How to Pack for a Cross-Country Move: Essential Tips and Checklist

Are you planning a cross-country move on your own? Not sure how to begin packing, loading or transporting your belongings? Whether you're moving from Florida to California or Washington to Maine, tons of planning goes into a successful cross-country move. There are a few strategies and tricks to consider to ensure your belongings stay safe in transit and are properly packed away for the ride.

We're here to give you tips for packing to move cross-country so you can plan accordingly for this big transition. Here's everything you need to know.

Preparing for the Move

Slow down and be strategic when learning how to pack for a cross-country move. The time you put into packing your belongings will keep you organized and ensure your items are safe in transit.

Create a Moving Plan

A moving plan will provide structure to your upcoming relocation. It will keep you on track with your tasks and ensure you don't miss any critical steps. When building your moving plan, you should include your budget, timeline and amoving checklist. Thesemoving resourceswill help you stay organized and guarantee you don't skip a step in the process.

Gather Packing Supplies

Investing in premium moving supplies is not just a choice; it guarantees that your belongings will stay safe and protected from damage during transit. However, before you can order moving boxes, bubble wrap and other supplies, you must take inventory of your belongings. This will ensure you buy an adequate amount of everything before packing. You can also use ourpacking calculator.

Decluttering Before the Move

Beforepacking your items into boxes, consider splitting them into three different piles: Keep, donate, and throw away. Packing room by room, you can categorize your belongings in one of these three piles. This is a great way to declutter your life and get rid of items you no longer need.

Most moving companies also charge by the pound. So, decluttering can help you save on the total cost of your move. It will also make packing for a cross-country move easier in the long run.

Organize Items by Category

You'll want to avoid throwing random items into different boxes. Instead, organize items by room and pack similar items into the same boxes. This will streamline the unpacking, protect fragile items and keep you organized.

Packing Strategies

It's time to start packing up your old home! Before throwing items into a box and calling it a day, it's best to take the packing for a cross-country move process step by step. Taking it slow ensures your items are packed properly and protected during the long transit ride.

Here are some tips for packing to move cross-country :

Room-by-Room Packing

Packing is a big task to take on by yourself. To ensure you don't get overwhelmed with the process, consider going room by room. This is a great way to break the project into smaller, more manageable tasks. It's best to start with rooms you don't regularly use, like the garage, closets or guest room. Once you've completed those rooms, you can work your way into high-traffic areas like the living room and kitchen.

Labeling Boxes Correctly

Labeling tells you what is in each box, streamlining the loading and unpacking process. It also helps prevent you and your movers from stacking a heavy box on top of a box that contains fragile items.

While labeling your boxes for your move, consider taking inventory of all your belongings. This way, you can easily reference it during the unpacking phase.

Protecting Valuables and Fragile Items

Ensure you have enough packing materials to keep fragile items safe in the moving boxes. You also want to ensure you know how to pack oddly shaped items, glassware, kitchenware, and more. You can use our packing guides to guide you through the process. If you have fragile items like chandeliers or family heirlooms, consider our custom wood-built crates.

Using Proper Packing Materials

Whether you're moving 300, 500, or 2,000 miles away from your current home, the materials you use will make all the difference. You'll want to invest in premium bubble wrap and newspapers. These are tried-and-true methods for keeping belongings safe in transit. If you run out of packing materials, consider using blankets, towels and t-shirts for extra protection. This eco-friendly tip for packing to move cross-country will also help you save on the cost of your overall move.

Special Care for Electronics

Lastly, you'll want to pack your TVs, stereos, desktops and laptops carefully and strategically. Ensure all cords and plugs are neatly wrapped before putting them in boxes to avoid tangling. You can also consider using waterproof bags for smaller electronics to protect them from water damage. For TVs, consider investing in a specialty box or wrapping the TV with a padded blanket.

Moving Day Essentials

It's finally time to wave goodbye to your old home and settle in a new one across the country. Moving day can be stressful, especially if you decide to do it yourself.

Packing a First-Night Box

The last thing you want to do is unpack all your boxes just to find a change of clothes or toothbrush. With a first-night box, all your essentials will be in one easy-to-reach place. This will eliminate unwanted stress and help you relax on your first night at a new home. Items you should consider adding to this box include:

Toiletries
A change of clothes
Shoes
Important documents
Bedding or a blanket

Managing the Moving Process

As a homeowner, you have a ton to juggle during your relocation, from switching utilities and canceling subscriptions to ensuring all moving boxes are labeled correctly. If you don't have the time to manage your move, it's best to hire a reputable moving company so a relocation specialist can handle the nitty-gritty.

A relocation specialist will handle the logistics of your move so you can get time back in your day to focus on finding a new doctor, shopping for new furniture, and preparing your family to go the distance.

Selecting the Right Moving Company

Cross-country moves can be challenging. Even with all of the best tips for preparing to move cross-country, thepacking, loading and unpacking process can be a challenge to take on by yourself. To ensure you're prepared to go the distance, you'll want to consider working with a cross-country moving company.

North American Van Lines is a top-rated cross-country moving company with the skills and expertise you need to complete your move quickly and efficiently. Our team is here to help you with every stage of your move, including the packing and logistics. We provide custom moving plans for all our customers, so you only pay for what you absolutely need.