Every cross-country move needs a detailed checklist
If you’re preparing to start the next chapter of your life on the other side of the country, we’ve got you covered. Our moving cross-country checklist will help you take control of your moving process and feel confident on moving day. Check off each moving task as you go, and ready yourself for a smooth and successful process.
Two months seems like a long time in any other circumstance, but not so when moving. Use each day to make progress, even if it's just a little. Don’t worry, if you use these stress-free tips for moving out of state, you’ll get through with good vibes and the energy to start unpacking when you get to your new home.
If you are renting your current home, you need to notify your landlord of your departure as soon as possible. Most landlords require 30 to 60 days' notice to break a lease. Remember to budget for the early termination fee if necessary. Look over your lease for exact fee amounts and details so you know what to expect.
If you’re breaking a lease, prepare to not get your security deposit back. If you’re giving your landlord notice for when your lease is up, make sure they have your new address so they can send your security deposit to you after you’ve officially moved out.
Much of your moving planning takes place online, so you’ll need somewhere to store digital records, like Google Drive. Put everything—photos, receipts, and quotes—in one folder for easy access. You’ll be surprised how many times you reference these handy files.
You’ll likely end up with some paper files, like receipts. Keep those sorted and stored in a file you can quickly throw in a bag and refer to later, especially if you plan to deduct moving expenses on your tax return.
For a cross-country move, you’re most likely hiring a local moving company, or your employer is taking care of the relocation package. If your employer handles the move, verify what the relocation policy covers and what responsibilities fall on your shoulders.
If you’re picking the moving company, read online reviews and reach out to your friends, neighbors, and family to see if they have any company recommendations. Either way, if you have specialty or oversized items like a piano, or expensive artwork, it's time to plan for their safe transport. If your moving company can’t handle the items, specialty movers can help.
Once you decide on a moving company and method, you need to reserve their services as soon as possible. Availability of moving vehicles and containers can vary depending on the time of year you move, with summer months being the busiest.
The cost of renting a moving truck is $1,000 on average, depending on the truck size and distance traveled. On the other hand, shipping a moving container costs $3,000 on average, depending on the same factors. Book your moving container or vehicle in advance so you can mark this off your moving cross-country checklist.
If you have school-age children, you’ll need to make sure you take action early to get them set up to attend a local school. You should notify their current school and call the school district at your new location to get the information you need to make the transfer.
You will need to provide documentation such as immunization records, proof of custody, and proof of residency.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, so there’s no one right answer on how to get to your next destination. When making a transportation plan, consider drive time, airfare costs, family and pet needs, and whether or not you want to ship a car.
Shipping a car is a unique process that you’ll have to research thoroughly before choosing a provider, so give yourself plenty of time to pick the best one. Keep in mind the cost to ship a car is between $700 and $1,250, with an average cost of $950. If you plan to drive cross-country, make sure to service the car so it's long-distance ready when it's time to go. Nothing throws off a cross-country move like car trouble.
No one ever said moving wasn’t expensive. You’ll spend money on moving trucks, packing supplies, gas, hotels, dining, and possibly car shipping, so it’s important to keep a moving budget to stay on track with your finances.
Consider adding the following expenses to your budget:
Moving supplies
Hiring professional movers
Move-out cleaning service
Moving truck or shipping container rental
Tips for movers
Oversized items
Mileage
Moving insurance
Pet boarding or childcare on moving day
Packing and unpacking services
A move is an excellent opportunity to declutter your entire house. You’re paying to move each item, so you don’t want to move more than necessary. Sometimes getting rid of your well-loved but sagging sectional sofa and buying a new one later saves money in the long run.
Decide which items to sell (you could earn some cash to cushion your moving budget), donate, or recycle. Consider short or long-term storage at either end of the trip. Finally, keep an eye out for packing materials if you need them: blankets, towels, old shirts, socks, and table linens.
You’ve created the plan and schedule; now it’s time to dive in and make more progress.
Transfer your fire, theft, and other personal property insurance, and make sure your insurance policies cover the moving process. Your insurance provider might also have different coverage plans for your new home state.
After the purge process and seeing everything with fresh eyes, It’s also a good time to review and update your homeowners insurance policy as necessary.
By now, you’ve likely whittled down what belongings you’ll take with you. Next, it’s time to inventory your items. Usually, this is a required step to buy insurance policies, so you might need to update, but it’s essential to document your household goods’ condition in case of damage or loss during the moving process. Take pictures or videos of valuable goods like TVs and furniture to create an inventory list and proof of condition before prepping items for moving.
It’s no secret that moving requires plenty of boxes and moving supplies. If you're going the DIY route, you need a plan of attack for ways to find free boxes for your move. You can always buy moving boxes from hardware stores or moving companies, but if you’d like to save some money, ask retailers if they’re willing to share their extras with you.
Talk to managers at grocery and liquor stores, department stores, big-box stores, and office supply shops. Start packing bit by bit as you find boxes. You don’t use things like books and collectibles every day, so they're easy to pack up early.
Start collecting or purchasing the following packing materials:
Bubble wrap
Packing paper
Newspaper
Labels
Packing tape
Unless you hire full-service movers, you will need to start packing up your items as soon as possible to avoid last-minute chaos. Pack strategically, and don’t over or under-pack your boxes. Start by packing out-of-season items and clothing and work your way to in-season belongings to make the process easier.
Moving long-distance can be stressful, so you may want to hire full-service professional movers to complete the packing process for you. Hiring full-service movers can cost a minimum of $2,300, but they handle the entire process from start to finish. So, it may be worth the expense depending on your budget and availability.
It’s tricky to buy a house after one visit or sight unseen like many cross-country buyers often do. But measuring critical dimensions inside your new home is important for ensuring your items fit through doorways and up the stairs. If the numbers aren’t readily available, ask your real estate agent to lend a hand and communicate with the seller. Here's what to measure:
All of the rooms that hold furniture or appliances
The layout of each room, if there are odd angles
The heights of doors, windows, and closets
Oversized furniture or appliances
If you have a storage unit, you will need to notify the company several weeks in advance, depending on their rules, and empty it out. Keep in mind that you should purge as much as possible so you have less to move. Once you move out your items, you will return the keys to the company.
If you need to rent a storage space to hold items you can’t or don’t want to take with you, expect to pay $1 to $1.80 per square foot.
About six weeks before moving, secure a moving date and timeline with your moving company. When planning your moving date, consider your lease start and end dates, the new homeowners’ moving date, work schedules, school schedules for kids, and other necessary factors. If possible, consider scheduling a mid-week move to score more time slots and potential deals from your moving company.
With one month to go, the days will blow by and you’ll be on your way to your exciting out-of-state adventure.
To notify senders about your change of address, start online with the United States Postal Service (USPS). Their wide-reaching address change option covers many senders and forwards most mail for 18 months, but subscriptions, like magazines, are only forwarded for 60 days. Note the USPS doesn’t update the state, DMV records, voter registration, or Social Security.
You might also want to change your address with these services, too:
Banking
Insurance companies
Credit card companies
Credit bureaus
Employer
Car registration
Financial advisors
If your pet doesn’t have experience riding in the car, think about trying some incrementally longer practice runs to see how they react. You might have to invest in a crate or seatbelt and some travel accessories for food and water. Talk to your vet if you’re worried about anxiety or motion sickness. Additionally, plan frequent stops for your pets along the way. Your dog will need to go out regularly, so mark out rest areas accordingly.
Airlines have pretty strict rules about what types of animals they’ll fly and when, so call early to find out all the details, including fees; they could add several hundred dollars.
Often, professional cleaning is required for a move out in a rental home to ensure you receive your deposit. If you’ve sold your home and are wondering what you should clean when you move out, it’s best to leave the house without items and clean. Although a local professional cleaning company isn’t required unless stated in your contract.
For your comfort and peace of mind, think about if you’d like a professional cleaning service to work on your new home before the movers arrive.
It's a good idea to hand-carry personal records like birth certificates because they’re difficult to replace. Gather medical and dental records, school transcripts, pet veterinary records, passports, and other legal documents. Pack these moving essential items in a separate bag that travels with you on moving day.
Don’t forget about filling your prescriptions for you, your family, and your pets. The last thing you want to do is hunt for a 24-hour pharmacy if you run out of essential meds.
The next vital thing to do on your moving cross-country checklist is to go ahead and find a new doctor and veterinarian. Rather than waiting until you move to research and find a vet or doctor, you should do it in advance. That way, you can get established after you arrive and get help when needed.
You can check with your health insurance company to see what doctors are available in your network. The American Medical Association also helps you find a doctor in your area.
Don’t get overwhelmed; the end is near. Take comfort by checking off each item as you go.
Discontinue utilities and services at your current residence and arrange for the start of these services at your new home. Don’t forget to check for any refund or deposit due to you.
Phone, cable, internet
Electricity and gas
Water
Fuel/oil delivery
House cleaners
Babysitter
Dog walker
Gardeners
Pool service
Newspaper
Parking
Safe-deposit box
Gym memberships and locker
If you have quite a few items to get rid of after your decluttering spree, consider having a garage sale a few weeks before you move. This fun event can help you recoup some of your moving expenses and rehome items you no longer need. Whatever doesn’t sell, donate it or give the items away.
Before the crush of the move, take advantage of the little things you love about your town or neighborhood, like your favorite restaurant.
Who’s going to watch the kids while you’re busy on moving day? Do you need a babysitter for a day or two while you load up the moving truck? Also, think about your pets and where they can stay so they won’t be in the way (or run away) during the move. Doggy daycare or playdates are good options.
Many of us are attached to plants like family members. Make arrangements for moving or gifting your houseplants. Unless you’ve confirmed this with your mover, most do not move houseplants, especially on long-distance or out-of-state moves.
If you’re opting to drive for your cross-country move, then make sure to map out your route. Make hotel reservations a week or two before your trip for optimum savings and to ensure you can get a room. Discuss the best route with your moving company, and attempt to coordinate schedules so you and your belongings arrive at the destination as closely together as possible.
You’re likely counting the days until departure. Don’t forget to check off these essential steps.
If you’ve hired a moving company, call to schedule and confirm the details. Also, clarify how you’ll pay for the move, so you can have payment on hand if needed. Make sure your arrival, departure, and estimated destination arrival times are shared in writing to avoid confusion between all parties involved.
If you aren’t using professional movers, then you need to rent moving equipment to load and unload your items, such as appliance and furniture dollies. If you’re working with a moving company, you can typically add on these tools to your service total. Be sure to request these materials in advance of moving day to reserve them for your move. Renting an appliance dolly runs between $10 to $25 per day.
There are some things you need to have at your disposal when you arrive at your new home. Label these boxes as “Load Last,” so you know exactly how to find what you need during the chaos of unpacking. Having these on hand could add a little extra comfort when you arrive:
Linens and towels
Paper goods
Disposable plates and silverware
Foil and wax paper
Plastic containers
Microwave
Vacuum cleaner
Garbage bags
Tool kit
Step ladder
Extension cords
Light bulbs
Cleaning items (mop and pail, broom and dustpan)
During the last week before moving day, you need to finish packing up the rest of your belongings so they are ready for moving day. Prepare your furniture to move and disassemble items if possible. Protect appliances and furniture with moving blankets, bubble wrap, and plastic stretch wrap. Be sure to label moving boxes by their future location and contents, using an inventory list to keep track of each box.
The hard part is over. You’ve prepared; now it's a waiting game until the movers arrive. While you’re waiting, there are a few last-minute items you need to knock-off your to-do list.
The final days before the big move should be reserved for last-minute tasks. Don’t forget to check off these items:
Defrost and dry refrigerators and freezers
Donate canned and boxed food
Update your address with delivery services and order anything you’d like to have soon after your arrival
Collect your valuables and secure them in a safe spot until you drive or fly away
Keep cash on hand to tip your service providers such as the movers, pet and kid sitters, and door attendants
It's finally arrived! Expect a long day of activity and mixed emotions. Here are things you will need to do.
Make sure there is a clear path throughout your home or apartment to the front door so movers can easily transport boxes. Blocked pathways can create complications when moving heavy items. On the morning of moving day, clear out furniture, rogue items, and outdoor furnishings.
Work with your moving company to follow a plan based on what items you are loading first through last. Communicate each step of the plan with the movers or whoever is helping you move. If you are doing it yourself and loading the moving container or truck, remember to distribute weight evenly and create walls to prevent items from falling and sliding during transit.
Talk with the professional movers and exchange contact information so you have it handy. It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for delivery. Make sure you receive a bill of lading, so you have all the information available. This sheet will have the estimated date your items should arrive so you know if you need to make contact or not.
Make sure you grab some cash so you can tip your movers, pet sitters, and babysitters. The typical amount you should tip movers is between 10% to 20% of the total moving cost.
So, if you are paying $2,500 to the moving company, then you should tip between $250-$500 for the movers to divide among themselves. Or another typical tip is about $50 per mover for a long-distance move. Pet sitters and babysitters usually receive an additional 15% to 20% tip of the cost of the service.
Even if you cleaned your residence before moving, you still need to perform a final clean-up after everything is moved out. Take out any leftover trash, vacuum and sweep floors, and wipe down any surfaces that weren’t accessible before.
If you rent, you need to do a final walk-through and take pictures of how you left the residence. Notate any damage and take photos of that, too. You want to ensure every aspect of the home is documented so you can get as much of your security deposit back as possible.
If new owners are transitioning into your home, be sure to leave any final notes for your real estate agent to relay to them.
Before the movers leave, check each room, closet, basement, and attic for any forgotten items. When you leave for the last time, turn off lights, close windows, and lock doors.
If you sold your home, you will surrender your keys at closing. However, if you rent, you will need to give the keys back to the landlord after you finish loading up and have everything clean and ready for the next tenant.
There are still quite a few things to do after you arrive at your new destination. Take a rest, then tackle these tasks as soon as possible to finish up your moving cross-country checklist.
Even if your new home appears when you arrive, it’s best to clean it before unpacking your belongings. Even if it looks clean, it’s good to wipe surfaces and walls to rid them of dust and vacuum the floors. Hiring a professional home cleaner can save you time and get things prepped and ready for you to unpack, but will add an extra expense to your moving budget.
The next thing you need to do is unpack and organize your new place. Start with essential items, such as toiletries, cookware, and bed. Then you can start unpacking by room to keep things streamlined.
That way, you can organize as you go rather than having piles of items to deal with. You may want to hire a professional organizer near you to help simplify the process and ensure your storage systems are optimal for your home and lifestyle.
As you unpack, make sure to inspect your items to ensure they didn’t get damaged during the move. If you have any damaged items, appliances, or furniture, you should file a claim to get compensation for the broken items. That’s why having moving insurance is important. You never know what can happen during a long-distance move, and with insurance, you can ensure compensation for damaged items.
If you bought a new house, then one of the first things you should do is change the locks. It’s best to make sure no one has copies of keys to your home. If you are renting a home or apartment, you can ask the landlord if you can change the locks. However, in most cases, you will pay out of pocket for the expense and must provide a copy to the landlord.
Being neighborly can help you and your family feel more comfortable. It can help you meet new people right away, and looking out for each other makes all the difference in being safe and happy in your new home. Ask your new neighbors questions about the neighborhood and surrounding areas to learn more about your brand-new location.
Don’t forget to register your furry friends after you arrive. Typically, you have 30 days to register your pets; if you don’t, you can receive hefty fines. You will need to provide proof of vaccinations to register your pets in a new state.
Depending on what state you move to will determine how quickly you need to update your driver’s license. Some states require you to do it immediately; others give anywhere from 30 to 90 days. Make sure to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to ask how soon you need to update your license.
Registering your vehicle when you update your license may be easiest, but if you wait, you typically have 30 days to do it. The cost to register a vehicle in another state varies, but some common fees are the registration, title, and license plate fees. Some states may have additional taxes and fees, too.
After you’ve unpacked the essentials, now is the time to decorate and make your new house or apartment a home. Customize your home to reflect your personality and the things you love. You can save money on decor by shopping at thrift stores, garage sales, and online marketplaces.
Careful planning can make the process of moving across the country easier and more efficient, helping to your belongings to and from your destination without much hassle.
Here are a few tips to help the moving process go smoothly and help you save money in the process:
Declutter before moving: If you’ve been waiting to declutter unwanted items, moving provides the perfect opportunity to do so. By donating or throwing away old or unused items, you can lighten the load.
Get multiple quotes from moving companies: If you’re using a moving company, make sure you compare their prices to multiple companies in your area. Certain companies charge less for large items or cross-country moves. Get quotes from at least three companies to ensure you get the best deal.
Plan to move during off-peak seasons: If you can, moving during colder months when moving companies are less busy can save money. If you move during the summer or holiday weekends, be prepared to pay a premium price.
Utilize free packing materials: If you have old clothes, newspapers, or magazines, use them as moving supplies instead of packing paper. These materials work just as well and come at no extra cost.
Plan the most cost-efficient route: If you’re driving across the country, take the time to plan your route carefully. The shortest route is more fuel efficient, but make sure you pay attention to the tolls along the way.
Use frequent-flyer miles: If you’re shipping your belongings and flying to your new destination, you can save on airfare if you use credit card miles or frequent-flyer miles. This option could potentially save you hundreds on plane tickets.
Opt for basic insurance: Moving companies and truck rental companies likely offer moving insurance options that cover your items in the event that they’re damaged. If you stick with the basic insurance plans rather than the more expansive options, it can reduce costs while still ensuring protection for your belongings.
