Contents
- Your moving road trip checklist
- Car essentials
- Babies and toddlers
- Food and drink
- Personal items
- Advantages of driving versus flying
- Driving is less expensive than flying
- Driving gives you more flexibility
- Driving allows you to see more of the country
- Important tips for long distance driving
- Plan the route
- Prepare snacks and food for the cooler
- Get your car serviced
- Book your lodging ahead of time
- Download a map before the trip
- Download media before the trip
- Double-check to make sure you have all important documents
- Need a professional moving company to drive your belongings?
Your Moving Road Trip Checklist
Planning to move long distance? For many, this is the perfect excuse to go on a long road trip. With so many beautiful cities and landmark attractions to see throughout the U.S., it’s easy to understand why people often opt to drive to their new home. Think you’re ready for the trip? Whether you’re crossing the country or just a few state lines, here’s your ultimate moving road trip checklist.
Your moving road trip checklist
Car essentials
- Car keys
- Insurance policy information
- License and registration
- Emergency
- Spare tire
- Jumper cables
- Car manual
- Extra trash bags for yourself and family
- Face masks for traveling during Covid
- Hand sanitizer
- Car seat organizer for snacks, baby toys, etc
- Flashlight
- A cooler for perishable food and drink
- Umbrella
Babies and toddlers
- UV window shades
- Baby blanket for keeping the kids warm
- Portable fan for keeping them cool
- Pack ‘n Play for overnight stays
- Portable highchair for meals on the go (try Inglesina or the Hiccapop)
- Several books
- Teething toys
- iPad and iPad charger
- Portable white noise machine
- Pacifiers
- Bibs
- Baby wipes
- Diapers or pull-ups
- Sippy cup
- Several changes of clothing
- Swaddles or wearable blankets for sleep
- Monitor
- Toiletries for the kids (travel shampoo, etc)
Food and drink
- Plenty of bottled water
- Juice for kids
- Food pouches (such as applesauce or yogurt)
- Snacks (easy road trip snacks include granola bars, bananas, avocados, nuts, baked goods and jars of baby food)
- Pre-made sandwiches in the cooler
- Pre-made pasta salad in the cooler
- Paper plates, bowls and plastic silverware
- Small container of dishwashing soap
- One roll of paper towels for messes
Personal items
- Suitcases
- Enough clothes and pajamas for the trip
- Rainjackets
- Travel mug
- Travel toiletry kit
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Earpods
- Phones and phone chargers
- Laptops and laptop chargers
- First Aid Kit
- Travel pillow, if necessary
- Hats and sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Cash for toll roads
- A folder for important documents and personal items (think: your passport!)
Advantages of driving versus flying
Here are several advantages to driving long distance as opposed to flying to your destination.
Driving is less expensive than flying
Driving gives you more flexibility
Driving allows you to see more of the country
Important tips for long distance driving
Moving long distance? A little planning and preparation will go a long way in making your trip smooth and seamless. Here are several important tips for road-tripping it to a new home.
Plan the route
Prepare snacks and food for the cooler
Get your car serviced
Book your lodging ahead of time
Download a map before the trip
Download media before the trip
Double-check to make sure you have all important documents
Need a professional moving company to drive your belongings?
Fortunately, Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers makes it easy to book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. For additional help planning your upcoming move, check out our move planner tool. We provide you with customizable moving checklists, personal tasks list, email reminders and coupons to help you stay organized during a move. Best of luck and happy moving!