6 Things to Know When Moving During the Fourth of July Holiday
In addition to backyard barbeques and watching fireworks, many Americans will be taking advantage of time off from work this Fourth of July holiday week to move. While relocating on or around a holiday will certainly save you a few vacation days, it can also present several unique challenges. Here are 6 things you should know before moving during the Fourth of July week and on most other holiday occasions.
Travel
First and foremost, traveling during the holidays means dealing with traffic – and plenty of it! In fact, AAA (American Automobile Association) stated this year’s Independence Day holiday would result in 1.25 million more travelers in the U.S. than last year . According to the association, a record-breaking 44.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home, meaning that this week is the “most traveled Independence Holiday weekend ever.” AAA also reports that the vast majority of travelers – 37.5 million Americans – will be on the road this week. So what does this mean for your move? Well, for starters, get up and out as early as possible. Make sure to check travel apps, such as Waze and Google Maps , to gauge the amount of traffic you’ll be dealing with. If you can, try to also avoid peak travel times and heavy rush hour traffic when driving through metropolitan areas.
Timing
It’s no secret that summer is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. In fact, what is considered “peak moving season” stretches from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with roughly 70 percent of all moves taking place during this time. With this in mind, make sure you book a professional moving company as early as possible. If you’re planning to move during a holiday, such as July 4 th , you’ll need to start your moving company search several months in advance. Planning a DIY move instead? Don’t think this requires any less preparation. You’ll need to reserve a rental moving truck well ahead of time and double-check whether the rental company is open during the holiday week.
In addition to early planning, you’ll need to get an early start on moving day. Getting up and out as early as possible will save you time and travel headaches later on. Most professional moving companies will want to arrive during the 8 to 10 a.m. time window during the summer months, anyway. This is because movers are hoping to beat the heat by moving during the early morning hours when it’s substantially cooler outside. Keep in mind that the intensity of the sun and UV rays are strongest from the hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. So moving during this time frame is not ideal.
Pets
Those moving with pets should make sure they’re furballs are safe and secure while moving during the July 4th week. This is because the loud, banging Independence Day fireworks can send pets – particularly dogs – into a panic. In fact, the day after the Fourth of July many animal shelters are inundated with pets that panicked, ran away and got lost after hearing the holiday fireworks. It’s for this reason that you keep a watchful eye on Fido during a holiday move. PetMD.com suggests keeping pets inside at all times during the fireworks. You should also have them properly identified before the move. You can do this by microchipping your dog and attaching a tag with your contact information to their collar.
Weather
There’s little you can do to control the weather on moving day, but plenty you can do to prepare for it. Here are a few tips to help you move during the sweltering July heat:
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting and breathable clothing. Fabrics like cotton and linen absorb sweat and allow faster evaporation, so that you stay dry and cool during the move. Avoid wearing anything made of rayon or polyester. Also, stick with whites and neutrals, and make sure to cover your face with a hat.
- The July sun can be dangerous. If you’re spending even a small part of the day outside, make sure to apply plenty of sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends choosing a sunscreen that is water-resistant, that offers broad-spectrum coverage, and that has an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply the sunscreen 15 minutes before heading outside and reapply every few hours.
- Drink up! Avoid dehydration on moving day by keeping a full day’s supply of bottled water near you throughout the move. The stresses of lifting boxes and coordinating a move can leave you sweating buckets. So make sure you (and your movers) guzzle plenty of H2O all day long.
Cost
While moving during a holiday may save you “vacation” days, it most likely won’t save you on costs. If you’re hiring a professional moving company to do the heavy lifting, be aware that they’ll probably charge you more to work on or around a holiday. This is due to higher demand during many holiday weeks, and higher demand in the summertime in general. If you’re moving yourself, know that gas prices may rise as well. AAA reports that while the national average gas price is currently cheaper than it was last year, the prices tend to increase slightly during holiday weekends.
Packing
When packing your belongings this Fourth of July holiday be aware that not all items will fare well in the summertime heat. Anything that has the potential to melt should be kept off the truck as long as possible. Make sure to pack electronics separately and try your best to keep them in an air conditioned environment. My advice is to label any boxes containing these items, so that you can get them inside to your new place as soon as you arrive. If you’re trying to figure out how many boxes you need you can get an estimate with our packing calculator.
Moving during an upcoming holiday week? Whether you’re relocating to a new state or across the street, Moving.com has you covered. To find the best moving company to handle your upcoming move, check our extensive network of reputable and reliable movers. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Good luck and happy moving!