How to Prepare for a Long-Distance Move

Key Takeaways

Start planning at least 90 days before your move date
Always get a binding estimate — not just a quote — from licensed movers
Decluttering before you move saves $100–$500 in transport costs
Pack a 2-week essentials bag that travels with you, not the truck

Long-distance moving requires more preparation than a local move. Unlike a local move (same day, same city), a long-distance move involves advance scheduling, binding contracts, detailed inventories, and transit times ranging from 1 day to 2+ weeks. Starting your preparation 90 days out gives you the time to do it right.

90 Days Before: Research and Hire Licensed Movers

The most important thing you can do 90 days before a long-distance move is hire the right mover. Long-distance moving fraud is real — the FMCSA receives thousands of complaints every year about movers who hold shipments hostage for more money.

How to verify a mover is legitimate:

Confirm they have a valid USDOT number at FMCSA SAFER
Verify their MC (Motor Carrier) number for interstate authority
Get at least 3 binding estimates (not non-binding estimates)
Check their Google and BBB reviews
Read the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Protect Your Move guide

Book your preferred date as early as possible. For peak season moves (May–September), the best dates book up 6–8 weeks in advance.

60 Days Before: Declutter Your Home

Long-distance moving is priced by weight (not distance alone). Every 1,000 lbs saved can reduce your moving cost by $150–$400, depending on how far you're moving. A 3-bedroom home typically weighs 7,500–10,000 lbs fully packed.

Use this decision framework for every item:

Keep: Items you love, use regularly, or can't replace
Sell: Furniture, appliances, and goods with value (Facebook Marketplace works well)
Donate: Usable items you don't need (Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity)
Discard: Worn out, broken, or expired items

Rule of thumb: if you haven't used it in 12 months and don't love it, don't move it.

30 Days Before: Begin Packing Non-Essentials

Start with rooms you use the least: seasonal storage, guest rooms, basement or garage, home office supplies, decorative items, books.

For every box you pack:

Label the top AND one side with room + contents ("Kitchen — Baking Supplies")
Number boxes sequentially and record contents in a spreadsheet (useful for insurance claims if something breaks)
Never pack boxes heavier than 50 lbs — they're harder to carry and more likely to be dropped
Fill boxes completely — half-full boxes collapse under other boxes

1 Week Before: Prepare Your Essentials Bag

Pack a bag (or dedicated suitcase) with everything you'll need for the first 2 weeks at your new home. This travels with you — not in the truck. Include:

2 weeks of clothing and toiletries
Important documents (passports, birth certificates, financial records, lease/deed)
Medications and a 30-day supply if possible
Phone chargers, laptop, and work essentials
Children's and pets' essentials
First-night supplies: toilet paper, basic kitchen items, one set of bedding per person

Moving Day: What to Do When the Crew Arrives

Be present the entire time the crew is loading. Don't leave.
Walk through every room with the crew lead before anything is loaded — note pre-existing damage on the inventory form.
Do a final walkthrough of the entire home before the truck leaves — check closets, attic, garage.
Confirm the delivery window in your bill of lading before signing.
Get a copy of the signed bill of lading — this is your most important document.

Related: See our Moving & Storage Cost Guide for exact price ranges, and our guide to verifying a California mover's license.