Self-packing for an interstate move is doable, and it can save you 18–28% off your quote. But it requires the right materials, the right order of operations, and a few professional tricks. This guide walks you through every step.
If you would rather have us pack for you, we offer full-service packing and white-glove pack-and-unpack on every interstate move. But if you want to do it yourself, follow this guide.
What you will need
A 3-bedroom home typically needs about 80–120 boxes, plus 8–10 wardrobe boxes, 6–10 dish-pack boxes, 4 rolls of packing tape, 3 packs of packing paper, and a black marker.
- Small (1.5 cu ft) boxes, books, small kitchen items, glassware (about 25 for a 3 BR)
- Medium (3.0 cu ft) boxes, kitchen, bathroom, miscellaneous (about 35)
- Large (4.5 cu ft) boxes, linens, lighter household goods (about 25)
- Dish-pack boxes, fragile kitchen items (about 8)
- Wardrobe boxes, hanging clothes (about 8)
- Heavy-duty packing tape, 4–6 rolls for a 3 BR
- Packing paper (unprinted newsprint), 3 large packs
- Bubble wrap, 1 large roll for fragile decor
- Permanent markers, 2 (room labels and content notes)
- Color-coded labels or stickers, one color per room
A 4-week packing timeline
The biggest mistake homeowners make is starting too late. Here is a realistic 4-week timeline for a 3 BR home.
- Week 4 before move, Order packing materials. Declutter aggressively (donate, sell, trash). Pack non-essentials: books, off-season clothes, decor, garage and basement items.
- Week 3 before move, Pack the rooms you use least: guest bedroom, dining room (except daily dishes), home office.
- Week 2 before move, Pack closets, bathrooms (except daily-use items), and most of the kitchen. Reserve a "first-night" box.
- Week 1 before move, Pack the rest. Disassemble everything that does not need to be used in the final week.
- Day before move, Pack toiletries, the bedroom, and the kitchen essentials. Ensure the first-night box is clearly labeled.
Room-by-room order
Pack from least-used to most-used. Here is the typical order:
- Garage, basement, attic, start here
- Guest bedroom and home office, early
- Dining room, living room decor, mid timeline
- Closets and bathrooms, second-to-last
- Kitchen, bedrooms, last 1–2 days
- First-night box (toiletries, sheets, change of clothes, phone chargers), final day
Pro tips that will save you damage and time
- Books go in small boxes. Always. A medium box of books is too heavy for the crew to carry comfortably and may damage other items underneath.
- Lampshades come off lamps. Pack them separately in their own box, not folded into the lamp.
- Drawers can stay packed (clothes only), wrap the dresser in shrink-wrap so drawers do not slide.
- Label every box with room AND a one-line content summary. "Kitchen, pots and pans" is more useful than just "Kitchen."
- Do not over-pack a box. If it weighs more than you can carry comfortably, the crew will struggle and items shift in transit.
- Photograph electronics before disconnecting cables, the photo helps you reassemble at the destination.
- Pack a "first-night" box for each family member: toiletries, sheets, clothes for the next day, phone charger.
Packing fragile items (kitchen, art, electronics)
Fragile items are where most damage happens. The good news: most damage is preventable with the right technique.
For kitchen china and glassware, use dish-pack boxes with cell dividers. Wrap each piece individually in packing paper. Pack heaviest at the bottom, lightest on top, with crumpled paper filling all gaps.
For framed art and mirrors under 30 inches, use boxes with corner protectors. Larger pieces, over 30 inches, should be custom-crated by us, not packed in cardboard. For electronics, use original boxes if possible. If not, use oversized boxes with foam padding on all six sides.
If self-packing feels overwhelming, our packing crews can pack a 3 BR in a single day, photograph the inventory, and label every box by room. Get a free quote that includes packing, call 855-967-0102.