The answer to our title question depends heavily on each individual’s situation. If you’re young, in good shape, and don’t have a ton of possessions, then the answer is to rent a vehicle – a van or small truck – and do the move yourself.
If, on the other hand, you have a lot of stuff and your capacity for physical labor isn’t what it used to be, then the answer might be to hire a professional interstate moving company. But there might be other possibilities to consider as well.
There are various cross-country moving options other than renting a truck or hiring a long distance moving company. There are shipping options, moving pods, hiring moving labor and more. The trick, of course, is to figure out what option is best for your move.
Which cross-country transportation option is going to be your best choice when it comes to moving your items from one state to the next? It depends on a lot of factors, such as (most importantly) your budget, how much stuff you plan to bring along with you, and more.
If you want to get a good idea of potential methods you can use to make your big move that much simpler, then these are some of the most helpful and cost-effective way to get your interstate move accomplished.
1. Rent a moving truck and do everything on your own
This is probably not going to be the most popular option for most folks planning moves, but if you absolutely need to use the most cost-effective method of moving your stuff and you are physically able to do it, then renting a truck and handling it on your own is the way to go.
The main downsides to this approach are obviously that you have to handle all of the loading and transportation yourself.
2. Consider a freight trailer
This is an often-overlooked option for transporting your items. Working with a freight service is easy when you think about how you go about it. A trailer company will first drop off the freight trailer at your home, and you will have a set amount of time to load it up.
When the time has elapsed, the company will come back for the trailer and then transport it to your new address. There, the concept will be the same – you will unload it, get in touch with the freight company, and they will come back for the trailer.
This method still involves labor, but you don’t need to worry about doing the driving for this one, and you might save a good deal of cash over more expensive moving options.
3. Have your items shipped from one place to the next
What if you don’t have a ton of stuff to move? This is where a lesser-thought about method of cross-country moving could really come in handy, without having to spend an arm and a leg on getting it done.
You’ll find that this service can be provided to you by trusted companies you have already shipped with before, such as UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL.
What if you have larger items you would like to ship? This can be done by looking into online shipping websites that specialize in moving larger items.
4. Work with a cross-country movers
For the most hands-off and easiest approach to getting your cross-country move, consider working with a cross country moving company to help you get your move done.
This approach can come with all kinds of other benefits as well since most movers offer other useful services to their customers – if you have the budget to support what you would like to have done.
Other than the usual loading and unloading of the truck, cross-country movers will usually have services available for whole-home packing and unpacking, furniture assembly/disassembly, special crating for artwork or delicate antiques, and even more that you can take advantage of.
If your physical capabilities are somewhat limited or you’re short on time, then getting in touch with a top-notch interstate movers or cross-country moving company can be worth every cent spent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I save money on my move?
One of the best ways to save as much money as possible on your move is to simply declutter your life. Do you have items you haven’t used in the last 6 months? Of course you do – everybody does. Do you have stuff you could consider letting go for some extra spending money? Of course you do! Why not save money you’d spend on moving that stuff by getting rid of it?
What kind of special services might I get from full-service moving companies?
Full-service movers can be a blessing for someone who has a lot to move, but doesn’t have the time or ability to do it on their own. They often offer a slew of services to make the move even simpler, including helping you pack up your belongings, offering special handling for those family heirlooms, and more. If you think you would like to take advantage of a special service from your movers, simply inquire about them and let them know which ones you might be interested in.
Remember, though – these extra services always cost extra cash, so ensure there is room in the budget for them before deciding on them for certain.
How do I book my moving method?
The best way to make sure you are able to get your hands on the moving method you would like to use for your long-distance move is to make sure you book early! The earlier you are able to book, the sooner your moving day will be reserved – and you will know that you are penciled in to be moving on a certain day, giving you all the motivation you need to kick your moving efforts into high gear.
Hauling Ahead to a New Home
Once you have your budget figured out and transportation lined up for your move, all that’s left is to get to packing and looking forward to your moving day. With everything planned out, there’s nothing left to the process but the move itself – and once this part is all wrapped up and finished, you will be able to begin living your brand new life in your new town, seeing what the local area is all about, and making some new friends in no time at all.
