How To Plan a Moving Road Trip (2024 Guide)
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If you’ve decided to drive your own vehicle or a moving truck for your cross-country move, a moving road trip will take some careful planning. You’ll have a smoother journey if you know what to pack, where to go, and how to make the adventure a safer one. In this guide, we’ll share tips on planning a moving road trip and provide a comprehensive checklist for you to reference as you pack.
Moving Road Trip Checklists
A moving road trip checklist will help you plan for your trip the same way a packing checklist will help you properly pack up your house. Below are some car necessities to keep with you during your journey.
What To Keep Nearby
You must keep your driver’s license and auto insurance card nearby while operating a vehicle. Here are a few other items to keep on hand.
- AAA membership or other roadside assistance
- Car registration
- Driver’s license
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Insurance
- Jumper cables
- Napkins
- Paper road map
- Phone
- Spare tire
- Trash bags
- Water
For Travel with Babies, Toddlers, and Children
A long car ride with babies, toddlers, and children can become a nightmare if you don’t pack the essentials. Below are items you should keep available, depending on the ages of your children.
- Bibs
- Blankets
- Books
- Bottles
- Car seat
- Car seat organizer
- Coloring books
- Compact high chair
- Crayons
- Diaper bag
- Pacifier
- Pack and play
- Spill-proof cups
- Tablet
- Toys
- Wipes
Food and Drinks
Stopping to eat at restaurants or drive-thrus during your trip could slow you down and cost you $15 to $30 per meal per person. Grab a cooler and ice to store some food and drinks for the road.
- Bags of ice
- Cooler
- Disposable bowls
- Disposable cutlery
- Disposable plates
- Granola bars
- Moist towelettes
- Sandwiches
- Sealable bags
- Water
Pet Necessities
You’ll need a few extra supplies to ensure your pets are comfortable if you have cats or dogs moving with you.
- Carriers
- Collars
- Food and water dish
- Harness
- Leashes
- Litter box, litter, and scoop
- Medication
- Pet food
- Poop bags
- Toys
- Treats
Personal Items to Pack
Long-distance moving road trips often require one, two, or more nights in a hotel or Airbnb. Pack a duffel bag that includes all of your toiletries and other overnight essentials.
- Cash for toll roads
- Deodorant
- Face wash
- Floss
- Hair ties
- Hairbrush or comb
- Hairstyling products
- Hats
- Makeup
- Medication
- Moisturizer
- Pajamas
- Phone chargers
- Razor
- Several outfits
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
Benefits of Driving Over Flying
Flying is faster than driving, but driving for a long-distance move is frequently more affordable if you have a family or lots of furniture to transport. It also gives you greater flexibility in planning your moving schedule.
For example, driving from New York City to San Diego costs around $420 for fuel, assuming your car gets 25 miles per gallon, based on AAA’s gas cost calculator. The average cost of a single domestic flight is $387, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, but that doesn’t account for the cost of multiple travelers or shipping furniture and other belongings.
8 Tips for a Long-Distance Moving Road Trip
Staying organized while moving is critical to keep the trip stress-free. Follow these tips to help you plan a safe, affordable, and fun road trip.
1. Get Insurance for the Moving Truck
Depending on the size of your home, you may rent a moving truck for your road trip to move your belongings. If your existing insurance policy doesn’t cover rental trucks, we recommend investing in supplemental coverage. Consider supplemental liability insurance, personal accident and cargo insurance, auto tow protection, or collisions or damage waivers.
Be sure to read the fine print on any truck rental company’s insurance contracts. You could be responsible for any damage to the vehicle or equipment without coverage.
2. Have a Vehicle Follow the Truck
Ask another family member to follow behind the moving truck in a second vehicle in case your truck breaks down or gets a flat tire. If no one is available to follow behind, consider investing in roadside assistance from your rental company or an AAA membership.
3. Make Sure all Vehicles Have a Tune-Up
Proper car maintenance should be routine, but you should schedule a last-minute tune-up for a safe trip.
Pre-Road Trip Car Maintenance
Here are some car maintenance tips for road trips:
- Check the battery: Have a service technician perform a battery check.
- Check tires and tire pressure: Inflate your tires to the car manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
- Fill emergency kit supplies: Take stock of your car’s emergency kit. Your kit should have a flashlight, an extra set of batteries, first aid supplies, water, non-perishable snacks for people and pets, jumper cables, emergency flares or reflectors, basic tools, duct tape, gloves, and rags or paper towels.
- Inspect belts and hoses: Inspect and replace cracked, glazed, or frayed belts and hoses.
- Replace wiper blades: Replace your wiper blades if your wipers streak or cannot clear the windshield thoroughly.
- Run the AC: Take the car to your local auto shop if you notice the cooling capacity is lower than normal.
- Test the brakes: Take your car to the shop for an inspection if you notice a grinding sound or feel a vibration when applying the brakes.
- Top off oil and fluids: Make sure the engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield cleaner, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid are filled.
4. Plan Your Overnight Accommodations
Book accommodations ahead of time while you’re making your road trip itinerary. Call hotels, Airbnbs, or campgrounds and ask if they have space. If you have pets, pick a hotel or Airbnb that allows pets inside. Never leave your pets in the car or truck overnight. This is a felony offense in some states.
5. Estimate Your Timelines
Most experts recommend driving no more than 8.5 hours per day during a long-distance road trip. If your new home is 2,000 miles away, split the driving into four days and drive 500 miles each day. Try to avoid big city areas during rush hours.
Consider planning your road trip route around sightseeing and interesting stops, such as historic monuments, national parks, and museums. Fill up the gas tank, grab some drinks and snacks, and use the bathroom whenever you stop at a gas station.
6. Check the Rules of the Road
Different states have different rules of the road regarding speed limits, driving while on the phone, and seatbelt laws. Brush up on the laws of the states through which you’ll drive.
7. Bring Backup Maps
Mobile dead zones, which are areas that are not covered by a cellular network, are common throughout rural America. There are more than half a million square miles of dead zones across the country. Take screenshots of your road trip route and bring a paper map in the event your mobile service dies out.
8. Download Entertainment
Don’t forget to download audiobooks, podcasts, or playlists through your preferred streaming service before you set off on your trip. Give every passenger a tablet or other media device and headphones. Bring coloring books, crayons, or books for younger children.
Our Conclusion
Moving road trip hiccups can happen, so make sure you’re prepared for variables. Always prioritize safety and inspect your vehicle before hitting the open road. Opt for insurance if you rent a moving truck to safeguard your finances, and review traffic laws since they vary by state. Create a budget, map out your drive, and find accommodations ahead of your moving road trip. Knowing how to plan a moving road trip can save you money, give you greater peace of mind, and even offer you and your family the chance to make lasting memories.
FAQ About How To Plan a Moving Road Trip
Can you drive 1,000 miles in a day?
It’s possible to drive 1,000 miles in a day, but we don’t recommend it without taking time to sleep and rest or change drivers.
What is the best way to determine the shortest route for a road trip?
The best way to determine the shortest route to take on a long road trip is to use an app such as Google Maps or Waze. Filters can help you avoid certain routes, highways, and toll roads. You can also add multiple stops that you plan to visit, and the app can plan the quickest routes accordingly.
How many miles a day can you drive on a road trip?
Most experts recommend driving no more than 8.5 hours per day on a road trip or about 500 miles. Having a limit helps ensure you aren’t overtired and that you have time to rest and stretch your legs when you make a stop.
How far in advance should you plan a move?
If you move between May and September, which is considered the busy season, you’ll want to rent your moving truck and schedule movers, if needed, at least three or four months in advance.
How do you plan gas stops on a road trip?
You can plan gas stops on a road trip with Google Maps. If you want to find the cheapest gas along a particular route, use apps such as GasBuddy, which can help you find the most affordable gas stations and gas prices near you.
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