Planning Your Move

Plan
Pack
Load
Drive

One Month Before

Plan what is getting packed

Estimate how big a truck you’ll need and reserve it. Determine the right truck size with Penske’s Truck Wizard.
Get boxes and supplies for packing. Save time and order moving supplies online now.
Pack out-of-season and non-essential items early.
Lighten your load. Donate unwanted items to charity or hold a garage sale.
Plan how your pet will travel. Save 10% on gear from Kurgo, including dog car harnesses and pet carriers.

Two Weeks Before

The Four P's: Papers, Post Office, Providers and People

Make copies of medical records, birth certificates, etc.
Change address with the post office, banks, credit cards and magazines.
Call service providers and utilities to schedule turn on date.
Secure moving-day help. Ask friends and family to save the date; reserve sitters; contact simplemovinglabor.com.

The Day Before

Last-minute tasks

Finish packing, taping and labeling boxes.
Prepare major appliances and electronics for the move.
Secure dresser drawers and appliance doors with rope and tape.
Assemble a moving-day kit, including directions, map, checkbook, credit cards, IDs, eyeglasses, sunglasses, prescription drugs, flashlight, water, snacks, games for kids, and old and new house keys.
Pick up your rental truck the day/evening before to save time on moving day.
Clean your house or apartment.

Get Packing

Small Appliances

Pack in original containers or cushioned boxes.
Do not use shredded paper — it can clog the appliance.

Major Appliances: Gas Dryers

Check with the dealer for any special moving instructions.
Remove loose fittings and accessories; pack separately.
Tie down, tape or wedge all movable parts and doors.
Have the gas company disconnect it.

Major Appliances: Washing Machine

Check with the dealer for any special moving instructions.
Remove loose fittings and accessories; pack separately.
Tie down, tape or wedge all movable parts and doors.
Stuff towels between the machine sides and tub to keep the tub from rotating.
Pad the exterior well.
Disconnect hoses, put them in a plastic bag, and place the bag in the tub.

Major Appliances: Freezer/Refrigerator

Check with the dealer for any special moving instructions.
Remove loose fittings and accessories; pack separately.
Tie down, tape or wedge all movable parts and doors.
Defrost and dry interiors well.
Fill interior spaces with lightweight linens, clothing or stuffed toys.
To determine if your brand can be moved on its side, check with your local dealer.
Stand upright for at least 24 hours before plugging it in.
Have the gas company disconnect it.

Beds

Disassemble the bed frame.
Tie rails and crosspieces together with rope or tape.
Pad the ends of the rails to protect other items.
Use marked tape to show where pieces fit together.
Use mattress protection bags to keep mattress clean.
Wrap headboard in protective paper or bubble pack.

Bikes & Strollers

Loosen, lower and turn handlebars at right angles to save space.
Clean and cover chains and pedals to protect other items.

Books

Use small boxes so they won’t be so heavy.
Pack books flat, alternating bindings.
Fill empty spaces with wadded paper.
Reinforce the box bottoms with extra tape.

Bureaus and Dressers

Fill drawers with small breakable items.
Cushion them with loose clothes.
Secure drawers with a pad or blanket (tape can remove the finish) and tie with rope.
Do not overload drawers with heavy items.

Chairs

Wrap arms and legs to prevent scratches.
Bundle armless chairs in pairs, seat to seat, with a folded blanket or other padding between them.
Tie seats together.

Clothes

Pack hanging clothes in reusable wardrobe boxes.
Keep other clothes folded in their regular dresser drawers or in suitcases and duffel bags.

Dishes

Individually wrap each piece.
Wrap in plastic bags before using newspaper, to save dishwashing later.
Place saucers, plates and platters on edge – not stacked flat.
Place cups and bowls inside each other; wrap 3 to 4 in a bundle. Place wrapped dishes in a box; fill empty space with wadded-up newspaper.

Glasses

Wrap each glass separately in newspaper or bubble pack.
Pack in sturdy boxes — dish packs are perfect for glassware as well as dishes.
Fill any empty spaces with wadded-up newspaper.

Kitchenware

Pots and pans can be stacked in a box with a sheet of paper between them.

Lamps

Disassemble lamps.
Pack small bases in dresser drawers surrounded by loose clothing.
Pack large bases in boxes stuffed with wadded paper.
Box shades individually in boxes with plenty of tissue paper. Avoid newspaper — it will smudge.
Pack light bulbs separately.

Lawn Mowers

Drain fuel and oil before loading.
Remove handle from hand mowers and place blade end in sturdy box.
Mark properly.

Mirrors

Wrap small mirrors in paper and pack in boxes.
Make a cardboard case by cutting pieces of corrugated cardboard for large mirrors.
Mark “GLASS” on the outside.
Pack and store on end!

Paint & Flammables

Don’t move paint and flammables, such as alcohol, solvents, lighter fluid, ammunition and greasy mops or rags.
Dispose of them properly instead.

Paintings & Prints

Place in mirror boxes
Wrap individually in corrugated cardboard or in cardboard cushioned with thick blankets and bundled with cord.
Stand on sides.

Plants

Store plants in plastic bags with holes punched for air.
Place in boxes if possible.
Watch temperature. (Below 34°F or above 94°F for much over an hour can be fatal.)
Ensure potting soil is moist before moving.
Check with your local Department of Agriculture office regarding what state or federal plant regulations may be in effect throughout your journey that might prohibit the transportation of your plants to your destination.

Radios, TVs and Computers

Box upright and make sure items are well padded on all sides.
Tape extra layers of bubble pack to TV and monitor screens.
Surround console-size equipment with furniture pads; move and load upright.

Rugs & Pads

Vacuum rugs and pads.
Sprinkle with moth flakes.
Roll up and tie with twine.

Stereos, CDs

Separately pack components and pack in a well-padded box marked “FRAGILE.”
Pack CDs upright in their cases in a sturdy box with a tape-reinforced bottom. Tie CDs in small bundles before packing, then fill air space with wadded paper.

Tables

For large tables, remove the legs and tie them together. Put hardware in a small sealed envelope taped to the underside of the tabletop. Pad the top. Pad and tie spare table leaves. For smaller tables, pad the top and wrap legs to prevent scratching.

Tools & Gardening Equipment

Drain hoses, coil and pack in boxes. Fill remaining space with lawn sprinklers, small garden hand tools and so forth. Tie rakes, shovels and other long-handled tools together with rope or tape.

Valuables

Set aside jewelry, important papers and safe deposit box contents in a small container.
Keep with you throughout the move.
- Vehicle registration and title
- Children’s school records
- Insurance policies
- Bank statements and credit records
- Medical and dental records
- Irreplaceable photographs
- Tax return records

Loading & Towing

Get to Know Your Truck

Pick up your rental truck the day or evening before you move.
Penske professionals will get you familiarized with your vehicle.
Get comfortable with the truck’s switches and gauges.
Adjust your mirrors. Remember, you won’t have a direct rearview mirror.
If vehicle size is not written on the truck, ask your rental agent. Trucks need greater overhead and side clearance, so be alert for low bridges, tree limbs and canopies.

Know Where You're Heading

Check directions before leaving. Penske reps can help you get driving directions at pickup.
Check the weather. At pickup, have your Penske rep check the weather along your route.

Get Loading Help

When loading and unloading, bend your knees and lift with your legs, not your back.
Put the heaviest items on the truck first.
Tip: If there are stairs at your destination, unload enough items to allow you to move the heaviest items first, before you get tired.
Have friends help unload at your destination.

Take Your Car with You

Only tow a vehicle with a Penske towing device.
Learn more about how to use a Penske towing device.
Check the security of your towed vehicle regularly.
Do not use a Penske truck to tow boats, trailers or campers.

Driving a Truck

Here are some guidelines for safe truck driving. Practice these basic driving habits so others know your intentions and help prevent accidents.

Truck Clearance

Pay attention to your truck’s dimensions.
Find your truck’s height listed on the front corner radius of the box and the inside of the windshield. It is also visible in your side mirrors while in the driver’s seat.
Pay special attention to bridges, parking garages and drive-throughs at banks, fast food establishments, etc. Alert signs typically mark low clearances, listing the height of the overpass or other obstruction. Look for them, so you know of potential trouble ahead.
If you are unsure if there is enough space, don’t chance it.
Consider using mapping software that shows safe truck routes and helps you avoid low clearance bridges.

The Basics

Pay attention to road signs pertaining to trucks (weigh station stops, truck or lane restriction signs, weight limits and overhead clearance postings).
Use caution at intersections. Before crossing, check left, then right, then left again.
Obey all traffic signs and lights, and always use your turn signals.
Use the vehicle mirrors. Maneuvering a truck requires more turning area and more room for lane changes.
Avoid making sudden stops or abrupt lane changes. (Remember: No trucks in interstate passing lane!).
Never tailgate. Trucks require more time and room to stop. Maintain more than one car length between the truck and the vehicle in front of you.
Take turns driving. If you’re moving alone, bring a friend or family member to help.
Prevent fatigue. Stop every two or three hours.
Always wear a seatbelt!

Passing Rules

Don’t attempt to pass a vehicle that’s moving faster than 40 mph.
Never pass on hills or curves.
Never use the far left lane on an interstate highway because many states have laws against this.

Parking Advice

Set the emergency brake every time you park.
Turn the wheels away from the curb with the truck faced uphill. Toward the curb when facing downhill.
Always look for “drive-through” parking spaces. Avoid backing up. If you must back up, ask someone to direct you from the side at the rear.
Park in well-lit areas at hotels. Lock all doors and padlock the safety chain from the towing device to the truck, and the safety chain from the towing device to the towed vehicle.
At road stops or restaurants, park where you can see the vehicle.

Fuel Saving Tips

Drive cautiously and obey the speed limits.
Build to your desired speed gradually.
Ease off of the accelerator early when approaching a stop (This also helps prevent your cargo from shifting).
Avoid driving at the truck’s governed maximum speed.
Park in a well-lit, secure area to help avoid possible fuel theft.

Pets

Place your pet up front in the truck cab with you. Use a dog harness or crate your pet properly for the trip.
Put your pet on a leash or in a kennel/cage when outside the truck.
Be sure to have an appropriate ID tag attached to their collar with a current phone number. You might also consider microchip technology that has the full information about your pet placed on a chip under his skin.
Do not leave your pet in the truck. (If you absolutely must, park the truck in a shaded area and open the window).
If your pet becomes overheated while traveling, take your pet to an air-conditioned area and place him in a shallow tub of cool water or rub your pet down with cool, wet towels.
Check with your pet’s veterinarian to see if a mild sedative is recommended for the move.
Make sure your pet has enough food and water during the trip.
If you have to travel a long distance to your new home and run the chance of making an overnight stay at a hotel/motel, plan ahead of time for a pet-friendly establishment.
When you arrive at your new home, unpack your pet’s belongings as soon as you get there. These items would include bedding, food and water bowls, and toys. This will help your pet adjust as quickly as possible to his new surroundings by having familiar items around.

6 Weeks Before

4 Weeks Before

2 Weeks Before

1 Week Before

Research Moving Services

Now is the time to figure out how you want to move. Are you doing it yourself? Or do you prefer to hire a professional? Start familiarizing yourself with options and your budget. If you do decide to hire movers, check Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable moving companies. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. You can read more about choosing the right move method here.

Budget Accordingly

Before hiring a moving company or committing to a DIY move, figure out your overall relocation budget. Those looking to hire a moving company for a long distance move should budget around $5,000. A local move, on the other hand, may only cost around $1,000. If moving for a job, be sure to also check with your employer about whether or not they’ll be covering expenses.

Make a List of Questions to Ask Movers

Hiring professional movers for the job? Ask these questions first. From cancellation policies to liability coverage, it’s important to learn as much as you can about a moving company before signing a contract.

Visit Your New Community

Before the move, make sure you visit the new community. Being there in-person will give you a better feel for the area’s various neighborhoods and amenities. You can also learn more about your community through Moving.com’s helpful Neighborhood Guides and City Reports.

Research Schools

Have school-age children? Start researching schools in your new community now. To find top-rated schools in the new neighborhood, use Moving.com’s School Ratings tool, which includes GreatSchools ratings and other helpful information.

Find a Roommate

Need a roomie? Check out our tips on how to choose a compatible roommate.

Give Notice to Your Landlord

Renting? You’ll need to give your landlord a heads-up about the move. Many leases require tenants to give their landlords at least 60 days notice when moving out. With this in mind, be sure to double-check your lease agreement for specific details on how to break it before making any moving plans.

Planning your Move

Start by gathering your moving supplies

To ensure a successful move, you’ll need the following moving supplies:

01 Boxes:

There are lots of options for finding cheap or free moving boxes. Use websites like NextDoor Neighbor to search for used boxes or ask your friends and family. Gather a variety of sizes and make sure the packing boxes are in good condition.

02 Dolly:

Carrying boxes between places becomes taxing and could lead to drops. To prevent them from happening, rent a dolly from a home improvement store or moving company as it makes moving much easier.

03 Buble wraps:

Bubble wrap keeps your items protected during the move. And best of all, you can buy it at office supply or department stores inexpensively or find it free on Facebook Marketplace.