Moving day
Packing up and moving day: boxes and tape, padding, a dolly, labels, and a first-night box so you can find the essentials.
Amounts below are for 2 people. They are planning estimates; change any of them on your list.
Saves the 13 must-haves, 4 easy-to-forget items and 6 things to do to a list on this device. Upgrades are up to you. Then shop the list item by item and tick things off.
At a glance
- 🔎 Moving boxesvaries
- 🔎 Packing tape4 rolls
- 🛒 Tape gun1 tape gun
- 🔎 Packing paper1 pack
- 🔎 Bubble wrap1 roll
- 🔎 Labels and markers1 set
- 🔎 Moving blankets6 blankets
- 🔎 Furniture sliders1 set
- 🔎 Hand truck or dolly1 dolly
- 🔎 Mattress bags2 bags
- 🔎 Small parts bags1 pack
- 🔎 First-night box1 box
- 🔎 Trash bags3 bags
🛒 1 exact products we picked · 🔎 12 Amazon searches, so you choose the brand and size.
Must-haves (13)
- Must-have
Moving boxes
Roughly 10 boxes per room is a common starting count; heavy rooms like kitchens need more.
Amount varies
- Must-have
Packing tape
Get about 4 rolls
4 rolls for the group
- Our pick
Tape gun
Scotch ST-181 tape gun
A padded-grip dispenser for 2-inch packing tape.
Good for: Moving day
Get about 1 tape gun
1 tape gun for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Packing paper
Get about 1 pack
1 pack for the group
Bubble wrap
Get about 1 roll
1 roll for the group
Labels and markers
Get about 1 set
1 set for the group
Amazon search: “moving labels color coded”
Moving blankets
Get about 6 blankets
6 blankets for the group
Furniture sliders
Get about 1 set
1 set for the group
Hand truck or dolly
Get about 1 dolly
1 dolly for the group
Amazon search: “hand truck dolly”
Mattress bags
Get about 2 bags
2 bags for the group
Amazon search: “mattress bag for moving”
Small parts bags
Get about 1 pack
1 pack for the group
Amazon search: “small ziplock bags”
- Must-have
First-night box
Sheets, toiletries, chargers, medicine, snacks and a change of clothes.
Get about 1 box
1 box for the group
Amazon search: “storage bin with lid”
- Must-have
Trash bags
Our rule: half a bag per person per day; at least one per day.
Get about 3 bags (1 × 50-pack)
2 people × 3 days × 0.5 = 3 bags
Amazon search: “heavy duty trash bags”
Easy to forget (4)
- Must-have
Toilet paper
Our rule: about 3 rolls per person per week.
Get about 3 rolls (1 × 12-pack)
2 people × 3 days × 0.4 = 3 rolls (rounded up)
- Must-have
Paper towels
Our rule: about a roll per person every three weeks; more for cookouts.
Get about 1 roll (1 × 6-pack)
2 people × 3 days × 0.05 = 1 roll (rounded up)
All-purpose cleaner
Get about 1 bottle
1 bottle for the group
- Our pick
Basic tool kit
CRAFTSMAN 57-piece home tool set
Hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, sockets and a tape in one case.
Good for: First apartment
Get about 1 kit
1 kit for the group
- Upgrade: CRAFTSMAN 102-piece tool kit ↗More sockets and bits, for home and car.
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Upgrades (3)
Wardrobe boxes
Get about 2 boxes
2 boxes for the group
Lifting straps
Get about 1 set
1 set for the group
Amazon search: “moving straps”
Stretch wrap
Get about 1 roll
1 roll for the group
Things to do (6)
- ✅ Book the truck or moversCheck reviews and licensing for interstate movers (FMCSA).
- ✅ Change of addressUSPS, banks, employer, DMV and voter registration.
- ✅ Transfer utilities and internetBook start dates before moving day.
- ✅ Photograph the old place when emptyHelps with deposit disputes.
- ✅ Hold the mailUSPS has a free hold-mail service.
- ✅ Change the locksOr rekey them; you don't know who has old copies.
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General planning information, not professional or medical advice. A list does not guarantee anyone’s safety. In any emergency, call your local emergency number and follow official guidance from local authorities.
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