National Van Lines moves families long distances every day, and many of them have school-aged children. When it comes to making long distance moves with kids, mid-school year moves are more common than you might think. More than 62% of National Van Lines long distance moves in 2025 covered over 1,000 miles. That means that a lot of families are crossing state lines, having to change school districts and navigate new academic calendars at the same time.
4 To-Do’s for a Mid-Year Long Distance Move During School
Moving long distance during the school year can feel like a lot to manage, but the right preparation makes a real difference. Here are 4 quick but powerful tips to help you and your kids make the transition smoothly.
1. Contact the New School Before You Pack a Single Box
School enrollment across state lines involves more paperwork than most parents expect. You will need prior transcripts, proof of residency, immunization records, and sometimes a waiting period for placement testing. The earlier you start, the shorter the gap between your move date and your child’s first day back at school.
Call the new school’s registrar at least 4–6 weeks before your move date. Ask specifically what is required for out-of-state enrollment, and whether records can be submitted digitally in advance. Most districts will work with you if you reach out early.
2. Give Your Child a Real Goodbye, Not Just a Last Day
When a move covers more than a thousand miles, just saying “see ya later” after school is not the best farewell strategy. Children benefit from a deliberate farewell, something that marks the transition as significant, rather than as an abrupt change.
Work with your child’s teacher to arrange a small class send-off, or plan something with close friends outside of school. Exchange contact information (like emails, phone numbers or kid-friendly social media handles), and set up a way to stay connected. A genuine goodbye gives a child an anchor, and a positive last-day memory of the school and friends they are leaving. A positive experience will make it easier to become comfortable with the new environment.
3. Build Familiarity With the New School Before You Arrive
A local move lets you drive by the new school, walk the route, and scope out the new neighborhood well before moving day, while a long distance move usually does not. So how do you still “tour” your new town?
Use the school’s website, Google Street View, and a phone call to the front office to build a picture of what your child will walk into. Find out where the main entrance is, what the drop-off routine looks like, and whether there are any clubs or activities your child might want to join right away. Arriving with even basic knowledge of the layout will make the first day feel less foreign.
4. Mid-Year Moves Mean More Scheduling Flexibility
A long distance move during the school year actually comes with one real logistical upside: Peak moving season runs May through August, when demand is highest and scheduling flexibility is tightest. A move during the middle of the school year falls outside that window, and that means you’ll have more availability, more control over your move date, and a better chance of landing on a timeline that actually works around your child’s school schedule.
If you have any flexibility with your start date, it’s definitely worth having a conversation about timing with your move coordinator. Professional residential movers can help you plan around school schedules, delivery windows, and the details that come with moving a household during the academic year. Getting settled properly before the first day of school is a seemingly small thing that makes a real difference.
When Moving With Children, Start Your Planning Early
A mid-year long distance move can place many demands on children. But families that plan ahead and discuss aspects of the move with their children may find that kids adapt to the new environment faster than expected. Understand that for a child there will be an adjustment process, and discussing the aspects of this change beforehand will help the transition feel more comfortable.
Now that you know what your children need to make the move easier on them, make sure you know what to expect from the move itself. The National Van Lines guide to how long distance moving works can help you get the full picture before your move date.
Plan Your Family’s Long Distance Move With National Van Lines
You’ve put a lot of thought into this move, from your child’s school transition to your family’s moving timeline. Let National Van Lines put the same care into getting your family there. Request a free long distance moving quote or call 800-323-1962 today.