Moving can be a Challenge, especially if you’re unsure where to start. For most people, however, it’s not the “Moving” but the “Packing” that concerns them most. If you’re moving on short notice or want to speed up the packing process, this guide will show you How to Pack For a Move in 3 days.

Hiring a moving company

Whether you’re looking for the best way to pack clothes or dishes for moving or any other room in the house, a plan is essential.

The plan will include a “divide and conquer” approach, helping alleviate stress, simplify your move, and finish packing Step-by-Step (and Room-by-Room). So, let’s get to it!

Tips on How to Pack for a Move in 3 Days:

Start early. Even if you only have 3 days to pack, starting early is still a good idea. This will give you more time to get organized and avoid last-minute stress.

Make a list.

Prioritize. Not all of your belongings are created equal. Some items are more important than others, so you’ll want to pack them first. For example, pack your clothes, toiletries, and important documents first.

Delegate. If you have family or friends willing to help, delegate some packing tasks to them. This will free up your time so you can focus on other things.

Take breaks. Packing can be a lot of work, so taking breaks is important. Get up and move around every 20-30 minutes to avoid getting sore.

Don’t forget the little things. Don’t forget to pack batteries, light bulbs, and cleaning supplies. These items may seem insignificant, but they’ll be essential when setting up your new home.

Label everything. This will help you and the movers find your belongings when unpacking. Be sure to include the room number and the contents of each box.

Be prepared for the unexpected. Things don’t always go according to plan, so preparing for the unexpected is important. Pack a few extra boxes in case you run out of space.

Don’t stress. Moving can be stressful, but it’s important to stay calm. Remember, it’s just stuff. You can always replace it if it gets lost or damaged.

Day 1:

Pack Closets and Drawers.

Pack Kitchen (Dishes, Glasses, Pots & Pans)

Pack Bathrooms (Toiletries, Towels)

Pack Office (Books, Computers, Printer)

Pack Jewelry (See Personal Items *Keep Safe Box Below)

Pack up any other rooms that you don’t use every day.

Day 2:

Pack Living Room and Dining Room.

Pack Bedrooms (Disassemble all bed frames – leave a mattress unpacked on the floor for sleeping during the 3-day pack)

Pack any other rooms that you use every day.

Pack up the Basement and Garage

Day 3:

Pack up your car or truck (Place Keep Safe* Box locked inside the vehicle)

Move to your new home.

Unpack your belongings.

Safety Tips:

While packing, don’t forget to Set aside the clothing, shoes, and bathroom items you’ll need for the 3 days of packing and during your move.

Gather a small *Keep Safe Box for expensive items such as Jewelry, Keepsakes, etc., and mark the box with something generic – like your name.

Keep the Keep Safe box “Separated” from other boxes while packing, and before the move, place it in your vehicle so you can keep a close eye on it.

Tip: If the safe box is shallow enough, it can fit under your car seat and out of sight during your move.

Frequently Asked Moving Questions: (FAQ)

Q: How Long Does It Take to Pack for A Move?

A: The time it takes to pack for a move depends on the size of your house, the number of people helping pack, and the hours you can commit to packing each day, which will determine how long it takes to pack for a move.

If you’re highly motivated, own an average size home, and have a few friends or family members willing to pitch in and help, follow this How to Move in 3 Days Guide – you should be able to complete your packing in 2-3 Days.

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Q: Where Can I Find a Checklist for Moving?

A: You can make your checklist for moving by starting with a “room-by-room plan” (bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, etc.) along with “who to notify” contacts, such as schools, utilities, etc.

Lastly, determine the “method for moving,” such as hiring a moving company or using a rental truck to move yourself.

For those with more time to pack before a move – Here is an awesome 5-Week Checklist for Moving from Price Self Storage

Q: What are the Best Tips for Packing in a Hurry?

A: The 5 fastest tips for moving in a hurry are:

Purge (get rid of) anything you no longer need or use

Put together an “Essentials” bag or box with the items you will need the first 2 days after a move (clothing, toiletries, prescriptions)

Don’t pack your clothes; leave them in the drawers

Use large garbage bags to pack bedding, shoes, and coats

Use blankets and towels to protect fragile items in boxes.

Line up friends or family to help!

Q: What are the Best types of Boxes to use for Moving?

A: For most of your moving needs, the variety of boxes sold at Home Depot, Lowes, or U-Haul includes the best sizes and configurations. You can often buy TV boxes and Mattress Shipping Bags at those locations.

If you’re more of an Online Shopper, Amazon has every possible moving box or accessory you could hope for.

Q: Should I Hire a Moving Company or Move Myself?

A: Moving can be complicated for some homeowners, but companies such as “Two-Men-And-a-Truck” can make it more affordable and accessible if you move locally.

However, If you’re moving out of state, consider a national moving company such as Atlas, United, or Allied Van Lines.

Alternatively, if you’re able and willing to rent a truck (U-Haul) and move your household – it will save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.

I’ve often used a U-Haul or Ryder truck for local moves (and once from Michigan to Florida). Although it requires more labor, the move is done in 1-2 days, and the money saved is substantial.

If you do move with a rental truck, be sure to rent a truck slightly larger than you expect you will need. It’s always better to have too much space than not enough!

Also, be sure to “Rent” the furniture pads, Appliance dolly, or Straps that companies like U-Haul and Ryder offer, making moving much easier and safer.

Additional Reading and References:

Packing Tips for Moving from U-Haul.Com

How to Pack a Moving Truck (with pictures) Wikihow.com

How to Build a DIY Workbench for Garage – Besthomegear.com

Best National Moving Companies – Forbes.Com

Cheapest Way to Build a Wood Privacy Fence – Besthomegear.com