person standing in front of moving boxes holding cash

Long distance moving can sound like a pricey venture. Not only will you be spending money on a new mortgage or rent, but you may have to purchase new appliances or furniture, and hiring a moving company is almost always essential. 

Servicing the Pittsburgh and Cleveland areas, Weleski Transfer has over 120 years of experience in the moving and storage industry, and is a member of the American Trucking Associations' Moving and Storage Conference. Our expertise in long distance relocations is unmatched, and we've assisted with just about every size and kind of cross-country move you could imagine. So when our valued customers ask us about ways they can cut costs, these are some of our best tips we give them!

Downsize Before Your Long Distance Move

Many moving and storage companies base their rates on the weight and volume of everything being shipped, so going through your belongings ahead of time to downsize can be a great way to save money. 

Go through your house room by room and make a pile of items you no longer want or need. There are many options for homeowners to offload these items, such as:

  • Have a Yard Sale
  • Donate to Secondhand Stores
  • Make a "Free" Box at the End of Your Driveway

Don't Buy Unnecessary Packing Supplies

If you wait until the last minute to begin packing for your long distance relocation, you may feel like the only option is to purchase packing materials. But instead of buying new, look through online marketplaces to see if anyone is selling supplies that was only slightly used and still in good condition.

You can also get creative with the personal items you'll already be transporting to use as packing supplies. Some creative ideas include:

  • Pack Drawers with Contents Still Inside
  • Use Suitcases and Laundry Baskets as Boxes
  • Linens Can Be Used to Pad Furniture
  • Wrap Fragile Items in Newspaper

Digitize Your Documents

If you have a filing cabinet or two at your residence filled with hard copies of important documents, scanning these papers into a computer or similar device can save you pounds on your estimated cargo weight. This also helps you avoid the risk of losing the documents altogether while being transported across the country.

Plan Your Move for the Offseason

Most families organize their long distance moves during the summer months, as kids are out of school and weather is optimal. But this also means that moving companies may have higher rates due to their busy schedules. Plan your cross-country relocation sometime between October and May to potentially get a lower quote from long distance movers.

Another option for lower rates is to execute your move on a weekday. Again, most folks prefer weekends, so moving between Monday and Friday will free up more moving companies to help out.

Weleski Transfer is an agent of Atlas Van Lines, which means we can even help you move internationally. Our full-service moving options can be customized to meet your specific needs, so you'll never pay for services you don't want when you work with us.

Call Weleski Transfer today for your free estimate on our long distance moving services, and together we can begin planning your exciting nationwide move!