Important Tips for a Smooth Long-Distance Move

Planning any move, especially a long-distance move, involves juggling numerous tasks, from getting packing supplies to arranging travel plans to ensuring your new home is ready for your arrival.  

At Mayflower, we understand the stress that comes with long-distance moves. As America’s Most Trusted Mover, Mayflower’s team of moving experts has decades of industry experience. We are ready to share what we know to help throughout your move, with insider tips that streamline and simplify the entire moving process and make your long-distance move go as smoothly as possible.  

That said, here are seven tips for taking charge of your move with confidence.  

Have a Plan in Place Early

Careful planning makes every phase of your long-distance move less stressful. It’s a good idea to give yourself about eight weeks to have everything ready before your move day. Need help deciding what to tackle first? Our move planner can serve as a roadmap, keeping you organized and focused throughout your move.  

Also, during a typical busy moving season, usually between May and September, you’ll want to give your long-distance mover as much lead time as possible to get on the moving company’s schedule. Also, keep in mind that early planning gives some built-in flexibility to handle any unforeseen issues that may arise along the way. 

Bonus Tip: When moving long distance with Mayflower, you’ll have your personalized online MyMayflower Move Portal — a centralized place for all you need to know and accomplish surrounding your move. 

Reach Out to Professional Movers

Hiring professional movers is one of the best ways to make a long-distance move go smoothly. Just like every move, every moving company is different, and you’ll need to do some thinking – and research to find one that best fits your needs. At Mayflower, we offer a variety of moving services and solutions that you can combine to move the way you want to. You’ll also have a personal move coordinator who’ll be your main point of contact throughout your entire move experience.  

While lowball quotes might be tempting, the way your possessions are treated is equally important. We recommend that you prioritize quality and reliability, especially if it’s a long-distance move. Also, if one or more move quotes seem suspiciously low, beware. There are a growing number of scam movers out there and here are some tips on how to spot them.   

Bonus Tip: Wondering when to book your move? Check out our guidelines.  

Downsize Wisely

A large part of the cost of a professional long-distance move is determined by weight. So, before you start packing things up, use this opportunity to pare down and declutter. Donate or discard items you no longer need or use to reduce the overall weight and cost of your move. Downsizing not only simplifies the packing process but also minimizes clutter in your new home. Many charitable organizations would be more than happy to take that large sofa or used appliance off your hands. Check out this list of organizations that offer free pickup.   

Bonus Tip: If you’re moving with Mayflower and have non-perishable food items in your cupboard, ask whether your agent participates in our Move For Hunger partnership. They’ll be more than happy to pack up and deliver your donation to a local food pantry. 

Assemble Your Packing Supplies

To keep your long-distance move on schedule, make sure everything is packed BEFORE moving day. Packing is often the most time-consuming part of a move and will probably take more planning and effort than you realize. If you’re handling the packing yourself, gather all packing supplies in advance, invest in specialized boxes for fragile items and essentials like tape, paper and bubble wrap for a secure long-distance move. Get the strongest boxes you can find. In many cases, used, upcycled, or cheap boxes will be too flimsy for a long-distance move which could be detrimental to the safety of your belongings. 

We recommend you take a look at Mayflower’s useful packing tips and guides before you get started. And if all this seems a bit overwhelming, remember that as a full-service mover, Mayflower offers packing services that can take care of the packing for you, letting you focus on other tasks. 

Pack Strategically

Now that you have all your supplies and decluttered your belongings, GET packing! If you’ve opted to use Mayflower’s packing services, custom crating or specialty item packing, relax, it’s all taken care of. However, if you’ve decided to tackle some or all of the packing duties yourself, here are a few handy tips to make the process quicker, more efficient and a lot less stressful.  

• Take inventory of what you’ll be moving, starting with the things you use the least. Next, group items by category so you can pack more efficiently. There are a couple of schools of thought on how to do this, but Mayflower has found it’s far easier to keep similar items together when packing (and unpacking).  
• Pack boxes by room and keep similar items together.  
• Pack carefully and avoid the urge to just haphazardly throw items into boxes. Pack each box thoughtfully, ensuring items are securely nestled to prevent damage during transit. Fill any gaps with packing paper or bubble wrap to minimize shifting.  
• Keep boxes manageable and light. For example, a big box of books can be hard to carry and easily torn. It can also shift during transport.  
• Handle fragile items with extra care. Fragile items and antiques deserve special attention. Wrap them in multiple layers of protection and, whenever possible, use original boxes or containers designated for fragile items. Also, consider getting additional coverage for your things such as one of Mayflower’s Moving Protection Plans.  
• Disassemble oversized items like dining room sets to make them easier to transport. Remove table legs and other detachable parts but be sure to keep all components together.  
• Label each box with its contents and include any special handling instructions. Marking boxes containing fragile items ensures they receive the extra care they need. Proper labeling not only aids our movers but also makes it easier to quickly locate and organize your belongings in your new home.  

Consider Moving in the Off-Season

While summer is popular for moving, planning your move during off-peak periods usually means considerably more flexibility and cost savings. Consider moving during the off-season to optimize availability and budget. Winter, despite potential weather challenges, often presents cost-effective moving opportunities.  

The trusted movers at Mayflower are used to moving people all year long for a wide array of seasons and know what to do. Start a quote today!  

Solidify Your Travel Plans  

If you’re driving to your new home, plan your journey meticulously, considering fuel stations and rest stops along the route – and be sure to make hotel or motel reservations well ahead. For added security, keep essential documents and valuables with you during the trip and bring them inside if you’ll be overnighting along the way. If flying, book tickets well in advance. Have a contingency plan in case of delays or cancellations.  

Plan Your Long-Distance Move With Mayflower  

Let Mayflower, America’s Most Trusted Mover, guide you Every Step of the Way®. Get a moving quote today and let’s start planning your journey together.