Moving Across Country Advice

Today’s Flashback Friday takes a look at some of our best advice about moving across country. From getting quotes to packing and loading, Brittney covers it all!

Moving Across Country - Advice from the Experts

A wise man once said, “Many receive advice, only the wise profit from it.”  Well, if you’re moving across country, advice about the process can definitely impact your moving experience. I have compiled some the best advice for moving across country. Let’s look at the things you need – from investigating moving companies to packing and beyond.

The Process of Moving Across the Country

First, investigate various moving companies.

It probably comes as no surprise that moving companies are not all created equal. Your first step in the process of moving across the country should be to check moving company reviews online at sites like movingscam.com, epinions.com, kudzu.com, etc. If you participate in social media, it’s also a good idea to ask friends and family. The last thing you want to do is hand your belongings over to a company that practices bad business. Make sure to choose a reputable company that specializes in cross country moving. A little extra homework goes a long way!

Let me start with our best advice for moving across country:  Go U-Pack!  It’s the self-move service that makes moving easy and affordable! U-Pack delivers a moving trailer or ReloCube(s) right to your door. You load. U-Pack drives it to your new home. You unload.

Start by getting cross country moving quotes.

These days, getting moving quotes is pretty easy, it’s figuring out what they include that can be difficult. In addition to the price, make sure you’re comfortable with each company’s answers to these questions:

• What does the quote include?
• Is there a deposit or down-payment?
• When/how do I pay?
• Who does the driving?
• How long do I have to load and unload?
• What happens if I need more space/weight? What happens if I can fit into less?
• Is there anything that could cause my price to increase?
• Is my moving day guaranteed?
• Is my stuff the only thing in the moving truck? Will it be unloaded or transferred?
• How long will it take to get to my new home? Is that guaranteed? Is there a way to guarantee it?
• Can my shipment be tracked in transit?

Check the bottom of this post for U-Pack’s answers to these important questions.

Money saving tip: Make sure you book your move in advance. You’ll typically find that when you book your move ahead of time, you’ll get the best deals available. Ask about peak and off-peak moving days, and avoid peak days if you can.

Then, get prepared. Preparation is a key to moving across country successfully. And U-Pack’s moving checklist is a great tool for getting (and staying) prepared. Print it and keep it with you throughout the entire process.

Next, make sure you pack the right way.  Next to choosing U-Pack to move you, our best cross-country moving advice is to pack your belongings efficiently and correctly. Follow U-Pack’s packing tips to make that happen.

Then, load the right way. Like packing, it’s also important to load your belongings efficiently. Use ropes, straps or tie-downs to secure items and prevent shifting during the move. Taking these extra precautions goes a long way in avoiding damage. Check out U-Pack’s loading tips for more information.

Lastly, research your new community.  Since you are moving across country, you might not know much about your new hometown. Get to know your new town before your move by checking out the city’s website, the visitor’s center or the local Chamber of Commerce. If you participate in social media, you might take a moment to mention your move – you never know if someone you are “friends” with is familiar with the area and can offer tips. If you arrive before your shipment arrives, take some time to drive around and find the hospital, some restaurants, and even some fun stuff to break up the stress of moving!

Moving Across Country with U-Pack

Like I mentioned before, U-Pack offers easy moves at reasonable prices. The price for moving across country varies based on several factors, so it is important to get a moving quote. As you compare moving companies, take a look at how U-Pack answers the important questions.

• What does the quote include? You load and unload, U-Pack does the driving. There are no additional charges for fuel, taxes, highway tolls or the driver.
• Is there a deposit or down-payment? No. You’ll never pay a down-payment or deposit.
• When/how do I pay? Use a credit card or debit card for reservation and pay with the card in transit or pay at delivery by cashier’s check or money order. If you use your card for “reservation only” no charges are placed on the card unless you cancel the move within one week of the move date. See U-Pack’s cancellation policy.
• Who does the driving? We do! Almost all U-Pack shipments are transported by professional ABF Freight System, Inc. drivers.
• How long do I have to load and unload? In most locations you have up to three business days to load and up to three business days to unload. Some locations with limited parking (Boston, New York City, Chicago, etc.) may have restrictions – ask your U-Pack representative about parking in your area.
• What happens if I need more space/weight? What happens if I can fit into less? All trailer move quotes come with a per-foot adjustment rate that can be added or subtracted if you need more or less space in the moving trailer or ReloCube (subject to a 5 ft. minimum). You only pay for the number of ReloCubes you use. So, if you reserve three, and load into two, you pay only for two. If you think there’s a possibility you could fit into less, ask for pricing ahead of time so you’ll know what to expect.
• Is there anything that could cause my price to increase? Using more/less space in the moving trailer, or using more/less ReloCubes. You’ll know your price while you’re loading!
• Is my moving day guaranteed? Yes! Once your reservation is complete, the equipment is guaranteed for the move day you select.  
• Is my stuff the only thing in the moving truck? Will it be unloaded or transferred? If you move in a ReloCube, your belongings are the only items in the Cube. You lock it, and keep the key. If you’re moving in a trailer, it is delivered to you empty. Once you finish loading, you’ll install a bulkhead wall at the end of your shipment. If there is remaining trailer space, we’ll fill it with palletized, crated or boxed commercial goods that are moving in the same direction. Your goods are never unloaded or transferred in transit.
• How long will it take to get to my new home? Is that guaranteed? Is there a way to guarantee it? U-Pack transit times are estimated, however average transit time is 2-5 working days. If you need it faster, or wish to guarantee a specific day for your shipment to arrive, select U-Pack Guaranteed.
• Can my shipment be tracked in transit? Yes! You can track your shipment online or by phone, 24/7 – 800-367-2237.  

I hope you find this advice for moving across country helpful. If you have more questions, want a free moving quote, or would like to discuss your move in person, call 800-413-4799, or leave a comment below.