Let’s face it, no one wants to spend any more time than they have to moving. Between loading delays and traffic jams, you can spend a lot of time waiting around instead of out on the open road!
Thankfully, most of these delays can be avoided or mitigated with just a few minutes of pre-planning. The editorial staff of Moving Insider has rounded up the top three ways to avoid delays when doing your next DIY move.
A few minutes of planning before hand can save you hours in the long run. These three simple steps can be the difference between a great trip and a moving disaster! (Image via CC/Wikimedia Tasma3197)
Check in Online
One of the easiest steps that can be taken care of ahead of time — you can check in online for your moving truck or trailer reservation from a desktop computer or smartphone before you even get in the car. Head on over to uhaul.com/orders and log in to access the online check in process.
Doing this will save you time in the pickup process. Upon arrival to the U-Haul Center or Neighborhood Dealer, a majority of your information will already be confirmed in the system and you’ll be on your way with keys in hand!
Map the Route
Traffic jams and poor directions can stop you dead in your tracks. A moving adventure may take you to places where your smartphone can’t help you! It’s always a good idea to have a paper print out of directions or a old-school map with you as a backup solution. Doing this will also give some situational awareness — if you end up in Ohio when you’re supposed to be in Virginia you’ll know something is up.
Having a map handy can also help if you get caught in a traffic jam. Smartphone apps like Google Maps (Android) (iOS) and websites like here.com can also help in this effort.
Make a Schedule
And stick to it! It can be easy to get distracted by that historical landmark on the way. Or in my case, that awesome southern BBQ that I could smell from miles down the road. It’s important to take breaks on your trip, but also remember that there is a timetable to keep to avoid late fees on equipment and to make it to your destination on time.
Take a few minutes to lay out a time table. Do you want to be in a certain state by a certain time? Write it down and make it happen. Did you schedule 30 minutes for lunch? Stick to it so that you don’t fall behind. It’s important to stay on track so you make it to your destination in plenty of time.
How do you avoid delays when moving? Have you every had a time table disaster? Let us know in the comments below.
