Planning a long-distance move is a major milestone for any family. Whether you’re relocating for work, family, lifestyle changes, or a fresh start, moving across state lines involves far more than packing boxes and loading a truck. At Big Burns Moving, we’ve helped families through countless long-distance relocations, and we’ve seen firsthand how small planning mistakes can turn an exciting move into a stressful experience.

Here are the most common mistakes our moving company has seen families make when planning a long-distance move, and how avoiding them can make all the difference.

1. Waiting Too Long to Start Planning

One of the biggest mistakes families make is underestimating how much lead time a long-distance move requires. Unlike local moves, long-distance relocations involve scheduling, coordination, and logistics that need time to fall into place.

Waiting too long can make it harder to secure reliable moving help. According to reports from Newsweek, North Carolina was among the top ten states Americans moved to most in 2025. With so many families relocating, especially to popular states, movers may have limited availability — which can lead to higher costs or less flexibility on moving dates.

Starting early allows you to reserve preferred moving dates, compare services, and prepare your household at a manageable pace. We generally recommend beginning the planning process at least two to three months before moving day.

2. Choosing a Mover Based on Price Alone

It’s understandable to want to save money during a move, but choosing a mover solely because they offer the lowest quote can backfire. Extremely low estimates may leave out important services or lead to surprise charges later.

Families should look beyond price and consider experience, transparency, and reputation. A reliable moving company provides clear estimates, explains what’s included, and communicates openly throughout the process. At Big Burns Moving, we believe an informed client is a confident client, and that clarity upfront helps prevent issues later.

3. Underestimating How Much They Own

Many families are surprised by how much they actually own once everything is boxed up. Closets, garages, storage rooms, and attics tend to hide more belongings than expected. Underestimating volume can affect truck size, labor needs, and overall cost. Overpacked or oversized loads can even slow down delivery times or require multiple trips.

A long-distance move is the perfect opportunity to declutter. Sorting items into keep, donate, sell, or discard categories helps reduce the load and ensures you’re not paying to move items you no longer need. Families often find that selling or donating unused items can offset moving costs and make settling into a new home easier. Being realistic about your inventory leads to more accurate planning, lower expenses, and fewer surprises on moving day.

4. Forgetting About Important Address and Service Updates

Changing addresses involves more than forwarding mail. Families often forget to update accounts, documents, and services, which can create headaches weeks after the move. Missed updates can cause late fees, lost packages, or even interruptions in critical services like utilities and medical care.

Driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, insurance policies, school records, medical providers, and utility accounts all need attention. Creating a checklist for address changes ensures nothing important slips through the cracks. Families who systematically handle this step before moving day report less stress and smoother transitions into their new home. It’s a simple but often overlooked part of long-distance planning that pays off big.

5. Overlooking Insurance and Valuation Coverage

Another common mistake is assuming all belongings are fully protected during a move. While movers take great care, accidents can happen — especially during long-distance transportation. Families sometimes underestimate the risk of damage or loss, assuming a basic estimate will cover everything.

Basic moving coverage may not reflect the full replacement value of your items. Families should understand valuation options and consider additional protection for valuable or sentimental belongings, such as antiques, artwork, or electronics. Asking questions about coverage before moving day provides peace of mind and ensures you know what to expect if something goes wrong. At Big Burns Moving, we take the time to review coverage options with clients so they can make informed choices about protecting their possessions.

6. Not Budgeting for Hidden Moving Costs

The moving truck is only part of the overall cost of a long-distance move. Families are often caught off guard by additional expenses that weren’t factored into the initial budget. Travel costs, lodging, meals on the road, temporary housing, cleaning services, storage, packing supplies, and utility setup fees all add up quickly.

Building a realistic budget — with a small contingency cushion — helps avoid financial stress during and after the move. Families who plan ahead and track both expected and incidental expenses tend to experience fewer surprises and can focus more on settling into their new home. Proper budgeting also allows families to invest in helpful services, like professional packing, without feeling stretched thin financially.

7. Poor Coordination of Utilities, Keys, and Access

A surprisingly common issue we see is poor timing around utility shut-offs, service activation, and key access. Arriving at a new home without electricity, water, or internet can quickly dampen moving day excitement.

Families should schedule utility transfers well in advance and confirm access details with landlords, sellers, or real estate agents. Coordinating these details ensures a smoother transition and prevents unnecessary delays or downtime.

8. Not Preparing a First-Night Essentials Plan

After a long day of travel and unloading, the last thing families want to do is dig through boxes looking for pajamas or toiletries. Yet many forget to set aside essentials for the first night.

We recommend packing a clearly labeled essentials box with items like toiletries, medications, bedding, chargers, snacks, important documents, and a change of clothes. This simple step makes the first night far more comfortable and reduces stress when everything else is still unpacked.

9. Underestimating the Emotional Impact on Kids and Pets

Long-distance moves affect more than logistics. Children and pets often experience anxiety or uncertainty during major transitions, and families sometimes overlook this aspect while focusing on planning details.

Talking with kids about the move, involving them in decisions, and maintaining routines as much as possible can help ease the transition. Pets benefit from familiar items, calm travel arrangements, and gradual adjustment to new surroundings. Planning for emotional well-being is just as important as planning the move itself.

10. Trying to Handle Too Much Without Professional Help

Finally, one of the biggest mistakes families make is trying to manage everything on their own or relying on inexperienced help. Long-distance moves are complex, and professional guidance can significantly reduce risk, stress, and delays. At Big Burns Moving, we work closely with families to create tailored moving plans that account for timing, inventory, distance, and individual needs. 

A successful long-distance move doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of thoughtful planning, realistic expectations, and the right support. By avoiding these common mistakes, families can reduce stress, protect their belongings, and settle into their new home with confidence.

If your family is preparing for a long-distance move, Big Burns Moving is here to help guide you every step of the way. From planning and packing to transportation and delivery, our goal is to make your move as smooth and predictable as possible so you can focus on starting your next chapter. Contact our moving company today to get started!