Long moves are a pain, but there are several ways to make them easier. Preparation is usually the key to success. All it takes is a little bit of effort in advance to cut down on the hassle on the road. Almost any prep will help, but there are a few things that St Louis long distance movers say are especially important.
1. Pack Food
It’s inevitable – you’re going to get hungry during a long move. You should pack healthy snacks to make sure that you don’t buy overpriced and unhealthy ones on the road. There are a lot of options, but you’ll generally do best with something that stores well and has a lot of protein.
2. Plan a Route with Breaks
Most highway authorities across the world agree that it is best to take a break every two hours or so while driving. That massively reduces the risk of falling asleep at the wheel or simply having a lapse of judgment due to exhaustion. Try to pick a route that has plenty of good spots to stop and take a break and be sure to account for those breaks when you create your schedule.
3. Keep Valuables Close
There are some items that you need to keep in the glove compartment, in your pockets, or anywhere else that allows easy access. Documents are the most important, since you may need your ID on the road. You should also keep jewelry or other small valuables with you to prevent them from getting lost or damaged during the move. A little bit of money can also be useful for buying snacks or paying tolls!
4. Change Your Address Early
You’ll need to register a change of address with many services to keep getting your mail at the right place. You should do that before you move for most services. Mail that arrives ahead of you should accumulate so you can get it on arrival, while mail that arrives at your old home will need to be forwarded via the US Postal Service. Make a list of everything that needs updating before you move, and be sure to update everyone on the list before you go.
5. Check the Weather
Check the weather reports before you head out and try to schedule your move so that you pass through as little bad weather as possible. Heavy rain or other adverse conditions can make it hard to stay safe on the road. It can even cut down on your cargo space by forcing you to avoid pickup trucks and other open cargo options. You’ll probably get exposed to some bad conditions on the way, but minimizing the hassle is still valuable.
6. Leave Extra Time
No plan survives contact with reality. Delays are inevitable, and longer trips generally mean more surprises. The best way to deal with it is to leave plenty of extra time so you can absorb a few delays without falling behind schedule.
7. Prepare Over Time
It takes a lot of time and effort to get ready for the move, and there is no reason to do it all at once. If you spread it out over a couple of weeks, you will be able to break it up into smaller chunks that you can handle without feeling stressed or overworked.
