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Moving across town is difficult enough, but moving to a new state can be a particularly big challenge. So, you will likely want the move to be over as quickly as possible so you can get settled in your new place. How long it takes to move depends on the following factors.
Are You Packing Your Own Belongings?
If you are packing your own belongings, then the movers will come and load everything on the truck for you and then set off. If you opt for full-service moving with packing, then the movers will have to come over a day or two earlier. This will add more time to the move.
The Distance
Obviously, it is going to take a lot longer to move from California to Florida than it would to move from California to Arizona. Moving companies will give you estimates based on the number of miles which need to be crossed.
500 miles per day is considered a very good time for the moving industry. So, if you are moving 600 miles, then you should expect it to take at least 2 days. If you are moving 1500 miles, then expect it to take 3-4 days. Realistically, you should expect the move to take much longer as the movers will need to stop for breaks. They will also need to be rested before they unload your belongings.
Faster Doesn’t Always Mean Better!
As eager as you are for your belongings to arrive, remember that faster doesn’t always mean better. Do you really want a moving company which promises to load all of your belongings in one day, drive across country non-stop, and to immediately unload everything upon arrival? That is a recipe for disaster! The tired movers might get into an accident, destroying all of your belongings in the process. At the very least, the strict deadline means that they will hurry with the loading and unloading, so won’t take good care of your belongings.
Some budget moving companies will move other people’s belongings along with yours. So, they might load up your belongings on Friday, wait around until Monday to load up two other families’ belongings, and then set off on Tuesday. Not only does this take longer, but it means there is a bigger chance of your belongings getting mixed up and lost.
With this in mind, don’t be surprised if you get a quote of up to 2 weeks for a move across country. If you want your belongings to get there faster, then expect to pay more. The extra costs are for the additional movers/drivers which are needed so they can work in shifts.
What to Look for in a Long-Distance Mover
When choosing a long-distance mover, you will obviously want to look at the time-frame they quote you. However, there are many other more important things to take into consideration.
• Do the same movers stay with your belongings for the entire trip, or do different movers unload your belongings? Are these other movers “weekend warriors” or are they professionals?
• Are your items insured?
• How many movers/drivers go with your belongings?
• How many hours/miles are the drivers allowed to drive in a stretch?
• How many miles will they cover per day?
• Are only your belongings in the truck, or will they move other people’s belongings in the same truck?
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