Last-Minute Moves: How to Get Packed and Out in Under a Week
Most people agree that moving is one of the most stressful events in their life, and when you only have a week to do it, the pressure can feel overwhelming. Maybe your lease ended earlier than planned, a job offer came through in another city, or personal circumstances require you to relocate right away. Whatever the reason, the clock is ticking, and you need a clear, fast plan.
The good news is that you don’t need weeks to prepare. By focusing only on what matters and cutting out the steps that waste time, you can pack, organize, and move without feeling like everything is falling apart.
1. Assess Your Time and Create a Clear Plan
The first thing you should do is understand exactly how much time you have and what needs to be done each day. Break the next week into daily goals. Assign each day to a specific task, such as packing certain rooms, arranging transport, or handling address changes.
Be realistic about what can be achieved in the hours you have. If you work during the day, plan for shorter evening tasks and reserve larger projects for days off. Having this structure keeps you from wasting time figuring out what to do next and ensures no important step is forgotten.
2. Get Extra Help as Soon as Possible
Trying to manage a last-minute move alone can lead to delays and unnecessary stress. Ask friends or family early so they can arrange their schedules. Be specific about the help you need, whether it’s packing boxes, carrying furniture, or driving items to the new place.
If your budget allows, hire a local moving company that offers short-notice services. Professionals can load and transport your belongings far more quickly than doing it yourself. This can be the difference between meeting your deadline and falling behind.
3. Cut Down Your Belongings Before You Start Packing
One of the fastest ways to make packing easier is to have less to pack. Spend a few hours going through your home and removing items you no longer need. Focus on large items first, such as unused furniture or appliances. These take up the most space and can be sold, donated, or recycled quickly.
Once the bulky items are dealt with, go through smaller items like clothes, books, and kitchenware. Be decisive—if you haven’t used something in the past year, it’s probably not worth taking. This step can save you hours of packing time and help lower your moving costs.
4. Get All Your Supplies in One Trip
Multiple trips to buy boxes, tape, and packing materials can waste hours you don’t have. Make a complete list of what you’ll need before heading to the store. This should include boxes in different sizes, strong packing tape, bubble wrap or packing paper, and thick markers for labeling.
Buy more than you think you’ll need. Running out of supplies late at night when stores are closed will slow you down. Keeping everything in one place, like a corner of the living room, makes it easy to grab what you need without searching through the house.
5. Use Fast Methods for Clothes and Linens
Clothing and linens can take up a lot of time if packed the wrong way. Keep clothes on their hangers and group them together in sets of ten or so. Slide large trash bags over them, tie them at the top, and they’re ready to go. For folded clothes, use suitcases or storage bins instead of boxes—they’re sturdier and easier to carry.
For bed sheets, towels, and blankets, roll them instead of folding. Rolling saves space and makes it easier to fit them into bags or boxes. You can also use these items as padding for fragile belongings, which saves money on packing materials and speeds up the process.
6. Pack Fragile Items Quickly but Safely
Even with limited time, fragile belongings need extra care. Use soft items you already have—like towels, blankets, and sweaters—to wrap dishes, glassware, and breakable decorations. This saves time and reduces the need for bubble wrap. Place heavier items at the bottom of the box and lighter ones on top to avoid damage.
Clearly mark these boxes as “Fragile” on multiple sides so anyone carrying them knows to handle them with care. If possible, keep the most delicate items with you in your personal vehicle rather than loading them into the moving truck. This reduces the risk of them being crushed under heavier loads during transport.
7. Set Aside Time for Cleaning Before the Move
It’s tempting to leave cleaning until after everything is packed, but doing it all at once can make moving day exhausting. Instead, clean each room right after you finish packing it. This keeps the workload manageable and ensures you’re not rushing through the process at the end.
Focus on essentials: wipe surfaces, vacuum or sweep floors, and clean inside cabinets. If you’re moving out of a rental, a clean space can help ensure you get your security deposit back. If you can’t spare the time, consider hiring a cleaning service for a single visit before you hand over the keys.
8. Keep Essentials Separate and Easy to Reach
It’s easy to misplace everyday items when everything is packed into boxes. Prepare a separate bag or suitcase with the essentials you’ll need during the first 24 hours in your new home. Include toiletries, a change of clothes, chargers, medications, snacks, and important documents.
Keep this bag with you at all times so it’s not accidentally loaded onto the moving truck. This ensures you have what you need without having to dig through piles of boxes after an exhausting day.
Moving with less than a week’s notice is never ideal, but it can be done without feeling completely overwhelmed. The key is to take quick, focused action from the start and avoid wasting time on unnecessary steps. Decluttering, gathering supplies in one trip, packing strategically, and getting extra help can save valuable hours.
By keeping essentials separate, protecting fragile items smartly, and cleaning as you go, you reduce the chaos on moving day. A tight deadline will always bring challenges, but with the right approach, you can get out on time and start settling into your new space without unnecessary stress.
