Best Moving Container Companies in California (2025)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Based on our in-depth research, PODS and U-Pack are our top recommendations for the best moving container companies in California.
You can expect to pay around $2,500 on the low end and $7,000 on the high end to rent a portable storage container to move to or from California.
Don’t skip shopping around, because moving container pricing and services can vary. We always recommend getting at least three quotes and planning at least eight weeks in advance to get the best price and services for your moving needs.
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5 Best moving container companies in California
To get started, take a look at our picks for the top California moving container companies.
PODS: Best for nationwide availability
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
Why we chose PODS
PODS is one of our top picks because they offer multiple container sizes and give you unlimited time to load and unload your belongings (additional charges apply after the first 30 days).
They’re our top pick for long-distance moves to and from California due to their competitive prices for shipments all the way to Hawaii and tracking in transit for additional peace of mind.
As a well-recognized brand name, PODS is a popular choice with lots of physical locations throughout the country, though they aren’t available in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, or Wyoming.
Pros and cons
- Offers moving discounts for military members and college students
- Provides shipment tracking while your container is in transit
- Has multiple insurance plans to choose from
- Not available in every state (isn’t in AK, MT, ND, or WY)
- Is busier than competitors during the summer peak moving season (may need to make reservations far in advance)
How much does PODS cost?
PODS estimates on their blog that an interstate move costs about $5,700, but the company doesn’t make it easy to request a quote online, especially if you’re moving long distance.
Instead, they collect your information and provide a code to call a representative for more information. That said, PODS has low prices for local moves, estimating a move of less than 250 miles to cost between $350 and $500.
Storage rental starts at $149 per month, and pickup and delivery fees are usually about $75 but can be waived during promotional periods.
PODS container sizes
If you’re moving locally (within 50 miles), you can use an eight-, 12-, or 16-foot container. However, the 12-foot container is only available for local moves. If you’re moving further than 50 miles, you’ll need to opt for one of the other two container sizes.
- Container sizes: 8-, 12-, 16-foot
- Container material: Steel frame, weather-resistant polymer siding
- Climate-controlled storage: No
- Capacity: 402–835 cubic feet, 4,200–5,200 pounds
All container rentals allow for open-ended monthly storage. You can store your containers on your property or at a nearby PODS storage facility.
U-Pack: Best overall value
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Why we chose U-Pack
U-Pack earned their spot on this list because of how cost-effective they are. With U-Pack, you only pay for the space you actually end up using, so estimating the amount of containers you need isn’t an issue. It’s also easy to get an instant quote online, and they have nearly 250 convenient locations in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Canada.
However, U-Pack’s space is more limited than competitors—they only offer the eight-foot ReloCube. If you end up needing more space, you can always reserve more than one ReloCube and send back any containers you don’t use.
The company has a mandatory distance of at least 250 miles for rentals, so you’ll need to look elsewhere if you need a moving or storage solution for a local move.
Pros and cons
- No deposit required
- Highly competitive pricing for moves over 250 miles
- Can add month-to-month storage rental
- Doesn’t service local moves
- Only one container size
How much does U-Pack cost?
According to their website, the average cost of a long-distance move with U-Pack is $2,600. U-Pack was the only company on this list that actually provided an online quote, and it came in at $2,368 to move a one-bedroom home from San Diego to Chicago.
If you end up needing storage, you can pay $150 per month to keep your ReloCube at a secure facility or inquire about month-to-month storage on your property.
U-Pack container sizes
- Container sizes: 8-foot ReloCubes, 28-foot trailers
- Container material: Steel
- Climate-controlled storage: No
- Capacity: ReloCubes: 308 cubic feet, 2,500 pounds. Trailer: 1,944 cubic feet, 22,500 pounds
MovingYourself: Best for large moves
- Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
- Only pay for the truck space you use
- Offers vehicle shipping
Why we chose MovingYourself
MovingYourself is a little different than the other container companies on the list, but they follow the same you-load-we-drive service model.
MovingYourself can accommodate much larger homes than the typical moving container company because they broker extra space on 52-foot trucks. As such, they can ship cars or unconventional vehicles, as well as numerous moving boxes and furniture.
They shouldn’t be ruled out for smaller moves, though, because you only have to pay for the space you use. But it’s important to note that MovingYourself doesn’t service moves within the same state.
Pros and cons
- Accommodates car shipping
- Offers substantially more space than the typical moving container
- Only pay for the space you need
- Doesn’t offer a portable storage container, just truck space
- Doesn’t offer local moving services
How much does MovingYourself cost?
MovingYourself isn’t as upfront about its costs as other providers on this list. It’s more difficult to estimate costs because the company fully customizes their services to your needs. As such, your costs will depend on how far your belongings are going and how much space they take up.
MovingYourself container sizes
MovingYourself is hard to beat for large moves thanks to their large truck capacity. 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.
- Container sizes: 22-foot and 53-foot moving trucks
- Container material: Metal
- Climate-controlled storage: No
- Capacity: Varies
Whatever truck size you choose, you’ll load it up and they’ll drive everything to your destination. Like many other moving container companies, MovingYourself only offers up to three days to load and unload.
1-800-PACK-RAT: Best for container options
- Barn-style container doors make packing easier
- Available for both local and long distance moves
- $10k insurance included with option to purchase more
- Free lock provided for container door
Why we chose 1-800-PACK-RAT
1-800-PACK-RAT offers three container sizes to accommodate local and long-distance moves. While their container sizes are similar to PODS, the interior dimensions are slightly more generous, and their barn-style doors mean you won’t need extra equipment or ramps to load your items.
You can store items on your property indefinitely, transport them to your new home, or take advantage of the company’s partnerships with climate-controlled storage facilities. All containers come with 30 days of storage included in the base price.
Pros and cons
- Will match competitors’ prices
- Offers climate-controlled storage options
- Doesn’t require ramps to load or unload
- Only services 31 states
- Tacks on fuel surcharges, which can make longer-distance moves more expensive
How much does 1-800-PACK-RAT cost?
Our reader Desmond paid $7,300 to move his three-bedroom home from Oregon to Ohio, but PACK-RAT is surprisingly tightlipped about their estimated shipping costs.
Like PODS, you’ll submit your info to their online form and then call a representative for more information. While PACK-RAT isn’t the least expensive moving container option at face value, the company is willing to negotiate or price match if you can find a lower quote elsewhere.
1-800-PACK-RAT container sizes
1-800-PACK-RAT offers the same container size options as PODS: eight-, 12-, and 16- feet. While many competitors have plastic or wood-constructed containers, 1-800-PACK-RAT containers have steel frames, walls, and doors.
- Container sizes: 8-foot, 12-foot, 16-foot
- Container material: All-steel construction
- Climate-controlled storage: Yes (at some locations)
- Capacity: 404–830 cubic feet, 4,000–6,000 pounds
The door design increases the usable space inside the container so you can fit more stuff. For example, when Desmond rented one of the company’s 16-foot containers, he was easily able to fit the contents of his three-bedroom, 2,000-square foot home.
Zippy Shell: Best for city-to-city moves
- Available for local and long distance moves
- Street legal containers perfect for city parking
- Innovative metal cage containers that promote airflow
- Expedited and guaranteed delivery options
Why we chose Zippy Shell
Zippy Shell and PACK-RAT are sister companies, so they tend to have a lot of overlap despite their different service areas.
Zippy Shell stands out as an excellent option if you’re moving out of busy urban areas because it has street-legal container options, while a lot of storage container companies have restricted availability in congested city centers.
Pros and cons
- Offers street-legal storage containers for urban areas
- Innovative metal cage is weather-resistant while improving airflow
- Guaranteed and expedited delivery options available
- Containers are slightly smaller than competitors
- No shipment tracking
How much does Zippy Shell cost?
Zippy Shell charged our reader Danielle $2,703 when she moved three bedrooms’ worth of belongings from Virginia to Florida, but requesting a quote online is somewhat of a hassle.
You can input your information, but you’ll need to provide specific details of your move by phone before the company will provide any pricing details.
Zippy Shell container sizes
The company offers 10-foot and 15-foot containers, as well as a 22-foot trailer. The internal capacity of the containers is slightly smaller than competitors, so be sure to compare sizes when evaluating Zippy Shell vs. PODS and other top companies.
- Container sizes: 10-foot and 15-foot; 22-foot trailer
- Container material: All-steel construction
- Climate-controlled storage: Yes (at some locations)
- Capacity: 420–680 cubic feet, 3,500–5,500 pounds
We 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 several insurance options to protect your goods in case of an accident.
Local California moving container companies
Looking for a smaller local moving container company in California? Here are a few top options:
Comparing the best moving container companies in California
Here’s a quick comparison table to help you choose the best storage container company for your moving needs.
| Provider | BBB Rating | State Availability | Container Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-Pack | A+ | 50 | 8-foot |
| PODS | A+ | 46* | 8-foot 12-foot 16-foot |
| MovingYourself | A- | 48** | Up to 52 feet |
| 1-800–PACK-RAT | A+ | 31^ | 8-foot 12-foot 16-foot |
| Zippy Shell | A+ | 34^^ | 16-foot |
*Not in AK, MT, ND, or WY
**Not in AK or HI
^Not in AL, AK, AR, DE, HI, IA, KS, ME, MS, MT, NE, NH, ND, RI, SD, VT, WV, WI, or WY
^^Not in AK, AR, DE, HI, KS, ME, MS, MT, NE, NH, ND, RI, SD, VT, WV, or WY
How we picked the best California moving container companies
We arrived at our best storage container companies for California by passing each company through our methodology, which we’ve developed to be unbiased and attuned to our readers’ needs.
We look at key factors like:
- Customer satisfaction: In our rating system, we prioritized moving experiences of real-life customers. The more satisfied customer reviews, the better the portable moving container company fared.
- Services: Next, we considered each company’s moving solutions. For storage units, we considered whether drop-off and pickup were included and if they offered climate-controlled storage facilities. We assessed the weatherproofing of their containers and evaluated their container sizes.
- Reputation: To take it one step further, we investigated each company’s reputation in the moving industry by vetting Better Business Bureau accreditation and U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure.
- Add-on options: In this section, we looked at the available add-on options, including moving labor, such as packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading, plus any available insurance options.
- Service area: We considered the availability of each moving container company, including their storage facilities, availability in major cities and rural areas, and overall state and international availability.
- Payment methods: Moving companies don’t always make it easy to request an online quote with transparent pricing, pay a deposit through a secure processing system, or take advantage of available discounts, so we considered each company’s payment methods and how straightforward they were throughout the moving process.
- Scheduling: Finally, we considered each company’s scheduling tools to assess how easy it is for customers to get their desired moving date. Portable storage solutions give you the flexibility to pack and load at your own pace, but it doesn’t mean much if it’s difficult to contact the company to confirm your reservation.
Comparing moving container sizes
Moving containers are ideal for small moves if you don’t mind a DIY moving process. Here’s a breakdown of the most common space allowances.
| Container Size | Ideal for |
|---|---|
| 8-foot | Studio apartment, or approximately 500 square feet of belongings |
| 10-foot | One-bedroom home, or approximately 500–800 square feet of belongings |
| 16-foot | Two-bedroom home, or up to approximately 1,200 square feet of belongings |
While you can purchase additional portable storage containers if your moving needs exceed these guidelines, you may want to consider a moving truck, like MovingYourself, if you have a lot of household goods.
In general, storage containers are great if you take a few irreplaceable possessions to your new home, but you might need to explore other options for larger moves.
Moving containers vs. full-service movers
Moving containers
Portable storage containers are a flexible moving solution that allows you to pack and load at your own pace, take advantage of onsite and facility storage, and save money by DIY-ing some or all of the moving process.
Moving containers are a great option for short- and long-term storage, as you can keep items on your property, often with at least one free month included in your reservation.
However, not all storage containers are weather-resistant, which can leave your valuable items at risk. While it’s generally a perk that you don’t have to drive like you would with a moving truck rental, you may end up at the mercy of your provider’s schedule for long-distance moves.
Full-service moving companies
While full-service moving companies are less cost-effective, they offer a more stress-free experience by handling more parts of the moving process, which frees you up to complete last-minute tasks at home while the professionals handle the heavy lifting.
Full-service movers can coordinate other services like car shipping if you have a complex move. We’re big fans of Mayzlin Relocation’s stellar customer service and Safeway Moving’s wide service area to all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.
Our take
PODS, U-Pack, and MovingYourself are our top three picks for moving container companies in California.
U-Pack offers our best overall value due to their competitive and easy-to-access pricing process. While they only offer one container size, you can order as many as you want and transport them to all 50 states, plus Canada and Puerto Rico.
We like PODS because they deliver all the way to Hawaii and have GPS tracking while your items are in transit. MovingYourself isn’t a traditional storage container company, but they allow you to use the convenient you-load-we-drive service model without rigid space restrictions.
FAQ
What is the cheapest container shipping company?
U-Pack is the cheapest container shipping company in California, but we recommend you get a quote from several providers or use our moving cost calculator to ensure you get the best value for your needs. Many companies offer price matching, so you’ll want to consider portable storage container availability and add-ons in your decision.
How much do moving containers cost?
Moving containers cost between $500 and $5,000, but there are a lot of variables that affect these costs, including:
- Distance
- Labor needs
- Container size and amount
- Insurance options
- Rental time
That said, moving containers are much more cost-effective than full-service movers. We recommend requesting a free quote from several providers and taking advantage of price matching where possible.
What are the best moving container companies in California for a cross-country move?
The best moving container companies in California for a cross-country move are U-Pack, PODS, and MovingYourself.
Can I put a shipping container on my property in California?
Yes, you can put a shipping container on your property in California, but you may need to request a permit if it exceeds your municipality’s square footage requirements or if you intend to keep it for longer than 180 days.
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