How to Navigate Your Move to Missouri: Personal Insights and Practical Tips

Moving to a new state can feel overwhelming, especially when you have a family and a lot of belongings to manage. My husband Travis and I recently moved to Missouri, and the process taught us a lot about planning, teamwork, and staying flexible. I want to share our experience and practical tips to help you navigate your own move smoothly, without getting bogged down in emotional stress or complicated logistics.

Our moving truck and trailer packed and ready to go

Planning the Move: Setting Up for Success

Before we even packed a box, Travis and I spent time discussing how the move would work. We knew moving with kids meant we needed extra hands and a clear plan.

• Inviting help: We asked my father to drive me and the kids. This allowed me to focus on their needs during the trip without worrying about driving.

• Assigning drivers: Travis wanted to drive the moving truck himself. To make this possible, we asked our cousin Emereth to drive one of our vehicles, so we could keep all our cars moving together.

• Choosing the right moving option: We debated between a moving pod and renting a truck. Ultimately, we chose the largest U-haul truck available plus an additional trailer to fit everything. This gave us enough space for all our belongings without multiple trips.

  
  

Having a clear plan and assigning roles early helped us avoid confusion and last-minute scrambling.

What We Left Behind and What We Took

Deciding what to bring and what to leave was a big part of the process.

• We decided to leave our toy hauler travel trailer at home and put it up for auction. It was a tough call, but it made the move simpler.

• We still managed to keep and move our four-wheeler, which was important to us for using on our 5 acres.

  
  

This step helped reduce the load and made packing more manageable.

Breaking Up the Drive: Safety and Timing

We split the drive into two days to avoid exhaustion and keep the kids comfortable.

• The weather was challenging. It was very windy, and there were warnings posted for tall trucks along the route.

• My dad and I witnessed a trucker lose control and blow over due to the wind. It was a stark reminder to drive carefully.

• Travis felt nervous driving the moving truck, but Emereth followed behind in our other vehicle, providing reassurance and support.

  
  

Breaking the drive into manageable chunks and having support on the road made a big difference in safety and peace of mind.

On the road

Unexpected Challenges and Quick Solutions

On the second day, after about an hour of driving, Travis blew a tire on the trailer he was towing.

• Emereth called him to let him know about the flat tire.

• Fortunately, they were close to a town where a mechanic could fix the tire within 30 minutes.

• I was grateful for the quick fix because the situation could have been much worse on the highway.

  
  

Meanwhile, my dad, the kids, and I drove ahead and arrived an hour and a half early. This gave us time to settle in before Travis and Emereth arrived.

Enjoying the Journey: Small Moments Matter

One of the highlights of our trip was a stop at a small, one-man-run diner in the middle of nowhere.

• The food was delicious and gave us a much-needed break.

• It was a reminder that even during stressful moves, taking time to enjoy simple pleasures can boost morale.

  
  

Settling In: The Reward at the End of the Road

Arriving at our new house was exciting. The kids loved seeing the new backyard, and it felt good to finally be home.

• Having a plan and support made the transition smoother.

• We could focus on settling in rather than stressing over the move itself.

Our new rental home in Missouri

Moving to Missouri was a big project, but breaking it down into clear steps, asking for help, and staying flexible helped us get through it safely and with less stress. If you’re planning a similar move, consider these practical tips:

• Plan your drivers and roles ahead of time.

• Choose the right moving vehicle for your belongings.

• Break up long drives to avoid fatigue.

• Prepare for weather and road conditions.

• Have backup plans for unexpected issues like vehicle problems.

• Take breaks and enjoy small moments along the way.