10 Essential Belongings To Bring On a Long-Distance Move

Everyone loves a long-distance move, right?! Okay, maybe not everyone, but that’s only because those people weren’t prepared. Moving cross-country or even internationally is not your typical move. You must do a few things first to make the transition easier for you. And you’re already ahead of the game because you’re reading this article. Check out these 10 essential belongings to bring on a long-distance move.

First-Aid Kit

Safety first—never forget that. You should never embark on a long journey without an adequate first aid kit to accompany you. You never know what could happen on the road, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Keep your kit in the front glove compartment with you. Make sure everyone riding knows exactly where it is. Be sure to include:

  • Adhesive tape
  • Elastic wrap bandages
  • Bandage strips and butterfly bandages
  • Super glue
  • Instant cold pack
  • Cotton balls and swabs
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • First-aid manual

Spare Clothing

Don’t pack everything away. You want to keep some clothes out because you don’t know what the drive or weather will bring you. Plus, depending on the distance you travel, you might want to pull over at some point, freshen up, and change your clothes.

Make sure you keep a travel-size bag of toiletries out too. You might have simply thought to buy new toiletries when you arrived at your destination, but it’s better to plan for the unexpected. Bring a travel-size toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, moisturizer, soap, and a washcloth.

You will get dirty before and during the move. Before you have a chance to shower in your new bathroom, you’ll want to change your clothes on the road. Change out your shirt at least to stay comfortable. Pack additional clothing to accommodate the weather you’re traveling to.

Blankets & Pillows

Naps are great, and the people riding with you will need one. As the driver, you need to stay alert, but those in the back are free to catch a few z’s. Bring along a couple of blankets and pillows for them so they can get a little bit of shut-eye.

If you have a second driver, the blankets work in your favor. Make a driving schedule so you have a chance to get some rest too. If you can avoid driving for hours on end, do so. Driving without enough sleep is never a good idea.

All Chargers

Bring every charger you can think of. You don’t need your phone or any other gadgets dying on you. Bring the phone charger and tablet charger, plus a few extras. Make sure the car charger you have still works.

If you want to be extra cautious, consider purchasing a new one for emergencies only. Stow all these items away in the center console. Try and keep all wires separated to avoid confusion and entanglement. Pair the charger and its backup with the affiliated device.

Extra Batteries

You never know when you’ll need extra batteries. You can’t really pack an extra car battery with you, but a few double and triple As are good to have on hand. Or if you have a device that is powered by batteries, make sure you pack extras for it.

It’s a good idea to keep a small case in the front or back seat of the car so the glove compartment and center console don’t get too full. Besides, you might have too many wipes, napkins, and sanitizers stored there.

Emergency Car Kit

You need a car emergency kit. Make sure you have all your necessary papers close by too.

  • License
  • Registration
  • Insurance
  • Roadside assistance card
  • Tire pressure gauge
  • Scissor jack
  • Flashlight
  • Jumper cables
  • Fix a Flat
  • Duct tape

Special Medication

Never pack medication out of reach for long-distance moves. You need to be able to get to everything quickly and without any restrictions. You don’t want to store important medication away with the first-aid kit because that’s not the most convenient strategy.

Pack a separate container for medications, like pain relievers, inhalers, and allergy medicines. These are things you need in a hurry.

Snacks and Drinks

You can never forget the snacks. When you’re on the road for a long time, you need to ensure everyone has something adequate to eat. And gas station snacks and fast-food joints aren’t going to cut it. Plus, if you plan to keep a schedule, you don’t want to mess with that.

Stock up on some non-perishables a couple of days before the move. If you plan to pack any fruit, you need to buy that the day of. You don’t want to risk any of it spoiling and going bad. Keep the fruit in a small cooler for everyone. You can place your drinks there, too, to stay hydrated.

Identification Cards and Keys

Believe it or not, identification cards and keys are some of the top items people forget to pack away. Make sure you have the keys to your new home and have gotten rid of the keys to your old place.

You want to avoid confusing yourself. As far as identification goes, you need your license and any other paperwork required for your new home. Don’t pack any of that away with your stuff because you need easy access to it when you arrive.

Money, Money, Money

It’s not just a song. It’s a resource, and you need it. You’ll need to bring some extra cash on the road with you. People make the mistake of only carrying cards because they assume everything is electronic. You’d be surprised to discover how many places only take cash, especially on a long-distance move.

Go to the ATM before you set off, and take out enough money for the trip. Consider emergency purposes and tipping. For example, you might want to tip the cross-country moving company you hired to help as a thank you.

Here at Capitol North American, we are dedicated to helping you remember all the essentials to bring for any move, not just the long-distance ones. For more information, visit our website.