11 things you need to do for an easy transition.

1. Create a Detailed Moving Calendar

A moving calendar is your map and your visual progress tracker. It shows you what has been done, what’s on the list next, and by when things must get done. Without this calendar, you are likely to delay tasks to the very last minute, making things even more stressful for yourself and your family. 

planning an interstate move

We recommend making a calendar at least three months early since some moving-related tasks will need to begin around that time. The calendar should have a week-by-week breakdown of everything from researching moving companies, getting your car shipped, forwarding mail, to school enrollments.

2. Set Your Moving Budget

If not careful, interstate moves can be expensive, especially if you hire professional help to haul your belongings. Working with a specific budget is a great way to set proper expectations of how much help you can afford. Also, figuring out your budget in advance allows you to start building your savings up months early, so you have enough when the time to move comes around. 

When calculating the budget, don’t forget to include packing supplies, storage fees, moving insurance, transportation assistance, and personal travel expenses. 

If you’re hiring professional movers, remember that the greater the shipment load, the more you will have to pay. So, if you’re working with a smaller budget, start donating, disposing, or selling unused items to reduce the shipment weight.

3. Hire Professional Movers

Hiring a team of reliable movers can make your long-distance relocation so much smoother. Expert movers work exclusively on taking families and businesses to their next destination every day. They have the depth and breadth of experience needed to handle every area of relocation. 

When working with a company, make sure to tell them precisely what you need. You don’t have to contract movers for the entire relocation process; you can always seek assistance in certain areas, like loading and transportation. If hiring professional assistance is out of your present scope, then finding relatives and friends who can lend a helping hand will also make a huge difference.

tips for planning an interstate move

4. Create and Stick to a Packing Schedule

When planning your move between the states, it is important to remember about packaging – it is one of the most time-consuming aspects of moving. Begin by creating a schedule that includes mini-tasks such as making an inventory, decluttering, disposing of, donating, packing bedroom, kitchen, closet, etc. Giving yourself a clear timeline for specific areas in your home diminishes the likelihood of procrastination. When creating your schedule, make it so that you’re tackling the least used items first since you won’t be reaching for it again once it’s all sealed up in the box. 

Give yourself at least a month to pack everything up little by little. How fast you get done will depend on the size of your household, the number of belongings, and how much time you can allot.

5. Prepare Large Furniture and Other Equipment

Make a separate inventory of all the large furniture and equipment you own. These items, like beds, bookshelves, desks, chairs, sofas, personal computers will require dismantling. 

Once you take apart an item, record how many and which parts belong to it. Save all the screws, bolts, and cables inside a zip lock bag and label them with the name of the object they belong to.

6. Make a Moving Day Travel Plan

Are you going to drive everything to your new home? If so, book the rental van early, and don’t forget to reach out to the company a week before the big day to confirm the reservation. Sometimes when shifting with many items, there may be a need for multiple trips back and forth. To avoid any penalties for late return of the van, ensure you’re renting the vehicle for a broader timeframe. 

Talk to your landlord and reserve a parking spot at your current place and your new location to load and offload your items. Otherwise, you will have to park on the side of the road and then pay fines. 

If you’re working with professional movers, they will handle everything. Just make sure that the plan is well-coordinated with your schedule. If you’re hiring the Stark Team, you will be assigned a moving coordinator who you can contact for real-time updates.

7. Consider Storage Options

If there are items that require temporary shelter, start searching for local storage rentals. You may want to consider renting a unit near your new home since it will be closer to you. 

When selecting storage rentals, make sure the units are clean,  have a robust security system, and are climate-controlled. That way, your items don’t incur moisture-related damage. 

Some moving companies, like Stark Movers, provide in-house storage facilities. Our units are safe, clean, and equipped with the best features to keep your belongings feeling right at home.

8. Pack Your Family’s Essentials in Overnight Bags

When it comes to interstate moves, it can take up to two weeks to receive your items. Pack an overnight bag for each member of your family, spare clothes, shoes, socks, underwear, medications, toiletries, bedding, and everything you and your family needs to get through the first couple of nights till your belongings are delivered. 

You should also carry bottled water, snacks, sandwiches in your overnight bag, especially if you have children. This will reduce the need to cook or go out to eat after arriving at your destination. 

easy planning an interstate move

9. Notify the Providers

Make sure to forward your mails to your new address to avoid missing any critical correspondence. You can do this through your local post office. 

You will also have to update your address at your bank, credit card companies, loan providers, and a few other places where you have automatic payments set up. Get this done early to avoid any pause in service. 

10. Plan the Road Trip

Once everything is locked and loaded, it’s time to hit the road. If you’re driving yourself and your family to your new home, make sure to create a detailed plan for the road trip. Since it’s an interstate move, it might take more than a day to reach your destination. 

Plan out the rest stops, where you will be staying overnight if it’s a multi-day trip, and which route you will be taking. Have backup routes ready in case of road closures. Try to take it easy and drive slow, enjoying the views along the thousands of miles you will be covering. 

Don’t drive more than 8 to 10 hours a day. It’s best to rest and get a whole night of sleep than fighting to stay awake while behind the wheels.

11. Get a New Driver’s License and Update Your Vehicle Registration

Once settled at your new place, it’s time to get your driving situation up to date. You might be able to change your address on your license and vehicle registration online through your state’s DMV’s website. If you are unable to do so, plan a trip to the local DMV office. 

While some states may give you up to two months to make the change, other states will require you to do so immediately. 

With the tips for planning an interstate move mentioned above, you can rest assured knowing all the important aspects of your relocation is covered. If you need reliable and professional help with moving across states, our dedicated team of expert packers and Movers are here to help. 

Contact us — let’s talk about the services you need, and we will be happy to leave you with a free quote and a wealth of information about how we can make your interstate relocation effortless. 

Thank you for reading our article. You can always order the services of Starkmovers company. Here is a list of our most popular services:

We are waiting for your calls!

MOVING SERVICES

Long distance moving
We bring our own packing supplies. When packing, we take every precaution to ensure that all your items are properly secured, so it doesn’t incur any damage while on the road.
Small Moving
The Stark Team’s services include packing, loading, transport, unloading, and unpacking.
Loading and Unloading Services
Along with carefully moving things into the truck, we also strategically organize all the boxes like a jig-saw puzzle to ensure everything is stored and placed safely to handle the travel.
Storage
Our customers can rent a private premise to store any goods safely.
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