Long Distance Movers

Moving to a new home or apartment can be a stressful experience. Naturally, there’s excitement over filling out your new living space, exploring a new city in a new state, and experiencing the reality of what you imagine living there will be like. However, there’s also a big part of moving that involves stress: transplanting your life to an entirely new place, getting settled in at work, and possibly having to start a social life from scratch.

Cost & Time Examples For Interstate Moves

To/From Distamce 2BR 4BR Estimated Time

In Transit Indianapolis to Detroit 245 miles $2,128- $2,642 $4,080- $5,857 2-4 days Phoenix to LA 376 miles $2,341- $2,920 $4,538- $6,543 2-4 days Boston to Chicago 883 miles $3,048- $3,842 $6,056- $8,816 3-5 days San Diego to Seattle 1070 miles $3,272- $4,134 $6,533- $9,530 4-6 days Las Vegas to Dallas 1378 miles $3,550- $4,494 $7,117- $10,392 4-6 days Boston to Dallas 1563 miles $3,788- $4,805 $7,630- $11,164 5-7 days Denver to Miami 1725 miles $3,992- $5,070 $8,062- $11,807 5-7 days Portland to Atlanta 2174 miles $4,434- $5,646 $9,008- $13,220 6-8 days New York to LA 2474 miles $4,889- $6,243 $10,007- $14,736 7-9 days Seattle to Miami 2733 miles $5,082- $6,490 $10,392- $15,286 7-9 days

*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the contents of the home. Prices do not include packing.

Estimated Weight (based on home size):

1BR=2600 lbs - 3900 lbs

2BR=3900 lbs - 5200 lbs

3BR=6500 lbs - 9100 lbs

4BR=9100 lbs - 14300 lbs

5BR=11700 lbs - 19500 lbs

Planning is one of the most important steps in moving and it can help you significantly when it comes to minimizing the stress involved in moving. Ideally, you want to give yourself enough lead time so that, when moving day comes along, all you have to do is tie up any loose ends. This means taking care of any records, bills, or medications that need be transferred before moving day.

Working with a professional moving company can help immensely, especially when it comes to the organization and efficiency needed to make moving day go smoothly. When you hire a mover, it frees you up from the time and work involved in the physical moving of your belongings, allowing you to focus on the numerous other tasks that are required.

Some of these tasks are mentioned above: setting up utilities at your new place, transferring any bills or paperwork, and any supplies needed for pets. The same should be done with any financial records if you’ll be changing banking institutions. If you have kids and a change of schools is part of your move, the early planning stages are when you can make sure everything is in order for them back in the classroom after moving.

For more information about planning your move, visit our informational page on overseeing and coordinating your move.

DIY or PRO? What You Need To Know

There’s a certain moving distance at which everyone needs to ask themselves the inevitable question: is it better to hire a moving company or do it yourself? With long distance and cross country moving, this tends to be less of a question, but it’s still a consideration, and an important one at that. Let’s take a look at some of the Pros and Cons of each method to help you determine the best course of action.

The Do It Yourself Move

Whether you’re hiring a professional or making the move yourself, it’s important that you take inventory of everything. Having a clear idea of how much stuff you need to move will be helpful in both cases. Taking inventory also helps you get organized early and start the packing process.

Pros

It can often be a cheaper option to move on your own, rather than hiring someone, especially if you can enlist the help of some friends. With a do-it-yourself move, you get to dictate the pace and terms of the move, as well as how quickly it gets done. You can also stretch the move out and do it an your own pace, which many people find helpful. The do-it-yourself method is a good option for local moves and shorter distances.

Cons

The downside of doing a move yourself is that, as we all know, it’s a lot of work and you’ll be involved in much of it. For longer moves, it can also mean time away from work and other obligations that may be inconvenient or costly. There’s also the possibility that you might damage some of your items (or your new home) while moving them. Professionals aren’t immune from this, but they’re often better at negotiating corners, stairs, entryways and the like.

And of course, there’s always the possibility of injury when lifting heavy things—anyone who’s taken a refrigerator up a flight of stairs can attest to the difficult and potential dangers.

Hiring Professional Movers

Pros

Less Work For You: The pros of hiring professional movers are obvious: it’s a lot less work and time commitment on your part. There’s a variety of services to choose from, depending on your specific needs and what you need moved. Professional movers can often provide storage if necessary, as well as do the moving to and from the storage unit for you. Another advantage of hiring a moving company is that insurance covers any damages caused to items by the movers, which is something that’s not usually the case with the do it yourself approach.

Timing & Efficiency: Along with less work when hiring a professional moving company, you also gets the benefits of timing and efficiency that a professional provides. Not only are professional movers efficient and quick, but they also handle all the loading, driving and unloading, which saves you time. This can be especially helpful for long distance moving, as it often entails several days of driving, as well as costs for food and lodging if you do it yourself.

Cons

Cost & Pricing: The main argument against hiring movers is the cost. Depending on how much furniture is being moved, as well as how far, a full-service moving company can cost anything from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. There are many factors which affect the total cost, which is why it’s important to assess how much it would cost to do it on your own, as well as how much a professional service would cost. You might be surprised to find that, in many cases, the cost difference may be negligible when everything is considered.

Access: Once you have everything packed and the movers are on the road, you won’t be able to access anything they have in the truck until it’s dropped off. This is another reason why it’s very important to make sure you keep anything that’s essential separate from the rest of your items.

Local Moving Tips

Any time you move to new home or apartment, there’s a number of things high on the list of to-do’s. You’ll want to get familiar with the new neighborhood, consider any changes in your commute, and find your favorite local spots to eat. That said, there’s a few things you can do in preparation for moving that can help streamline the process immensely:

Give yourself time

Downsize

Make a checklist

Transfer bills & utilities

Plan your layout

Tip #1

Give yourself plenty of time. This applies whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring someone else—especially if you’re hiring someone. We all know the troubles that come along with leaving packing and moving to the last minute and it’s never a best case scenario. When hiring a moving company, you’ll need to establish pick up and delivery dates that fit with what they have available so the earlier the better!

Tip #2

Downsize and reduce. One of the first things you should do before moving is to get rid of any excess that you don’t use or won’t need. This could be anything from clutter that you’ve been meaning to get rid of for years to furniture that you plan to replace after moving. In either case, it’s helpful to rid yourself of the things that aren’t worth the hassle of moving—this is where a pre-moving garage sale can come in handy.

Tip #3

Make a moving checklist and stick to it. There are plenty of moving checklists available online, but they are often very general and may not apply perfectly to your situation. It can be helpful to look over a few examples to make sure you have everything covered and then formulate your own checklist tailored to your specific needs.

Tip #4

Bills, utilities, and medical records. Don’t forget that you’ve got things to take care of outside of physically moving your furniture. You’ll need to establish utilities at your new home, transfer any bills you have, and do the same with medical records and prescriptions. These are easy things to overlook amid the bustle of moving long distance so it’s important to make sure everything is in order before you get there.

Tip #5

Plan your layout. Any time you move, you’re dealing with a new space and different dimensions so it’s helpful to think about how you’ll set up everything. Taking measurements and planning ahead can save you a lot of trouble when your furniture arrives. The goal should always be to have everything planned and organized beforehand so that moving day is only about moving (or meeting the movers you’ve hired). If you’d like to know the approximate cost of moving, you can get a FREE price quote on this page.

Long Distance Moving Tips

While not entirely dissimilar from a local move, long distance moving does have some particular differences that you’ll want to keep in mind. Coordination and planning are even more vital for long distance or cross country moving. Here are some tips that will help to ensure your long distance move is smooth and seamless.

Tip #1

As with local moving preparation, de-cluttering is key to a successful long distance move, perhaps even moreso. The distance of the move and the weight of the items being moved have a lot to do with how much you will pay for a moving service so getting rid of anything unnecessary not only makes things cheaper, but also easier when moving day comes.

This same advice applies to international and overseas move, but even more. As mentioned above, longer distance plus more weight equals a higher cost, which adds up very quickly when moving to another country. For more information about our international moving services, readers can click here.

Tip #2

This tip applies any time you’re working with a moving company: get estimates and compare prices. You’ll notice that some options cost more than others, while some may offer more services or specialty moving options like white glove moving. It’s important to be very clear about your needs and expectations so you can get a good read on the quality of service, and determine if they’ll be able to do the job. It’s also helpful to have a list of questions to ask the movers before you get an estimate—they answer they give will tell you a lot about their experience and expertise.

Tip #3

We’ve talked about planning when it comes to moving—it’s an essential part of the process—but we haven’t addressed the best time of year to move. This decision relies on many factors and is likely different for everyone. If you have children, it’s obviously desirable to move during the summer so that they don’t have to adjust to a new school in mid-year. (Moving services do tend to cost slightly more in the summer.) The same can apply to work, family, or professional obligations you may have, all of which need to be considered when moving long distance.

Tip #4

While it may seem tedious, it’s very helpful to label where each box should go. This makes the unpacking process easier, which is a consideration you should take into account. Anyone who’s done it is aware how much work it is to move, but there’s still plenty of work to do on the other end and labeling all your boxes can speed the process along.

Tip #5

Know your rights and responsibilities. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website has information about the requirements on the part of moving companies and the protections available to consumers when moving. You can learn more about the Rights & Responsibilities documents by clicking here.

Local and Interstate Car Shipping

While many people that move choose to drive their cars to their new residence, even those that hire a moving company, there is another option. Auto transport companies can offer another way to make your move more convenient, particularly if you’re moving a long distance or have several vehicles that you also need to relocate. There is some overlap between moving companies and car shippers so there are several companies (such as ourselves) that can help with both.

Getting a cost estimate for car shipping is just as easy as getting a price quote for moving. You simply call or email with your details and, in a matter of minutes, you get an accurate estimate of the cost, timing, and other details. With just a small time investment, it’s easy to collect several estimates from competing companies (the same goes for home moving) and compare the differences in costs and services.

How Can I Be Sure A Transporter Is Legitimate?

If you’ve looked around online for even a few minutes, you’ve probably noticed that there are an overwhelming number of moving companies and car shippers to choose from. This can make it a challenge to sift through all the search results and find the legitimate companies, or those that have a good service history.

There are a few key things you can look for that will help you make this determination. The first is the company website and the services they offer. Do they go into some detail about what they do, how it works, and what you need to know? A lot can be gleaned from the work a company puts into their online presence and the information presented there.

The best place to find information about shippers online is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. The FMCSA regulates overland transport and has information about company history, operating au, safety records, current laws, and much more.

You’ll also find that there are a number of popular review sites on the web that offer input on shippers and transporters. The most common of these include Yelp!, the Better Business Bureau, and Transport Reviews, all three of which have a paid component that affects everything from rankings to which reviews are displayed most prominently. In other words, these websites should be taken with a grain of salt, as they do not always accurately reflect the reality of some companies.

Transport Tips To Keep In Mind

There’s a lot to think about when you’re shipping a vehicle and this set of tips is to help you make sense of the process and explain the benefits of each. For more information, you can visit our resource pages on auto transport services and how to prepare your vehicle.

Plan Ahead - There’s multiple benefits to planning ahead when trying to coordinate something with as many moving parts as car shipping. For one, it’s less stressful when things are taken care of, but it also allows you time to compare rates to get the best price and find the company that best matches what you need.

- There’s multiple benefits to planning ahead when trying to coordinate something with as many moving parts as car shipping. For one, it’s less stressful when things are taken care of, but it also allows you time to compare rates to get the best price and find the company that best matches what you need. Review Insurance - Auto transporters are required by law to carry insurance that covers damages they may cause during delivery. There is a minimum amount that must be legally met, but there are some companies that have coverage that extends beyond the bare minimum. Definitely something to keep in mind if you’re shipping a high-end or luxury vehicle that may have a value well over the coverage minimums.

- Auto transporters are required by law to carry insurance that covers damages they may cause during delivery. There is a minimum amount that must be legally met, but there are some companies that have coverage that extends beyond the bare minimum. Definitely something to keep in mind if you’re shipping a high-end or luxury vehicle that may have a value well over the coverage minimums. Disable Alarm System - Alarm systems should be disabled before shipping so that they don’t go off during the transport process. It’s also important because the driver may have to adjust the position of the cars on the truck in order to have them set up for the easiest method of delivery.

- Alarm systems should be disabled before shipping so that they don’t go off during the transport process. It’s also important because the driver may have to adjust the position of the cars on the truck in order to have them set up for the easiest method of delivery. Document Condition - Before your vehicle is loaded onto a transport trailer, the shipper will assess and note the its condition. This is done to document any existing damages so that it can be compared to the post-deliver inspection. If there’s any discrepancy, this documentation is used to determine whether or not the shipper is at fault for any damages. Though the shipper does do this as part of the process, we also recommend that customers shipping their cars do the same, with photographs if possible.

- Before your vehicle is loaded onto a transport trailer, the shipper will assess and note the its condition. This is done to document any existing damages so that it can be compared to the post-deliver inspection. If there’s any discrepancy, this documentation is used to determine whether or not the shipper is at fault for any damages. Though the shipper does do this as part of the process, we also recommend that customers shipping their cars do the same, with photographs if possible. Don’t Fill Up - Most auto shippers will charge you an additional fee if your vehicle has more than 1/4 tank of gas. Full gas tanks add to the shipping weight, especially when several cars are being moved at once, reducing the gas mileage and increasing the cost of the total cargo load. If you have any questions about the policies or regulations of a specific company, be sure to ask!

Vehicle Inspection

Any type of vehicle that is shipped will be inspected twice by the transport driver; once when it’s picked up and again when it’s dropped off. This two-point inspection is done to make sure the vehicle is in the same condition when it’s delivered as when it was picked up.

It is recommended that you review the vehicle inspection report on both ends of the shipment, which will be detailed in the bill of lading. The bill of lading is the primary shipping document used and it includes the details of the shipment itself, the parties involved, and the condition of the vehicle. Once you sign off on the bill of lading upon delivery, you’re agreeing that the shipment was made as promised, including the condition of the vehicle.

Who Monitors Moving Companies?

Moving companies are regulated and overseen on both a state and federal level in the United States. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is the national organization and a good resource to look to if you’re just starting the planning stage of your move. Their Protect Your Move website has particularly helpful information for prospective movers.

As far as state level regulations, not every state has an official body that oversees moving companies, but many do. In most cases, this is determined by whether a specific license is required to operate moving trucks in a given state. You can find location and contact information by state in the section below under the moving guide.

Storage Facilities

Storage is something you should always consider when moving, even if you don’t anticipate needing it. It’s always good to plan for contingencies since delays can happen when you least expect them, and when they do, it can be a real headache if you’re not ready for them on moving day.

If you know in advance that you’ll need use of a storage facility, it’s often a service that can be arranged by the moving company and bundled in with the cost of their services. If you do choose to seek out a storage unit of your own choosing, we recommend you follow these tips to get the best value and ensure that your personal items will be safely stored until your new home is ready.

Tips For Choosing A Storage Facility

Size - Choosing the right sized storage unit is important for obvious reasons, but it’s not always easy to tell how much storage space you’ll need. Most storage facilities have a chart to help you estimate how much space you’ll need based on how many rooms of furniture you have. Movers can also help you ballpark how much space you’ll need. When in doubt, err on the side of a larger unit so you have plenty of room, but keep in mind that most storage units have a considerable amount of vertical space in them. Location - Ideally, your storage facility should be near to where you’re moving, but this isn’t always a possibility. If you can’t find an option near your home, find one that is at least nearby, easy to access (consider traffic here), and is in a safe area. Hours of Access - The hours of access provided by the storage facility should be kept in mind too. If you’ll be gradually moving things over a few days or a week, remember that you might have to make a late night or early morning trip to get something you’ve forgotten. Even if you’re moving everything out of the storage unit in one day, keep their access hours in mind since moving can often take longer than anticipated. Ease of Use - Something that goes right along with access is how easy it is to use the storage facility. Things like a large freight elevator, several hand trucks or six wheelers, and any other equipment you may need should be provided. Similarly, you should be able to easily find parking near your storage unit with ample space to maneuver the moving truck. Security - Often an overlooked aspect of renting a storage unit, site security is among the most important things you should look for. Storage facilities can have any number of security measures in place, from simple cameras and pin code access to key cards and private patrol. Make sure whichever facility you choose has the security to match your expectations and keep your items safe!

Moving For Work

Moving for work is often time sensitive, which can make it even more stressful than moving for personal reasons. Whether you’re moving because of a promotion, job relocation, or just need a life change, you’ll want to get settled and into the flow of your daily life as soon as possible

it can be hassle, you may have to relocate across the country & time is often a factor. You’ll want to get settled and used to the new flow of things as quickly as possible, especially since everything from where you get your morning coffee to the route you take to the office will be different.

Hiring a professional mover is a great way to expedite the process and get situated as soon as possible. What’s even better is that it saves you the time and work of having to move everything yourself, not to mention the hours of driving.

How A Moving Company Handles Work Relocation

Timing is important when you’re moving for work and a good moving company can help you expedite the process. They understand that a work-related relocation is time-sensitive and do everything in their power to get you there on time, whether you’re moving across the country or overseas.

Many moving companies worth with businesses to provide corporate relocation services to help ensure their top workers get where they need to be as quickly and efficiently as possible. Generally, this arrangement is a contractual partnership between businesses and specific moving companies, though you may have more flexibility if your company has any type of relocation assistance or support staff to help with your move.

If you need to seek out a moving company on your own, it’s a simple matter of getting estimates from a couple different options and comparing them. Prices will most likely vary slightly, as will the type and level of service offered by each company so make sure to ask questions about the specific things you’ll need! Every moving company in the industry should be more than happy to provide you with a free cost estimate based on your moving needs.

Office Moving & Relocation Tips

Work or office related relocation requires more legwork than moving to a new home. For one, you have other employees to think about in addition to the equipment, files, furniture, and computers that need to moved. The eight tips below will help ensure that your office, and any related staff, enjoy an easy and efficient move.

Notify employees as soon as possible. They’ll need time to make their own adjustments, especially if physically relocating is part of the change. Determine a time frame with specific dates of when things will be changing. This will help employees know what to expect and keep the moving plans on task. Your customers will also need to know about any changes in location. If you have a brick and mortar store, this is a vital step that should also be incorporated into advertising and marketing efforts. Inventory and catalogue everything you’ll be moving. From files to office equipment, electronics, and power strips, having a checklist of everything you’re moving will help keep things organized. Consider upgrading any outdated or broken equipment. Moving your office is a great time upgrade old chairs, broken keyboards, that old printer, or anything else that’s due for replacement. Have a plan for your new office space. Even if it’s similar in size or dimensions, having a floor plan for how to arrange everything will help immensely. Don’t forget to take precise measurements! Update your business information everywhere! This includes online and things like a Facebook page or anywhere else your business name, address, and phone number may appear. Alert all vendors, manufacturers, or anyone else you take deliveries from that you’ll have a new address and contact information. Get cost estimates from professional movers and consider your options. You’ll have a variety of prices and services to choose from and getting several quotes is a great way to leverage your choices to find the best on for you. Make sure you give yourself (and the movers) plenty of advance notice! Last minute and express moving are available from most companies, but they’re services that come at a premium. Verify everything, especially dates and times, with the moving company. The last thing you want to deal with as uncoordinated effort on moving day after getting everything packed up and ready to go. On the same note, be sure to alert the movers to any changes in your plan or moving timeline.

Military Relocation

Military relocation tends to have a more urgent timeframe to it than civilian moves, which makes coordinating things all the more important. Regardless of which branch of the military you’re in, you likely have some sort of financial relief available when you get a PCS order. For this to be the case, however, the moving company must be approved by the Government Service Administration (GSA), which not every company is.

As anyone in the military knows, moving involves a lot more than just packing up your stuff and hiring a company to deliver it for you. There are numerous channels that you’ll need to go through in order to make sure everything is properly arranged, but these are also designed to help you through the process. Make sure you reach out to the appropriate parties if you have any questions or concerns, whether that’s the transportation office, family services, or finance office.

Our military moving services focus on efficiency and quality of service in order to get you where you’re going on time—something which also applies to overseas or OCONUS moves. Obviously there is more of a process involved with moving outside the continental U.S., which makes it all the more important to find a company with experience, not just with overseas moving, but specifically relocating military and government employees there.

Many of our military clients also need a car or privately owned vehicle (POV) shipped when they relocate, which makes bundling the services together both more efficient and cheaper. The problem is that not every relocation specialist, even those with an expertise in moving members of the armed forces, are able to ship vehicles. If you need both services, it can be very helpful to find one company that can handle everything.

College Moving Services

For both students and parents, moving away to college is an exciting time in life, but one that also brings stresses with it. Taking the first steps into higher education as you forge your own path into adulthood is a remarkable time in any students life, just as it is for parents to see their children grow into successful adults.

Hiring a professional moving company can help alleviate much of the stress involved with packing and moving. Depending on how far away the college is, it can be very helpful in making the move easier. In this section, we’ll go over a few of the reasons why and offer some advice and how to approach hiring a moving truck, professional movers, or an auto shipper.

Moving Truck Rental

Renting a moving truck is a cost effective option, especially for moving to a local college or one that’s nearby in-state. The more distance involved in the move, the more expensive it will be to rent a truck and do it yourself. What this means is that for long distance college moves (500 miles or more), the cost between hiring a mover and doing it yourself become much more similar. Consider your costs before making a decision!

Professional Movers

Hiring professional movers to do the work for you has some obvious advantages, especially if there are stairs involved. Not only does it take the work and worry out of the equation, but you can have everything delivered when you arrive. Even if all your belongings arrive before you’re ready to move in, almost every moving company either offers or can coordinate short-term storage to make sure the timing works out.

Auto Transport

If you also need a car transported in addition to moving services, it’s often easiest and most affordable to find a company that can do both. (Be sure to ask if any student discounts are available, especially if you’re looking for moving and car shipping services.) If the college is a long distance away, shipping a car can be a good way to make sure no miles or wear and tear are put on it before your student will need to use it.

Moving To A Vacation Home

Moving to a vacation home has some quirks to it that make it a little different from standard moving. Finding a local moving company, or at least one that operates in the area on a consistent basis, is always helpful, but it may be necessary with a vacation home. This is especially true if it’s in a tropical location or somewhere that’s otherwise not easy to get to or highly trafficked by moving companies. These five tips will help make things run smoothly as you prepare to move into your vacation home.

Consider new furnishings. What may be suitable for a vacation home may not be ideal for a permanent residence. You’ll likely want to make a few changes to make long term living more comfortable homey, especially things like furniture, appliances, and decor. Think about the day to day in your new locale. Things will be different and you’ll want to have the basics nailed down quickly. Early on, you should try finding things like grocery stores, restaurants, retail stores, and doctors offices will make the transition easier. You may have some familiarity due to vacationing in the area, but living your day to day life there is always a little different. If you’re moving to a tourist hot spot, there are times of year it will be crowded and that may be what you were hoping to get away from by making your vacation home your permanent residence. Most vacation spots have more or less popular times of year, but there are definitely some that get a steady flow of visitors year round. Vacation homes often lack a personal touch since they’re rentals and need to appeal to a broad audience. Things are different when it’s your primary home and you’ll want to make it feel like your own by adding personal touches that normally aren’t a part of vacation home decor such as family pictures and wall hangings that are more representative of a home you live in permanently. Find a moving company that knows and works in the area. Many movers may be willing to move you to your vacation home, but ideally you want one that operates in that area regularly and knows the lay of the land.

Moving With Pets

One of the most important things to keep in mind when moving with pets is that it’s important to keep them comfortable throughout the process. Animals feel the stresses of moving just like we do and it’s much easier when they’re able to have the same routine and kept happy throughout. Using these tips, you’ll be able to help pets cope with moving and get them more quickly acclimated to their new surroundings.

Keep your pets comfortable with toys, treats and whatever makes them happy, especially on moving day. Moving is stressful for pets too and things that they like and are familiar with will help them cope during travel and the initial adjustment period. Gather any records, medications, or prescriptions you need from the veterinarian before moving day. If you have a pet that needs regular care or medical attention, make sure you have a new vet lined up and have all the appropriate information transferred. It can be helpful to keep pets away from the hustle and bustle of packing while preparing to move. Many animals can get uncomfortable when their surroundings are drastically altered and keeping the separate from the action can help keep stress levels down. Make sure that your pets have all the appropriate identification, whether that be a collar with information or an ID tag. Whatever method you use, make sure your contact info is updated before your move. If you’ll be driving to your new home and the trip will involve lodging along the way, make sure to plan for your pets. Not all hotels allow pets and finding one at the last minute isn’t what you want to be doing after a long day of driving. There are several websites like this one that can help you find accommodations that allow pets. If you need to crate your pet before moving, take some time to get them used to being crated for longer periods of time. You can use toys and treats to entice them to get more comfortable with the crate before you’re on the road. Plan some stops along the way, especially for longer trips. Just like us, your pets will need periodic breaks from being cooped up, as well as food and bathroom stops. Knowing where the rest stops are along your route is much easier than figuring it out on the fly. Keep your pets on a “short leash” after moving into the new home. That’s meant figuratively of course, but it is important to slowly get your pets used to the new surroundings before letting them roam freely outside. Give them time to get to know their new home before they go adventuring outdoors or off leash.

Preparing Your Home For A Move

These are some “big picture” tips to help you prepare your home for moving. All of them fall along the lines of reducing clutter and unnecessary items, while also taking the time to organize, plan, and collect some price quotes from moving companies.

Make A Moving Timeline & Stick To The Schedule

Having a good game plan is key to any big move and that means you should allow yourself plenty of time to not just plan what needs to get done, but also to accomplish it. One thing that can help immensely with this aspect of moving is using a moving checklist. By compartmentalizing and organizing all the steps, you’ll have a much easier time keeping everything on schedule.

Make An Essentials Kit

Try to keep anything you’ll need on a regular or daily basis handy while you move. Having a kit of your daily essentials makes one less thing you have to worry about. Things like medications, bathroom items, or anything else you will need to access regularly should be easily accessible so that you don’t have to rifle through boxes to find toothpaste or a change of clothes.

Eat or Donate Your Food

Naturally you’ll have to clear out your fridge if you’re moving, either because its coming with you, or because moving a load of perishable food doesn’t work out real well. If possible, try to plan meals around what you have to reduce the amount of packing you’ll need to do when you clean out the pantry and refrigerator.

Take Inventory

Before you start packing, it’s a good idea to take inventory of what you have and even more importantly, what you’re keeping. Getting rid of a few items is a normal part of moving, but make sure you also have a thorough list of what’s coming with you and where things will go once they’re moved.

Get A Moving Estimate

Getting estimates from moving companies should be the next step after taking inventory. At this point, you should have a good idea of how much furniture and belongings you’ll need moved, which will allow you to get the most accurate price quote. Any estimate you receive should be free of charge and require no obligation on your part. It’s advisable to seek out a few competing estimates in order to determine the best or most affordable option for your moving needs.

Cross Country Moving Services

State Organizations

Alabama

Organization to Contact:

Public Service Commission, Transportation Division

100 N Union St, RSA Union, Montgomery, AL 36104

(334) 242-5980

Website: http://www.psc.alabama.gov/

Arizona

Organization to Contact:

Arizona Department of Weights and Measures

4425 W Olive Ave, Glendale, AZ 85302

(800) 277-6675

Website: http://www.azdwm.gov/

Arkansas

Organization to Contact:

Arkansas State Highway & Transportation Department

10324 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Arkansas 72209

(501) 569-2000

Website: https://www.arkansashighways.com

California

Organization to Contact:

California Public Utilities Commission

SSRS Unit 505, Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102-3298

(800) 848-5580

Website: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc/

Colorado

Organization to Contact:

Public Utilities Commission

1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202

(303) 894-2000

Website: http://colorado.gov

Connecticut

Organization to Contact:

Department of Transportation, Bureau of Public Transportation

2800 Berlin Turnpike, Newington, CT 06111

(860)-594-2000

Website: http://ct.gov/dot

Florida

Organization to Contact:

The Division of Consumer Services, Bureau of Compliance

Terry Rhodes Building, 2005 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32399-6500

(800) 435-7352

Website: http://www.800helpfla.com

Georgia

Organization to Contact:

Department of Public Safety

959 East Confederate Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30316

(404) 624-7243

Website: http://www.dps.georgia.gov

Hawaii

Organization to Contact:

Public Utilities Commission

465 South King Street, #103, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

(808) 586-2020

Website: http://www.puc.hawaii.gov

Idaho

Organization to Contact:

Idaho Transportation Department

3311 W. State Street P.O. Box 7129, Boise, Idaho 83707-1129

(208) 334-8000

Website: http://www.itd.idaho.gov

Illinois

Organization to Contact:

Illinois Commerce Commission

527 East Capitol Avenue, Springfield, IL 62701

(800)524-0795

Website: http://www.icc.illinois.gov/

Indiana

Organization to Contact:

Indiana Department of Transportation

5252 Decatur Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46241

(317) 615-7350

Website: http://www.in.gov/indot/index.htm

Iowa

Organization to Contact:

Iowa Department of Transportation

PO Box 10382, Des Moines, IA 50306-0382

(515) 237-3264

Website: http://www.iowa.gov

Kansas

Organization to Contact:

Kansas Corporation Commission, Transportation Division

1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604-4027

(785) 271-3145

Website: http://www.kcc.state.ks.us

Kentucky

Organization to Contact:

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Motor Carriers

200 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40622

(502) 564-1257

Website: http://www.transportation.ky.gov

Louisiana

Organization to Contact:

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

1201 Capitol Access Road, Baton Rouge, LA, 70802

(225) 379-1232

Website: http://wwwsp.dotd.la.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Massachusetts

Organization to Contact:

Massachusetts Department Of Public Utilities, Transportation Oversight Division

1 South Station, Boston, MA 02110

(617) 305-3559

Website: http://www.mass.gov/dpu/transportation

Michigan

Organization to Contact:

Michigan Public Service Commission, Motor Carrier Division

6545 Mercantile Way, Suite 1, Lansing, MI 48911

(517) 241-9770

Website: http://www.michigan.gov/mpsc

Minnesota

Organization to Contact:

Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations

395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul, MN 55155-1899

(800) 657-3774

Website: http://www.dot.state.mn.us

Mississippi

Organization to Contact:

Mississippi Department of Transportation

401 North West Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39201

(601) 359-7001

Website: http://mdot.ms.gov/portal/home.aspx

Missouri

Organization to Contact:

Missouri Department of Transportation (MO DOT)

105 W. Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, MO 65102

(866) 275-6636

Website: http://www.modot.org

Montana

Organization to Contact:

Montana Department of Transportation (MDT)

PO Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620-1001

(406) 444-6200

Website: http://www.mdt.mt.gov

Nebraska

Organization to Contact:

Nebraska Public Service Commission

1200 N Street, Suite 300, Lincoln, NE 68508

(800) 526-0017

Website: http://www.psc.nebraska.gov

Nevada

Organization to Contact:

Nevada Transportation Authority

2290 South Jones Blvd, Suite 110, Las Vegas, NV 89146

(702) 486-3303

Website: http://www.nta.nv.gov

New Hampshire

Organization to Contact:

New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT)

7 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH

(603) 271-3734

Website: http://www.nh.gov/dot/

New Jersey

Organization to Contact:

Department of Law and Public Safety, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs

124 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey 07101

(973) 504-6512

Website: http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov

New Mexico

Organization to Contact:

Public Regulation Commission

1120 Paseo De Peralta, PERA Building, P.O. Box 1269, Santa Fe, NM 87504

(888) 427-5772

Website: http://www.nmprc.state.nm.us

New York

Organization to Contact:

New York State Department of Transportation

50 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12232

(518) 457-6195

Website: https://www.dot.ny.gov

North Carolina

Organization to Contact:

North Carolina Utilities Commission, Transportation Division

430 N. Salisbury Street, Room 1130, Raleigh, NC 27603-5919

(919) 733-7766

Website: http://www.ncuc.commerce.state.nc.us

North Dakota

Organization to Contact:

North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT)

608 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505-0700

(701) 328-2500

Website: http://www.dot.nd.gov

Oklahoma

Organization to Contact:

Oklahoma Corporation Commission

2101 North Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105

405) 521-2211

Website: http://www.occeweb.com

Oregon

Organization to Contact:

Oregon Department of Transportation, Motor Carrier Transportation Division

3930 Fairview Industrial Dr SE, Salem, OR 97302

503) 378-5985

Website: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/MCT/Pages/index.aspx

Pennsylvania

Organization to Contact:

Public Utility Commission

400 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0211

(800) 692-7380

Website: http://www.puc.state.pa.us

Rhode Island

Organization to Contact:

Public Utilities Commission

89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI 02888

(401) 780-2158

Website: http://www.ripuc.org

South Carolina

Organization to Contact:

The South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff

1401 Main Street, Suite 900, Columbia, S.C. 29201

(803) 737-0800

Website: http://www.regulatorystaff.sc.gov

Texas

Organization to Contact:

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

4000 Jackson Ave., Austin, TX 78731

(888) 368-4689

Website: http://www.txdmv.gov

Virginia

Organization to Contact:

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

2300 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23269

(804) 497-7100

Website: http://www.dmv.virginia.gov

Washington

Organization to Contact:

Utilities and Transportation Commission

1300 S. Evergreen Park Dr. SW, Olympia, WA 98504

(360) 664-1160

Website: http://www.utc.wa.gov

West Virginia

Organization to Contact:

Public Service Commission

201 Brooks Street, Charleston, WV 25301

(800) 642-8544

Website: http://www.psc.state.wv.us

Wisconsin

Organization to Contact:

Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)

4802 Sheboygan Avenue, Madison, WI 53705

(608) 250-4606

Website: http://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/home.aspx

Wyoming

Organization to Contact:

Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDT)

5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009

(307) 777-4375

Website: http://www.dot.state.wy.us/cms/sites/wydot/home.html

For Nationwide Moves

Organization to Contact:

United States Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, Washington DC 20590

(855) 368-4200

Website: http://fmcsa.dot.gov

For International Moves

Organization to Contact:

Federal Maritime Commission

800 North Capitol Street, N.W, Washington, D.C. 20573

(202) 523-5807

Website: http://www.fmc.gov

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