Best Moving Container Companies in Georgia (2024)

Moving to or from Georgia should be a process that is as sweet as tea. And if you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on moving services, moving container companies can be an affordable, DIY alternative.

The price ultimately depends on storage container quality, container sizes, and any storage solutions. On average, moving containers in Atlanta and other parts of the state can still cost anywhere from $200 to $6,000. That is why it’s important to check our moving cost calculator for the most accurate estimates.

Taking all of this into consideration, these are our picks for the best moving container companies in the Peach State.

The 5 best moving container companies in Georgia

• 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 Georgia moving container companies

Unlike other moving container reviews that can be skewed towards sponsored revenue, moveBuddha uses a transparent, objective rating system based on the following methodology:

• Customer satisfaction: In addition to thousands of customer reviews, moveBuddha conducts detailed interviews with consumers about their moving experience as part of the Better Moves Project. Customer satisfaction plays a major role in our readers’ overall experience with a mover, so we place the highest value on this one rating factor alone.
• Services: Not all moving companies are created equal, and it’s essential to know the specific services associated with each. Storage unit sizing, storage container quality, pickup and drop-off services, and readily available storage facilities are all solutions customers might want to prioritize.
• Reputation: Although customer reviews are important, they can be influenced by personal biases. That is why moveBuddha similarly considers each rating with the Better Business Bureau, as well as their U.S. Department of Transportation license and accreditation with other professional associations.
• Add-on options: Standard moving company services do not typically include extras like cleaning, packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading. They also don’t always include all insurance options.
• Availability: No matter how great a moving company is, if it is not available where your new home is, or does not have convenient storage facilities, then they can’t help you.
• Type of mover: Some people want a full-service mover to handle packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking. Others prefer more budget-friendly self-service options where you handle most packing and loading yourself. And plenty of individuals want something in between, so it’s important to know what type of mover you’re paying for.
• Payment: Too often, the road from an initial quote to a final invoice can be long, meandering, and even frustrating at times. Transparent billing from start to finish is crucial for finding the right moving company for you.
• Scheduling: Depending on your reasons for moving to a new location (a new job, for instance) you may not have lead time. That is why flexible scheduling is essential for peace of mind.

Comparing the best moving container companies in Georgia

A moving container company’s reputation with the Better Business Bureau is about as important as nationwide availability. Container size options and pricing estimates via online are also conveniences to consider in a moving container company.

* Based on a two-bedroom apartment from Atlanta to Austin  

U-Pack: Best overall

If you’re choosing a moving container company instead of full-service moving companies or long-distance movers, then affordability may be an important consideration. Not only is U-Pack one of the most competitively priced options, they have more than 200 locations in all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The catch is that the company has a required minimum distance of 250 miles, so they are not a good option for local moves.

One of the ways that U-Pack keeps their costs competitive without sacrificing services is that they only charge you for the space you use. Their eight-foot ReloCube offers less space compared to competitors, but since you only pay for what you actually use, you can order extra ReloCubes and send back what you don’t end up needing without worrying about being charged.

U-Pack offers onsite storage options for up to six months, so you can take your time decorating and getting settled in. They also have an easy-to-use online system for getting quick and accurate quotes to compare with other companies, so you can make the most informed decision.

Pros/Cons

How much does U-Pack cost?

Freddy needed a container company to move him from Athens, Georgia to Chicago along with two months of storage. U-Pack quoted him $1,438 and the final cost of his 800-mile move was $1,438 exactly.

While this price tag can increase with longer distances and the purchase of add-on services, customers can rest assured that initial estimates will be close to — if not match — the final bill.

Why we like U-Pack

U-Pack is a convenient and cost-effective option for the following reasons:

• Trailer rentals are available for larger moves
• Nationwide availability 
• They give military discounts

PODS: Best for long-distance moves

PODS stands for “Portable On-Demand Storage”. They are the industry leader and used interchangeably with portable storage containers (similar to how Ziploc bags has become the catch-all for plastic storage bags). In many ways they are as convenient as U-Pack, but with the added bonus of three container sizes: eight, 12, and 16 feet. This makes PODS a great fit for families or larger moves with multiple people.

Although PODS does not operate in all 50 states, they come pretty close to competing with companies like U-Pack that have nationwide coverage. PODS has 18 locations in Georgia — including options in cities like Atlanta and Savannah — but are not available in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, or Wyoming.

The company offers 30 days to load and unload furniture and other belongings, as well as local moving services. But the variety of container sizes in such a large service area makes PODS an excellent fit for long-distance moves.

Pros/Cons

How much does PODS cost?

When Alex planned to move from Minneapolis to Seattle, about a 1,709-mile move. He went with PODS because it was seemingly the most affordable option. He was initially quoted $2,836 and after completing the move, the final cost matched.

Bethany’s 2,800-mile move was a similarly positive pricing experience. Although an expensive cross-country move overall, her $4,540 quote was also the exact amount of her bill. 

Why we like PODS

PODS is the industry leader in moving containers for many reasons, including:

• Three different container sizes available across a wide geographic area
• Provides accurate quotes with no hidden fees 
• Unlimited loading and unloading (additional charges apply after 30 days)

MovingYourself: Best for large moves

Founded in 2022, MovingYourself is the newest company on the list, and actually not really a moving container company. However, we included them here because they follow the same business model — you load your possessions and the company drives it to their destination.

Rather than renting a moving container, you book a 52-foot moving truck at least two weeks in advance. Then, you have three days to pack after it arrives.

Unlike other moving container companies that have restrictions on transporting most things with a motor, you can pack a vehicle and other large items in MovingYourself trucks. This makes it a smart choice for anyone who is moving a lot of large items or exploring car-shipping options.

It’s important to note that MovingYourself only services moves between states. It is not an option for local relocation, but it may be a good option for large-scale interstate moves.

Pros/Cons

How much does MovingYourself cost?

MovingYourself is a new company that has yet to be evaluated by our Better Moves Project participants. However, the company offers similar transportation brokerage services as the founder’s previous company, MovingPlace.

When Matt relocated his family from Berkeley, California, to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2022, the massive 2,000-mile move was during the summer peak moving season. He chose MovingPlace because they quoted him with the lowest price — $3,529. His final bill of $3,218 was lower than the initial estimate.

Why we like MovingYourself

MovingYourself may not be a traditional moving container company, but it is better for large moves because:

• Customers get a 52 feet of truck space to accommodate their moves
• You have three days to pack up the truck
• Car shipping is an option
• It is the most affordable container solution for a large interstate move

1-800-PACK-RAT: Best for containers

One of the hardest parts of picking the right moving container company is being sure that your possessions will be protected from wind, rain, and other unfortunate circumstances. This is where 1-800-PACK-RAT beats the competition.

The company’s steel frames, walls, and doors make these containers the most weatherproof in the moving industry. 1-800-PACK-RAT also offers the same three container sizes to PODS, but with unique barn-style doors. This makes them easy to load and unload without extra equipment or ramps.

Customers can similarly use containers for short- or long-term storage in one of the company’s climate-controlled warehouses. But because these easy-to-load cubes are also built tough to withstand even the harshest elements, they are the best containers on this list.

Although 1-800-PACK-RAT offers services for both local and long-distance moves, they are not available in: Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, or Wyoming.

If you’re relocating to one of these states, U-Pack is a better way to go because they have nationwide coverage.

Pros/Cons

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

Desmond chose 1-800-PACK-RAT for his 2,300-mile move from Lafayette, Oregon, to Waynesville, Ohio, because of the protection of the steel containers. His quote was about $7,048, and the final bill was about $7,310.

Other customers like Carrie were met with unforeseen charges when the PACK-RAT truck did not have enough clearance to get to her Philadelphia apartment. Carrie had to rent a Penske truck and hire movers to get her belongings from the company’s storage facility in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Initially, Carrie was quoted $4,298 for the 2,345-mile move. And to be fair, PACK-RAT only charged her $4,200 and refunded her for a permit she didn’t need. But the cost of her move ended up being significantly more expensive at $5,550.

With the exception of clearance issues, the price of 1-800-PACK-RAT appears to match the quotes closely. 

Why we like 1-800-PACK-RAT

When it comes to moving container quality, 1-800-PACK-RAT is ahead of the competition, and this is why:

• Steel containers are the most durable option available
• Easy-to-load containers come with a complimentary lock
• Insurance included, with the option to purchase more

Zippy Shell: Best for city moves

Moving container companies can be a convenient option for people moving to and from homes with driveways. But for city moves from apartment buildings, figuring out where to store and load your container can be tricky. 

That is where Zippy Shell stands out with its street-legal containers that can fit in most standard parking spots. As a sister company to 1-800-PACK-RAT, Zippy Shell’s street-legal containers are also steel-framed and weatherproof. 

With sufficient availability in urban areas, container durability and convenience, Zippy Shell is a solid choice for local and long-distance city moves.

Zippy Shell offers some services in rural and suburban areas, as well. But in those regions, competitors like PODS and U-Pack tend to have better service coverage at a similar price.

Pros/Cons

How much does Zippy Shell cost?

Danielle chose Zippy Shell for her 813-mile move from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Tampa, Florida, partially for their container sizes and prices. She was quoted $2,730 for a 15-foot container, which ended up being the exact total amount she paid.

You’ll need to call to receive the most accurate quote, but as long as you’re willing to speak to a person, it should match your final bill.

Why we like Zippy Shell

Zippy Shell offers the best containers for urban moves because of the following reasons:

• Containers can fit in most city parking spots
• Local and long-distance moving services
• Convenient add-ons like loading and unloading labor

Moving container sizes

The moving container sizes can depend on the company you choose, as well as the availability of portable storage they have in the desired time frame.

That said, some containers are better-suited for certain spaces than others. While many companies give customers the option to utilize multiple container sizes, here is what to keep in mind when shopping around for the right amount and size of containers for your unique needs.

Moving containers vs. full-service movers

Full-service movers are a great option if you have flexible funds and can’t or don’t want to deal with the actual labor involved. The best moving companies and best long-distance movers will do the heavy lifting for you — but you’ll typically have to pay more for that convenience.

Depending on where you’re moving and the amount of work you’re willing to put in, affordable full-service movers like Safeway Moving and American Van Lines can be comparable to moving container companies like PODS. For instance, if you’re planning to hire third-party labor to help load your pod, Safeway Moving and American Van Lines might be a more efficient choice, since full-service movers come with loading and unloading.

Pricier full-service movers like JK Moving Services and Allied Van Lines can cost well over $10,000 for a cross-country move, so depending on move size and distance, it makes sense why someone on a budget might do some of the work themselves instead.

Moving container companies allow consumers to do that, without starting from scratch, and add on services like third-party labor, as needed.

You can use our moving cost calculator to get started comparing full-service and DIY move pricing.

Our take

U-Pack and PODS remain top industry players for affordability, convenience, and overall transparency. When it comes to a standard move of one- to three-bedrooms, both companies have a reputation for meeting or exceeding needs without tacking on any hidden fees.

For larger moves that include car shipping, MovingYourself is equipped to meet these complex needs. And unlike renting a truck, the best part of MovingYourself takes care of driving for you. 

We recommend giving yourself ample time (at least a couple of months) to research companies and compare estimates. Be sure to request quotes from at least three comparable companies so you can get a good apples-to-apples glimpse at which one offers the right services at the best price. Our moving cost calculator allows you to access estimates from multiple companies quickly and easily.

FAQ

How much does PODS cost?

PODS cost anywhere from $225 for local moves to upwards of $7,600 for long-distance relocations. While PODS’ base costs include one month of storage, mileage, and fuel, extras like moving labor and packing materials can bump up the final bill.

For the most accurate and up-to-date estimate, use our moving cost calculator.

What other companies are there besides PODS?

There are many other moving container companies besides PODS, such as U-Pack and 1-800-PACK-RAT. We like U-Pack for their nationwide availability, storage solutions, and competitive pricing compared to PODS. Although they don’t have multiple container sizes, they offer the same basic storage pods and transportation services.

If you’re willing to spend more, full-service movers will load, unload, and, for extra fees, pack and unpack. If you’re trying to spend less, renting a moving truck and doing the loading, unloading, and driving yourself is the most affordable way to go.

How much does it cost to move shipping containers from Georgia to Texas?

It costs approximately $2,000–$3,000 to move shipping containers from Georgia to Texas, according to our research. We received a quote of $2,985 from U-Pack to move a two-bedroom home from Atlanta to Austin.The cost for the same 930-mile move would cost around $1,980 with U-Haul U-Box.

However, the exact amount of your move from Georgia to Texas will depend on the company you choose, the amount of belongings you have, and any add-on services — like third-party labor and insurance — you select.

What is the cheapest container shipping company?

The cheapest moving container company typically is U-Haul U-Box. Despite U-Haul’s affordability, we actually recommend U-Pack for best overall value. Remember that price is just one factor to consider when choosing a moving container company. U-Pack is widely available and provides competitive pricing without skimping on service.

What cannot be moved in a pod?

Items that cannot be moved in a pod include:

• Toxic chemicals
• Gas and other flammable liquids
• Hazardous waste
• Lawn mowers
• Motorized vehicles (unless otherwise noted)
• Pets

We also recommend that, whenever possible, you keep any legal paperwork and currency with you instead of packing them in a moving container. While you certainly can move these items in a pod, you may want quick access to them as part of your move.