How long does it take to move cross country?

If you ever had to pack your belongings and move across the country, you know how much work that is. Even if you had to do it across the town, it might have included a lot of planning and a lot of work. Simply, there are just so many things you need to do. You need to deal with all the paperwork, you need to think about packing, and you need to find the best cross country movers Florida to take you to your destination. So, the question a lot of people ask is how long the process will take them for all the planning that you need. In this article, we discuss how much time you need to move cross country, as well as the things you should always keep in mind during the process.

What goes into making a cross-country move long

One of the biggest concerns people have when they move cross country is how long it will take for their items to arrive. However, this can sometimes be very hard to answer. On average, a 3,000 miles move will take about one or two weeks. Keep in mind that during the late spring and summer this may take a little longer. There are many reasons for this.

The first reason is that when you move cross country, your things will not be going alone. When your moving company is packing furniture for a cross-country move, they usually collect the furniture from a couple of clients. This is a normal thing in the moving business. During the long-distance moves, the trucks spend a lot of gas, so the companies lose a lot of money. By getting a couple of households together, the shipments might take longer – but both you and the company save money. However, this means that, depending on where you live, your movers might need to hit a couple of stops before they reach your home. And in the busy season (spring-summer), this might prolong the waiting period.

Another reason why it might take a week or two for you to move cross country is strictly legal. Movers aren’t allowed to simply sit by the wheel and drive across the country to your home. They need to rest and recover by law. So, you need to take this into consideration when expecting your items to reach you. Then, the truck can hit some nasty traffic (especially around the metro areas) and be stuck there for a while. Finally, various weather conditions and smaller accidents can occur which only prolong the waiting time.

Do not fret when you move cross country

However, there are positive things too in the cross-country moves. By proper planning, you can arrange for your things to leave a bit early, and hit your home earlier than expected. All you need to do is have a proper conversation with your moving company and try to set everything up.

Then, there is the reasonable dispatch time that you can find on your Bill of Lading. This is the date by which the movers are required to deliver your items to you. If it passes and your things are still not there, you are probably entitled to compensation. All you need to do is consult the contract you signed with your Orlando long distance movers.

Tips on long-distance moving

There are some things that you can take into consideration when you move cross country. These might not reduce the waiting time for your items (since those usually depend on other stops), but they can lower the preparation time you have, or save you some money. In the long run, these are both very positive things during this stressful time in your life.

The first thing you should do when you realize you are moving cross country is to get rid of your stuff. This is a simple Math problem. The more things you take with you – the more weight your movers will have to pack. This, in turn, means that you will have to spend more money on moving things. And when you move cross country, the prices can skyrocket fairly quickly. So, by getting rid of things you won’t really need, you will basically be saving a fortune.

In the first weeks of you planning for the move, go through your things. Decide what you can’t live without, and what you don’t really need. A rule of the thumb is that if there is an item that you haven’t used in the last six months, you should not pack it with you. Then, think about the big and heavy items. Talk to the moving company about the costs of transporting these. Sometimes, transporting bulky items will cost you more than just buying a similar item at your new destination.

Prepare for the trip when you move cross country

Finally, you need to think about the trip you will be taking when moving across the country. This will not be a simple drive to the destination – you will have to plan for the stops. For example, you need to include gas stops, as well as short breaks for food and drink. It’s very important to eat and stay hydrated during this time because you will be under a lot of stress. Also, don’t forget to prepare your car for a cross-country move. Take it to a mechanic and make sure everything is working properly and the car can handle the trip.

When you move cross country, and you cannot reach your destination within one day, you should also plan where you will rest. Look for motels or hotels along the way, and get reservations a couple of weeks in advance. This way, you will not be wandering around, looking for a place to sleep when you get tired. You will also be able to prepare your route in advance – with stops included everywhere. You will also know just how much gas and snacks to get for the road, and you will be more prepared.