The Start-to-Finish Guide for an Interstate Move

The Start-to-Finish Guide for an Interstate Move
Josh Martin
University of Queensland
Abstract
Moving is one of the most difficult things you'll ever do. Most people feel the stress from the
moment the decision is made, the first box is packed and the movers are hired. Find out how
to cope with the stress of moving using these tips and suggestions for you and the entire
family.
I. Introduction
Moving out of state is a delicate matter that requires exceptional levels of preparation and
planning. You definitely don’t want to greet Moving day without a clear plan of action. Why?
Without proper planning, moving to a new home can be an overwhelming process. From our
useful moving tips to our tried-and-true moving advice, we have the expertise and tools to
ensure that you have a smooth move from beginning to end. Below, we’ve included a list of
additional tips for moving that are sure to help with your specific moving needs. Best of luck
and happy moving!
II.
Moving to a New Place - things you need to know
The good news? Moving to another state can be quite an exciting adventure for you.
The bad news? Interstate moving is not going to be a walk in the park.
So, when getting ready to move out of state, you must keep in mind these 5 things in order
to make your interstate move easier, safer, and of course – cheaper.
#1. INTERstate moving and INTRAstate moving are two different things
The words interstate and intrastate sound very similar. As a result, people generally seem to
confuse the two terms, sometimes mistakenly assuming that they mean one and the same
thing. If you happen to be moving house soon, then you need to know the difference between
interstate moving and intrastate moving.
Interstate moving means that your household goods will be moved across state lines until the
destination is reached. Simply put, an interstate move starts in one state and ends in another
state, OR it starts and ends in the same state but travels through another state or outside the
country.
Interstate moves are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
– an agency in the Department of Transportation. Moving interstate usually costs more than

moving intrastate because of the longer distance (generally speaking) and the way the moving
cost is calculated – see below.
Intrastate moving means that your possessions will be moved within the boundaries of a
single state – that is, without crossing the border of another state.
Intrastate moves are considered local moves (although some moving companies may charge
you a long distance fee depending on the exact move distance) and are calculated on an
hourly basis – see below. It’s important to remember that intrastate movers are NOT
regulated by the FMCSA.
#2. Hiring interstate moving services is the right way to move across the states
Hire one of the best interstate moving companies to guarantee yourself a problem-free long
distance move. In case you haven’t already figured it out for yourself, moving hundreds or
thousands of miles across the country is NOT the best time to prove to yourself or to your
pals that you can still organize and pull off a self-move despite the obvious risks.
No matter how you look at it, interstate moving is simply not suited for brave DIY relocation
attempts for several good reasons: the greater the move distance between the two homes,
the bigger the self-move expenses will be: the price of the rented moving van will be
significantly higher and the cost of fuel can easily become astronomical. Don’t forget to factor
in the expenses for insurance, moving equipment, packing supplies, road tolls, parking, food
and lodgings on the road. Possible costs connected with property damage and personal
injuries are never out of the question either.
Read interstate moving companies reviews to get a better idea of which long distance movers
are more trustworthy – that is, have the highest online reputation and highest overall ratings
provided by their customers.
#3. Interstate moving costs are NOT calculated on an hourly basis
One important thing you must know when moving to another state is that your interstate
moving company will NOT charge you by the hour the way an intrastate moving company
would. [How much do local movers cost?]

Instead, your long distance mover will calculate the price based on a number of important
factors: total shipment weight, move distance, and extra services.
The total shipment weight will have a strong influence over the final bill – the more
items you choose to move, the more money you will pay due to the higher weight,
and vice versa. In reality, the cheapest way to move interstate is to take only the most
essential things with you after you’ve purged your home of anything you don’t plan to
use anymore.
The distance between the two homes plays a crucial role in the calculation of the
interstate moving cost. The move distance remains constant, so there’s nothing you
can do to turn that price-forming factor into your ally.
The additional services when moving across the country will have a huge impact on
the final moving cost. Do you wish to have your items packed professionally? Will your
furniture pieces need to be disassembled and then re-assembled at delivery? Each
added service will cost you extra.
#4. Interstate moving requires meticulous planning and impeccable organization
Moving interstate is all about how well you prepare for the interstate move. Planning a long
distance move is not easy at all because you’ll have hundreds of pre-move tasks to complete.
Luckily, of all things to do before moving out of state, there are 3 major tasks that you must
take care of in order to guarantee the success of your interstate relocation:
Find good interstate movers. As already mentioned above, you are strongly advised
against organizing a self-move when moving across the states. Do yourself a favor:
find a reputable and affordable interstate moving company to take care of your
belongings for you. Start the hunt by requesting interstate moving quotes from several
long-distance movers.
Follow a good moving checklist. It’s crucial that you organize your out-of-state move
in such a way as to save as much time as possible. Follow a moving calendar to increase
the efficiency of your preparation period. Our one-of-a-kind interactive moving
checklist will help you get ready as early as two months prior to Moving day.
Declutter your home and pack your items. Remember how moving more household
items to the new home will increase drastically the final price? First, purge your home
of any unnecessary items to save on transportation costs, and then pack whatever
items you can by yourself to save on extra services when moving from one state to
another.
#5. Interstate moving can and should be made more affordable
It’s important to know in advance that interstate moving is expensive. AMSA – the American
Moving and Storage Association – claims that the average cost of an interstate move is
roughly $4,300 for a move distance of 1,225 miles and shipment weight of 7,400 pounds.
Of course, your cross-country move may be much smaller than that, but you can still
understand the significance and urgency to save as much money as possible during your own
interstate move.
When moving to another state, the 3 best ways to save money are:

Find an affordable cross-country mover. As already discussed above, interstate
moving comes down to entrusting your valuable possessions to one of the best
interstate moving companies. And when you do get at least 3 (preferably 5) interstate
moving quotes, you’ll be able to compare those price estimates and choose the best
on in terms of price, services, and conditions.
Declutter your home to save BIG. It’s really simple: don’t take any belongings you don’t
intend to use in the future. If you haven’t used an item in over a year, then you don’t
really need it. Sell unwanted items to earn fresh cash, or donate some of them to
reliable charitable organizations. Either way, you’ll win a cheaper long-distance move
for yourself.
Pack whatever you can by yourself. Professional packing services can be costly, so do
something about it. After all, you can pack your clothes, shoes, and books all by
yourself, can’t you? Leave to the pros only items that require special protection, such
as large furniture pieces and bulky appliances.
III.
Moving Out of State Checklist
Follow the preparation steps to moving to another state and you will be. Also, we’re offering
a number of cost-saving tips for moving to a new state that will give you a clear advantage
during the important pre-move stage of your long distance move.
But first, consult this moving to a new state checklist and see what it has to say about your
out of state moving options and finding one of the best out of state moving companies in the
country.

Out of state moving options
Just think about this: a local move will give you a couple of relocation options – hire movers
or move on your own. It’s always a good thing to have various options and alternatives in any
given situation so that you can make the best choice after conducting a careful analysis of the
presented circumstances. The problem here is that you could end up with the wrong decision.
As a rule of thumb, choose to organize and execute a self-move only if
you’re moving locally within the same town, city, county or state (short distance),
you’re moving a relatively small number of household items that should fit into a
standard rental moving truck,
you’re NOT moving any special household items that require professional packing and
special handling during the move (antique furniture, pianos, pool tables, hot tubs,
grandfather clocks, heavy safes, etc.),
you have moved house before, so you know how to plan, organize and pull off a selfmove,
you have reliable friends who will give you a hand when you need assistance the most.
On the other hand, the moment your long distance move becomes merely a matter of time,
the first thing you should bear in mind is that the greater move distance will narrow down
your choices.
In the majority of cases, the cross-country moving phenomenon proves to be a blessing in
disguise because you won’t lose precious time analyzing whether you can move to a new state
on your own, or not. Instead, you can concentrate on getting ready for the arrival of your
state to state movers.
Also, your valuable household items will be in safe hands during the long haul between Point
A (your current home) and Point B (your new house or apartment). Choosing professional
packing services for some of the more expensive and fragile items you own will guarantee
their survival during the long distance move.
Without a doubt, the best way to move out of state is to hire the services of a cross-country
moving company. The wide range of professional moving services you will be offered by the
pros will give you the chance to select the type of expert assistance that you really need, thus
enabling you to save on your upcoming move.
How to find the best state to state moving companies
Before you can begin the actual preparation to move out of state, you need to be sure that
you’ve already secured the help of a professional long distance moving company that will
protect, transport and deliver your household items to the new-state home without problems
or issues of any sort.
Follow these 5 steps to find a reliable out of state moving company:
Step 1. Get free moving quotes. How much does it cost to move out of state? The very
first step is to receive price estimates from long distance movers that service your

state to state route. The cost of the move will be one of the deciding factors when
comparing various out of state movers and deciding which one to hire for the job.
Step 2. Request in-home surveys. The moving quotes you will receive can only be
accurate enough if they are issued after an on-site survey inside your own home.
Representatives of various state to state moving companies should inspect the things
you plan to move and assess potential moving day problems that may affect the final
price. Stay away from companies that refuse to visit your home as part of the premove
cost estimation stage.
Step 3. Read customer reviews. You need to know a bit more about the nationwide
moving companies that have provided you with moving cost estimates. Visit several
reputable websites that offer customer reviews of long distance movers and read
what people had to say about those professional organizations. As a rule of thumb,
you should stay away from movers with too many negative moving reviews.
Step 4. Research the movers. Customer reviews will give you a general idea of what to
expect from your cross country mover but you’ll need to dig in a bit more so that you
make the best choice. Check the legitimacy of your potential relocation partners with
the Department of Transportation (DOT), their membership with the American
Moving and Storage Association (AMSA), and any complaint history at the Better
Business Bureau (BBB).
Step 5. Compare the estimates. Once you’ve made sure the state to state moving
companies are as reputable and dependable as they can be, the choice of a good out
of state mover comes down to comparing the estimates you have received. The price
is important, of course, but do pay attention to all the accessorial moving services that
have been included in that price. Also, don’t forget to trust your feelings when
reaching the final decision.
10 Preparation steps: Preparing to move out of state
It’s important to understand that the success of your out of state moving project will depend
on how well you get prepared for one of life’s most stressful events. In fact, the earlier you
start getting ready for your upcoming long distance move by completing task after task, the
better your chances are of having a fairly problem-free relocation across the country.
Step 1. Pick a state to state mover
Now that you know how to find the top-rated cross country movers, it’s time to pick the stateto-state
moving company that has offered you the best deal in terms of price, services, and
conditions.
Hopefully, it won’t be a hard choice to make. Don’t forget to book your long distance move
with your mover as soon as you’ve made up your mind.
Step 2. Set a moving budget
You’re strongly advised to set a moving budget that will enable you to monitor your moving
costs and expenses more closely. Naturally, the price you pay the out of state movers should
be your biggest expense, but there are also a number of other not-that-obvious expenses that
can be the difference between a cost-effective move and a costly one.
Be extra careful with the additional moving services and the extra fees and charges.

Step 3. Inventory your entire home
Moving to another state is not the right time to move all of your household items and
belongings because 1) you won’t need all of them, and 2) you won’t like the transportation
cost.
Find time to inventory your home and make important decisions regarding which things you
will be taking with you and which ones you’ll be leaving behind. Be ruthless as it’s your money
that’s on the line here.
Step 4. Remove any excess items
The best way to relocate to another state is to take only the things you intend to use in the
foreseeable future. The home inventory list will help you reduce the number of items to
move, and, of course, that purging process should be completed before commencing the
packing job.
Sell online or at a garage sale the unwanted stuff to pocket valuable cash. Also, consider
gifting to friends or donating to charity still usable items.
Step 5. Start packing up your home
Keep in mind that packing for a move is the task that will take the longest time to complete.
Therefore, it’s vital that you start boxing up your things as soon as you can. There isn’t any
time to lose, so get down to it.
Follow a good packing checklist and don’t forget to prepare an essentials box a day or two
before Moving day itself.
Step 6. Obtain medical records
When you’re preparing to move out of state, you shouldn’t forget the strictly organizational
tasks either. Living in a new town or city in a new state means that you will have a new family
physician.
Obtain your and your family’s medical records from your current doctor so that you can
register with a general practitioner or specialist once you arrive in the new state.
Step 7. Change your address and cancel any services
Planning a move to another state is all about being a few steps ahead. A new home does mean
a new address so if you don’t want to lose important pieces of mail during the cross-country
move, you’d better change your address with the USPS shortly before you move out.
Also, cancel any home delivery services and subscriptions or memberships to clubs,
organizations, and so on.
Step 8. Transfer the home utilities
Your new house or apartment in the destination state will not only have a brand new postal
address, but it will have a different set of utilities supplied by different utility companies.

This being said, it’s time to schedule the disconnection of the home services in your current
home (a few days prior to Moving day) and arrange for their re-connection. Contact the
corresponding utility companies and make sure you have electricity, water, gas, phone
service, cable TV, etc. at the new address when you arrive there.
Step 9. Prepare your children and pets for the move
How to move out of state with children and pets? One thing is clear: you’ll have your hands
full while overcoming yet another challenge of your cross-country move.
Your priority when moving with children and pets to another state is to guarantee their safety,
especially on Moving day itself. Also, try to minimize the disruption their set routines. Tailor
your schedule to respond to their needs and do everything in your power to calm their fears.
Step 10. Prepare your own trip
The long distance moving company you have selected will transport your things for you. As a
result, it’s time to think about how you will reach the new home as well.
Plan well your car trip if you’ll be driving across the country, or arrange the flight details if you
intend to catch a plane to the destination state.
IV.
Packing and Traveling Tips for Interstate Moving
Moving interstate can be one of the most stressful times of a person’s life. It can be expensive,
as well as overwhelming, to sort, pack, move, and then unpack everything into a brand new
home. But it doesn’t have to be this way, not if a person is prepared for the process before a
single item is put into the very first box. With the following simple guide, moving interstate
still won’t be entirely easy, but perhaps some of the panic can be kept at bay.

1. Plan it Out
To begin, write out a list of things to consider, including how long it will take for certain
projects, such as packing, to be completed, whether professional help is required, how many
services, such as telephone or cable, will be affected by the move, and anything else that may
need attention before a single box is packed.
2. Start Early
Be sure to begin the moving process a couple of months before the move actually happens.
Pack unneeded items first, such as seasonal clothing. Sell or give away things that are no
longer wanted. Within a week of the actual move, give out the new address to service
providers, financial institutions, and all others who may need it. Pack daily items, like
cookware and clothing, last.
3. Organize the New Home
Any renovations, whether a bit of painting, or a whole room upgrade, should be completed
before any items are moved in. Also, be sure to clean the entire home before moving, because
there is no guarantee the previous owners will have done so.
4. Organize Packing
Rather than tossing things randomly into boxes, keep items from each room together. Label
the boxes according to rooms, what they contain, if they are fragile or heavy, and the owner’s
name and new address. Be sure they are properly sealed, to minimize loss.
5. Use What’s Available
Anything can be used to pack with, including suitcases, duffel bags, backpacks, large
containers with lids, laundry baskets, or even clean, and empty trash cans. Tie dressers
drawers in place with clothing still inside. Clothes on hangers can be wrapped in trash bags
for easy moving.
6. Smart Packing for Fragile Items
Instead of bubble wrap or packing peanuts, use cloths, towels, clothing, or anything else soft
to wrap glass and other breakables. Newspaper can also be used when the fabric wrappings
are all used up. Put plates beside rather than on top of each other, to prevent breakage.
7. Moving Furniture and Electronics
If possible, disassemble any larger items, such as shelves and desks, to minimize space when
moving furniture. Take photos of how plugs connect to any electronics, for easy reassembly.
For each piece of equipment, put all cords and accessories together in a plastic bag, and label
the item it belongs to, to limit confusion later.
8. Moving Liquids and Other Questionable Items
For cleaners, shampoos, hairsprays, or other liquids, the best thing to do is to put plastic wrap
under the lids, to keep leakage to a minimum. For powders, such as cosmetics, put a cotton
ball or two between it and the lid, so it will remain unbroken.

9. Ask for Help
This can mean recruiting friends and family for packing and moving items to the new home.
If a professional is needed, research movers in the area to be sure they will be trustworthy,
and will protect the items they are responsible for. Cost comparisons and customer
references are both equally important when deciding who to hire.
10. Emergency Locksmith
It is also a good idea to keep the contact information of a local emergency locksmith close at
hand. If keys are lost or locked in the car, this info can save time and minimize panic, as most
can be on site within a half hour. Do not attempt to break windows to get inside the vehicle
unless it is an emergency, and there is a child or pet locked inside.
11. Keep Anything Important Nearby
Documents like passports, bank books, or birth certificates should be kept close at all times.
The same goes for jewelry, laptops, medication, toiletries, or chargers for any devices,
because some of these items are valuable, and others because they may be needed before
the move is over.
V. What Not to Do When Hiring Interstate Moving Companies
When relocating and hiring a moving company to take you across the country to another
state, there are five things you shouldn't do. Some of them might seem obvious, but
something as simple as having a pen and paper ready to check off items as they're unloaded
from the truck will save you a lot of time and aggravation later on.
Don't Hire a Company That Only Takes Cash
Ask upfront about how you can pay the moving fees. While it might not seem like too much
of a problem to hand over some large bills, companies that only take cash might also take

your stuff and not ever return it. Moving long distances means your things will be out of sight
for a while, so you need to be sure that the company is legit.
Don't Pay for the Move Until All Your Belongings Have Been Unloaded
If there are any boxes or items missing, don't sign the paperwork. The move must be
completed before you sign. Once you sign that you've received everything, it's hard to go back
to the company to say that something is missing. Count the boxes and recount them, making
sure you conduct a home inventory. This is your only chance to make sure everything arrived.
Also, if there is an issue with the paperwork, at least all your things are in your new space and
not on the truck. This gives you some leverage with the movers if needed.
Don't Sign Anything That You Don't Understand
While this is true for all moves, long distance moving is even more tricky. Make sure you read
everything thoroughly and ask questions when you need clarification. If you see a list of
additional fees, ask the mover to explain what each means and how they apply to your move.
If in doubt, ask to speak to the manager or supervisor.
Don't Pack Items That Are of High Value and Leave Them With the Mover
Important items, such as your passport, accounting records, school records, jewelry, or other
things that are critical, should be carried with you, not with the mover. Check out a complete
list of what not to pack so critical items aren't lost during the move and items that shouldn't
be packed, aren't.
Don't Wait Until a Few Days or Weeks Have Gone by Before You Make a Claim
It is where unpacking after a move and doing it quickly is essential. Open every box first to
make sure nothing has been damaged during the move before fully unpacking. The longer
you wait to make a claim, the less likely it is that your claim will be accepted.
Don't Assume That the Movers Provide Enough Insurance
Ask about moving insurance. New federal rules state that a mover must offer you the option
of purchasing standard coverage. Most insurance policies are based on weight, not value.
Make sure you're fully protected and also know if you need to purchase more.
Don't Assume Your Mover Isn't a Broker
Ask up front if your mover is a broker or a moving company. If your moving company is a
broker, find out who will be moving your things. Research and investigate both companies.
The law states the company has to tell you whether they're hiring another company to do the
move.
Don't Let the Mover Manage the Inventory List
Have someone at your old home for when the movers pick up your stuff and someone at the
new home for when they are delivered. Everything that goes on and off of the truck should
be recorded and checked.

VI.
Pros and Cons of Moving to a New City
People relocate to different states and faraway places for both professional and personal
goals. Whether it is finding the job of your dreams, wanting to live closer to family and friends
or even craving for new experiences in life-it can be anything. However, being ready for the
change is good and being well prepared to handle relocation will make it stress-free and
ensure success.
Listed below are some pros and cons that arise during an interstate move to prepare you and
give you some valuable advice:
PROS
Personal growth
It’s important to keep moving in life. If you stick in one place, it will drastically diminish
your personal growth. If you take yourself to a long distance new place, you are opening
yourself to a world of changes. When you a start a new life in an unfamiliar place, you will
get to know yourself deeply. It will profoundly impact your personal growth.
Career opportunities
No doubt moving to new state brings numerous career opportunities. You will get to
discover new employment market, like that of Sunshine Coast. You will have the
opportunity of exploring new professional possibilities. Moving happens due to a better
opportunity. You may never know when your passion turns into an income source. And if
you are moving to a different state it means that you will get a better salary and a better
standard of living.
A new start
When you move to a new state, you can get rid of the unnecessary baggage that is lying
around with you in your current place. Sometimes while living in the same surroundings,
it’s not easy to get rid of such things. But relocating proves good riddance in this case. This
baggage can be anything like toxic friends, unhealthy relationship, noxious job, bad habits
etc. Moving to a new place can help in purging yourself out of all these problems.
Location

CONS
A new state means visiting many new places. You will get to explore many new locations
in Sunshine Coast. You will see a lot of beautiful places. And when you start discovering it
all by yourself, you will feel delighted. You might have been bored of visiting the same
restaurants, same hotels, and same hangout places again and again. Hence moving to a
new location can be very refreshing and stirring experience.
Starting socially from zero
When you relocate a new state, you have to leave all your friends back at your place. It’s
not easy to make friends instantly in a new city. You have to join groups and communities
in Sunshine Coast, different social activities and many other events to get in contact with
the local people. While living at a place, it is imperative to have a social circle so that you
don’t feel all alone or left out.
Sometimes relocation takes a toll on your personal life. Before making an interstate move,
there are few questions that you must ask yourself. For example are you and your family
ready to relocate? Will your kids be able to adjust to the new school? Will your spouse
have to make a big sacrifice? Will it cost loads of money? Will the climate of the new state
suit your health? Is it necessary? Are the new opportunities better comparatively? Hence
there are some things that you need to ask yourself and discuss with your family.
Worst for kids
Relocation is the worst thing for kids. Being an adult you still can adjust to the suddenly
changed surroundings, but children do not understand that. They will have to go to a new
school, make new friends and if somehow they can’t adjust to the new environment, they
can have some serious mental issues. In some case, it gets very challenging to make kids
understand. But when you have a trusted removalist by your side, you can concentrate
on making relocation fun for your kids.
Culture differences
Moving to a new state brings culture differences. You will see a lot of variation in the new
city. You never know about the lifestyle of local people of the city you are moving to, and
thus you may feel like a fish out of water amongst them. You can quickly get a cultural
shock in the new state. It can be their language or the way they eat or speak; anything can
make you uneasy. Adapting to the new culture is not easy. Sometimes you can’t relate to
it. You may feel like a misfit in the new surroundings.
Cost of moving
No doubt moving is thrilling. You will get to see a new state, new place, new restaurants,
new hangout spots, but with all this comes financial setbacks too. Moving to a new state
is very expensive. First you have to move your whole household, and second, you are not
moving nearby but to a different state. Moving from Sydney to Sunshine Coast is not
cheap, and cost increases the farther you move.
Stress

Stress is one thing which no matter how much you try but you cannot escape it. Stress
and pressure come right from the moment you know that you have to relocate. The
farther you are moving, the more stressful it gets.
If you have decided to move to a new state, it is better to check the pros and cons. But
remember to take care of moving itself. There are many tasks involved, and you have to
manage the whole moving process. To make your interstate relocation more comfortable and
smoother consider all the points mentioned above.
VII.
Conclusion
Having a good plan is essential if you want to reduce the moving cost and expenses. The tips
mentioned above are fantastic and can help you save both your money and efforts to a
great extent. For professional assistance, you can hire experienced and highly-trained
Canberra Removalists that can offer you safe and sound removal at the reasonable price.
VIII.
References:
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https://www.moving.com/tips/tips-for-smooth-move/
Ethan Greenfield. (2018) Interstate moving: Top 5 things you need to know | Moving.tips.
Retrieved 6 June, 2018, from
https://moving.tips/pre-move-tips/interstate-moving/
Anthony Bale. (2017) Moving Out of State Checklist: Preparation Steps & Cost-Saving Tips |
Themovingblog. Retrieved 6 June, 2018, from
https://www.themovingblog.com/moving-out-of-state/
Sasha Brown. 11 Packing and Traveling Tips for Interstate Moving | Lifehack. Retrieved 6 June,
2018, from
https://www.lifehack.org/390171/11-packing-and-traveling-tips-for-interstate-moving
Better Removalists Sunshine Coast. (2018) Pros and Cons of Interstate Moves|Retrieved 6
June, 2018, from
https://www.betterremovalistssunshinecoast.com.au/pros-cons-interstate-moves/
Diane Schmidt. (2019) What Not to Do When Hiring Interstate Moving Companies|
Thespruce. Retrieved 6 June, 2018, from
https://www.thespruce.com/dos-and-donts-when-hiring-movers-2435968