How to Prepare for a Long-Distance Move

For many people, packing is the most dreaded part of getting ready for a long-distance move. It’s time-consuming, tedious, and absolutely necessary. Unless you’re hiring professional packers, you’ll need to ensure your belongings are securely packed and ready for the moving truck. Most NJ long-distance movers recommend starting preparations at least seven to eight weeks before moving day. Follow these steps to make the process smoother:
Gather Essential Packing Supplies
Before packing, take time to collect all the supplies you’ll need. About five to seven weeks before the move, gather:
- Moving boxes
- Packing tape and tape dispensers
- Permanent markers or labels
- Bubble wrap or other protective packing materials
- A dolly to help move heavy boxes
Declutter and Downsize
A long-distance move is a perfect opportunity to downsize. Over time, most of us accumulate more belongings than we truly need. Four to six weeks before moving day, go through your possessions and decide what to keep, sell, or donate.
- Tackle the Garage and Shed: Items like paint cans or gasoline containers aren’t allowed on moving trucks, so consider giving them away. If you can’t find a taker, contact your local county or city office for proper hazardous waste disposal.
- Hold a Garage Sale: Invite friends or neighbors to browse your excess belongings and sell what you can.
- Dispose of the Rest: Donate or discard items that don’t sell or aren’t needed.
Pack Rarely Used Items First
Now that you’ve finished decluttering, it’s time to begin packing. Keep in mind that during a long-distance move, it might be a while before you unpack. About three weeks before moving day, start packing items you know you won’t need in the next month. Examples include:
- Photos, memorabilia, and extra décor
- Books you’re not planning to read soon
- Kitchen gadgets you rarely use
- Off-season clothing
- Camping gear
- Seasonal decorations
- Children’s toys
- Board games
You can probably think of other non-essential items that aren’t on this list. The goal is to pare down your belongings to the bare essentials as moving day approaches. As you pack, label each box with its destination in your new home, and stack them neatly to keep your living space functional during the packing process.
Pack Room by Room
About two weeks before the move, start packing methodically, one room at a time. Keep out only the essentials. For instance, in the kitchen, leave one place setting per person and a few key cooking tools, such as a skillet, saucepan, knife, and spatula.
As you progress, identify essential items you’ll still need but will eventually pack. Place these in boxes and keep them open for easy access until you’re ready to seal them.
Mark these boxes with “Open Me First.” These boxes should contain your most frequently used items so you can unpack them immediately upon arriving at your new home. Suggested items for these boxes include:
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Bed linens (one set per bed)
- Disposable dinnerware
- Basic cleaning supplies
- A few towels
Pack Your Carry-On Bags
In addition to your last-minute essentials boxes, pack some “carry-on bags” for items that will travel with you rather than on the moving truck. These should include:
- Important documents
- Medications
- Comfort items for children or pets
- Toiletries
Packing a few suitcases or duffle bags with these essentials allows you to pack the rest of your belongings more efficiently.
Finish Packing
Ideally, by the final week before your move, almost everything should be in boxes. However, many people underestimate the time it takes to pack an entire household. Once everything is boxed up, seal your open-me-first boxes and double-check that all boxes are securely taped and properly labeled.
Packing Tips for a Long-Distance Move
1. Declutter as You Go
Even if you’ve already downsized, you’ll likely encounter more clutter during packing. Avoid taking unnecessary items to your new home by continuing to sort and discard while boxing up belongings.
2. Leave Dresser Drawers Full
Save time by leaving clothes in dresser drawers. Movers typically expect drawers to remain full, so you can avoid the extra step of packing and unpacking them.
3. Use Towels and Linens for Padding
Get creative with packing materials by using towels, linens, or other cloth items to cushion fragile items. However, keep items from the same room together—for example, use kitchen towels to pad dishes.
4. Avoid Overloading Boxes
Keep boxes light whenever possible. It’s better to use more small boxes than fewer large, heavy ones to make transport easier and safer.
5. Stick with Packing Tape
Always use proper packing tape to seal your boxes. Other types of tape might not hold as securely, risking boxes opening during transit.
Ask for Help
Despite your best efforts, moving day may be approaching faster than you anticipated, and you might find yourself running out of time. Packing up an entire home is a significant task, especially if you have a large family or a lot of belongings. If you still have last-minute packing to do, consider calling in a favor—invite a friend or two to lend a hand.
Hire Long-Distance Movers
While we’ve focused on the cost-effective option of DIY packing, sometimes running out of time and helpers makes professional packing services worth considering. Although dedicated packing companies are rare, many long-distance moving companies offer optional packing services to ease the burden.
Hiring a professional team of packers and movers allows you to focus on other critical aspects of your relocation. Professionals use high-quality materials and proven techniques to carefully pack your belongings, ensuring they’re ready for safe transport. Opting for a full-service packing option means you can relax while experts handle the entire process.
What's Your Reaction?
Gregory is a website manager who loves reading books, learning languages and traveling. He's always been fascinated by different cultures, and has spent years studying different languages in order to be able to communicate with people from all over the world. When he's not working or traveling, he enjoys relaxing at home with a good book.