7 Best Moving Container Companies (2023 Reviews)

Last Updated: Nov 3, 2023 • 18 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Full-service moving companies are expensive and rental trucks can be a hassle, but moving containers make it possible to save without sacrificing the convenience of a professional driver. We’ve taken a look at the best moving container companies out there, focusing on factors like price, service, and reliability.

We’ve also talked to real-life customers through their participation in our Better Moves Project. In exchange for a $500 stipend, they told us all the nitty gritty details — the good, the bad, and the ugly — and we used that information to set our rankings.

Keep reading to delve into our top picks so you can choose the best moving container company for your upcoming move.

U-Pack

rating

5 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Check prices Visit Website

% of users select this mover

PODS

rating

4.8 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
Nationwide

Check prices Visit Website

% of users select this mover

1-800-Pack-Rat

rating

4.45 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Price matching
10% discount
Local/long dist.

Check prices Visit Website

% of users select this mover

Zippy Shell

rating

4.2 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Park on street
Labor available
Small moves

Check prices Visit Website

% of users select this mover

Moving Place

rating

4.0 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

4-5 Bdrm Houses
Nationwide
No local moves

Check prices Visit Website

% of users select this mover

Our ratings of the best moving container companies

Here are our top picks:

Best overall value: U-Pack
Best nationwide coverage: PODS
Most container options: 1-800-PACK-RAT
Best for city-to-city moves: Zippy Shell
Best for large moves: Moving Place
Best for college students: U-Box by U-Haul
Best for price matching: SMARTBOX Portable Storage

U-Pack: Best overall value

ABF U-Pack is one of the oldest and largest container companies offering both relocation containers (ReloCubes) and larger moving freight trailers. If you’re moving long distance or to another state, you’ll definitely want to get a quote from U-Pack.

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating

5 / 5

Get A Quote

89% of users select this mover

U-Pack is perfect for people who…

Are moving between 100-250 miles (great pricing compared to others)
Don’t need more than three days to load or unload the container
Live in a rural area (U-Pack has excellent national coverage)
Need their items delivered quickly

Don’t need long-term storage

How much does U-Pack cost?

	<250 miles	Cross Country
1 bedroom	$945-$1,430	$1,485 – $2,570
2-3 bedrooms	$1,075 – $1,665	$2,420 – $3,885
4-5 bedrooms	$1,225 – $1,925	$3,535 – $6,635

Pros & Cons of U-Pack

Only pay for the space you use
Fast delivery time frames
Nationwide coverage
Competitive pricing on 100-250 mile moves
No deposit or initial fees
Monthly storage available
Online shipment tracking

No local moving options
Parking can be a challenge
Only three days to load/unload the container
Tend to be more expensive for cross-country moves
The eight-foot freight trailer can be challenging to pack
Storage is limited to three to six months

Our U-Pack Review

As a leader in the DIY moving category for a long time, U-Pack scores highly on our best moving pods list. The company’s Relocube is perfect for smaller moves, and the moving trailer option makes larger moves easy. Chloe and Shiri both had an easy moving process with U-Pack, even though their moving needs couldn’t have been more different.

Recommended

Chloe's Move with U-Pack

In October 2022, Chloe and her dog set out to downsize from their multi-bedroom home in Fresno, California to a one-bedroom apartment 812 miles away in Salt Lake City. Chloe considered rental trucks and full-service moving companies before deciding on U-Pack ReloCube because it fit her budget, offered online scheduling, and the company had mostly positive reviews. In the end, Chloe’s move went smoothly — despite packing and loading taking longer than expected — and delivery arrived right on time.

The company offers “You load, we drive” service to practically anywhere in the continental U.S., as well as Puerto Rico and Canada. We especially love there is no initial deposit and you can track your shipment online. They also have the option to store up to six months.

While we always recommend getting multiple quotes when looking for a moving container company, U-Pack does tend to beat the competition on pricing for moves in the 100- to 250-mile range. In fact, they’re our pick for best overall value on our list of the cheapest moving containers. The company only charges for the space you actually use, which is also a nice perk.

Recommended

Shiri's Move with U-Pack Relocube

Shiri tapped U-Pack for her June 2023 move from Tarzana, California, to Beaverton, Oregon. Because California’s high cost of living was a motivating factor, Shiri and her daughter were on a tight budget. She spent over two months researching various moving companies before choosing U-Pack due its transparent pricing, convenience, and customer service. Despite language barriers with third-party moving help and her container arriving earlier than expected, Shiri’s items arrived safely. Her final costs were exactly what U-Pack estimated, which made up for some of the communication issues she dealt with.

U-Pack usually only handles moves over 100 miles, which is kind of a bummer. Also, if you need more than three days to load or unload your moving cube, U-Pack won’t be an option. Storage is limited to off-site locations.

Assuming none of these issues are deal breakers, if you’re looking for the best price for long-distance moving containers, U-Pack is definitely a company to check out. You can get a quote on the company’s website with just a few clicks.

Our full review: U-Pack

PODS: Best nationwide coverage

PODS invented the portable storage container in 1998 and has been an industry leader in containerized moving and storage ever since. While their brand name can sometimes come with a higher price tag, their experience performing nearly four million deliveries makes them one of the top moving container companies.

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating

4.8 / 5

Get A Quote

89% of users select this mover

PODS is perfect for people who…

Need storage
Want unlimited time loading/unloading their PODS container
Need multiple sizes of containers
Live near a PODS location

How much does PODS cost?

	Local move	<250 miles	Cross-country
1 bedroom	$225 – $435	$465 – $815	$2,110 – $4,110
2-3 bedrooms	$345 – $650	$760 – $1,970	$3,060 – $4,960
4-5 bedrooms	$330 – $830	$930 – $2,130	$5,560 – $7,660

Pros & Cons of PODS

30 days of storage included
Unlimited loading/unloading time
Various levels of insurance coverage available
Online shipment tracking
Military discounts
Local and long distance moving options
Store on property or at a facility
Nationwide locations
Online quoting and booking

No online quotes for long-distance moves
Pricing can be higher than competition
Need space to park container
Reservations need to be made in advance during summer peak moving season

Our PODS Review

Coming in at number two on our list is the inventor of the moving container — PODS Moving and Storage. There’s a lot to love about PODS, especially their three container sizes, flexible storage options, and local and long-distance moving and storage services.

Recommended

Kyle's Move with PODS

Kyle and his girlfriend considered rental trucks before zeroing in on moving containers due to their dog’s anxiety and the long drive ahead of them. He compared quotes from Zippy Shell, U-Pack, UNITS, and PODS. While UNITS and U-Pack were completely out of budget, Zippy Shell and PODS were neck and neck. In the end, he chose PODS for its positive reputation. Kyle didn’t hear from PODS much throughout the process, except for a heads up on moving and delivery days. But that worked out okay because Kyle had online access to the container in transit. Kyle was thrilled with his move overall.

Let’s start with local moves. If you’re moving within 50 miles, you can use a 12- or 16-foot container. For moves over 50 miles, the seven- or 16-foot sizes are available.

All containers allow for open-ended monthly storage. And you can store on your property or at a nearby PODS storage facility. PODS is a particularly good option if you’re staging a home or need a lot of time for loading or unloading.

PODS also offers the ability to purchase additional insurance options and hire moving labor to help load your container all on their website.

PODS’ household name in moving and storage can sometimes mean their pricing is higher than competitors, especially if a PODS location is over 50 miles away from your location. They can also book up fast due to their popularity. Learn more about PODS costs.

Recommended

Michele's Move with PODS

Michele, her husband, and their toddler relocated from San Jose, California, to Loveland, Colorado in the fall of 2022. They already booked North American Van Lines to handle the contents of her three-bedroom home, but the family had a woodshop they needed to move, too. Because the woodshop had a lot of specialty tools, Michele knew she wanted a moving container. Her move went smoothly and she was thoroughly pleased with PODS’ professionalism and delivery.

Regardless, PODS is an excellent option and we always recommend checking their price.

Our full review: PODS

1-800-PACK-RAT: Best container options

1-800-PACK-RAT provides cost-effective self-service local and long-distance moving containers with unlimited loading time and convenient storage solutions. They’re a direct competitor to PODS Moving & Storage, offering very similar services.

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating

4.45 / 5

Get A Quote

89% of users select this mover

1-800-Pack-Rat is perfect for people who…

Live nearby to a PACK-RAT location
Prefer the affordability of self-service moving
Don’t want to rush through pre-set loading times
Need a slightly larger container to fit everything
Want to price match against PODS

How much does 1-800-Pack-Rat cost?

	Local move	<250 miles	Cross-country
1 bedroom	$180 – $535	$500- $950	$1,230 – $3,825
2-3 bedrooms	$220 – $650	$710 – $1,960	$2,420 – $4,635
4-5 bedrooms	$350 – $820	$1,055 – $3,470	$5,125 – $6,925

Pros & Cons of 1-800-Pack-Rat

Offers a military discount
Can add third-party packing services
Price matches competitors
Several insurance options
No ramps necessary
Professional driving
Fast delivery time frames
Competitive pricing on 100- to 250-mile moves
No deposit or initial fees
Monthly storage available
Online shipment tracking
Eight-, 12-, and 16-foot containersizes
Climate-controlled storage facilities

Parking can be a challenge
No online quotes
Only services 29 states
Possible fuel surcharge
Tend to be more expensive for cross-country moves
No Sunday deliveries

Our 1-800-PACK-RAT Review

Looking for a cost-effective moving solution that fits your busy schedule? 1-800-PACK-RAT offers many of the same services as PODS at competitive prices, plus they have a few stand-out qualities we’d be crazy not to mention.

Better Moves Project participants Desmond and Batool chose 1-800-PACK-RAT for its affordability and had satisfactory experiences. Desmond’s move with 1-800-Pack-Rat required a 16-foot container — PACK-RAT’s largest container — for all his items, and there was plenty of room to spare, which worked well for his 3-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot home.

Recommended

Desmond's Move with 1-800-Pack-Rat

In September 2022, Desmond, his partner, and their four cats moved from Lafayette, Oregon, to Waynesville, Ohio. Desmond considered renting a truck from U-Haul and hiring full-service movers but in the end, 1-800-PACK-RAT came through with a competitive moving container quote for the services he needed.

1-800-PACK-RAT offers several container size options including eight-foot, 12-foot, and 16-foot containers for moves big and small. While many competitors have plastic or wood-constructed containers, 1-800-PACK-RAT containers have steel frames, walls, and doors. The metal construction provides weather resistance, so you don’t have to worry about your things getting wet, moldy, or mildewy during storage. This degree of protection makes 1-800-PACK-RAT an excellent choice if you’re moving antiques or specialty items.

1-800-PACK-RAT’s containers make moving less hassle by offering door-to-door local and long-distance container services. The containers feature barn-style doors, making loading and unloading easier than elevated containers with ramps. Plus, the door design increases the usable space inside the container so you can fit more stuff.

With Batool’s move with 1-800-PACK-RAT, she chose the smaller eight-foot container for her move, which went well despite a few communication issues. While her container still arrived during her agreed-upon delivery window, she had to reschedule her hired unloading services when the container arrived one day later than initially planned.

Recommended

Batool's Move with 1-800-Pack-Rat

In late February of 2022, Batool and her sons moved from Woodland, California, to Austin, Texas, for a new job opportunity. After considering full-service movers and moving containers, Batool decided that 1-800-PACK-RAT offered the best mix of price and services.

Batool paid exactly what 1-800-PACK-RAT quoted her, giving her peace of mind and no surprises. Desmond was also ultimately satisfied with the bang for his buck.

All containers come with 30 days of storage included in the base price. You can store the container on your property or at one of the 65 1-800-PACK-RAT storage facilities — some of which are climate-controlled. For long-distance moves, you’ll get 20 moving blankets per container to protect your things on the long journey, but you can always add more.

A few of Desmond’s items got damaged in transit, but he admitted that he didn’t rent enough moving blankets to protect his items adequately.

Overall, 1-800-PACK-RAT can be a convenient and cost-effective moving solution. The company’s various container sizes allow it to accommodate moves of all sizes. We recommend requesting quotes from several providers because the company may price match the lowest estimate.

Our full review: 1-800-Pack-Rat

Zippy Shell: Best for city-to-city moves

Zippy Shell is changing the way people move from city to city with their innovative, metal cage containers that make parking on busy city streets easy. The company also makes it easy to book moving labor and purchase additional insurance options with their containers. Zippy Shell is the perfect option for young professionals changing cities.

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating

4.2 / 5

Get A Quote

89% of users select this mover

Zippy Shell is perfect for people who…

Are moving in/out of a city and need a street legal container
Need moving labor
Don’t need more than three days to load or unload the container
Require guaranteed delivery

How much does Zippy Shell cost?

	Local move	<250 miles	Cross-country
1 bedroom	$205 – $255	$560 – $960	$1,830 – $3,955
2-3 bedrooms	$335 – $665	$750 – $1,660	$2,855 – $4,560
4-5 bedrooms	$355 – $755	$1,160 – $3,160	$5,240 – $7,100

Pros & Cons of Zippy Shell

Street legal containers are perfect for city parking
Expedited and guaranteed delivery options
Multiple insurance choices
Innovative metal cage containers that promote airflow
Available for both local and long distance moves
Easily add moving labor help

Containers are slightly smaller than competitors
Website doesn’t contain a lot of information
Only three days to load/unload the container

Our Zippy Shell Review

Zippy Shell continues to be one of our favorite container moving companies especially for moves out of major metros like New York City or Chicago. Their containers are street legal and can be parked just like cars, removing a lot of permit headaches.

The company offers a 15-foot size container. The internal capacity of the containers is slightly smaller than competitors so be sure to compare sizes when evaluating Zippy against the competition.

Recommended

Danielle's Move with Zippy Shell

Danielle knew full service movers were out of the question when she was budgeting for her move from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Tampa, Florida, in August 2022, but she knew she didn’t want to drive a moving truck, either. Zippy Shell won her over with their personable customer service, multiple container sizes, and transparent costs.Everything went as planned and her items arrived at her new home well within her delivery window. She didn’t hear from Zippy Shell much during transit, but customer service received her warmly when she requested updates. Her final costs were right on the money from her original estimate.

We also like that Zippy Shell makes it relatively easy to add loading and unloading help and their base package includes 30 days of storage. They also have a number of different insurance options to protect your goods in case of an accident.

For anyone seriously considering using a container for their next move, we highly recommend adding Zippy Shell to your list of potential options and getting a quote.

Our full review: Zippy Shell

Moving Place: Best for large moves

If you’re moving long distance, Moving Place is the best-priced moving container we’ve found. With an excellent customer service track record among moveBuddha reviewers, Moving Place is high on our list!

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating

4.0 / 5

Get A Quote

89% of users select this mover

Moving Place is perfect for people who…

Are moving over 500 miles and want the best pricing
Want a dedicated trailer with only their items in it
Don’t need more than three days to load or unload the container
Require fast and predictable delivery
Have a large move and want to ship a car with their items

How much does Moving Place cost?

	<250 miles	Cross-country
1 bedroom	$1,130 – $1,330	$1,055 – $2,555
2-3 bedrooms	$1,250 – $1,740	$1,925 – $3,225
4-5 bedrooms	$1,425 – $2,155	$2,950 – $4,755

Pros & Cons of Moving Place

Best pricing on freight trailers
Ship your home goods and car option
Excellent customer service
Very fast long-distance delivery times

No online quotes
No local moving options
Only three days to load/unload the container

Our Moving Place Review

moveBuddha customers consistently score Moving Place number one for customer service and competitive pricing. The company continues to be a leader in the moving container industry and our preferred option for long distance moves.

Recommended

Megan's Move with Moving Place

In March 2023, Megan began planning an ambitious relocation for herself, her husband, and their two young children. A new residency position opened up for her husband, so the young family decided to move from Cincinnati to Reno, Nevada. Megan decided to go with MovingPlace for their affordability and awesome customer service. Megan hired third-party moving help to reduce her stress but she had a hard time coordinating with two companies. Megan applauded Moving Place for their part in the moving process. Everything arrived on time and Megan was particularly impressed with the company’s communication.

A number of things make Moving Place stick out, but by far their most unique offering is the option to rent an entire 52-foot professional moving van. This option is hard to beat for those doing large moves. The trailer comes equipped with all the moving pads, straps, and dollies you’ll need. You can even transport a car in the trailer directly with your home goods. You load and they drive everything to your destination.

For smaller moves, Moving Place has a moving trailer option where you only pay for the space you use. The trailer is dedicated to your move and offers up to three days to load and unload your items. Short-term storage is also available with this option.

Unfortunately, the company doesn’t have any options for local moves. They also don’t provide instant quotes online, you’ll have to submit a form first.

Minor drawbacks aside, Moving Place is absolutely a company to consider if you’re moving interstate or cross country.

Our full review: Moving Place

U-Box by U-Haul: Best for college students

Yes, even the rental truck giant, U-Haul has gotten into the portable storage container game with their very own U-Box wooden container. While not the highest-quality or largest moving cube on the market, U-Haul boasts a huge number of locations and very competitive pricing.

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating

3.95 / 5

Get A Quote

(800) 468-4285

89% of users select this mover

U-Box is perfect for people who…

Are in a rural location or not near other container companies
Have a studio or dorm room

How much does U-Box cost?

	Local move	<250 miles	Cross-country
1 bedroom	$115 – $215	$830 – $1,160	$960 – $2,055
2-3 bedrooms	$120 – $390	$1,330 – $1,975	$1,660 – $2,555
4-5 bedrooms	$390 – $780	$1,750 – $2,440	$1,955 – $3,555

Pros & Cons of U-Box

Has the most locations nationwide
Available for both local and long distance moves
24 furniture pads included
Multiple insurance options
Store at your residence or a U-Haul location
One month of storage included
Instant pricing and checkout online

One of the smallest moving cubes on the market
Larger moves can require 4+ containers
Container is made out of wood

Our U-Box Review

U-Haul is a household name when it comes to affordable moving. The DIY truck rental brand is known as one of the cheapest ways to move, and its new U-Haul U-Box moving container is no exception. While not the largest or highest-quality, the U-Box is consistently the lowest-priced container option on the market.

We really love how affordable U-Haul is making containerized moving. The U-Box is perfect for recent college grads or anyone moving a small amount of stuff. From our research, U-Box pricing is almost always very competitive with other container options.

Recommended

Jarom's Move with U-Haul U-Box

Jarom, his wife, and their dog had about 1,000 pounds of belongings in their one-bedroom apartment when they moved from Springville, Utah, to Tampa, Florida in June 2022. Jarom was very concerned that his items could be damaged in transit but U-Box’s customer service and positive reviews eased his mind. U-Box communicated with him over text and everything went as planned. He even got free labor when the U-Haul drivers offered to help him so they didn’t have to come back later to retrieve the container.

We also can’t get over how easy U-Haul’s website makes it to book a moving container. It’s one of the best booking experiences in the moving and storage industry. U-Haul also has more locations than any other company, making it easy to find a local store.

U-Haul is known for no-frills and the U-Box stays true to this motto. The container has the smallest internal dimensions of any moving container on the market. That’s why we say it’s a good option for really small moves.

Recommended

Nancy's Move with U-Haul U-Box

Nancy and her husband were determined to keep their moving costs as low as possible, so they only needed to move about 10 boxes. They took all their fragile items in their vehicle with them and loaded the eight-foot container with their boxes. When the container arrived in Minneapolis, Nancy learned the city denied her parking permit and U-Box couldn’t park anywhere near her new home. Even though she liked moving containers for their door-to-door delivery, she ended up picking up her items in a rented U-Haul moving truck to move her items herself. It didn’t ruin her experience, but it added unexpected costs and effort.

The U-Box is also made out of fairly thin wood. It’s certainly not the most durable option, with most competitors using steel or metal for their containers. We have seen complaints and issues regarding the containers falling apart or instances of water damage.

But if you’re on a tight budget and looking for the most affordable way to ship, U-Box is definitely an option worth looking into. In less than 30 seconds you can get a price off of U-Haul’s website for pretty much any interstate move.

Our full review: U-Box

SMARTBOX Portable Storage: Best for price matching

Since 2002, SMARTBOX Portable Storage has been offering an eight-foot, wooden storage container for both local and long-distance moving and storage. The company has locations in roughly 50 cities throughout the U.S. With only one size container option and limited locations, SMARTBOX struggles to compete with other container moving companies. Nonetheless, the company is still worth considering for those trying to find the best deal.

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating

3.9 / 5

Get A Quote

(877) 395-2102

89% of users select this mover

SMARTBOX is perfect for people who…

Have a studio or dorm room
Are moving low-value items

How much does SMARTBOX cost?

	Local move	<250 miles	Cross-country
1 bedroom	$125 – $240	$1,055 – $1,855	$1,520 – $2,540
2-3 bedrooms	$220 – $390	$1,655 – $2,410	$1,655 – $2,410
4-5 bedrooms	$360 – $755	$2,110 – $3,055	$2,110 – $3,055

Pros & Cons of SMARTBOX

Store at your home or at a facility
Local and long-distance moving options
Free container locks for interstate moves
Very competitive pricing
Great price matching policy
Long-term container rental available

Limited locations
Strict cancellation policy
Small wooden container only
Online pricing tool is hard to use
Large pricing variations

Our SMARTBOX Review

SMARTBOX is all about low cost and that’s why we’ve included them on this list. The company prides itself on its low rates and price matching policy. For college students or super budget conscious movers, SMARTBOX can be a great way to save some money.

Recommended

Marilyn's Move with SMARTBOX

Marilyn only had a month to move for her husband’s new job in Chicago, which made online quotes and convenient scheduling a priority. Marilyn was very organized, so when she received SMARTBOX’s quote and confirmed it was on budget, she happily moved ahead. Friends helped her load the container in Seattle and she hired Two Men and a Truck for help in Chicago. Her move was quick overall, but loading took much longer than expected. Her container arrived in Chicago just 10 days after she loaded it and her third-party labor had everything in her apartment within 1.5 hours.

The primary issue with SMARTBOX is a lack of locations. Keep in mind, if you’re moving long distance you will need a SMARTBOX location on both ends of the move. If that’s not the case, well, then you can’t use them.

Wooden portable storage containers also aren’t the best moving container on the market. They are more susceptible to weather damage and can sometimes fall apart during moves. Something to keep in mind if you’re shipping nice furniture or expensive items.

Overall, if SMARTBOX has a location in your area and your move is relatively small, you should at least get a free quote. Moving into a new home is pretty much always expensive so doing as much price comparison as possible is recommended.

Our full review: SMARTBOX

Pros and cons of using moving containers

Moving containers make moving easier in many ways, but they aren’t perfect. Here are the key advantages and disadvantages to consider when deciding if using a moving container is right for your move:

Flexible loading time: Pack on your own schedule vs. mover’s
Price: Moving containers can cost less than full-service movers
Control: You control what gets loaded and how it’s packed
Security: Containers are secure and weatherproof
Storage: Can store the moving container for additional time if needed

Loading yourself: No help packing up the container
Restricted space: Containers have size limits
Logistics: You handle delivery/pickup and final transport
Timeline: Need to work on company’s schedule for delivery
No insurance: Damage protection costs extra

Factors to consider when choosing a moving container company

With so many options to pick from, how do you select the right moving container company for your relocation needs? Here are the key factors to keep in mind:

Availability: Check if the company operates in your area and has containers available on your timing. Avoid delays.
Container sizes: Make sure they offer a container big enough to fit your stuff. Don’t cram and risk breaking your belongings.
Loading access: Do they drop off containers for home loading or offer facility loading? Choose what suits you best.
Extra services: See what’s included or can be added, like packing help, appliances servicing, storage insurance. Know what you’re getting!
Customer service: Look for responsiveness and knowledgeable support. You’ll have questions.
Reviews: Read reviews and look for consistent satisfaction. Other customers say a lot!
Cost: Compare total costs (including storage unit prices, if applicable), not just container rental. Watch for fees.
Policies: Review cancellation, refunds, and damage coverage. The fine print matters!

Keeping these key factors in mind will help you zero in on the right moving container company to match your specific relocation needs and avoid surprises down the road.

Average cost of moving containers

For local moves, portable moving container costs can range from $150 to $400 for a single container and one month of storage. For larger moves that require multiple containers, costs can range from $800 to $1,100.

If you’re moving long-distance, moving pod costs can range from $1,000 to $7,000 or more depending on the distance and number of containers your move requires. You’ll have to call most companies to get pricing for interstate moves.

To get a ballpark estimate, check out our moving container cost calculator.

Which size moving container do I need?

The container size that is right for your move will depend on the total volume of all the items you’re moving and which size containers the company offers. To give you a general idea:

A Few Items: – Seven-foot container (392cf)
Studio (400-600 sq feet): – seven-foot container
1 Bedroom (800-1000 sq ft): – 12-foot container
2 Bedroom (1000-1500 sq ft): – 12-foot container
3 Bedroom (1500 -2000 Sq ft): – 16-foot container
4 Bedroom (2000-3000 sq ft): – 16-foot + 12-foot container
5 Bedroom plus (3500+ sq ft): – Two 16-foot containers

Note: these estimates are based on average household sizes. You should work directly with each company to determine what size and how many containers you need.

FAQs about moving container companies

Are moving containers better than hiring movers?

Storage is the biggest advantage of moving containers over even the best moving companies. With a moving container, you can have continual access to all your items while in storage and store for as long as you like. With moving companies, you typically don’t have access to the items and long-term storage can get expensive. If your move requires long term storage, moving containers are an excellent option.

Are moving containers weatherproof and secure?

All moving containers are generally weatherproof and can be locked for security. But over time, containers will get beat up so you should always check for damage to the container upon arrival.

Do moving pods include moving labor?

Most moving container companies offer moving labor as an add-on service. Hourly rates usually vary from $100 to $300 per hour, depending on the size of the move and how long you need the labor help. The best way to find labor-only moving services is on a website like HireAHelper.

Licensed

Insured

Price

rating

4.5 / 5

Get A Quote

(888) 875-2687

89% of users select this mover

How long can I store a moving container?

Most moving container companies will allow open-ended storage on a month-to-month basis. You can store the container on your property or at the closest company location for a monthly fee.
The only exception is freight trailers. Freight trailers typically only allow for a maximum of 30 to 60 days of storage and the trailer must be stored at a company location.

What is a moving pod?

A “moving pod” is a generic nickname sometimes used to refer to moving containers in general. This nickname stems from the popularity of the PODS moving container company (just like calling any brand of tissue a Kleenex). Moving containers offered by various companies and are called all sorts of names including “storage pods,” “relocation pods,” “portable moving containers,” and “portable storage units.” Whatever you call them, these moving containers offer a convenient option for do-it-yourself moves. Just load them up yourself and the company will transport your belongings to your new home.