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Making the Most of Your Last-Minute Move

Making the Most of Your Last-Minute Move

When a sudden relocation becomes your only option, Penske Truck Rental has the tools to make a last-minute move the best move.


Packing up your entire life is an ordeal no matter how much time you have to prepare for it. There are many moving parts to coordinate, including anything from finding a new home and selling the old one, to getting a new job and packing everything just right.

Add in the pressure of making the move in a short period, and the task can feel pretty daunting. But with the help of Penske Truck Rental, there’s no reason a last-minute move can’t be the best move.

Get Organized

Make a checklist—write down everything you need to do to prepare, big or small, and organize it by order of importance. This can help to prevent feeling overwhelmed and determine a good starting point.

Put things with a time constraint at the top of your list. The last thing you want while scrambling to make the move is to miss an important deadline.

Include “rent a truck” near the top of your list. We recommend renting the right truck for your needs as soon as possible to ensure availability, followed by things like ordering packing supplies and setting up utilities at your new place.

Click here for a quote on a truck.

Separate Essentials

Set aside the things you need every day in an easy-access bag or box, so you don’t risk packing away your toothbrush and losing it in a sea of cardboard. This will make your life easier once you get to where you’re going.

Tackle One Room at a Time

Take it one room at a time. Have a guest room? Attic or basement? Start by packing the items you use the least. Your mental load will feel a little lighter with each room you take off your plate.

When it comes time to unpack, start with the most-used items first and save the other things for another time.

Don’t forget to label your boxes. Be as specific as you can so you and anyone else who is helping you unpack can put things in the right areas for you to organize later.

Give Yourself a Break

Schedule in some breathers. You can’t do it all at once, and you deserve to have some fun in the process. You might even consider turning packing into a fun game, like seeing who can wrap dishes in newspaper or bubble wrap the fastest.

Remember: It will all get done, and Penske is here to help you along the way. Happy moving!

For discounts and special offers to help with your last-minute move, click here.

By Maranda Miller