I moved all my belongings across the country 5 times in a year without a car. There are 4 things I wish I’d known sooner.

I moved on my own for the first time in 2020 after deciding to leave my marriage. 

Little did I know, I was going to move a total of five times across four different states that year — and I’d do it all without access to a car. 

Here are the tips I wish I knew before my first move.

The moving process can be stressful, so don’t be afraid to ask for help

Moving without a car requires you to be resourceful, and that includes tapping into all expertise possible. After all, moving can be a lot for one person to handle on their own. 

The first time I packed up my belongings, I was so focused on the logistics that I didn’t ask my friends or family for help or advice. In hindsight, that was a mistake. 

Organization isn’t my strong suit, so my packing strategy was flawed, to put it kindly.

My best friend is a pro at putting together suitcases and cleaning up messes, so I should’ve asked her for assistance earlier. If I had, I could’ve saved time, space, and money. 

Pare down your belongings as early as possible — you’ll thank yourself later

I overpacked the first time I moved, which made relocating much more challenging.

Without a car, I didn’t have the luxury of stuffing things in backseat crevices or trunk corners. I knew that every inch of my suitcase was precious, but there were still some items I couldn’t part with.

I’ve since pared down my belongings with each move. It became clear which items were essential to my survival and my happiness. I held onto my favorite books, workout equipment, and childhood mementos. 

Getting rid of things took me time, but I recommend doing so earlier in the moving process. You’ll thank yourself down the line.

Before you throw away items you don’t need or use, consider selling or donating them instead

I have a habit of holding onto things that I should’ve tossed years prior. Some of these items — like a decade-old laptop charger — probably aren’t useful to anyone, but others are worth selling or donating.

If something doesn’t come in handy for you, it might for someone else — so think twice before tossing it in the garbage.

For example, I’d amassed a sizable makeup collection that I brought with me on my journey. I wasn’t using most of the products, many of which were brand new, so I ended up selling over 100 eyeshadow palettes.

Test out rideshare apps to gauge prices and wait times

When I can’t use public transportation or walk, I rely on rideshare apps.

This has come in handy during some of my moves, and I’ve found that the cost of these trips varies depending on location. 

Once, I arrived in a new city and was shocked that the rideshare from the airport to my new home was more than $100, a huge jump from what a similar route cost in my previous destination.

Rideshare rates also fluctuate throughout the day, so a 2 p.m. trip is likely priced differently than a 2 a.m. trip. I’ve found it helpful to check the apps, even when I don’t need a ride, to get an idea of how much a trip would cost at a variety of times.

From there, I make sure to budget double the amount of money in case of any price surges or other unexpected hiccups.

This story was originally published on August 22, 2022, and most recently updated on July 24, 2025.

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