Moving across town is hard enough. Having to pack up and move several states away is a whole other ball of wax! Yet, people move long distances every day, and most live to tell the tale. Learn from their experiences and follow these tips for your long-distance move.
Give Yourself Time
If there's one sure thing about moving long-distance, it's that it will take longer than you think. That stands for both the drive and the packing process. If you think it will take you two days to drive to your new town, give yourself a third day of buffer, just in case. If you think it will take you a week to pack your home, start packing 10 days in advance so you're not rushed.
Label, Label, Label
By the time you trek across the country, you're not going to remember what you put in the box with a blue lid. So be obsessive about labeling your boxes. You may even want to number them and then make a list, on paper, of what each numbered box contains. This way, when you are looking for something, you only have to scan one list instead of scanning the labels on numerous boxes.
Get Insurance
Accidents can happen even when you're driving across town, but the longer you are on the road, the greater the chances. Make sure you purchase extra insurance on the moving truck so you're not responsible if an accident happens. Also, check to ensure that your homeowners insurance will cover your things if they are damaged on the road. Not all policies will. If yours does not, consider buying a separate moving insurance policy from an insurance broker.
Check State Laws
When driving across state lines, make sure you know the laws as to what is legal to transport in each state. For example, some states may not let you transport open cans of paint remover and other chemicals, while others do. Some states may require your pets to have health certificates to travel through. Check these regulations well in advance of your move so you have time to plan.
Hire Movers
The entire process will be so much simpler if you hire professional movers. They can pack, transport, and unload your things so that you can just focus on getting yourself and your family members to the new place. That's hard enough as it is! Plus, movers usually insure your items against damage, saving you from having to buy an extra policy.
You can read more here or on other sites about preparing for a long-distance move.