We downsized from our home to our current apartment without using movers (over 4.5 hours away). However, we basically bought all new furniture, and did it over the course of 2 years - carload by carload. I suggest using different sized plastic bins for putting stuff in and then unloading at the new location.
Even with a short move, make sure you do a first night box with your sheets, pillows, toothbrushes, toiletries, coffee maker, coffee, etc, everything you will need to sleep in your new home that first night, which you move the same time as the furniture.
Suitcases are also great for moving stuff - not just clothes! We have used the garbage bag method many, many times (moved my daughter from dorm room to dorm room and back and forth over college summers with the garbage bag method.)
In my experience, the kitchen stuff takes the longest to pack, because there are so many things, and many are breakable and awkward sized or shaped.
Before you move anything, do whatever deep clean you want on the new place. This will also take longer than you expect, but it is better to have clean floors, counters, etc. before you fill it up with stuff.