Long-Distance Moving Tips (From Start to Finish)

Service Overview (Intro)

Long Distance Moving Guide (Step-by-Step)

Long-distance moving is not just a bigger version of a local move. It involves longer timelines, tighter coordination, and fewer chances to fix mistakes once the move begins. Without a clear plan, long-distance moves quickly become stressful, expensive, and disorganized.

This guide explains how to plan a long-distance move step by step, what decisions matter most, and where people usually run into problems. For a task-by-task timeline, you can also use our Ultimate Moving Checklist.

Quick Planning Checklist

Quick Planning Checklist for Long-distance Move

• Start planning early (10-12 weeks ahead)
  • Avoid rushed decisions and limited availability
  • Secure better scheduling and pricing options
• Review your inventory before packing
  • Decide what is worth moving long-distance
  • Reduce volume to lower cost and complexity
  • Schedule junk removal for unwanted items if needed
• Plan your packing strategy
  • Use reusable boxes for fragile or priority items
  • Use cardboard boxes for items unpacked later
  • Label all boxes clearly by room and priority
• Understand long-distance travel limits
  • Fuel, propane, and hazardous materials cannot be moved
  • Some plants may be restricted between provinces
  • Transit time may span one or more days
• Prepare your personal travel plan
  • Pack a suitcase per person (clothes, toiletries, chargers)
  • Keep medications and valuables with you
  • Plan separate travel for pets (trucks cannot transport pets)
• Confirm destination access in advance
  • Check parking and loading rules
  • Book elevators if required
  • Confirm stairs, walking distance, and entry restrictions
• Handle address changes and administration early
  • Update driver’s license and vehicle registration
  • Notify tax office and government agencies (CRA)
  • Update health services and insurance providers
  • Notify banks and credit cards
  • Cancel or transfer utilities
  • Update subscriptions and delivery services
• If renting, notify your landlord
  • Check lease notice requirements (often 30–60 days)
  • Avoid penalties or extra rent charges
• Review insurance coverage
  • Ask about valuation or goods-in-transit protection
  • Check if home or tenant insurance covers long-distance moves
• Finalize moving arrangements
  • Confirm route, timing, and delivery window
  • Ensure contact details are shared for destination access
  • Prepare payment and booking requirements

Below, we break down these steps in detail to help you understand exactly what to expect during your relocation.

Planning Timeline

When to Start Planning a Long-Distance Move

Long-distance moves should be planned earlier than local relocations. A realistic planning window is 10 to 12 weeks before your target move date.

This lead time gives you room to:

• Compare realistic moving options
• Confirm destination access and delivery constraints
• Reduce volume before packing begins
• Avoid last-minute scheduling pressure

If you are renting, this is also the stage to review your lease and provide official notice to your landlord. Many rental agreements require 30–60 days notice, and missing this step can result in unnecessary penalties.

Many long-distance problems start when planning is delayed. Rushed decisions often lead to higher costs, limited availability, and poor coordination at the destination.

Scope & Expectations

Understanding the Scope of a Long Distance Move

A long-distance move includes more than loading and driving. It combines packing decisions, travel timing, access coordination, administrative updates, and delivery planning across cities or regions.

Unlike local moves, deliveries are often scheduled within a defined time window rather than a precise hour. Weather, traffic, ferry schedules, and road conditions all influence arrival timing.

Because items spend more time in transit, long-distance moves carry higher risk of shifting and handling. It is important to ask about valuation protection and to check whether your home or tenant insurance covers household goods while in transit.

Understanding these realities early helps set realistic expectations and prevents frustration later in the process.

Inventory Decisions

Deciding What to Move Long Distance

Volume is one of the biggest cost and complexity factors in long-distance moving. The more items you move, the more time, space, and coordination the move requires.

Before packing begins, review your belongings carefully. Ask whether each large item is worth moving long distance or better replaced at the destination.

Many people choose to downsize before a long-distance move. Reducing furniture, electronics, and unused items simplifies packing and lowers transportation demands.

This step is often done weeks before moving day, sometimes alongside scheduled junk removal to clear unwanted items responsibly.

Packing Strategy

Packing Strategy for Long Distance Moves

Packing for long-distance travel requires stronger protection than packing for a short move across town. Items may remain packed longer and experience more movement.

A practical approach is using a combination of packing methods:

• Reusable plastic boxes for fragile or priority items
• Cardboard boxes for items unpacked gradually

Reusable boxes can be reserved through our moving box rentals page. These work best when items can be unpacked shortly after delivery, allowing boxes to be returned without additional freight costs.

For packing fundamentals such as labeling, room-by-room packing, and fragile item handling, see our packing basics guide.

Travel Considerations

Travel Time, Restrictions & Practical Limits

Most long-distance moves are completed within one to a few days, depending on distance, load size, and route conditions.

Certain items cannot be transported long distance due to safety and regulatory requirements:

• Fuel, gasoline, propane tanks
• Hazardous chemicals and flammable materials
• Some plants, depending on provincial regulations

These restrictions are often overlooked during packing. Identifying them early helps prevent last-minute delays on moving day.

Personal Travel

Personal Travel, Pets & Essentials

A long-distance move is not only about transporting belongings. You are also relocating yourself, your family, and possibly pets.

Pack a personal travel suitcase for each person that stays with you and does not go in the moving vehicle. This should include medications, chargers, toiletries, and clothing for several days.

Moving vehicles cannot transport pets. If you are driving long distances, plan pet-friendly accommodations in advance and keep food, medications, and documents accessible.

Destination Planning

Destination Access & Delivery Planning

Delivery-day challenges often occur at the destination, not the origin. New buildings, unfamiliar parking rules, and elevator bookings can all affect delivery timing.

Before moving day, confirm:

• Parking or loading access
• Elevator reservations if applicable
• Stair access and walking distance

Clients are usually best positioned to confirm these details, especially when property management or strata rules are involved. Providing building contact information in advance helps avoid delays on delivery day.

Administration & Utilities

Address Changes, Utilities & Administration

Long-distance and interprovincial moves often involve changing service providers. These administrative steps are easy to forget but can cause issues after relocation.

• Update address with government agencies (CRA, licensing, health services)
• Notify banks and credit cards to prevent declined transactions
• Cancel or transfer local utilities
• Update subscription and delivery services

Handling these updates before moving day helps prevent interruptions while you are already in transit.

Final Preparation

Final Preparation Before Moving Day

In the final weeks before a long-distance move, focus on organization rather than speed.

Ensure all boxes are clearly labeled, important documents are separated, and essential items remain accessible.

A completed plan at this stage allows moving day to focus on execution rather than problem-solving.

Understanding Available Long-Distance Moving Services

Once planning is complete, the final step is choosing a moving service that matches your route, volume, and timing.

Eco Van Move currently provides long-distance moving services within Western Canada only, with routes originating from Metro Vancouver and distances up to 1,300 km.

For service coverage and logistics details, visit our Western Canada Long Distance Moving Service.