Packing services for your long distance move
Packing is the part of moving people dread most. Hand over all of it, or just the fragile and heavy items, and have everything packed with professional materials before your truck arrives.
- Full packing, partial packing or fragile items only
- Boxes, paper, wrap and specialty cartons included
- Every box labeled by room for faster unpacking
Choose how much packing we do
Every option can be added to any long distance move. Your coordinator includes it in your written estimate.
Self-pack
You pack your boxes; furniture is still protected for you.
- Furniture wrapped in pads and stretch wrap
- Mattress bags
- Option to buy boxes and supplies from us
For: tighter budgets and people with time to pack
Partial packing
We pack what’s fragile, heavy or awkward.
- Kitchen: dishes, glassware, small appliances
- TVs, mirrors, art and lamps
- Any rooms you choose
For: people who’ll pack clothes and books themselves
Full packing
Every room packed, labeled and ready to load.
- All rooms, closets and storage areas
- All materials included
- Box unpacking available as an add-on
For: busy families and retirement moves
Packing is usually done the day before or the morning of pickup. Larger homes may need two days.
How different items are packed
| Item | How it’s packed |
|---|---|
| Dishes and glassware | Wrapped one by one in packing paper, plates on edge, in double-wall dish boxes with cell dividers |
| TVs | Original box if you have it, otherwise a TV carton with foam corners |
| Mirrors and art | Mirror cartons or custom-sized boxes with corner protection |
| Clothing | Wardrobe boxes with a hanging bar, so clothes go straight from closet to closet |
| Lamps and lampshades | Bases wrapped separately, shades in their own boxes with no weight on top |
| Books and documents | Small boxes, so they stay light enough to lift safely |
| Mattresses | Sealed mattress bags against dirt and moisture |
| Furniture | Moving pads and stretch wrap; disassembly and reassembly are included in every move |
Very valuable or one-of-a-kind items, such as antiques or fine art, may need custom crating. Tell your coordinator about them before your estimate.
Why professional packing pays off on a long distance move
On an interstate move, your boxes travel hundreds or thousands of miles and are often loaded with other shipments. Boxes that are underfilled, overloaded or packed with thin materials are the first to crush or shift.
Professional packers use the right box for each item, fill empty space so nothing moves, and keep heavy items in small boxes. That protects your belongings and makes loading faster.
There’s also a protection angle. If you pack a box yourself and something inside breaks, it can be harder to file a damage claim with the carrier, because they can’t confirm how the item was packed. Ask your coordinator how this works with your carrier.
Items movers can’t pack or transport
For safety reasons, interstate carriers can’t take hazardous materials on the truck. Plan to use up, give away or dispose of these before moving day:
- Flammables: gasoline, propane tanks, lighter fluid, paint thinner, aerosols.
- Chemicals: bleach, pool chemicals, pesticides, fertilizer.
- Explosives: ammunition, fireworks.
- Perishables: fresh and frozen food, plants (many states restrict them).
What affects the price of packing
- How much you have. The number of rooms and how full they are.
- What you have. Kitchens, glassware and art take longer than clothes and books.
- Materials. Specialty cartons like dish packs, wardrobe and TV boxes.
- Full or partial. Packing only fragile items costs much less than packing everything.
Packing is listed as a separate line in your written estimate, so you can see exactly what it adds.
Hand over the whole move
Add packing to a full-service move: your home is packed, moved, reassembled, cleaned and set up, with one coordinator and one bill.
See full-service movingPacking questions
Who does the packing?
Packing is done by the moving crew of the FMCSA-authorized carrier that handles your move, as part of the same booking. Your coordinator schedules it and includes it in your estimate.
When does packing happen?
Usually the day before pickup or the morning of. For larger homes, packing can take two days. Your coordinator confirms the schedule in advance.
Can I pack some things myself?
Yes. Partial packing is the most popular option: you pack clothes, linens and books, and the pros handle the kitchen, fragile items, TVs and art.
Are packing materials included?
With full or partial packing, all boxes, paper, wrap and specialty cartons are included in the price. If you pack yourself, you can buy materials separately.
Do you unpack too?
Unpacking boxes is available as a paid add-on. Furniture reassembly is already included in every move.
What can’t be packed?
Hazardous materials such as gasoline, propane, paint, chemicals, ammunition and fireworks, plus perishable food. Keep documents, medications and valuables with you.
Other services for your long distance move
Long distance moving
State to state and cross-country moves with one coordinator and a licensed carrier.
Learn more →Moving and storage
Short- and long-term storage when your move-out and move-in dates don’t line up.
Learn more →Full-service moving
Add cleaning and light handyman work at your old home, your new home or both.
Learn more →Add packing to your move
Tell us your route and how much you’d like packed. Your coordinator will include it in one written estimate.