Knowing what and how to pack for a long-distance move can be a literal lifesaver, but where can you even start learning that? The correct answer is right here, and right now — check out our latest guide to avoid common packing mistakes.
Perishable food and open containers
Food products can spoil incredibly quickly, and leaving them inside a truck alongside other valuable items is a recipe for disaster. The same goes for anything that is already opened, even if you did your best to close it again — sauces or other liquids can easily spill during transportation, and this can easily ruin your furniture or even attract pests.
Long-distance moving companies like High Stream Moving prohibit these items for a good reason, and even if you are moving on your own, it is still highly recommended.
Hazardous materials
Cleaning chemicals, paint, propane tanks, fireworks, gasoline, and similar items are dangerous on the road and shouldn’t be transported alongside your other belongings, especially for prolonged periods of time. Even if local laws allow for it, it is still highly dangerous, and many moving companies won’t agree to transport it under any circumstances. If you cannot simply dispose of these items, then you will have to move them separately in compliance with local safety regulations.
Valuables and important documents
Jewelry, passports, birth certificates, financial documents, and heirlooms are incredibly valuable and often irreplaceable, so you should always put them in a personal travel bag and not the trunk of a truck. Small, easily damageable objects generally don’t belong there anyway, and dealing with insurance claims for these can be incredibly difficult and potentially fruitless, so you shouldn’t take any risks.
Plants and pets
Most movers don’t allow live plants or animals in their trucks — putting them at risk inside the truck interior is irresponsible, and you should never even consider that as an option. While you might find that some companies offer animal transportation services, in general, most movers focus on items only, so there is a high chance that you will have to look for alternative transport methods.
Items you’ll need right away
This one is pretty simple: anything you put inside of a mover’s truck is essentially unavailable to you once they ride away, meaning that if you find yourself in a dire need of medications, chargers, basic toiletries, a change of clothes, snacks, and kid or pet supplies, then you will have to purchase new ones on the spot or wait until they arrive. The inconvenience and stress of not having immediate access to these can be significant, so make sure to prepare a separate essentials bag.
