Best Moving Container Companies in Illinois (2024)

If you want to be the Michael Jordan of moving in Chicago or have a slam dunk of a transition to a new place in Illinois, learning about the best moving container companies is a great place to start. As opposed to hiring a full-service moving company, which can cost thousands of dollars, container rental companies can be a cost-saving, DIY alternative.

Durability of storage containers, variety of container sizes, and any additional storage solutions or add-on services will influence the total price. In Chicago and other parts of the state, moving containers can cost from $150 to $1,100 for local moves, and anywhere from $1,000 to $7,000 for long-distance and cross-country moves. To get a quote, consult our moving cost calculator for accurate pricing.

And whatever you do, don’t pack without reading our picks for the best moving container companies for smooth moves in the Prairie State.

The 5 best moving container companies in Illinois

• 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 Illinois moving container companies

Unlike review sites that may get paid to push certain companies, we arrived at the best storage and moving container companies in Illinois by using an objective rating system. Our moveBuddha methodology is broken down into eight key metrics.

• Customer satisfaction: Customer reviews can only tell you so much. To make up for that, moveBuddha conducts detailed interviews with consumers about their moving experience as part of the Better Moves Project.
• 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 service, and storage facilities in the Chicagoland area and throughout the state are all solutions customers might want to prioritize.
• Reputation: Customer reviews are important, but there are other aspects of a company’s reputation that are important to consider. That is why moveBuddha ratings with the Better Business Bureau, checks each companies’ their licensure with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and accreditation with other professional associations.
• Add-on options: If extras like cleaning, packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading, are important, keep in mind that some moving container companies don’t offer these services. A select few container companies include add-on options for this type of labor, as well as insurance options.
• Availability: You cannot always control your timeline for moving, and this can be incredibly stressful.
• Type of mover: If you’re reading this article, you may have already chosen moving containers because the DIY option is budget-friendly compared to the best interstate moving companies. However, when companies do not make it clear what they do, it is easy to book the wrong moving solutions to fit your needs.
• Payment: It is difficult to have a smooth moving experience when you end up paying $1,000 more than you were initially quoted.
• Scheduling: Similar to moving container availability, anyone moving with a strict schedule needs a moving container company that can be flexible with that. Companies that are open seven-days a week and have 24-hour customer service can be crucial in these cases.

Comparing the best moving container companies in Illinois

No matter how good of a reputation a company has with the Better Business Bureau, they still have to service your area, and have container sizes to meet your needs. That is why we considered all of the above, not just external ratings.

* Based on a one-bedroom apartment from Chicago to Los Angeles 

U-Pack: Best overall

One of the more significant selling points of using a moving container company is saving money, because they are less expensive than a full-service moving company or long-distance movers. Still, looking for the cheapest options available can be a slippery slope to bad service and a more stressful move. That is why we picked U-Pack as the best moving container company overall. Customers get the most competitive prices, without the risk of compromising their moving experience.

U-Pack keeps their costs down by only charging you for the space you use. It is worth noting that their containers have less space compared to competitors with only an eight-foot ReloCube. But again, you are only being charged for the space you use, so it makes sense to order extra ReloCubes, just in case.

The company has over 200 locations in all 50 states, in addition to Canada and Puerto Rico, making it a great option for long-distance moves that might require storage services. (Speaking of which, U-Pack offers onsite storage options for up to six months.)

The main downside is that the company has a required minimum distance of 250 miles, so they are not a good option for local moves. However, at this time they are the only moving container company that gives customers instant and accurate quotes online. As long as you’re moving far enough away, U-Pack is one of the best options out there.

Pros/Cons

How much does U-Pack cost?

In middle peak moving season in the summer of 2023, Shiri planned to move her family from Tarzana, California to Beaverton, Oregon. Although U-Haul had lower prices, this option would’ve required her to do the driving. Shiri chose U-Pack for the low cost, combined with the convenience of the company providing the transportation. U-Pack quoted Shiri $2,540 to move her three-bedroom apartment approximately 955 miles. At the end of her move, U-Pack charged her exactly that.

Why we like U-Pack

 U-Pack is our pick for the best moving container company overall because their services are the best value, and include the following perks:

• 10 locations in Illinois and nationwide availability
• Highly competitive pricing for moves over 250 miles 

PODS: Best for long-distance moves

It’s nearly impossible to research “best moving container companies” without coming across PODS. Shorthand for “portable on-demand storage,” the term PODS is pretty much interchangeable with moving containers or portable storage containers. This is part of the reason they’ve become one of the most popular moving container companies in the industry.

The company has also made a name for themselves by having almost all of the services as U-Pack but with eight-, 12-, and 16-foot containers. Multiple container sizes makes PODS a great fit for families and larger moves. The company also gives customers 30 days to load and unload furniture and other belongings, compared to most companies that give only 3 days. This extra loading time can be a game-changer for moves that involve multiple people with different schedules.

Unlike U-Pack, PODS does not have full, nationwide coverage. But they are the only moving container company with multiple container sizes with such a wide service area. On top of that, they offer competitive prices for shipments all the way to Hawaii, making PODS a great choice for long distance moves.

Pros/Cons

How much does PODS cost?

Kyle needed help moving from Scottsdale, Arizona to Kirkland, Washington, but hiring a full-service moving company or long-distance movers was too expensive for his budget. He chose PODS after the company quoted him a price he could afford, $3,252 — and wouldn’t require him to drive with his dog in the truck. After his move was completed, Kyle’s final bill matched the quote exactly.

Why we like PODS

PODS is the arguably one of the most popular moving container companies in the industry for many good reasons, including:

• Availability across a large geographic area, and 20 locations in Illinois
• Unlimited loading and unloading time (additional charges apply after 30 days)
• No hidden fees

MovingYourself: Best for large moves

As the newest company on the list, MovingYourself isn’t exactly a moving container company. It is a company that rents out 52-foot moving trucks that customers can pack up themselves and hire their own movers — or bribe their resentful pals with beer and pizza. Then like U-Pack or PODS, MovingYourself does the driving for you. 

Founded in 2022, MovingYourself does not have the established track record of other companies. But the company’s founder is a veteran of the moving industry, who also started MovingPlace — a company that similarly brokers out moving trucks. MovingPlace has 3.75 out of 5 stars and an A+ rating, both with the Better Business Bureau. Likewise, most of the negative reviews are from people who misunderstood their services and expected a full-service moving company. 

Unlike PODS, MovingYourself only services interstate moves. It is not an option for local relocation, but it may be a good option for long-distance relocation. A huge reason to consider MovingYourself is that they are the only company on this list that has enough space to move a car.

So if you were already researching the best car shipping companies, in addition to moving containers, MovingYourself offers a way to do both.

Pros/Cons

How much does MovingYourself cost?

MovingYourself is a new company that has not been evaluated through our  Better Moves Project. And although the company’s reviews with Better Business Bureau are positive, they do not mention cost.

For comparison, let’s consider MovingPlace has similar services and both companies share the same founder.  When Matt moved his family from Berkeley, California to St. Paul, Minnesota in June 2022 (peak moving season), he chose MovingPlace because they quoted him with the lowest price, $3,529. His final bill, $3,218, was lower than the initial estimate, $3,529, but with one big caveat: Matt had to load the truck 15 miles from his home at the last minute.

Even if these companies are not the same, the important takeaway is that if you’re renting a 52-foot moving truck to load in 72-hours, make sure there is somewhere to park it. Otherwise you’re going to have to rent a U-Haul to bring belongings to a separate truck depot, like Matt did. Even if this extra cost doesn’t throw off your initial estimate too much, the extra stress is not always worth it.

Why we like MovingYourself

MovingYourself is like a moving container company but bigger and better for large moves because:

• They do the driving for you
• The most affordable way to execute a large, interstate move with a car

1-800-PACK-RAT: Best for containers

When it comes to picking a moving container company, you want to go with a business that is going to protect your most precious items from the wind, rain, and other bad weather. This is an area where 1-800-PACK-RAT excels and outperforms the rest of the moving and storage container companies on the list.

Specifically, steel frames, walls, and doors make these containers the most weather-resistant in the moving industry. On top of that, 1-800-PACK-RAT offers three container sizes, comparable to PODS. The biggest difference is these containers have barn-style doors that allow for easy loading and unloading — without the need for ramps or extra equipment.

Customers can use these containers for short-term and long-term storage in the company’s climate-controlled warehouses. The unmatched durability, combined with being easier to load than the competitors, makes PACK-RAT containers the best on this list.

PACK-RAT services local and long-distance moves, but their services 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 moving from Illinois to any of the above states, a moving container company with nationwide coverage like U-Pack is a good way to go.

Pros/Cons

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

Desmond chose 1-800-PACK-RAT for his move from Lafayette, Oregon, to Waynesville, Ohio, because of the protection of the steel containers. His quote was about $7,048 for the 2,300-mile move. After the move was completed, Desomond’s final bill was $7,310.44. 

Other customers like Carrie were met with unforeseen charges due a customer service miscommunication about a permit that she was refunded for. Unfortunately, the PACK-RAT truck did not have enough clearance to get to her final destination of Philadelphia. Consequently, Carrie had to rent a truck from Penske in order to retrieve her belongings from a storage facility in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Her final bill was $5,550 to $1,252 more than what she was initially quoted at $4,298 

With the exception of miscommunications and mishaps like Carrie’s experience, the price of 1-800-PACK-RAT is more expensive than U-Pack and PODS. But 1-800-PACK-RAT does appear to match their quotes as consistently as those competitors.

Why we like 1-800-PACK-RAT

If moving container quality is one of your biggest concerns, 1-800-PACK-RAT is the best option on this list because:

• Steel containers prevent mildew and mold
• Containers come with a complimentary lock
• A $10,000 insurance policy is included with the option to purchase more

Zippy Shell: Best for city moves

Moving container companies tend to be the most convenient option for people with driveways. However, for city moves involving apartment buildings, finding a place to store and load your container can be challenging. This is where Zippy Shell excels, offering containers that fit into most street parking spots.

A sister company of 1-800-PACK-RAT, Zippy Shell’s street-legal containers are also steel-framed and weatherproof. And with more availability in urban areas, their durability and convenience make Zippy Shell a great match for local and long-distance city moves.

Zippy Shell also has locations in rural and suburban areas. In these cases, competitors like PODS, U-Pack, and 1-800-PACK-RAT might be more appropriate — unless they are willing to price match, which the company runs occasional promotions for.

Zippy Shell is limited like PACK-RAT in terms of nationwide availability. If you’re moving from Illinois to Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, or Wyoming, U-Pack may be more helpful.

Pros/Cons

How much does Zippy Shell cost?

When Danielle moved from Virginia Beach, Virginia to Tampa, Florida, she chose Zippy Shell mostly for their convenient container sizes and low prices. She was quoted $2,730 for the 813-mile move and charged that exact amount. Customers have to call to receive a quote, but as long as you’re willing to speak to a human, there is a low risk of hidden fees.

Why we like Zippy Shell

Zippy Shell has the best containers for urban moves because:

• Containers can fit in parking spots in most cities
• Local and long-distance moving services
• Accurate quotes with no hidden fees

Moving container sizes

While some containers are better suited for specific spaces, many companies have a range of container sizes for flexibility. Here are some dimensions to consider before booking a moving container company.

Moving containers vs. full-service movers

Full-service movers are an excellent option for anyone with extra money to spare, especially if you want to avoid the hassle of loading and unloading everything. That is why many of the best moving companies and long distance moving companies are more expensive than moving container services. Professional movers literally do the heavy lifting and offer a more streamlined moving process.

Some affordable full-service companies like Safeway and American Van Lines can be only slightly more costly compared to container companies like PODS. Particularly, when you need a lot of add-on services, like hiring labor loading and unloading, a full-service company may be worth the extra expense.

In contrast, pricier full-service moving companies like JK Moving Services and Allied Van Lines can run over $10,000 for a cross-country move. So someone on a budget might rather do the loading and unloading instead of going with and expensive full-service moving company.

The bottom line is that moving container companies let customers start with the essentials — containers and transportation. Then if they have more money and less time or motivation, you can add on other services as needed.

Our take

For the average move, U-Pack and PODS remain top picks for affordability, convenience, and the overall moving experience. If you’re looking for portable moving containers, transportation, and storage solutions, U-Pack and PODS should meet or exceed most moving needs. If you have specific needs like protecting antique furniture, or accommodating city parking, 1-800-PACK-RAT and Zippy Shell are great options.

Larger moves and moves that include car-shipping, a 52-foot truck from  MovingYourself can work as a giant, vehicle-friendly container. Unlike truck rental companies like Penske that have customers get behind the wheel, MovingYourself will take care of the driving for you.

FAQ

What should I look for when choosing a moving container company in Illinois?

The first thing you should look for in a moving container company in Illinois is if the company services your part of the state, and if they have locations where you’re relocating to. While U-Pack, PODS, and MovingYourself provide wide availability across the country, 1-800-Pack-Rat and Zippy Shell are more limited in their capacity.

For instance, Zippy Shell can be a cost-effective option for moves from Chicago because their containers can usually fit on the street. But if you’re relocating to Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, or Wyoming, that is outside of the Zippy Shell area so they can’t help you.

From there, compare quotes to find a company that best fits your budget. While U-Pack provides quick and accurate quotes online for free, other companies on the list require a phone call. To avoid hidden fees, cross reference estimates with detailed moving experiences where people share their quotes — and more importantly, the final cost.

Are moving containers better than hiring movers?

Moving containers are not necessarily better or worse than hiring movers. The better option really comes down to priorities. If saving a few hundred dollars is more important than saving your back from loading and unloading, moving containers are the better option. Likewise, if you have extended storage needs in between locations, then moving containers providers may also double as a storage company.

That said, if you are unwilling or unable to move your furniture and belongings, or have a flexible budget and inflexible schedule, then hiring a full-service moving company is best.

How long can I rent a moving container?

How long you can rent a moving container really depends on the company. U-Pack and Zippy Shell give customers 3 days to load their moving containers, but they provide storage options after that — up to six months with U-Pack, and unlimited with Zippy Shell. MovingYourself does not provide any container storage after the three days to load, and three days to unload.

If you need more time than that, PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT are better options because they give you 30 days out of the gate, and any extra time for an extra fee. Just make sure you clear a space where they can leave the container at your new home, or you might have to travel to their nearest storage facility.

How much does a Chicago move cost to move with PODS?

The cost of a PODS move in Chicago will vary depending on how far you’re moving, how much extended storage is needed, and any add-on services like supplies or packing help. To move a one-bedroom apartment locally in Chicago, this can cost anywhere from $225 to $435. For a cross-country move over 250-miles, it can cost 10-times that amount for the same apartment, or between $2,110 and $4,110 dollars.

What is the cheapest container shipping company?

U-Box by U-Haul is the least expensive moving container company with wide brand recognition and availability. U-Box did not meet the criteria of this list but may be an affordable option for college students looking for discounts. In terms of the best moving container companies in Illinois, U-Pack is the most affordable option for a reliable moving container company with services nationwide. It is important to note that all 5 companies on the list offer discounts for the military as well.

For your specific journey, check out our moving cost calculator for accurate and up-to-date estimates in Illinois and beyond.