Moving Timeline: An 8-Week Schedule That Actually Works
Reviewed by Joey Padgett · Last reviewed September 2026
Eight weeks sounds like a lot of time. It isn't. The tasks don't distribute evenly: weeks 1 through 5 are mostly decisions and logistics, and weeks 6 through 8 are physical work that takes longer than expected.
This schedule is designed around a move date exactly 8 weeks out. Compress or expand each phase if your timeline is shorter or longer.
Week 8 (First Week After You Know You're Moving)
This week is about decisions and bookings. The longer you wait on these, the fewer options you have.
Book your moving help. Whether you're hiring full-service movers, renting a truck, or using a container service, popular move dates in May through September fill up 4 to 6 weeks out. Get at least three written estimates, verify licensing, and book.
Give notice. Check your lease for required notice periods. Most require 30 to 60 days written notice. Missing this can cost you.
Start decluttering. The cheapest and most universally useful thing you can do before a move is reduce what you're moving. Sell, donate, or dispose of what you're not taking. Less stuff = less packing time, less truck space, lower costs (especially for long-distance weight-based pricing).
Week 7
Research your new area. Grocery stores, urgent care facilities, pharmacy, schools (if relevant), internet providers at the new address, and any service providers you'll need to set up.
Order packing supplies. Order online now rather than making multiple trips later. For a 2-bedroom home: 40 to 60 boxes (mix of small, medium, and large), 8 to 12 rolls of tape, 15 to 25 lbs of packing paper. See Moving Supplies: The Complete List for quantities by home size.
Begin packing. Start with what you're least likely to need: off-season clothes, books you've already read, guest room contents, holiday decorations, anything from the attic or basement you haven't touched this year.
Week 6
Continue packing non-essentials. Work through the living room (art, decorations, bookshelves), secondary bedrooms, and linen closets.
Arrange school records. If you're moving with school-age children, contact the current school about transferring records to the new district. Some districts require original documents; others accept electronic transfers.
Start utility transfers. Contact your internet, electric, and gas providers to schedule service end at the current address and start at the new one. Utility transfer timing is one of the things people regularly handle too late.
Week 5
File change of address with USPS. Do this at usps.com and set the start date 1 to 2 days before your move. This triggers mail forwarding from the old address to the new one for up to 12 months.
Notify key parties. Bank and credit card companies, your employer's HR department, health insurance, pharmacy, and subscription services. See Change of Address: Complete Checklist for the full list.
Set up utilities at the new address. Electric, gas, water (if not included), internet. Confirm installation dates. Internet is often the longest lead time.
Pack the remaining guest spaces and secondary rooms.
Week 4
Pack the living room in earnest. TV, media equipment, bookshelves, art. Photograph your electronics setup before unplugging anything.
Disassemble furniture that needs it. Bookshelves, bed frames, large desks. Do this now, not the night before moving day.
Arrange moving-day logistics for pets and children. Boarding, childcare, or a specific adult assigned to managing them on the day.
Schedule any services needed at the new home. Cleaning before you move in, appliance installation, any repairs or modifications.
Begin clearing the garage, shed, and storage areas. These are reliably underestimated time-sinks.
Week 3
Pack the kitchen (except daily-use items). The kitchen typically takes 6 to 10 hours for a 3-bedroom home. Start now. See How to Pack Dishes for the right technique.
Pack all bedroom items except one week's worth of clothes.
Dispose of anything movers won't transport. Open paint cans, propane tanks, flammable liquids, most plants (for interstate moves). Don't wait until moving day to discover the mover won't take something.
Confirm all details with your mover. Arrival time, number of people, truck size, access instructions.
Week 2
Pack the remaining kitchen. Daily-use items: the coffee maker, a few plates, the pan you use every morning. These come out last.
Pack all bathrooms. Keep one small bag of toiletries accessible for the final days.
Pack remaining clothes. Leave enough for the next week plus moving day.
Prepare your open-first bag. Pack a bag or box per person with the essentials for the first night: phone charger, medications, change of clothes, toiletries, snacks, sheets. This travels in your car, not the truck.
Get cash for tipping.
The Final Days
Defrost the refrigerator and freezer. At least 24 hours before they're moved.
Eat or donate remaining perishable food. What can't be eaten should be tossed.
Do a final pass through every closet, cabinet, and storage space in the current home.
Photograph the current home. Every room, every wall with scuffs or marks, every appliance, the floors. Date-stamped photos are evidence for security deposit purposes.
Pack the last items. Beds, remaining kitchen, bathroom.
Moving Day
Give the movers a brief walkthrough before they start. Tell them about fragile items, specialty pieces, and anything needing special care. After everything is loaded, do a final walkthrough of the empty home before the truck leaves. Every closet, every cabinet, the attic, behind every door.
At the new home: inspect everything as it comes off the truck. Note any visible damage on the delivery receipt before signing.