How to Make a Cross-Country Move

Don’t let an upcoming cross-country move stress you out — it’s just a few more miles to consider! Your strongest weapon for a successful cross-country move is thorough preparation and attention to detail.

Read through our compilation of helpful tips before you get started, and you’ll be on your way to a Stress-Free Move in no time.

Stress-Free Steps For A Cross-Country Move

Like any big occasion, it’s best to divide the moving process into easy steps: getting your belongings ready, packing up, and scheduling the move itself.

Getting Ready

Trying to figure out what to bring on your cross-country move? The easiest way to start is by deciding which items you can’t live without, and which ones are too expensive or sentimental to replace. After that, it’s best to go room by room, pull out all your belongings, and sort them into piles: trash, sell, and donate. Begin this process well in advance of your moving date.

Selling What You Can

Once you’ve thrown away all of the food items and perishables that won’t be traveling with you, do the same with your other belongings. Lightening your load makes your move go faster, and if you find enough things you can do without, schedule a garage sale. Invite friends, family, and the whole neighborhood to help you get rid of your unnecessary belongings.

For items left unsold or big items you couldn’t get outside, try Craigslist. People are often willing to bring their trucks or a few friends for a heavy piece. If you’re unsure about Craigslist, there are many other apps to try, such as Let Go. And when all else fails, be a good Samaritan by donating what you can neither pack nor sell.

Packing

Once you’ve pared down your stuff, it’s time to organize and box up as much as possible before moving day. A master packing list is a great place to begin — this will help you keep inventory and find your belongings more easily when it’s time to unpack. Color coding, packing room by room, and a number system are all efficient ways to keep track of your items as you pack.

A cross-country move requires extra-sturdy packing materials and careful packaging. Make sure the materials you’re using are in mint condition, and that you have enough on hand.

For more details, check out our can’t-miss packing tips.

Making Your Move

If you plan to rent a truck and make the cross-country trek yourself, you’ll need to plan out your entire trip. Depending on your belongings and the number of miles you’re driving, you may want to consider bringing along an extra person or two. Know your route and keep a map with you in case you lose cell signal. In addition, figure out where you will stop to sleep, eat, and refuel — and be sure to budget for all of this.

Another option could be Greyhound, which offers economical shipping services. One of the pitfalls, however, is that because it is not a moving company, boxes may get damaged. If you’re going to use this service, be sure to pack everything extremely carefully and use shipping supplies in excess. In addition, not all the boxes will arrive at the same time, so you’ll have to be patient.

You can also try using a portable shipping container, which allows you to pack a container yourself and ship it from the door of your old home to the door of your new home. However, the most stress-free option of all is to hire a moving company for your big move.

Hiring Professional Movers

Here are a few ways professional movers can help during your cross-country move:

Full-service moves with a national company
A la carte packing and unpacking services to save you time
Loading and/or unloading
Transport to a local storage unit
Transport across the country

The cost will vary depending the specific services you’re after, the amount of boxes and furniture, the mileage, and even the time of year. It’s best to call around and get a few quotes before making a decision.

Ready to Make Your Move?

As your premier Houston movers, Ameritex is here to help. If you’re moving to or from Houston, we offer local services to make the transition easier. And the relationship doesn’t end there. We are happy to offer our professional guidance as you make choices about your upcoming cross-country move.

For more information or a complimentary moving quote, call Ameritex Movers Houston at 713.484.6683.

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We are a local Houston moving company that was born in the living room of a college apartment. We love serving the Houston community because we are proud to be a part of it. That dedication shows — our team has completed over 100,000 moves with a 95% word-of-mouth referral rate. On top of that, we were named one of the 100 fastest-growing companies in the Houston area two years in a row.