Ask any person who has moved across the country, or even to another state, and they will tell you how stressful it is. With the proper planning and organization, your move can be as hassle-free as possible. Here’s a mover’s checklist to get you started on your journey:

moving day

1.The Vehicle

The first thing to determine is how you will get yourself, your pets and your belongings to your new home. If you have a large truck or SUV, you may want to purchase a hitch and trailer and carry your own things. If you have a smaller car, renting a U-Haul is the better idea. Alternatively, if you are packing lights and have a few good friends, there’s nothing wrong with turning your move into an adventure to share with those close to you.

2.Packing

According to the people at PODS, the company that makes those amazing moving containers, it’s important to start getting yourself packed about six weeks before your big move. This gives you enough time to pack slowly and carefully while purging yourself of the things you don’t need any longer. When you pack, make sure to label or color code boxes. Doing this makes it much easier to get your new place in order when you arrive.

3.Important Documents

Don’t make the mistake that so many people do: packing your important documents. Instead, gather everything, put it in a manila envelope and carry it with you. Your birth certificate, identification cards, insurance policies, passport, vehicle registration, and any other important paperwork should be kept near your person at all times. In fact, you’d be doubly safe to make a copy of each just in case.

moving day

4.Utilities

Four week ahead of your move, make arrangements to have your current utilities turned off and your new ones turned on. This will ensure that you can pay final bills before you leave, and that you’ll have light to turn on when you arrive. You may be able to transfer accounts if you will be staying with the same company. For example, if you currently have cable and the same provider is located in your new city, ask about transferring service instead of canceling and restarting it.

5.Change of Address

Just a couple of weeks before you’re ready to leave for good, go down to the post office and fill out a change of address form. Contact the company’s that holds your loans and inform them of your new address. Transfer your bank accounts or, if a transfer is not possible, close your accounts and open new ones online. Send an email to all of your friends and relatives informing them of your new address. If you subscribe to any magazines or newspapers, either have them stopped or have them sent to your new home.

There’s little you can do to take all of the stress from a cross-country move. With the right planning and organization, you can make it as hassle-free as possible. Use these tips to make your move as easy as possible.