How to Move Out of State
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Moving out of state is one of the biggest things you will do all year. It involves more than filling up a truck and driving to a new city. You need to plan a moving budget, line up a moving company, transfer documents, update your address, and handle dozens of small tasks that are easy to forget until the last minute.
The moving process gets complicated fast. There are federal regulations that apply to interstate moves, different rules for your driver's license and vehicle registration in every state, and real financial decisions around hiring movers vs. renting a truck. Missing even one of these steps can slow you down or cost you money on moving day.
Set Your Moving Budget Before Anything Else
The total cost of moving out of state can vary widely based on distance, how much stuff you have, and the level of service you choose. Full-service long distance moves typically run $4,000 to $10,000 or more. A rental truck on your own might bring that down to $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the route.
Map out all of your expected moving expenses before you start calling companies. Here's what most people forget to account for.
First month's rent and a security deposit on the new place
Fuel for your own vehicle or a moving truck
Packing supplies like boxes and bubble wrap
Storage unit fees if your move-in date doesn't line up with your lease ending
Travel costs like hotels, food, and gas during the drive
An emergency fund for anything unexpected
If you're relocating for a new job, check with your employer about relocation expenses. Many companies cover part or all of the cost for long-distance moves. If there's no employer support, save at least one to two months' rent on top of your estimated moving costs so you're financially prepared.
Research Moving Companies and Get Multiple Quotes
Hiring movers for an interstate move is different from booking a local crew for a few hours. Federal regulations through the FMCSA require that any moving company transporting your belongings across state lines be properly licensed and insured. Ask for the company's USDOT number and verify it before signing anything.
Get at least three to five multiple quotes. Pricing for long-distance moves is usually based on shipment weight and distance. A lower quote might not include packing, furniture disassembly, or moving insurance. Read every estimate carefully and compare what's actually included vs. what gets billed separately.
At Utah Valley Movers, every move includes free moving blankets and wraps, loading and unloading, packing your items into boxes, and basic moving insurance. That bundled approach means fewer surprise charges on your final bill.
Decide How Much Stuff You're Actually Taking
This step saves more money than most people realize. The more you move, the more it costs. A cross-country move with a four-bedroom home's worth of furniture will run significantly more than moving a two-bedroom apartment's essentials.
Take a room-by-room inventory. Be honest about what's worth hauling to your new destination.
A yard sale can clear out furniture, old clothes, out-of-season clothes, and household items you no longer need. Facebook Marketplace and local buy-sell groups move larger items fast. Anything left can be donated.
If your move-in date is weeks away from your current lease ending, a short-term storage unit in your destination city can bridge the gap. Either way, less stuff means lower moving costs and faster unpacking at the other end.
Gather Important Documents and Medical Records
Keep the following with you throughout the entire move.
Birth certificates for every family member
Social Security cards and passports
Your current driver's license
Insurance policy information
Bank account details and mortgage or lease agreements
School records for kids enrolling at a new school
Tax records from the past two to three years
Request your medical records and your family's veterinary records well before your moving date. Some offices take two to four weeks to process records requests. If you take prescription medications, fill them before you leave and identify a pharmacy near your new address. Finding new doctors in an unfamiliar city takes time, and you don't want a gap in care while you settle in.
Start Packing Weeks Before Your Moving Date
The biggest mistake people make with a long distance move is underestimating how long packing actually takes. If your moving date is six weeks out, start packing now. Begin with rooms and items you use the least. Guest bedrooms, seasonal items, books, and decorative pieces can go into boxes early without disrupting your daily routine.
Pack moving boxes by room and label every box clearly. Heavy items like books go in small boxes. Light, bulky items like pillows and linens go in large boxes. Wrap fragile items individually with bubble wrap or towels. Your own clothing and linens double as padding and can reduce how many packing supplies you need to buy.
Free boxes are easier to find than most people think. Grocery stores, liquor stores, and big-box retailers like Walmart, Costco, and Home Depot go through enormous volumes of cardboard every week. Go in the morning right after deliveries and ask the store manager. Liquor store boxes are especially good for glasses and fragile kitchen items because they have built-in cardboard dividers.
One more thing. Pack an essentials bag that stays with you on moving day. Toiletries, a change of clothes, phone chargers, medications, snacks, and a basic toolkit. You'll want all of it the first night before you've unpacked a single box.
Contact Your Insurance Providers and Utility Companies
Reach out to your insurance providers at least four weeks before your move. Homeowners or renters insurance, auto insurance, and health insurance policies all need your new address. Some policies won't transfer to a different state, which means you'll need to shop for new coverage. Your insurance company can walk you through the options, but give yourself enough time to compare rates and avoid a lapse.
Utility companies need to hear from you at both ends of the move. Schedule a disconnect date for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable at your old place. At your new address, set up service to begin on or before your move-in date. Transfer utilities early enough that providers can confirm everything is active.
Update your mailing address with the post office. USPS mail forwarding ensures you receive mail during the smooth transition period. Then work through your accounts. Banks, credit cards, subscription services, and any other billing tied to your current location all need your new address.
Handle Your Driver's License, Vehicle Registration, and Voter Registration
Most states give you 30 to 60 days to update your driver's license after establishing residency. Check the DMV website for your destination state to see what you'll need. The typical list includes proof of your new address, your current license, and your vehicle title.
Vehicle registration is a separate process. Some states require emissions testing or a safety inspection before they'll register your car. If you're leasing through a rental company, confirm what paperwork they need from you.
Voter registration is the step most people forget entirely. You can usually register through your state's election website or handle it at the DMV when you update your license.
Plan the Long Distance Logistics for Your Cross Country Move
If you're driving your own vehicle, schedule an oil change and a basic inspection before the trip. A breakdown 500 miles from home is the last thing you want during a cross-country move. If family members are flying to your new destination, book flights early and coordinate arrival times with your move-in date.
Traveling with pets adds another layer. Check pet restrictions for airlines and hotels along the route. Bring veterinary records with you.
Before you leave, do a final walkthrough of the home you're moving out of. Check every closet, cabinet, and storage area. Confirm your final bill with the landlord and review your security deposit terms. Take photos of the home's condition in case of disputes later.
At your new home, take a virtual tour or visit in person before moving day if possible. Check for parking restrictions near your new address that might affect where a moving truck can park and unload. These small details make a real difference when the truck pulls up, and you need to get everything inside quickly.
Prepare for the Heavy Lifting on Moving Day
If you're hiring movers, the heavy lifting is handled for you. A professional crew can load a truck faster and safer than most people manage on their own, and you avoid the risk of injury from lifting furniture, appliances, and stacked boxes.
Here's what Utah Valley Movers charges for a full-service move.
Two movers with a truck at $175 per hour
Three movers at $225 per hour
Four movers at $260 per hour
Each additional mover adds $40 per hour
For labor-only jobs where you have your own vehicle or a rental truck, rates start at $125 per hour for two movers and $165 per hour for three. Every job includes free blankets, wraps, packing, and basic moving insurance.
If you're handling the move yourself, invest in a furniture dolly and moving straps. Don't carry heavy items up or down stairs alone. Recruit family members, stay hydrated, and take real breaks. Moving day injuries happen when people rush.
Settle Into Your New State on the Right Foot
Unpack the essentials box first. Set up beds, the bathroom, and the kitchen so your first night is comfortable. Take an inventory as you unpack and check for any damage from the move.
In the first few days, find the nearest grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and urgent care clinics. If you have kids, confirm enrollment at their new school and deliver the school records they need. Identify new doctors and schedule initial appointments so your family has care lined up in your new city.
Run through your to-do list one final time. Update remaining accounts with your new address. Confirm voter registration in your destination state. Look into job prospects if you haven't locked down employment yet. Introduce yourself to neighbors.
Utah Valley Movers handles local and long-distance moves across Utah and beyond. Every move includes free blankets, wraps, packing, and basic insurance. Get a free quote or call (801) 410-7907 to schedule your move.
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