Did you know that the average person will move 10 times during the course of their life? For many reasons ranging from work, to school, to family, people will be moving this year, often many hundreds of miles from where they started. Moving is only behind divorce and death for being the most stressful life experience, so here are some things to keep in mind so that you have a less stressful time.

First, when you are packing up your home, pack up your least used items first, and start many weeks ahead of when you think you need to. You will be surprised by how long it can take to pack up a single room. Get rid of items, especially heavy furniture items, that you no longer use and would rather not pay to transport all the way to your new home. Have a yard sale and use the money from your old things to help cover your moving costs.

Second, did you know that long distance movers, on average, cost less during the middle of the week, and the middle of the month? If you can be flexible with moving times, you can often end up saving some money on your trip.

Third, get a list of reputable cross country movers from friends, family, co workers, and online reviews. Most moving companies will provide free estimates of how much their services will cost. Make sure you compare apples to apples, though, rather than finding out that the cheapest company only costs that much if you bring the vehicle back to its starting location.

Fourth, look for long distance movers who have experience, are licensed, insured, and give an affordable yet not unreasonable estimate. If someone gives you an estimate that is too low, it is likely that they are cutting corners and will deliver less quality service, or possibly there is a hidden surcharge you are not yet aware of. Make sure long distance movers are licensed, otherwise you could be given up to a 500 dollar fine, depending on the state. More can be found here: www.1800packrat.com