Best Moving Container Companies in Florida (2024)

The average price to rent a moving container for a local move is around $550, but the cost of long-distance moves is harder to estimate.

For this reason, we recommend you budget at least $5,000 for a cross-country move to ensure you have enough wiggle room for a seamless moving process. While this may sound like a steep price tag for some, it’s still a fraction of the cost of professional movers.

We’ve compiled the five best moving container companies in Florida so you can pick the right option for your needs.

The 5 best moving container companies in Florida

• U-Pack: Best overall
• PODS: Best for long-distance moves
• MovingYourself: Best for large moves
• 1-800-PACK-RAT: Best containers
• Zippy Shell: Best for city moves

How we picked the best Florida moving container companies

We built a rating system to assess Florida moving container companies. Here’s the methodology we considered:

• Customer satisfaction: We read thousands of customer reviews to better understand the real-life moving experiences each provider offered. The more positive reviews a provider had, the higher they rated.
• Services: We assessed each provider’s moving solutions, including storage unit sizing, drop-off and pickup services, availability of climate-controlled storage facilities, and whether or not its containers were weatherproof or weather-resistant.
• Reputation: We investigated each company’s reputation in the broader moving industry by vetting Better Business Bureau accreditation, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure, and standing with professional associations.
• Add-on options: We evaluated each company’s available add-on options, including moving labor — such as packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading — plus any available insurance options.
• Service area: We considered each moving container company’s nationwide availability, partnerships with convenient storage facilities, and availability in urban and rural areas.
• Payment methods: At the end of the moving process, the last thing you want to do is uncover hidden fees. In this section, we evaluated each company’s quote process and ensured that all companies on this list offered transparent pricing structure.
• Scheduling: For this section, we simulated the quote process and assessed each company’s scheduling capabilities. Did they have our first date available or did we have to wait? Companies with better availability and more communicative moving representatives fared better in this section.

Comparing the best moving container companies in Florida

Compare the best moving container companies in Florida using the table below.

*For a one-bedroom apartment from Miami to San Francisco 

U-Pack: Best overall

U-Pack is our top overall pick in terms of competitive pricing and availability because it serves all 50 states and offers transparent pricing. While it only offers the standard eight-foot Relocube, you can order as many as you need to accommodate your move size and return any you don’t use without being charged.

U-Pack is the only company on this list that provides online quotes, which allow you to instantly ascertain if it fits your budget and needs. We like that they offer long-term storage, but you’ll need to be mindful of its six-month limit for onsite storage solutions. After that, you’ll need to transfer your belongings to a secure facility.

Pros/Cons

How much does U-Pack cost?

U-Pack quoted us $3,570 to move a one-bedroom apartment from Miami to San Francisco. This is a cross-country move, so don’t automatically rule it out if it’s outside your budget.

Why we like U-Pack

• Tons of moving resources built into the website
• Consultants available 24/7
• One standard container size

PODS: Best for long-distance moves

While it’s true that PODS doesn’t service all 50 states, we think it’s still the best choice for long-distance moves because it’s the only provider on this list with three container sizes and a wide service area.

The PODS name is basically interchangeable with portable storage containers, so the company has major name recognition going for it. You’ll likely find a PODS physical location nearby you — PODS has 37 locations in cities and towns throughout Florida.

We love that it offers discount opportunities for various demographics, including military members, veterans, and college students, plus shipment tracking for peace of mind.

Pros/Cons

How much does PODS cost?

PODS doesn’t offer online quotes for long-distance moves and we had trouble getting a representative on the line without a long wait time.

However, we have pricing data available through the Better Moves Project. Alex used PODS to move his three-bedroom home from Minnesota to Washington and paid $2,836, exactly the price he was quoted.

Why we like PODS

• Three container sizes
• Money-back guarantee
• Accurate quote process with zero hidden fees

MovingYourself: Best for large moves

MovingYourself earned its spot on this list because it’s one of the few “you load, we drive” moving solutions that offers enough space for large households with a lot of possessions.

While you won’t have the typical portable storage container experience, MovingYourself can drop off and pick up its trucks, so you can load at your own pace. The company sells extra space on pre-planned trucking routes, so you can ship anything up to the total 52-foot capacity, including cars and large furniture items.

Pros/Cons

How much does MovingYourself cost?

Estimating costs for MovingYourself is difficult because it is a truly customizable moving solution. To get a quote, you have to call the company or submit your information to the contact form and await an e-mail response.

Why we like MovingYourself

• Offers up to 52 feet of moving and storage space
• Includes ramps, bulkheads, and all moving equipment
• Broad service area covers most of the contiguous U.S.

1-800-PACK-RAT: Best containers

1-800-PACK-RAT offers three container sizes at competitive prices. While its quotes aren’t always the most affordable at face value, it edges out its competition by allowing haggling and price-matching if you can get a better quote elsewhere.

You can store your container on your property indefinitely if you need to move slowly or take advantage of the company’s climate-controlled facilities for more sensitive items.

Pros/Cons

How much does 1-800-PACK-RAT cost?

PACK-RAT has a multi-step quote process, including a consultation with a moving representative, to ensure you get the most accurate estimate for your needs, so it doesn’t offer instant quotes online.

Batool chose PACK-RAT for her 2022 move from California to Texas. She paid $3,400 for the container only and about $1,000 more for moving labor.

Why we like 1-800-PACK-RAT

• Barn-style doors save space and streamline loading
• Gives you an entire month to load and unload
• Offers local and long-distance moving services

Zippy Shell: Best for city moves

Zippy Shell is our pick for moves to or within larger cities because its compact sizing, street-legal status, and availability in urban areas are unmatched. While many portable storage container companies require a permit or enough space on your property to store the vessel, Zippy Shell can be parked on the street in cities that allow it.

Zippy Shell’s containers are made of steel and weather-resistant, which keeps your belongings safe while you load them. But the company goes the extra mile by transporting them in weatherproof trailers that are protected from all the elements.

Pros/Cons

How much does Zippy Shell cost?

Zippy Shell doesn’t offer online quotes, but it will give you a reservation number after you input your details online. From there, you can call the company and a representative will conveniently pull up the details you submitted online and walk you through your options.

Danielle paid $2,730 to move three bedrooms worth of belongings from Virginia to Florida in August 2022.

Why we like Zippy Shell

• Sister company of 1-800-PACK-RAT
• Great customer service
• Transports containers in a weatherproof trailer for additional protection

Moving container sizes

Portable moving containers tend to come in several sizes, but availability can depend on your current and new location, desired moving services, and whether or not you need onsite storage for any length of time.

Use the following table as a guide to estimate the best storage container size for your needs. Keep in mind that you can order multiple containers in several sizes to make the most of your storage options.

Moving containers vs. full-service movers

Moving containers and full-service movers offer different moving and storage solutions, which generally means they service vastly different clientele. Moving containers are a better fit for customers seeking competitive prices, convenient storage options, and the autonomy to DIY most of their moving experience.

Moving containers are ideal for those who don’t have the time or confidence to drive a moving truck, but don’t mind doing the labor on their own. They can be particularly cost-effective for cross-country and international moves, especially if you’re willing to declutter for a move to pare down to the bare essentials.

Portable storage companies will drop off and pick up your container — often on your desired timeline — and many companies offer weatherproof or weather-resistant steel containers to protect your belongings from the elements. Because your items are on your property, you can have vital peace of mind that they’re safe and secure, whereas storage facilities run the risk of burglaries.

Full-service moving companies like Safeway Moving and Mayzlin Relocation, on the other hand, aim to eliminate the hassle of moving by doing pretty much everything from packing your old place to assembling furniture in your new home. While you can add storage options to your moving reservation, you’ll seldom be able to store your belongings onsite like you can with a storage container. Instead, you’ll have to visit a long-term storage facility.

Check out our best moving companies to request quotes and find the best option for your situation.

Our take

Start your moving process off on the right foot by requesting quotes from U-Pack, PODS, and MovingYourself.

We think U-Pack is the best overall in terms of value and availability, and the company has the easiest quote process. However, it only offers one container size. PODS has three container sizes, but it doesn’t service all the areas U-PACK does. MovingYourself is an unconventional moving solution that can help you move up to a 52-foot moving truck worth of possessions.

Give yourself at least two weeks to get all your quotes back and make an informed choice. You can use our moving cost calculator to get started. Whenever possible, we recommend booking eight weeks out, especially if you’re relocating during peak moving season.

FAQ

How much do moving containers cost?

Moving containers cost between $500 and $5,000 on average, but your exact costs will depend on:

• The number of containers you need
• The distance to ship them
• The length of your storage rental
• Any add-on services you select

Is it cheaper to use PODS or a moving company?

It is cheaper to use PODS over a moving company, especially if you’re willing to DIY your moving labor and packing. A full-service moving company will often have a labor minimum, which can make it more costly.

Request quotes from several moving container companies and full-service movers using our moving cost calculator to find the best value for your needs.

How much do moving shipping containers cost from Florida to Texas?

The cost to move from Florida to Texas using shipping containers ranges from $1,144 to $5,388. Your costs will depend on the size of your home, the distance to your new home, and how long you need your container.

How do you determine what size moving container you’ll need?

You can determine what size moving container you need by requesting a free quote or using our moving cost calculator tool. In general, you’ll need at least one eight-foot portable storage container per 600 square feet of space. A 16-foot container is typically enough space for a one- to two-bedroom home.

What should you not put in a moving container?

You should not put the following in a moving container:

• Perishable food items
• Plants
• Cleaning materials or toxic chemicals
• Fuel
• Lawn mowers and motorized vehicles
• Any illegal items