Pack for the miles: a room-by-room handling system

Begin with décor, archives, seasonal items, and spare rooms. Finish with the kitchen core, daily clothing, work tools, and bedding. Mark a small group as open-first and place those cartons where they can be located at delivery.

• Kitchen: protect edges and handles; keep dense pantry goods in small boxes.
• Bedrooms: use wardrobe cartons selectively and bag hardware by furniture item.
• Electronics: photograph connections, label cables, and avoid unsealed loose parts.
• Garage: separate prohibited materials and drain approved equipment as required.

Photograph valuable and fragile pieces from several angles before packing. Record serial numbers where useful and retain receipts, appraisals, or other ownership records. Ask how high-value articles must be declared under the selected valuation option.

Jewelry, identity documents, medications, cash, irreplaceable records, keys, and small critical electronics generally belong with you rather than in the household shipment.

Interstate delivery uses a window, so plan for more than one night. Keep clothing, medication, toiletries, chargers, work and school essentials, pet supplies, basic cookware, documents, and sleeping needs accessible.

The goal is not to predict a delay. It is to keep the household functional while transportation follows the documented schedule.