Packing Fragile Items For Long‑Distance Moves From Los Angeles: A Real‑World Guide

If you’re moving out of Los Angeles on a long‑distance move, you're probably juggling traffic, lease dates, and job start dates. And then there’s the part everyone secretly dreads: packing the fragile stuff.

I’m talking about the wine glasses, the mid‑century lamp, the big flat‑screen, and the art prints.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how I recommend packing fragile items for long‑distance moves specifically out of Los Angeles—where city stairs, tight parking, and thousands of miles on the road put extra pressure on your packing job.

Why Long‑Distance From LA Is Tough On Fragiles

I like to be honest: long‑distance moves are different from a local hop across town. Your boxes are going:

• On and off dollies.
• Up and down apartment stairs.
• Into a truck that hits potholes and sudden stops.

The Mindset Shift: From "Will this make it to the next neighborhood?" To "Would I trust this to bounce down a freeway for 1,000 miles?"

The Rule: No Empty Space, No Loose Motion

If you can shake the box and hear movement, it’s not ready.

For a long‑distance move, the inside of every fragile box should feel like one solid, padded block.

1. Base Layer: Cushion the bottom.
2. Middle Layer: Individually wrapped items.
3. Top Layer: Final cushion.
4. Shell: A strong, taped box that doesn't cave.

The Supplies That Actually Matter

Don't save $30 on supplies to risk $1,000 in damage.

• Double‑Walled Boxes: For dishes and electronics.
• Small/Medium Boxes: Never use huge boxes for heavy fragile items.
• Bubble Wrap: Small bubbles for glass; large bubbles for art/TVs.
• Packing Paper: Ink-free paper (newspaper ink stains).

How To Pack Glassware & Dishes

Kitchens are full of breakables. Here is the drill:

1. Build a Cushion Base Crumple paper to create a 3–4 inch layer at the bottom.

2. Wrap Individually Roll each glass in paper, tucking the ends inside the glass.

3. Pack Vertically Glasses and mugs go in upright. Never lay them on their sides.

4. Plates on Edge Wrap plates individually, then pack them vertically on their edges (like records). Stacking them flat leads to cracks.

Artwork & Mirrors

1. Wrap the Face Place bubble wrap or foam over the glass surface. Add corner protectors.

2. Box It Right Use a telescoping mirror box. If combining frames in one box, stand them on their edges.

3. Mark It Label: FRAGILE – ART – GLASS – DO NOT LAY FLAT.

Electronics: TVs & Consoles

TVs: Best case: Use the original box. Real world: Wrap the screen in a soft blanket, then large bubble wrap. Slide into a dedicated TV Box (we bring these for long-distance moves). Always keep it upright.

Consoles: Wrap in bubble wrap. Pack accessories (cables/controllers) in a labeled bag inside the same box.

Lamps & Sculptures

Lamps: Remove shade and bulb. Wrap the base in bubble wrap. Pack upright. Warning: Lamp shades go in a separate, large box with very light packing. Never crush a shade to make it fit.

Sculptures: Build a custom support system inside the box with crumpled paper or foam. You shouldn't feel hard edges pressing against the cardboard.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Oversized Boxes: A huge box of fragile items gets too heavy and is likely to be dropped. Use small boxes.
2. No Bottom Padding: Every bump on the highway hits your items directly if you skip the base cushion.
3. Mixing Heavy & Light: Never put a heavy bowl on top of wine glasses inside the box.

When to Let Pros Pack

You don't have to do this alone. I recommend professional packing if:

• You are moving long-distance on a tight schedule.
• You have high-value art or antiques.
• You just don't want the stress.

With United Prime Van Lines, we can handle just the fragile packing (kitchen/art) or do the Full-Service Packing for the whole house.

The Fragile-Packing Checklist

• [ ] Buy double-walled small/medium boxes.
• [ ] Get ink-free packing paper and bubble wrap.
• [ ] Pack plates vertically (on edge).
• [ ] Pack glasses upright.
• [ ] Use TV boxes for flat screens.
• [ ] Label everything FRAGILE + ROOM.
• [ ] Shake-test every box. (If it rattles, add paper).

Getting Peace of Mind

Moving from Los Angeles is a big change. Your fragile items are the pieces that make the new place feel like home right away.

At United Prime Van Lines, we approach long-distance moves with that in mind. Whether you want us to handle the packing or just the driving, we’re here to take the anxiety out of it.

Leaving Los Angeles doesn’t mean leaving your favorite things to chance.