A guide to moving cross-country

The prospect of moving across the county can be daunting. But with the right plan and know-how, you can ensure a smooth transition with minimal hiccups. Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to move to your new home, along with some best practices. 

Before relocating across the country

Leaving your home behind is a major change. Before you commit, visit your move destination to see if it fits your lifestyle, goals, and interests. For example, walk around the neighborhood, meet your neighbors, and check out the local schools, parks, stores, and other amenities. If you’re moving for work, you may want to look at areas that are close to the offices to cut down on commute time, or you may want to seek out areas with public transportation that can get you to work quickly.

If you need to sell your home to move, working with a real estate agent may be helpful. Real estate agents are experts in the areas where they help clients buy and sell homes. They may also be able to suggest neighborhoods close to activities you enjoy. They can help you buy and sell a home at the same time to help smooth the transition. 

Steps for moving across the country

Here’s how to successfully move cross-country in nine steps:

Step 1: Budget for the move

Moving costs money. According to HomeAdvisor, cross-country moves typically cost between $2,391 and $6,868, with a national average of $4,572. However, the cost can reach $10,000 or more, depending on the load size and moving distance.

Create a detailed moving budget to avoid hidden fees

A comprehensive moving budget is your roadmap to an affordable cross-country relocation. If you make note of all your likely expenses, you’ll have a better sense of what you will spend on moving and avoid surprises. You may want to give yourself some wiggle room in your budget to account for delays or extra costs that can happen while moving.

Start by listing all anticipated expenses, including:

• Travel fees (e.g., fuel, lodging, and meals)
• Packing and unpacking services
• Storage
• Moving supplies and add-ons
• Moving specialty items
• Liability and valuation coverage
• Tipping movers
• Truck rental fees 

By adding up all your moving costs, you can start preparing financially.

Step 2: Declutter before your move

After living in the same place for a while, you may have accumulated some clutter. If you’re not using many of the items you’ve stored in your house, it’s probably a good time to declutter. This can help you save money and time by reducing the amount of stuff you need to pack, move, and unpack. 

Here are some questions to ask when determining whether to keep an item:

• Have you used it in the last six months? 
• Do you have enough space for it in your new home? 
• Do you think it’s in good condition? 
• Would it be easier to replace once you’ve moved? 

Consider selling or donating any items you no longer need or love. Many charitable groups need gently used items. You may also be able to sell unwanted items that are in good condition. Things that are no longer safe, useful, or broken should be thrown away.

Step 3: Decide how to move your things across the country

Once you have a moving budget, you can make an informed decision on how to move your belongings across the country. Here are some options:

Haul your items yourself

Renting a truck and moving your belongings yourself is typically the cheapest option, though it requires more time and physical effort. If you choose this route, consider enlisting the help of family and friends to lighten the load.

Ship your items

If you don’t have much to move, shipping small loads through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), FedEx, or UPS could be a convenient and cost-effective option. Calculate the total shipping costs with several different shipping companies to ensure you’re getting the best price and that they fit within your budget. 

Full-service moving company

Of course, you can always hire a full-service moving company to move your stuff for you. This is the most convenient option, but it comes at a significant cost. According to Forbes, you could pay as much as $15,000 or more for long-distance moves.

Hybrid options

You can opt for a hybrid approach where you split the time and effort between several moving methods. For example, you could handle packing your things into boxes yourself and hire a moving company to transport them. Or you could ship some items and haul others yourself. 

If you are moving a shorter distance, you could choose to have a moving company handle the larger items while you pack and move smaller items like clothes and housewares yourself.

Step 4: Plan your cross-country travel

Now it’s time to plan your move. Consider your belongings, timeline, budget, and logistics as you create a detailed strategy for getting you and your stuff from point A to point B. 

For example, if you have a lot to move, are on a tight budget, or have time to spare, consider renting and driving a moving truck. Alternatively, if you’re short on time, have fewer items, or are moving alone and can spend more, consider flying and hiring someone to transport your stuff.

If you’re part of the 66% of households who own a pet, you’ll also have to plan for your furry friend to move with you. If your pet is small, it may be able to travel with you by plane or car. If airline regulations prohibit your pet from flying with you or it’s not convenient for your pet to travel with you by car, there are dedicated pet moving specialists that can help. Consider working with a dedicated pet moving service like Pet Van Lines or Transcon Pet Movers to ensure your animals arrive safely. 

Step 5: Create a packing plan

Packing up everything in your house can be overwhelming. Break the process down into a moving checklist to make things more manageable.

Pack early

One simple way to reduce the stress of moving is to get a head start. As soon as you know you’re going to move, start packing items you know you won’t need until after you’re in your new home. The more you can pack in advance, the less you’ll have to pack at the last minute.

Itemize and label boxes

Clearly label boxes by their contents or what room they go in to streamline the unpacking process later. This can save you a lot of unnecessary headaches. If you have any fragile or high-priority items, label them accordingly to ensure they’re handled with extra care.

Downsize and declutter your home

Remember that moving is an opportunity to simplify and let go of unnecessary items. As you pack up your house, consider donating or selling unwanted or unneeded items to make the move lighter and more manageable. 

Find boxes and supplies

Don’t overspend on packing materials you’ll likely only use once. Moving boxes, tape, labels, and bubble wrap can often be found at a low cost through local businesses, friends, or online platforms like NextDoor and Facebook Marketplace. 

Step 6: Set up mail forwarding and contact all utilities and services

Submit a change-of-address form with the USPS (United States Postal Service) about a month before moving to ensure any mail to your old home is forwarded to your new one. You may also want to inform utility providers, schools, insurance companies, and other service providers about your move.

Step 7: Pack your travel bag last

Your travel bag should include daily essentials, such as your wallet, keys, toiletries, clothes, medications, important documents, and electronics. Pack them last so you won’t miss them before moving and so you have someplace to pack last-minute items you forgot to pack earlier.

Step 8: Clean out the place

Do a deep clean before moving out to leave the home in good condition for the next resident. Among other things, this includes sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, removing nails from walls, and emptying the fridge. Consider hiring a cleaning service if your budget allows and you don't have time to clean yourself. 

Step 9: Hand over the keys and hit the road

Before leaving, do a final walkthrough of your empty home with the landlord or new owner. Once everything checks out, hand over the keys and request a written confirmation that the property was left in good condition and the key exchange took place on the agreed date. This helps protect you from potential disputes later. 

The best tips for moving across the country

In addition to the steps above, follow these best practices to help ensure a smooth move:

• Move during the off-season. Relocating between October and April (typically the slower months for moving) can mean lower costs, lighter traffic, and easier scheduling since movers often have more availability.
• Check your employer’s relocation policy. If you’re relocating for a job, your employer may offer a relocation package that covers some or all of your moving costs. 
• Get multiple moving quotes. Compare estimates from at least three moving companies to find the best balance of price, service, and reliability. 
• Keep personal documents with you. Important documents like your passport, medical records, and financial paperwork should travel with you in case you need them.
• Communicate often with your movers. Stay in touch before and during the move to confirm schedules, clarify what needs to be moved where, and quickly resolve any unexpected issues.

How much does it typically cost to move across the country?

The average cost to move across the country is around $2,500 to $7,000. However, moving expenses vary by location, distance, time of year, the amount and size of your belongings, the moving company, and more.  

The bottom line

Moving across the country is a big undertaking, but with careful planning and the right strategy, you can make the process smoother, less stressful, and more affordable. From budgeting and decluttering to packing and planning your travel, you can set yourself up for a successful move. 

Ready to take the next step on your relocation journey? Start your application today through Rocket Mortgage^® to move with confidence.