Moving Tips from the Experts

Transporting your family members thousands of miles can be an overwhelming task that requires more planning than just a move across town. Some tips on how to make the trek easier are listed below.

Pack a separate suitcase or tote for each person if there is room in your vehicle. A complete set of clothes, with underwear and socks, for each travel day, plus an extra set, needs to be included. To avoid bedtime hysterics, pack the things that people need to go to sleep, like special teddy bears or blankets, on top. Keep soiled clothing separate by utilizing garbage bags with pull string enclosures.

Remember to refill any prescription medications before the big day, and pack a first aid kit that includes pain-killers, band-aids, and antibiotic ointment. If anyone has food or other allergies and has been prescribed Benadryl or an EpiPen, remember to have them close at hand in the car.

Go to the local dollar store. Buy a toiletry kit with multiple toothbrushes, lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, napkins, plastic dinnerware including plates, and finally, many packages of batteries for electronic entertainment devices. Fasten the bags securely and pack them in one of the suitcases that you'll be taking on the trip.

Many families own two vehicles, and they will be driving them separately. In this case, the purchase of two quality walkie-talkies is recommended for the trip. Cell phones are often at the mercy of areas with poor or no reception, and these areas are frequently found along less traveled roads. Plus, the walkie-talkies may pay for themselves by reducing the roaming charges on your cell phone. If car trouble or some other calamity occurs, you can instantly be in contact with the other driver. Consider two identical sets of walkie-talkies, set on the same frequency, for the times when the older children are allowed to attend the rest room or get snacks by themselves. In the event that danger is encountered, your child should be taught to cry for help and push the button at the same time. You may even want to do some practice drills prior to the trip.

Keep an agenda of everyday tasks, like taking vitamins and medicine, recharging the cell phones and walkie-talkies, and double checking to make sure you've gotten everything. Make a space for you to check off after each task has been completed. You are more than likely to become exhausted on an extended road trip and may not be able to recall all of the small details that can make a huge difference.

It is better to charge your batteries for the communication devices every night, because normally, the day after the night you don't charge it will be the day you will need it the most. To make things easier, go ahead and make a copy of this list for each day and store it in a three ring binder, along with printouts of Mapquest directions and the phone numbers of your important contacts, such as the moving company and the hotels in which you intend to stay.

You'll obviously want to pack snacks for the car ride. Consider healthier snacks such as protein bars and shakes, as opposed to sodas and candy bars. Traveling with kids on sugar highs is a bad idea.