{"id":7127,"date":"2023-06-12T04:10:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-12T08:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mymovingreviews.com\/move\/?p=7127"},"modified":"2023-06-12T04:13:17","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T08:13:17","slug":"driving-a-moving-truck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/driving-a-moving-truck\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Tips for Driving a Moving Truck Cross Country"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-aspectratio=\"690\/445\" width=\"690\" height=\"445\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mymovingreviews.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/driving-moving-truck.jpg\" alt=\"How to drive a moving truck across the country\" class=\"wp-image-39199 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/driving-moving-truck.jpg 690w, https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/driving-moving-truck-300x193.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group hl-block\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Highlights\">Highlights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Double-check your brave decision to organize a long-distance move by yourself.<\/li><li>Driving a rental moving truck across the country has its share of risks, especially when you\u2019ve never done something like that before.<\/li><li>It\u2019s imperative that you know what you should do and what you shouldn\u2019t do when driving a big and heavy truck through unknown territories.<\/li><li>Follow these 15 practical tips for driving a moving truck across the country in order to stay perfectly safe.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-table-of-content ultp-block-34bee0\"><div class=\"ultp-block-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-block-toc\"><div class=\"ultp-toc-header\"><div class=\"ultp-toc-heading\">Table of Contents<\/div><div class=\"ultp-collapsible-toggle  ultp-collapsible-right\"><a class=\"ultp-collapsible-text ultp-collapsible-open\" href=\";\">[Open]<\/a><a class=\"ultp-collapsible-text ultp-collapsible-hide\" href=\";\">[Close]<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ultp-block-toc-style1 ultp-block-toc-body\"><ul class=\"ultp-toc-lists\"><li><a href=\"#_Complete_an_initial_moving_truck_inspection\">1. Complete an initial moving truck inspection<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Make_sure_the_truck_is_loaded_properly\">2. Make sure the truck is loaded properly<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Get_to_your_desired_speed_gradually\">3. Get to your desired speed gradually<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Apply_the_brakes_early\">4. Apply the brakes early<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Keep_a_safe_distance_from_other_vehicles\">5. Keep a safe distance from other vehicles<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Exercise_extra_caution_when_changing_lanes_and_merging\">6. Exercise extra caution when changing lanes and merging<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Don\u2019t_pass_other_vehicles_unless_you_absolutely_must\">7. Don\u2019t pass other vehicles unless you absolutely must<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Make_your_turns_wider_than_usual\">8. Make your turns wider than usual<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Use_caution_when_parking_the_rental_truck\">9. Use caution when parking the rental truck<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Pay_special_attention_to_truck-specific_road_signs\">10. Pay special attention to truck-specific road signs<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Keep_an_eye_out_for_those_overhead_clearance_signs\">11. Keep an eye out for those overhead clearance signs<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Don\u2019t_skip_weigh_station_stops\">12. Don\u2019t skip weigh station stops<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Drive_the_rental_truck_with_fuel_in_mind\">13. Drive the rental truck with fuel in mind<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Plan_your_move_route_in_advance\">14. Plan your move route in advance<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#_Allow_enough_time_for_a_gut_check\">15. Allow enough time for a gut check<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Driving an unfamiliar vehicle for the very first time should always feel&nbsp;kind of strange \u2013 most buttons are not where you\u2019re used to seeing them and the controls may not work exactly as you expect them to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sit in the driver\u2019s seat of a moving truck and you may easily feel overwhelmed by the thought of having to navigate that oversized vehicle all the way to the new residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After careful assessment of <a href=\"\/move\/self-moving-risks\/\">the risks of self-moving<\/a>, you may have still decided to rent a moving van and move your belongings to the new home without using the services of a professional moving company. And if that is the case, then it won\u2019t be long before you get to be the driving force behind a large rental truck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Driving a rental moving truck through unfamiliar lands, with your family inside and your prized belongings in the back, is a great responsibility. In reality, the upcoming relocation road trip can easily turn out to be the most demanding task of the entire DIY move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To help you manage that one-of-a-kind Do-It-Yourself challenge, we\u2019ve compiled the top 15 safety tips for driving a moving truck across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Complete_an_initial_moving_truck_inspection\">1. Complete an initial moving truck inspection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Driving a rental truck across the country is no joke, so you\u2019ll need to approach the upcoming self-moving relocation trip as seriously as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When renting a moving van from a truck rental company of your choice, you need to make sure the vehicle is in good shape and that you\u2019re familiar with its basic controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, check for any visible damage to the interior or exterior of the truck and report it if you notice something. Then, check its tires, signals, lights, and side-view mirrors. Make sure you know how to operate the turn signals, windshield wipers, and parking brake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Insist that the truck rental agency give you one of the newest and best trucks they have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/move\/moving-one-way\/\">Moving \u041ene \u0412ay: One-\u0412ay \u041coving \u0422ruck \u0420ental<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Make_sure_the_truck_is_loaded_properly\">2. Make sure the truck is loaded properly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-25275\"><figure class=\"alignright\"><img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-aspectratio=\"450\/338\" width=\"450\" height=\"338\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mymovingreviews.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/moving-truck.jpg\" alt=\"How to load a moving truck properly\" class=\"wp-image-25275 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/moving-truck.jpg 450w, https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/moving-truck-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption>Are you confident you can load the rental truck properly before driving away?<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you drive off toward your final destination, one thing that will make your trip safer is to know that your belongings have been packed well in the back of the van and will be secure throughout the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sudden braking and sharp turns may cause some of your loaded household items to shift and get damaged as a result. It is hard to drive a rental truck as it is, so the last thing you\u2019ll ever need is to worry about whether your stuff in the back is safe or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re not sure how to load a moving truck properly, then it may be worth it to pay professionals to do it right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/move\/how-to-load-a-moving-truck\/\">How to Load a Moving Truck the Right Way<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Get_to_your_desired_speed_gradually\">3. Get to your desired speed gradually<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As you\u2019ll soon find out, driving a moving truck is very different from driving a standard car in almost all aspects. Due to the huge size and the enormous weight, your rental truck will need some time to get up to speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Compared to the speed and acceleration of your own vehicle, the rental van will most likely feel too slow and sluggish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If it\u2019s your first time driving a moving truck, remember to build to the desired speed <strong>gradually<\/strong>. Avoid accelerating too quickly because that will increase drastically the truck\u2019s fuel consumption and may cause your cargo items in the back to shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moving trucks are the exact opposite of racing cars. Keep in mind that some rental trucks are electronically limited to a fixed safety speed &#8211; 75 mph in most cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/move\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-hire-packers\/\">How Much Does It Cost to Hire Packers?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Apply_the_brakes_early\">4. Apply the brakes early<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing is clear \u2013 a super heavy moving vehicle loaded up with a house\u2019s worth of items will not behave like a normal car. And while it\u2019s a bad idea to accelerate the moving van too rapidly (if that\u2019s even possible), you\u2019re strongly advised against braking too suddenly and too hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Slamming on the brakes of a moving truck may not only damage your possessions in the back, but it may also throw the entire vehicle off-balance and thus cause you to lose control of it. In bad weather conditions (rain, snow, ice, strong winds), sudden braking can easily lead to a road accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, make sure you slow the moving van gradually when you need to stop. Always go easy onto the brakes and apply them early to give yourself enough time to brake smoothly before turns or when approaching intersections, crossings, or traffic lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/move\/what-size-rental-truck\/\">What Size of Rental Truck Do You Need?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Keep_a_safe_distance_from_other_vehicles\">5. Keep a safe distance from other vehicles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-25278\"><figure class=\"alignright\"><img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-aspectratio=\"450\/300\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mymovingreviews.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/driving-a-rental-truck.jpg\" alt=\"Driving a UHaul truck cross country\" class=\"wp-image-25278 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/driving-a-rental-truck.jpg 450w, https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/driving-a-rental-truck-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption>Driving a rental truck across the country can be a real adventure. It&#8217;s up to you to make sure its ending is good.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Having in mind that moving trucks take longer to stop than regular cars, it\u2019s important to keep at least double the distance from the cars in front of you than you would keep if you were driving your own car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have trouble figuring out that safe distance, then use the 4-seconds rule. That rule is simple enough \u2013 stay at least 4 seconds behind the vehicle that is in front of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To gauge that recommended safety distance, count the seconds from the moment the car ahead of you passes a specific landmark until the instant you pass that same spot on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When driving the moving truck in bad weather, increase that distance even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Exercise_extra_caution_when_changing_lanes_and_merging\">6. Exercise extra caution when changing lanes and merging<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Driving a moving truck cross country is anything but easy. It won\u2019t be long before you realize that the moving truck doesn\u2019t have a center rearview mirror inside the cabin. As a result, you\u2019ll have to rely entirely on the side rearview mirrors, and that can be rather tricky at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lack of a center rearview mirror will make changing lanes and merging much more challenging, at least at the beginning of your trip. Use the little blindspot mirrors attached to the side rearview mirrors to keep track of what\u2019s happening behind you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s exceedingly important that you keep in the right lane when driving the rental truck on the highway and let faster vehicles go by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/move\/self-moving-mistakes-to-avoid\/\">10 Serious Mistakes When Moving by Yourself<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Don\u2019t_pass_other_vehicles_unless_you_absolutely_must\">7. Don\u2019t pass other vehicles unless you absolutely must<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As a general rule, you should refrain from overtaking other vehicles, especially when you\u2019re driving uphill or on narrow roads. Due to the large size of your truck and the lack of proper acceleration and speed, your rental truck will require much more time and distance to complete the overtaking maneuver successfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, even when you stick to the right lane on the highway, at times you\u2019ll get stuck behind vehicles that go even slower than you. And when that happens, you may not have another choice but to overtake that slower car or truck in front of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you absolutely must overtake a vehicle, do it very carefully: check the mirrors for any cars in the other lane, signal the start of the maneuver, and then step on the gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Make_your_turns_wider_than_usual\">8. Make your turns wider than usual<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-25284\"><figure class=\"alignright\"><img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-aspectratio=\"450\/300\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mymovingreviews.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/rental-truck.jpg\" alt=\"How to drive a moving truck rental\" class=\"wp-image-25284 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/rental-truck.jpg 450w, https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/rental-truck-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption>Moving trucks are not just larger cars.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Our tips on how to drive a large moving truck when moving across the country continue with a very important aspect of your road trip \u2013 making safe turns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another thing to remember before you sit behind the steering wheel of your truck rental is that moving trucks require a lot more space to turn than standard passenger cars, especially when executing right turns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whenever you need to make turns when driving a rental truck, slow down as much as necessary and even consider coming to a complete stop if a turn seems somewhat trickier. Switch on your turn signals and then check the side mirrors to determine whether or not you have enough room for the turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember to always make your turns wider than what you\u2019re used to in order to avoid hitting a curb or bumping into another vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/move\/moving-trucks-guide\/\">Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About MOVING TRUCKS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Use_caution_when_parking_the_rental_truck\">9. Use caution when parking the rental truck<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although you won\u2019t need a special license to drive a moving truck (moving trucks are not considered commercial vehicles so your standard driver\u2019s license is enough as long as it is current), managing one of those large vehicles will be 10x tougher than driving your own car and will require your utmost concentration and extra caution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember to set the emergency brake every time you park the rental truck and turn the wheels away from the curb facing uphill and toward the curb when facing downhill. Always park the truck in well-lit areas where you can see it easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, avoid backing up to minimize stressful situations \u2013 either look for drive-through parking lots or ask somebody to guide you at the truck&#8217;s rear as you\u2019re going slowly in reverse. Whenever you need to back up, do rely on the rearview mirrors for guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Pay_special_attention_to_truck-specific_road_signs\">10. Pay special attention to truck-specific road signs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you drive your own car, you never worry too much about any road signs that are meant for truck drivers, do you? This time, however, things are a bit different and since you\u2019re a truck driver now, you\u2019re going to need to pay special attention to those truck-specific road signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The three types of signs you should be especially aware of are the ones about overhead clearance, weigh station stops, and lane restrictions. Also, observe closely the speed limit signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a rule of thumb, when driving a moving van cross country, you should keep your truck speed at about 10 mph below the specified speed limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/move\/worst-things-during-a-move\/\">Top 15 Worst Things That Can Happen to You During a Move<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Keep_an_eye_out_for_those_overhead_clearance_signs\">11. Keep an eye out for those overhead clearance signs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-25287\"><figure class=\"alignright\"><img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-aspectratio=\"450\/300\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mymovingreviews.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/truck-overhead-clearance.jpg\" alt=\"How to drive a rental truck when moving cross country\" class=\"wp-image-25287 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/truck-overhead-clearance.jpg 450w, https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/truck-overhead-clearance-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption>A single mistake when driving a moving truck across the country can prove to be costly. Too costly.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>To understand how difficult it is to drive a moving truck when you\u2019ve decided not to use the services of a good <a href=\"\/move\/cross-country-movers\/\">cross-country moving company<\/a>, just add the extra pressure of keeping your eyes peeled for signs that specify the permissible overhead clearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moving trucks are tall and some of them come very close to reaching the permitted height clearance on the road, while others may exceed it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There should be a sticker somewhere inside the truck cabin that specifies the overhead clearance of the vehicle. If you can\u2019t find it, request that information from the van rental company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, whenever you\u2019re about to drive under a low-clearance passage like a bridge or a tunnel, compare your rental truck\u2019s clearance with that marked on the road signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Important: Never go under an underpass until you\u2019ve made sure the truck can pass through it problem-free.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Don\u2019t_skip_weigh_station_stops\">12. Don\u2019t skip weigh station stops<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Driving a moving truck across multiple states may turn out to be tougher than you think. Besides watching out for overhead clearance signs, you\u2019ll also have to keep your eyes open for any weigh stations signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Weigh stations are highway checkpoints where large vehicles must stop for weight and safety inspections. In general, commercial vehicles are required by law to stop at those weigh stations, but rental trucks loaded with household goods may also need to go through those highway checkpoints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tricky part is that each state has its own regulations concerning weigh stations. So, before you set off on your cross-country relocation trip with a rental truck, <a href=\"https:\/\/drivinglaws.aaa.com\/tag\/weigh-stations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">follow this link<\/a> to learn whether or not you\u2019ll have to stop at weigh stations when crossing different states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/move\/why-moving-is-hard\/\">Why Moving Is SO HARD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Drive_the_rental_truck_with_fuel_in_mind\">13. Drive the rental truck with fuel in mind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep in mind that when renting and driving a moving truck across the states, one of the biggest expenses will be the cost of fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When renting the moving van, request more information from the truck rental company about the vehicle\u2019s gas mileage. Use that information to calculate roughly how much fuel you will need for the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For instance, if your truck consumes an average of 10 miles per gallon and the move distance is 500 miles, then you\u2019re going to need approximately 50 gallons of fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the top 3 fuel-saving tips that will help you save money when driving a moving truck through the country:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Do not accelerate abruptly \u2013 instead, reach your desired speed gradually.<\/li><li>Refrain from driving at the truck\u2019s maximum speed.<\/li><li>Ease off the gas pedal early when you\u2019re approaching a stop.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Avoid paying an extra refueling fee by returning the moving van with the same amount of gas that it had when you rented it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/move\/how-to-move-by-yourself\/\">How to Move by Yourself<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Plan_your_move_route_in_advance\">14. Plan your move route in advance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-25290\"><figure class=\"alignright\"><img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-aspectratio=\"450\/300\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.mymovingreviews.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/moving-truck-gps.jpg\" alt=\"Is it easy to drive a moving truck?\" class=\"wp-image-25290 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/moving-truck-gps.jpg 450w, https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/moving-truck-gps-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption>Plan your moving truck trip in advance to avoid a number of possible problems on the road.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>One great piece of advice on how to drive a moving truck cross country is to study your route in advance so that you get a good idea of what to expect during the journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First of all, install the best GPS app on your smartphone or use a dedicated GPS device to map out your route. Also, it\u2019s a good idea to have a detailed paper map, just in case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If possible, avoid driving through any mountainous regions or through large cities during rush hours. In case you\u2019ll have to stop overnight, find affordable hotels along the route that provide enough parking spaces for rental trucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking of good tips when driving a moving van across the country, your trip will be much safer, and much more pleasant as well, if you can take turns driving the moving vehicle with a friend. After all, you\u2019re not allowed to drive more than 10 hours per shift when moving long distance with a rental truck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/move\/emotions-when-moving-house\/\">Top 10 Emotions When Moving House<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"_Allow_enough_time_for_a_gut_check\">15. Allow enough time for a gut check<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you know what to expect from your rental truck drive across the country, it\u2019s really important that you take your time and look at your viable options one more time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And now that you\u2019re familiar with the multiple risks of driving a large and heavy moving truck across several state lines, do you still feel confident you can manage that unique DIY home moving challenge?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/moving-cost-estimator.php\"><strong>Get accurate quotes<\/strong><\/a> from the best cross-country movers in your area and compare their costs with the ones in your preliminary self-moving budget. What you\u2019ll find out from the comparative analysis may genuinely surprise you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Highlights Double-check your brave decision to organize a long-distance move by yourself. Driving a rental moving truck across the country has its share of risks, especially when you\u2019ve never done something like that before. It\u2019s imperative that you know what you should do and what you shouldn\u2019t do when driving a big and heavy truck &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/driving-a-moving-truck\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;15 Tips for Driving a Moving Truck Cross Country&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":39205,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[45,76,46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7127","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to-move-by-yourself","category-long-distance-moving","category-truck-rental","entry"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/moving-truck.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Joshua Green","author_link":"https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/author\/joshua-green\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.8.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>15 Tips for Driving a Moving Truck Cross Country<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Renting and driving a large moving truck across the country is a unique self-moving challenge. These are the best 15 tips for driving a moving truck cross country.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/driving-a-moving-truck\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"15 Tips for Driving a Moving Truck Cross Country\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Renting and driving a large moving truck across the country is a unique self-moving challenge. These are the best 15 tips for driving a moving truck cross country.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/driving-a-moving-truck\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"MoveAdvisor\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-06-12T08:10:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-06-12T08:13:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/moveadvisor.com\/move\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/moving-truck.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"675\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Joshua Green\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Joshua Green\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"15 Tips for Driving a Moving Truck Cross Country","description":"Renting and driving a large moving truck across the country is a unique self-moving challenge. 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