Challenges of a Coast to Coast Move

Any interstate move could be classified as a cross-country move. If you are planning to move clear across the country, this is a coast to coast move and it will take you on a journey of about 3,000 miles from the Atlantic to the Pacific, or vice versa. It’s no small task, but when you have trusted long-distance movers behind you, your stress is greatly reduced.

For a move of this magnitude, you will also likely need help with packing and storage. Here are some challenges that come with a coast to coast move and how you can cope.

DIY Move: Not Recommended

While you may be able to handle a small local move yourself, this is a virtual impossibility when moving coast to coast. Doing this without professional help is not only difficult but very risky, not to mention expensive. It would take you at least a week to drive 3,000 miles in a rented moving truck that’s loaded with your stuff.

You’ll have to pay for gas, lodging every night, three meals a day and snacks, parking, and tolls. On top of that, your belongings will get jostled around from all the road shocks and vibrations as well as harsh weather conditions. It’s exhausting to handle a move of this size and scope and can take a physical and emotional toll on your family.

It’s Expensive

It costs a lot to move coast to coast, no matter which option you choose. You may be looking at costs of between $3,000 and $10,000, which includes packing supplies, movers or truck rentals, insurance, travel expenses, and more (see above). If you don’t have enough money in your savings to cover these costs, you’ll be left with empty pockets by the time you arrive. It’s already stressful to move such a long distance – don’t add financial stress to it as well.

Lots of Paperwork

It’s not easy moving from one state to another. You have to make a lot of changes in your personal documents, make address changes with the USPS, re-register your car and get a new driver’s license, etc.

You’ll also have to:

Find a new doctor and have your old records transferred.
Find a new vet for your pet, and have their immunization records and health certificates sent over.
Find a new school for the kids and send over their school records.
Transfer utilities and make sure they’re set up in the new place for when you move in.
Update your voter registration.
Update your car’s registration.
Update all your insurance policies.

Your Items Need Extra Protection

Because your stuff will be traveling a great distance, they’re be more vulnerable to damage than they would if they were simply going across town. To make the trip intact, it’s essential that they’re packed as efficiently and safely as possible. They must be well-cushioned and properly immobilized inside their containers and within the truck itself. Not only that, but they have to be safeguarded against extreme temperatures, moisture, and impacts from travel (bumps and sharp turns). This is where professional packing comes in handy.

It Takes a While

The fact of the matter is, even when hiring professional movers to transport your belongings, they will be making a few stops along the way to drop off other stuff. That’s because many long-distance movers consolidate their shipments by placing many customers’ items into one large trailer. This is just more efficient and cost effective for everyone involved.

This means it could be a few days till the trailer is loaded fully, and then another week at least till it arrives at your new home. Pack a survival box filled with a week’s worth of stuff and bring it with you in your personal vehicle.

It’s Not Easy

It’s tough to plan out a coast to coast road trip at all – let alone when you’re overloaded with belongings and the kids are in the back seat asking when you’ll be there every five minutes. Plan your trip well in advance and take into account all scheduling considerations, such as whether you should drive your car or ship it. You’ll also have to book your flight and hotel stays in advance to ensure everything works smoothly.

You May Need Temporary Housing

It’s difficult to line up a coast to coast move perfectly. There will be times when you won’t have a house to stay in. This could range from a few days to a few weeks, so make sure you line up temporary housing as well as storage for your items if need be. It’s tough to house hunt from clear across the country, so sometimes it’s easier to look for a home once you get there which will give you time to explore the new city, land a job, etc. In this case, you will need longer term temporary housing and long-term storage.

Prepare For Culture Shock

A lot can change from one coast to another, and not just in terms of weather or demographics. The culture is also different so be prepared for this because it may be tough to feel like you belong at first. The cost of living will be different, as will employment opportunities. You may find yourself having to invest in a whole new wardrobe in your new home. Going from LA to Boston, for instance, poses quite a difference when it comes to clothing and accessories.

When facing this kind of move, it’s important to hire full-service movers who can take care of the whole job from beginning to end, such as packing, loading, transporting and unloading. They know how to do all this in the safest, most efficient way possible so that you can better handle the challenges posed by such a big move.