1-800-PACK-RAT Cost: 2026 Moving & Storage Prices
Here’s the quick answer: 1-800-PACK-RAT costs $500 – $2,000 for most local moves, according to moveBuddha pricing data, while Better Moves Project participants paid $4,398 – $7,310 for long-distance moves of 1,788 – 2,345 miles. Your 1-800-PACK-RAT cost depends on how many containers you need, how far they travel, and how long you keep them, and every quote includes 30 days of rent. Compare quotes from the best moving container companies before you book.
Jump to the 1-800-PACK-RAT cost info you’re looking for:
How much does 1-800-PACK-RAT cost?
A 1-800-PACK-RAT move typically costs $500 – $2,000 locally, based on moveBuddha pricing data, and $4,398 – $7,310 for the cross-country moves Better Moves Project participants reported. 1-800-PACK-RAT charges each container separately, so the number of containers you book has the biggest effect on your total.
These five factors set your price:
- Container count & size: Each 8-, 12-, or 16-foot container carries its own monthly rent and transport charge. Two containers cost close to twice as much as one.
- Distance: Long-distance moves cost more because 1-800-PACK-RAT trucks your container to a facility near your new home before final delivery.
- Move date: moveBuddha data shows 41% of annual moves happen May – August. Demand peaks during those months, and so do container rates.
- Storage time: Your quote covers 30 days of rent per container. Every month after that adds another rental charge until 1-800-PACK-RAT picks up the empty container.
- Protection plan: Optional coverage for your container and belongings runs $9.99 – $169.95 per month, depending on the coverage level you choose.
moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and services together, so you get a price range for your actual move to compare against a 1-800-PACK-RAT quote.
Local move costs
Local 1-800-PACK-RAT moves generally cost $500 – $2,000, including delivery, pickup, and the first 30 days of rent. You pay the rental and delivery charges when 1-800-PACK-RAT drops off your container. Transportation, extra storage months, and final pickup are billed as they happen, so you pay in smaller installments.
Local quotes don’t include protection plans, extra storage months, packing supplies, moving equipment like dollies and moving blankets, or loading labor.
Long-distance move costs
Moving a moderately furnished home about 1,000 miles with 1-800-PACK-RAT costs around $3,750 on average, according to moveBuddha pricing data. Home size and mileage can swing that price by thousands of dollars.
Three Better Moves Project participants shared what they actually paid for long-distance 1-800-PACK-RAT moves:
| Move | Distance | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| California to Texas | 1,788 miles | $4,398 |
| Arizona to Pennsylvania | 2,345 miles | $5,550 |
| Oregon to Ohio | 2,300 miles | $7,310 |
Final bills often run above the quote. Batool’s one-bedroom move came in $998 over her $3,400 quote because she hired loading crews at both ends, and Carrie paid an extra $1,252 to finish delivery when the truck couldn’t reach her street. Desmond’s three-bedroom move landed just $262 over his $7,048 quote.
Why moveBuddha:
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
What extra fees does 1-800-PACK-RAT charge?
1-800-PACK-RAT quotes list monthly rent, the total due at delivery, estimated transportation costs, and taxes. These add-ons can raise your final bill:
- Extra storage months: Rent bills to your card on the same date each month until 1-800-PACK-RAT picks up the empty container. Monthly rates vary by container size and market and can top $200 per container.
- Protection plans: Coverage is optional and billed monthly. Rates appear in the protection plan table below.
- Loading & unloading labor: 1-800-PACK-RAT doesn’t load containers. Its labor partner, HireAHelper, books local crews you pay separately, and 1-800-PACK-RAT customers can ask for a discount on that labor order.
- Supplies & equipment: Boxes, locks, and moving pads cost extra if you buy them from 1-800-PACK-RAT.
- Expedited transport: Faster long-distance delivery is available for an added fee. A flexible delivery window of up to 30 days can lower your price instead.
- Fuel surcharges: Some customers report fuel surcharges on their final bill. Ask whether your quote includes fuel before you book.
Protection plan costs
1-800-PACK-RAT sells two types of coverage. The $9.99 Basic Plan is a damage waiver that covers the container only. Silver Plan tiers add contents protection for your belongings against events like fire, lightning, wind, hail, and snow.
Here’s what each coverage level costs per month as of October 2026:
| Plan | Contents coverage | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | None (container only) | $9.99 |
| Silver | $5,000 | $38.95 |
| Silver | $10,000 | $54.95 |
| Silver | $15,000 | $64.95 |
| Silver | $25,000 | $89.95 |
| Silver | $50,000 | $129.95 |
| Silver | $75,000 | $169.95 |
Pro tip: Call your insurance company before you buy a Silver Plan to ask whether your policy covers belongings in a container. Our guide to renters insurance & moving damage explains what to ask.
rating
4.45 / 5
How to save on 1-800-PACK-RAT costs
A few planning choices can cut hundreds of dollars from your 1-800-PACK-RAT bill:
- Move outside peak season. Fall and winter dates usually bring better availability and lower rates than summer. See our guide to the best time to move.
- Use a promo code. 1-800-PACK-RAT advertises code SAVE25 for up to 25% off, and active and retired military members get 10% off with code MILITARY10. Mention the offer when you book, since promotions can’t be combined.
- Book only the containers you need. Every container adds rent and transport charges. The 1-800-PACK-RAT space calculator and our moving container sizes guide help you avoid paying for empty space.
- Schedule pickup before your billing date. Rent renews on the same date each month, so returning an empty container a day late can cost a full month of rent.
- Compare at least three quotes. moveBuddha’s pricing tools run on 1,000+ live price points collected every month and research on 4,500+ movers, so you can see whether a 1-800-PACK-RAT quote is fair. Check current moving container discounts too.
moveBuddha users save more than 30% on average by comparing moving quotes instead of booking the first one they receive.
Learn MoreWhat do customers say about 1-800-PACK-RAT pricing?
1-800-PACK-RAT holds a 3.2 out of 5 TrustScore from 1,534 reviews on Trustpilot as of October 2026. Happy customers often call pricing reasonable and clear. Unhappy customers point to charges added after the final bill, including fuel surcharges and a $50 fee to reschedule a pickup.
“This was by far the most cost effective option for us moving out of state.”
—Lindsey, Trustpilot
“Pricing was straightforward, no hidden fees or surprises.”
—Nichole F., Trustpilot
“I called after the final bill was OK’d they then added a fuel surcharge.”
—Jon C., Trustpilot
- Barn-style container doors make packing easier
- Available for both local and long distance moves
- $10k insurance included with option to purchase more
- Free lock provided for container door
How 1-800-PACK-RAT works
1-800-PACK-RAT is a portable moving container company that delivers a container to your home, lets you load it yourself, and then drives it to your new address or a storage facility. The company opened its first locations in North Carolina in 2003 and merged in 2018 with Zippy Shell, now its sister company.
- Reserve your containers. Book online or by phone at 1-800-722-5728, and pick a delivery date.
- Load at your own pace. 1-800-PACK-RAT drops the container at your home, and you pack & load your belongings yourself.
- Store it or ship it. Keep the container on-site, send it to a 1-800-PACK-RAT warehouse, or have it delivered to your new home.
1-800-PACK-RAT runs 88 locations across 37 states and Washington, D.C., and it doesn’t serve Alaska or Hawaii. The company is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under USDOT 1534531.
Which 1-800-PACK-RAT container size do you need?
1-800-PACK-RAT offers 8-, 12-, and 16-foot containers. All three sizes work for long-distance moves, and the 16-foot container is the most popular choice.
Here’s how much each 1-800-PACK-RAT container holds:
| Size | Space | Fits | Weight limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 ft. | 404 cu. ft. | 1 – 2 rooms | 4,000 pounds |
| 12 ft. | 620 cu. ft. | 2 – 3 rooms | 6,000 pounds |
| 16 ft. | 830 cu. ft. | 3 – 4 rooms | 6,000 pounds |
Every 1-800-PACK-RAT container is all-steel and weatherproof, with barn-style doors and ground-level loading. Steel construction helps protect your belongings from weather and pests, but it also contributes to 1-800-PACK-RAT’s higher base prices.
Don’t see a size that fits your needs? Check out other moving container companies that offer different sizes and freight trailers.
Learn MorePros & cons of 1-800-PACK-RAT
- All-steel containers with barn-style doors
- 30 days of rent included in every quote
- Three container sizes
- Local & long-distance moves
- On-site or warehouse storage
- 10% military discount
- No service in 13 states, including Alaska & Hawaii
- Long-distance pricing requires a phone call
- Rent bills monthly until pickup
- No loading or unloading labor
1-800-PACK-RAT vs. PODS, UNITS & U-Pack
Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service movers on average, which makes 1-800-PACK-RAT a solid budget option for long-distance moves. Here’s how it compares to three other container companies.
1-800-PACK-RAT vs. PODS
PODS offers the same 8-, 12-, and 16-foot container sizes and limits its 12-foot container to local moves. PODS serves 46 states through more than 240 storage centers, compared with 1-800-PACK-RAT’s 88 locations in 37 states and Washington, D.C. Choose 1-800-PACK-RAT for all-steel containers, or PODS if 1-800-PACK-RAT doesn’t serve your area. See our PODS cost guide to compare prices.
rating
4.8 / 5
1-800-PACK-RAT vs. UNITS
UNITS Moving & Portable Storage offers 12- and 16-foot containers through locally owned franchises serving over 500 cities in 35 states. Its ROBO-UNIT delivery system keeps containers level and places them in tight spaces. Choose UNITS for a tight driveway or uneven lot, and 1-800-PACK-RAT if you need an 8-foot container for a smaller move.
rating
4.3 / 5
1-800-PACK-RAT vs. U-Pack
U-Pack serves all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico with 308-cubic-foot ReloCube containers and 28-foot trailers billed by the linear foot. U-Pack charges only for the space you use and doesn’t take a deposit. Choose U-Pack for rural or out-of-area moves, and 1-800-PACK-RAT for local moves and on-site storage. Our U-Pack cost guide breaks down U-Pack pricing.
rating
5 / 5
FAQs
How long does 1-800-PACK-RAT take to deliver?
1-800-PACK-RAT takes up to 10 business days to deliver long-distance moves under 1,500 miles and 10 – 14 business days for longer moves. Expedited transport costs extra. You can schedule final delivery as soon as 24 hours after your container reaches the destination facility.
Is 1-800-PACK-RAT cheaper than PODS?
1-800-PACK-RAT isn’t always cheaper than PODS, since your price depends on your route, container count, and current promotions. Neither company wins on price for every move. Get quotes from both before you book.
How do I get a 1-800-PACK-RAT quote?
Get a 1-800-PACK-RAT quote online or by calling 1-800-722-5728. Each quote lists monthly rent, the total due at delivery, estimated transportation costs, and taxes. Expect to finish long-distance pricing over the phone.
How much fits in a 16-foot PACK-RAT container?
A 16-foot PACK-RAT container fits about 830 cubic feet, or three to four rooms of furniture. It holds up to 6,000 pounds.
Does 1-800-PACK-RAT serve Alaska or Hawaii?
No, 1-800-PACK-RAT doesn’t serve Alaska or Hawaii. It operates 88 locations in 37 states and Washington, D.C. U-Pack serves all 50 states if you’re moving outside that area.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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