Pro tip: Start earlier than you think. Every experienced mover says the same thing: they wished they'd started packing sooner. Eight weeks sounds like a lot — it isn't once life gets in the way.
8 Weeks Before Moving Day
Set your moving date and notify your current landlord (most leases require 30–60 days written notice)
Get quotes from at least 3 moving companies — start here
Decide: full-service movers, rental truck, or portable container?
Start a moving binder or folder — keep all contracts, quotes, and receipts in one place
Create a home inventory — photograph valuable items for insurance purposes
Research your new neighborhood: schools, grocery stores, doctors, commute routes
If renting: research neighborhoods, apply for apartments (start 60–90 days early in competitive markets)
If buying: work with your realtor on closing timeline and possession date
6 Weeks Before Moving Day
Book your moving company — confirm in writing with a binding estimate
Start collecting free boxes from liquor stores, bookstores, Facebook Marketplace, and Nextdoor
Order packing supplies: tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, markers
Start decluttering room by room — donate, sell, or discard what you're not taking
Schedule a garage sale or list items on Facebook Marketplace / OfferUp
Research moving insurance — consider full-value protection for valuable items
Notify your employer of your new address and any schedule changes around move date
If moving out of state: research driver's license transfer requirements and vehicle registration deadlines
Book 4–8 weeks in advance for summer moves (May–August), and 2–4 weeks for off-peak moves. For moves on the last weekend of the month — when most leases end — book as early as possible as movers fill up fast.
A studio needs roughly 10–20 boxes, a 1BR needs 20–30, a 2BR needs 30–50, and a 3BR needs 50–100. It's always better to have too many than too few — unused boxes can be returned to the store or given away.
Keep with you: cash, jewelry, medications, important documents (passport, birth certificate, Social Security card), irreplaceable items, and anything you'll need on arrival day. Flammable items (gas cans, propane, paint) are prohibited by most movers.
A local move for a 2BR apartment typically takes 4–6 hours. A full 3BR house might take 6–10 hours locally. Long-distance moves typically deliver in 2–14 business days depending on distance and whether it's a dedicated truck.