If you are moving long distances, there are several options for how to do this. You can fly in a plane and have your belongings delivered, use your own vehicle and tow things with a trailer, or rent a moving truck and tow your vehicle using a carrier. You can also rent a chest, pack it at your leisure, and have the crate shipped to you. By researching beforehand, you can find out which option is the cheapest and easiest.
Step
Part 1 of 5: Details
Step 1. Create an inventory of your items
Make a note of everything you own especially vehicles, furniture, and heavy objects that can take up a lot of space.
- How much do these items cost?
- If shipping these items is more expensive than buying new ones, are you willing to let them go?
Step 2. Document valuables with photos
This will provide a timed record of the condition of your belongings.
If you choose to buy insurance, be sure to get insurance replacement cost only. Other types of insurance literally reimburse by weight, not value.
Part 2 of 5: Finding Out
Step 1. Find out the price of the plane ticket
If you don't have an exact transfer date, use the “flexible date” feature on online booking sites to find out the cheapest flight time.
Find out the baggage weight limits that airlines offer. In some cases, you can carry up to 45 kg, and extra baggage is available at a friendly price. This can be useful if, for example, you want to bring your own computer for fear that moving services will damage it. You can pack your computer tightly in bubble wrap and put it in your suitcase as part of the allowed baggage allowance
Step 2. Look for trailer and truck moving deals
There are various options. Make sure you study it and write down all the offers. After doing some calculations, you will be able to assess which option is the best for the items you have.
- Plan ahead if you need a trailer carrier! If you need a carrier for your vehicle, make sure it's in stock. Sometimes you have to place an order in advance and it will take a few days for your order to arrive.
- If you rent a moving truck, how much does it cost to rent a truck of the required size, and for how many days and km does the fee apply?
- If you have a vehicle, how much does it cost to tow it by lorry? It might be cheaper to do the opposite: Drive your car and tow a trailer. How much will it cost?
Step 3. Investigate the moving service company
Find out how much it costs to hire a moving company for a full service (this might make it easier for you and loading and unloading of things, see Warnings below).
- You can also look into “self-move” services, which will drop off the container, let you unload it at any time, and pick it up again and deliver it to its destination.
- On some sites you can explain your needs and people will offer you a quote for the fees you need to pay. When finding out, you should ask the costs that need to be incurred, the length of time it will take, and the reimbursement given if there is damage.
- Books can be a significant burden on a personal vehicle. Do not be afraid! Books can be shipped via USPS at a 'media rate (media rate)'. Another option that is often overlooked is through the Greyhound delivery service, which offers deep student discounts (currently only available in the United States and Canada). Both of these options allow you to pick up items for up to 2 weeks later, which is handy if you don't know where to move! (In Indonesia, you can use similar delivery services through IndoEkspedisi and JNE).
Step 4. Know the reliability of your vehicle
Are you sure you can drive it over 3,200 km without getting damaged? Does the car need to be serviced before it can survive the journey that far?
- Most cars, reliable or not, have to undergo special maintenance in a repair shop (with particular attention to radiators, transmissions and brakes) before embarking on an intercity journey. Maintenance costs can save up to tens of millions (literally) on emergency services, cranes, etc.
- When you're considering towing a trailer, is your car's horsepower strong enough to tow it across roads and landscapes?
- Driving between cities often means driving across different altitudes, climates and terrain. Can your vehicle climb and descend some mountains? Are the brakes in good condition? Is there a tendency for the vehicle to overheat? Are the air conditioning and heating working?
- Check the weather. Weather.com and similar sites can provide weather information about your travel path. Consider areas such as mountains, avoid them if possible or have chains available for vehicles if needed. Map out your destination using the internet and don't leave the house without an up-to-date travel atlas. Decide when to buy a satellite navigation system for your budget car.
Part 3 of 5: Taking into account
Step 1. Calculate the cost of driving your vehicle
Take into account the fuel efficiency of the vehicle that you will use in order to estimate the costs that must be incurred.
- Find out how far you will travel, then divide that number by km/L. This will give you the required amount of fuel for the entire trip. Multiply that number by the price of fuel per liter to find out how much money you have to spend to buy the entire fuel for the trip.
- Example: If the distance traveled is 2,000 miles (about 3,200 km) and your car travels 30 miles per gallon (12.6 km per liter) of fuel, then 2,000 miles / 30 miles = approximately 66.5 gallons (3,200 km / 12, 6 km = approx. 254 L). If the price of fuel per liter is Rp. 9,300, -, then the costs that need to be incurred to buy fuel are 254 L x Rp 9,300, - = Rp 2,362,200, -.
- Example: If the distance traveled is 1000 km and your vehicle travels 15 km per liter of fuel, then 1000 km 15 km/L = approximately 67 liters. If the price of fuel per liter is Rp. 9,300, -, then the costs that need to be incurred to buy fuel are 67 L x Rp9,300, - = Rp623,100,-.
- Keep in mind that the km/L size of your vehicle will be smaller if you are towing a trailer or adding a fairly heavy load to the vehicle in any way.
Step 2. Make a realistic list for your travel budget, especially food and lodging
- How long will the drive take?
- If you have to stay at a hotel or motel, how much does it cost? How much does it cost for meals and snacks?
- Are you planning an excursion on a trip, perhaps a wine tasting or visiting an old friend?
Step 3. Take a look at the cost of shipping the vehicle
There are companies that specialize in the delivery of vehicles over long distances. Call and ask:
- How much time will it take?
- How much will it cost?
- How to compensate for damage to the vehicle?
- What is the reputation of this company? You can usually find reviews on the internet.
Part 4 of 5: Evaluating
You should have figured out enough by now to be able to put a price tag on all possible move scenarios. Now you have to compare your options not only based on price, but also other considerations such as satisfaction. Here's a scenario of what you can do.
Step 1. First Scenario:
-
Drive vehicles, goods are delivered.
- Consider the greater possibility of damage to your belongings if handled by someone else.
- Driving a vehicle instead of delivering it or towing it means more wear and tear on the vehicle.
- The most conducive choice for sightseeing.
Step 2. Second Scenario:
-
Drive vehicles, tow trailers filled with goods.
- Consider less chance of damage to items if handled alone.
- Driving a vehicle instead of delivering it or towing it means more wear and tear on the vehicle.
- Towing a heavy trailer will add weight to your vehicle, and may require installing trailer hooks.
Step 3. Third Scenario:
-
Drive rental truck with goods, vehicle towed.
- Consider less chance of damage to items if handled alone.
- Less wear and damage to the vehicle.
Step 4. Fourth Scenario:
-
Drive rental truck with goods, vehicles delivered.
- Consider less chance of damage to items if handled alone.
- Less wear and tear on the vehicle, but more chance of the vehicle being damaged or scratched.
- Prepare a spare vehicle at the destination in case the delivery of the vehicle takes longer than expected.
- Can tow trailer behind moving truck for carrying extra items.
Step 5. Fifth Scenario:
-
Fly to the destination by plane, goods and vehicles are delivered.
- Consider the greater possibility of damage to items if handled by someone else.
- Less wear and tear on the vehicle, but more chance of the vehicle being damaged or scratched.
- Easier but more expensive when involving children.
- Prepare a spare vehicle at the destination in case the delivery of the vehicle takes longer than expected.
- You'll probably get to your destination ahead of your belongings.
- Can carry some items on the plane.
Step 6. Sixth Scenario:
Sell cars and other heavy objects. Submit the rest. Fly to your destination by plane. It may be cheaper or just a little more expensive to sell cars and other items then buy new ones at their destination. Calculate the cost of shipping these heavy items and buying new ones at their destination. You can enjoy newer technologies for example for televisions, computers and cars
Part 5 of 5: The Most Important Thing…
Step 1. Get creative
Consider options not listed here that are unique to your situation.
- Maybe a friend or relative will be willing to help drive your vehicle and belongings between cities, just for the experience; You can offer to pay for gas and lodging, and it may still be cheaper than using a car delivery service.
- It makes sense to be willing to let go of all the bulky stuff and travel by train or bus. The possibilities are endless. Consider what's best for you and your situation, and enjoy the ride!
Tips
- If you decide to use a moving service, make sure its reliability first. You may want to consider a specialized moving service, for example: If you have a piano to move, you may want to consider hiring a piano moving service.
- Moving may be difficult for pets. Taking the animal with you on trips may be better because it can always be by your side, but it can be uncomfortable and stressful for both you and your pet. Sending an animal by plane to its destination is quicker and the journey is completed faster, but can be stressful for the animal.
- Always consider unexpected changes: Detours, flight delays, flat tires and anything else that could affect your plans. Don't over-tighten your schedule until a small unexpected thing can ruin the whole trip.
- Consider hiring an intercity moving service for an upcoming move if you decide you don't want to take care of the whole process yourself.
- Consider taking two trips. You can take a lot of stuff to your destination in one go, then travel by bus or plane to your place of origin and drive the vehicle to a new place with other items if necessary.
- Consider the possibility that if you tow a trailer or rent a large caravan, it could be stolen or broken into.
- Look for rental trucks or shared inventory. Moving sites on the internet can help you find people who may be moving from one place to another. Look for those who want to move from the origin to the same destination as you. Once you find someone who wants to join or share a rental truck, there are many ways to save depending on your situation and the comfort of the person. For example, you can both rent a moving truck like the trucking service from Truck and Move and move your goods together in the same truck; You can also choose to rent a container service, for example from GoGoEx Express and load the goods together in the same container. If you both have less inventory and don't meet the minimum load/volume criteria required by the moving service company, you can both combine inventory to meet the criteria and split the cost. If you can't find anyone, try announcing your move so people who want to combine inventory or share rental trucks can contact you.
- Moving expenses may be tax deductible; ask a trusted tax expert about this.
Warning
- The moving company holds the goods until you pay the additional fee printed at the bottom of the contract. Read the contract!
- If you don't balance the load on the trailer properly or the weight of the trailer exceeds the recommended crane capacity, your intercity trip may be disastrous, especially with the possibilities that lie ahead.
- Unless you have experience towing heavy loads, ask for instructions on driving an intercity truck. The wind can literally hurl a tow trailer off the highway, and the drag is minimal when the load behind the car exceeds the tow vehicle's weight.
- The moving company should have the name on the truck and have a license and warranty. Ask about this and try to estimate with the shifter to confirm this.
- If you are in poor health, loading and unloading trucks or trailers yourself may not be a good idea. Find a reputable moving service to do it for you.
- When evaluating a moving service company, make sure it has a Department of Transportation number and a freight number.
