Moving from Tx to Arcata, Ca (Sacramento, Redding: fit in, rentals, how much)

[mikejett86]

Hello Everyone

I'm new to the forums and it appears that I may be moving from Dallas, Tx to Arcata, Ca here in the near future and wanted some tips on methods of the long distance move. Seeing as I'm a student money is tight so paying a company to drive my stuff across the country isn't an option. So that leaves me with Uhaul/Budget truck towing my car or selling everything that won't fit in my car and heading off into the wild blue with the shirt on my back and my two cats .... I mean that figuratively. I drive a Mazda 3 hatchback so my car can hold quite a bit .... well .. at least most of my non furniture posessions. Anyway- I would love some feedback. Also- anyone know a ballpark figure on the MPG on the Budget 16' truck? It appears that would be the size I'd have to get in order to tow my car. Hope to get some feedback soon.

Best,

Mike

[honeywheat]

i have the same concern with moving (although my move is from one side of the country to the other so it's probably even more expensive nomatter how i do it), and someone told me to think about MAILING my things like in boxes... so i'm going to look into that. depending on how much stuff you have, maybe you can mail whatever you can't fit in your car with you?

[eureka1]

I did the Budget thing moving from Eureka (near Arcata) to Sacramento and back a couple of years ago. Don't recall the mileage but I found the Budget people were pretty straight up to deal with and you could start by asking them or someone who works there about the mileage. You'll have to return the truck to Eureka anyway, there's no Budget facility in Arcata that I know of. While you're in the neighborhood you can join Costco which will save you hundreds of dollars a year on food/household staples over Arcata prices. Sadly, if I were you I'd find a good home for the cats and say "aloha" to them.It's almost impossible to find rentals that take cats OR dogs. THere's a lot of info on this forum about Arcata. Do your searches and feel free to PM me if I can be of help!

[NorthernCalifornia]

Look into one of those crate-drop shipping services. They bring a crate to your house, put it outside. You fill it, they pick it up and drop it off wherever you tell them to. Is cheapest long-distance way to get things moved, considering gas prices, etc.

As for moving from Dallas to Arcata, that'll be quite a change! Remember to head inland a few miles (especially out 299) for some warm weather, it'll take you a year or two to adjust to the coastal climate.

[TheDragonslayer]

A budget rental trucks mileage will run about 12 mpg while towing a car and less on hills. Once in California, I-5 is the quickest highway to take till you hit the S.F. bay area, at that point I would take 101 all the way to Arcata. If you end up past Sacramento on I-5, take 20 west to 101. Past Williams at 20 the next two routes towards the coast are 36 and 299 at Redding, both can be treacherous to drive in a moving van, especially if towing. Now, if you are going to get rid of everything but your cats and what can fit in your car, take I-5 to Redding and 299 west, it runs into 101 at Arcata. If you can make the drive up to Redding and over to Arcata, it is worth it for just seeing 14,162 foot tall Mount Shasta and driving through Six Rivers and Trinity National Forests. If you have Google Earth, open it and tour the route, it is fun.