Trying to prepare for a cross-country move can be overwhelming, considering there is so much to do. Not only is it a challenge to move to a new city all the way across the country, but unlike local moves you won’t have the luxury of making back and forth trips. This means you have to have everything in order right from the start. Even for those who consider themselves organized, organizing a cross-country move can still be pretty daunting. Luckily there are some great tips and tricks that can help you put together a well-coordinated move.

1. Create a Moving Binder

There is so much to keep track of when you are moving, so having everything organized in one place can be a lifesaver. Creating a master moving binder can make it easy to keep track of things like moving contacts, receipts, checklists, donation receipts, phone numbers, floorplans, contractor bids, medical records, school records, financial documents, and more. You can keep all of this important information neatly organized in a color coded binder for easy reference throughout your move.

2. Download Helpful Moving Apps

Make the most of technology with mobile apps that can streamline your moving process. These days there’s an app for practically everything, and this includes moving. Here are just a few moving apps that you might find helpful:

Realtor.com- This is a great resource for finding real estate, apartment rentals, and open house listings directly from the MLS. You can search for your dream home right from your home and be the first to know about new listings.

LetGo: Looking to purge and get rid of some belongings before your move? This app allows you to sell your belongings at the click of a button.

Sortly: This is the ultimate organizer app that allows users to create a visual inventory of their belongings with photos, tags, notes, and more.

Nextdoor: Connect with neighbors in your new neighborhood and find local home improvement professionals in your area with this handy app.

3. Create a Moving Checklist

Moving to a new home, especially across the country, involves many moving parts. From packing up your home and renting storage units to scheduling repairs and booking movers, there are numerous details to keep track of during a busy move. Creating a comprehensive checklist of everything that needs to be done can help you stay on track, streamline the process, and ensure nothing gets forgotten.

4. Color Code/ Label Moving Boxes

It is extremely helpful to label your moving boxes so you can easily find your belongings when you arrive at your new home. This also makes it much easier for the movers to know where to place each box. You can label the boxes according to the room (kitchen, living rooms, master bedroom etc.) However, you can take things a step further by creating a color coded system. For example, a red sticker denotes dishes while a purple sticker indicates bedding. This can help you locate items in no time.

5. Keep Clothing on Hangers

Moving is time consuming enough but you can save time and hassle by moving your clothes on their hangers. Simply purchase wardrobe boxes for moving and hang your clothing directly on the bar in the box. You can pack and unpack your clothing in no time with these convenient and time saving boxes.

6. Rent a Portable Storage Unit

Packing for a move is a tedious process so why push yourself to complete the process in a couple of days? When you rent a portable storage unit, you can keep the unit for as long as you need, allowing you to start packing well in advance at your convenience. Once you arrive at your destination, you may not be able to move into a house right away. In this case, a portable storage unit is great because all of your belongings are neatly secured for as long as you need until you are ready to unpack.

7. Pack an Essentials Box

Right before moving day, pack your everyday essentials such as toothbrush, toiletries, medications, change of clothes, charging cables, and stuffed animals for the kids into a suitcase or bag that you will keep with you. That way, if the moving truck arrives late, you will at least have your essentials with you.