Best Moving Container Companies in New York (2024)
New York is a diverse state with a massive city, cozy suburbs, and sprawling rural areas. Whether you’re leaving the city for greener pastures or coming to the state to enjoy its proximity to the rest of the world, moving to or from New York City or other locations in The Empire State presents challenges.
We recommend budgeting at least $1,000 for a local move (less than 100 miles) and up to $5,000 for a cross-country move with approximately a studio apartment of belongings. You’ll need to budget more if you’re moving a large household.
We’ve reviewed dozens of companies and landed on the five best moving containers for shipments to and from New York.
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The 5 best moving container companies in New York
- 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 New York moving container companies
All the moving companies on this list earned their spot after going through a rigorous methodology that considered the following:
- Customer satisfaction: Customer reviews were weighted the highest because real-life moving experiences are a great indicator of what you can expect throughout the moving process.
- Services: In this section, we evaluated each company’s storage unit and storage facility availability, pickup and drop-off process, and the weather-proofing of its containers.
- Reputation: We looked up each company’s Better Business Bureau accreditation, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure, and association with professional organizations.
- Add-on options: Not everyone wants to DIY every part of the moving process, so we also looked into third-party packing and unpacking and loading and unloading services for those who want the help. This section also accounted for different insurance options and long-term storage.
- Service area: We dug into each moving container company’s state and international availability and ability to service urban and rural areas.
- Payment methods: In this section, we considered how easy it was to get a quote online, pay required deposits, and finalize outstanding fees at the end of the moving process.
- Scheduling: Finally, we assessed how easy it was to secure our desired moving dates, the convenience of each company’s pickup and drop-off windows, and the company’s communication throughout the moving process.
Comparing the best moving container companies in New York
Here’s a quick comparison of the availability, container options, and pricing for providers on this list.
| Provider | BBB Rating | State Availability | Container Options | Sample Pricing* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U-Pack | A+ | 50 | 8-foot | $3,950 |
| PODS | A+ | 46 (not in AK, MT, ND, or WY) | 8-, 12-, and 16-foot | N/A |
| MovingYourself | A- | 48 (not in AK or HI) | Up to 52 feet | N/A |
| 1-800–PACK-RAT | A+ | 31 (not in AL, AK, AR, DE, HI, IA, KS, ME, MS, MT, NE, NH, ND, RI, SD, VT, WV, WI, or WY) | 8-, 12-, and 16-foot | N/A |
| Zippy Shell | A+ | 34 (not in AK, AR, DE, HI, KS, ME, MS, MT, NE, NH, ND, RI, SD, VT, WV, or WY) | 10-foot (limited availability) and 16-foot | N/A |
*For a one-bedroom apartment cross-country from Queens, New York City to Oakland, California
Request a free quote from all the companies on this list or use our moving cost calculator to get a better idea of your costs.
U-Pack: Best overall
rating
5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
U-Pack is our top pick for the best container moving company in New York because it offers a seamless quote process you can complete entirely online, service to all 50 states, and one convenient container size that takes the guesswork out of choosing the right size.
Due to its compact size, U-Pack’s standard eight-foot Relocube is easy to load and easy to park, making it ideal for New York City and more congested areas.
Pros/Cons
- Doesn’t require a deposit
- Highly competitive pricing for moves between 250 and 500 miles
- Can add month-to-month storage rental
- Only gives you three days for loading and unloading
- Doesn’t service moves less than 150 miles
How much does U-Pack cost?
U-Pack quoted us $3,950 for a cross-country move from Queens, New York to Oakland, California. While U-Pack doesn’t always return the lowest price for its moving services, many customers consider it competitive with solid customer service.
Why we like U-Pack
- Immediate online quotes
- Doesn’t sacrifice service quality during peak season
- Can purchase supplies from them before and during the moving process
PODS: Best for long-distance moves
rating
4.8 / 5
89% of users select this mover
PODS is our pick for out-of-state and cross-country relocations, despite the fact that it doesn’t service all 50 states. Of the providers on this list, it offers the widest service area with the most flexibility to choose a container size that fits your needs.
We like that it offers three container sizes –– eight, 12, and 16 feet –– and unlimited time to load and unload at your own pace. The containers are level with the street, so you won’t have to worry about ramps during the loading process.
Pros/Cons
- Unlimited loading and unloading time
- Offers third-party labor for packing and loading
- Handles local, long-distance, and international moves
- Doesn’t offer online quotes for long-distance moves
- No street parking in New York City
How much does PODS cost?
PODS representatives prefer to discuss the details of your move with you in person or by phone, so you won’t be able to request a quote online in most cases. However, you can initiate the process by submitting your info online. After that, it’ll take a couple of hours to a couple of days for a representative to reach out by phone or email.
Bethany used PODS for her 2,800-mile cross-country move and paid $4,540, including professional movers for labor help, which fell precisely in line with her original quote from them.
Why we like PODS
- Doesn’t rush the loading or unloading process
- Provides real-time status updates during transport
- Includes 30 days of free storage
MovingYourself: Best for large moves
rating
4 / 5
89% of users select this mover
MovingYourself isn’t a traditional storage container company, but it fills many of the same needs, so it deserves a spot on this list. While the company is newer (founded in 2022), it has a wide network of partner carriers it contracts for extra space on pre-planned truck routes.
This service model makes it easier to access competitive pricing for larger moves. MovingYourself allows you to fully customize your move to your needs. Want to ship a sentimental playset from your old home to your new home? You can. Want to ship your vehicle? You can.
Pros/Cons
- Can ship cars and large equipment
- No hidden fees
- Only charges you for the space you use
- Isn’t a traditional portable storage container
- Doesn’t offer any local moving services
How much does MovingYourself cost?
Because MovingYourself brokers with partner carriers based on the amount of space you need, it’s harder to estimate a general range. Because of this, the company doesn’t offer instant quotes. We recommend reaching out at least two weeks in advance to give representatives enough time to contact you and reserve your booking.
Why we like MovingYourself
- Experience serving military relocations
- Can ship anything from a single item to a full household
- Ships vehicles
1-800-PACK-RAT: Best containers
rating
4.45 / 5
89% of users select this mover
1-800-PACK-RAT is our choice for best containers because it not only offers three sizes, all containers are built to withstand the elements and make loading and unloading easier with barn-style doors.
PACK-RAT offers multiple insurance options up to $75,000, and it’s transparent about the monthly cost for these add-ons, which goes much further than the typical content protection package.
Pros/Cons
- Offers price matching
- Access to climate-controlled storage options
- Doesn’t require ramps to load or unload
- Only services 31 states
- Some online reviews complain of hidden fees
How much does 1-800-PACK-RAT cost?
1-800-PACK-RAT requires customers to call its representatives during business hours to request a quote and reserve their booking, but we have pricing information available through Better Moves Project participant, Batool. She paid $3,400 for one eight-foot container to move from California to Texas, which included $10,000 in contents protection.
Why we like 1-800-PACK-RAT
- Services local and long-distance moves
- Negotiates prices with customers
- Charges by container size and distance, not weight
Zippy Shell: Best for city moves
rating
4.2 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Zippy Shell is on this list for its adaptability to urban environments. While its street-legal containers aren’t a good fit for downtown areas like Manhattan, it can be a great option for less densely populated areas like Queens, where you may have better luck finding a reliable spot.
We also like that it’s willing to accommodate rigid schedules by offering guaranteed and expedited delivery timelines for an extra fee.
Pros/Cons
- Can store containers on your property for up to 45 days
- Steel cage promotes airflow and prevents mold and mildew
- Has multiple contents coverage plans
- Smaller storage containers than competitors
- Limited availability on 10-foot containers
How much does Zippy Shell cost?
Zippy Shell doesn’t offer online quotes, so you’ll have to call to request an estimate.
In 2022, Michelle paid $4,000 to move from New Jersey to Virginia. She was originally quoted $3,090, but a last-minute snafu required her to transport her items from a local terminal.
Why we like Zippy Shell
- Will bring more containers as you fill each one up
- Containers can be parked directly on the street, if needed
- Offers terminal-to-terminal and door-to-door delivery options
Moving container sizes
The best portable storage container size for you will likely depend on your desired moving services and the size of your home. We’ve put together this simple size to help you estimate the right size shipping container for your situation.
| Container Size | Ideal for |
|---|---|
| 8-foot containers | Studio apartment, or approximately 500 square feet of belongings |
| 10-foot containers | One-bedroom home, or approximately 500–800 square feet of belongings |
| 16-foot containers | Two-bedroom home, or up to approximately 1,200 square feet of belongings |
Many storage companies offer container estimators before you get a quote, so you can streamline the moving process. If you have a larger move, you may need to rent multiple containers or take advantage of the 52-foot moving trucks available through MovingYourself.
Moving containers vs. full-service movers
Portable storage solutions offer the convenience of pickup and drop-off at your new home without the expense of full-service moving services. While you can DIY your move with one of the best rental trucks, this option doesn’t offer much in the way of long-term storage. With a storage container, you can often store your belongings safely and securely onsite without the need to schedule a visit to a storage facility to access your belongings.
Moving containers will require you to do much of the moving labor unless you decide to hire a third party for loading or packing services. Professional movers like Safeway Moving and JK Moving Services offer a hassle-free moving experience that frees you up to focus on more exciting and less laborious things, like getting your kids and pets ready or shopping for decor for your new home. That said, professional movers come with a much higher price tag than storage pods.
We recommend you take an honest inventory of your capacity before deciding. Do you need storage options? Are you willing to spend days unpacking and unloading or would you rather have everything done for you? You’ll also want to get a quote from several providers using our moving cost calculator to identify the best value. Check out our best long-distance movers page to compare all your options.
Our take
We recommend all our readers request a quote from U-Pack, PODS, and MovingYourself to find the best value for their desired moving and storage solutions.
U-Pack offers a straightforward quote and booking process that can be done entirely online, and it serves all 50 states. PODS has a slightly smaller service area, but it makes up for it with three container sizes and live shipment tracking. MovingYourself disrupts the moving container industry by offering the same “you-load-we-drive” service model with a whopping 52 feet of available space.
FAQ
Can you use PODS moving in NYC?
Yes, you can use PODS to move in NYC, but you may need to request loading and unloading help or terminal-to-terminal delivery because PODS containers aren’t street-legal.
Ask Zippy Shell about its street-legal containers in less crowded areas. For example, you may have an easier time finding onsite storage for locations outside of Manhattan, like Queens or Brooklyn.
What is the cheapest container shipping company?
U-Pack is the cheapest container shipping company, according to our quotes, but 1-800-PACK-RAT offers price matching, so don’t be afraid to haggle if you get competitive pricing elsewhere.
Which moving container company is the best?
U-Pack is our best overall value due to its impressive reputation, nationwide service area, and competitive pricing. However, we recommend you request quotes from all the providers on this list or use our moving cost calculator to find the best value for your moving needs.
Remember that U-Pack only offers one size moving container, which may not fit larger moves.
What cannot be moved in a pod?
You cannot moving the following in a moving and storage pod:
- Perishable food items
- Plants
- Cleaning materials or toxic chemicals
- Fuel
- Lawn mowers and motorized vehicles
- Any illegal items
We’d also recommend caution when packing family heirlooms or sensitive documents. While these items aren’t prohibited, moving them in a storage container may expose them to irreparable damage.
Are moving containers better than hiring movers?
Moving containers can be better than hiring movers if you’re on a tight budget, need temporary storage, or have time to pack and load your belongings. However, hiring movers might be the best option if you’re on a tight schedule, have a large home, or have a disability that would make it difficult to do the labor on your own.
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