Best Moving Container Companies in Colorado (2025)
Quick answer: Based on our in-depth research, and feedback from our Better Moves Project participants, our top recommendations for the best moving container companies in Colorado are PODS and U-Pack.
Pricing for moving container moves varies based on the size of the container and the distance of the move, but costs typically range from $225 to $850 for local moves and $450 to $7,600 for long-distance moves.
Read on for an overview of all our top recommendations for moving containers, including the nation’s top companies and local Colorado options.
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5 Best moving container companies in Colorado
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
The name most associated with portable moving containers is also our pick for long-distance moves into or out of Colorado. PODS has been in business since 1998, providing flexible solutions to help families with both local and long-distance moves.
Even though it isn’t available in all U.S. states, its name recognition, reputation, and abundance of physical locations in small and big cities alike makes it a reliable option for longer out-of-state or cross-country relocations.
PODS offers three container sizes ranging from eight to 16 feet, though its 12-foot containers are only available for local moves. You can rent multiple containers, as needed, and you can even stagger delivery times based on your schedule.
PODS makes it easy to prep for your move by offering 30 days of storage for free, giving you plenty of time to load and unload. You can even make changes mid-move if you need to adjust your plans.
Pros and cons
- Three moving container sizes
- Long-term storage options available
- Can make changes mid-move
- Money-back cancellation policy
- You must book by phone to get a quote
- Not available in all states, limiting long-distance moves
- No shipment tracking
How much does PODS cost?
For long-distance and cross-country moves, PODS costs range from $450 to $7,600. For local moves, costs range from $225 to $850. Pricing varies based on the size and number of containers you use, as well as the total distance of your move.
PODS container sizes
For local moves (within 50 miles), you can book an eight-, 12- or 16-foot container. If you’re moving further than 50 miles, you can book the eight- or 16-foot options.
- 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
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 is our pick for the best overall value thanks to transparent pricing, fast delivery time frames, and a broad service area that covers all 50 states.
U-Pack offers two shipping options: its ReloCubes, which are 7-foot moving containers, and a 28-foot moving trailer.
Regardless of which option you pick, U-Pack stands out for its model of only paying for the space you use. You’ll only pay for the number of moving containers you actually pack or the space you use on the freight trailer.
With the ability to get an instant quote online, it’s easy to see how much your move will cost. It’s worth noting, however, that U-Pack does not service local moves.
Pros and cons
- Instant online quotes
- Fast delivery times with online tracking
- Only pay for the space you use or number of containers you fill
- Temporary storage services available
- Available nationwide, plus in Canada and Puerto Rico
- Doesn’t offer local moving services
- Only gives three days for loading and unloading
- Charges a cancellation fee if you cancel within seven days of your move
How much does U-Pack cost?
U-Pack’s online quote system makes it easy to get and compare quotes. For example, we got a quote for $4,792 to move the contents of a three-bedroom home from Denver to Tallahassee, Florida, using an estimated 17 feet of space on a freight trailer.
For a one-bedroom move from Denver to Chicago, we got quotes of $1,219 for a single ReloCube or $1,382 for 5 feet of trailer space.
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
For large households, moving containers generally won’t be big enough to get the job done. With MovingYourself, you’ll have plenty of space, even for a large home.
This new “you load, we drive” company provides a 52-foot trailer that you can use to transport your items. You can even use the trailer to ship your car!
Similar to U-Pack, you only pay for the space you use on the trailer. You can use the entire trailer or just a portion of it. The company offers efficient transportation, with move times ranging from one to eight business days depending on the distance of your move.
Like the other companies on this list, MovingYourself doesn’t provide any moving labor. The company only gives you three days to load and unload, which could be tricky if you plan on loading the contents of a large house on your own.
Pros and cons
- Only pay for the space you use on a 52-foot freight trailer
- Estimates are all-inclusive with no hidden fees
- Can use the trailer for vehicle shipping
- Not available for local moves
- No add-on services like third-party labor and packing supplies
- Only three days to load and unload
How much does MovingYourself cost?
MovingYourself requires that you fill out an online form or call them to request a quote. Your initial quote will be based on an estimate of how much space your items will take up in the moving truck.
Your move price will be based on volume, rather than weight, so efficient packing can help you use less space and save.
MovingYourself container sizes
- Container sizes: 22-foot and 53-foot moving trucks
- Container material: Metal
- Climate-controlled storage: No
- Capacity: Varies
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
If you’re concerned about your items arriving safely after getting shipped in a moving container, 1-800-PACK-RAT offers weatherproof containers with all-steel construction. This puts them a notch above many other moving container companies, whose containers generally only use steel framing.
1-800-PACK-RAT strives to compete closely with PODS. In addition to price matching with PODS, the company also has storage containers in the same eight-, 12-, and 16-foot sizes. They provide 30 days of storage for free on all rentals, giving you plenty of time for loading and unloading.
While 1-800-PACK-RAT services both local and long-distance moves, they aren’t as widely available as other competitors. In Colorado, they have locations in Colorado Springs and Denver. They only serve 31 states and Washington, D.C., so they may not be available at your destination for out-of-state moves.
Pros and cons
- All-steel construction and barn-style doors for easy loading and unloading
- 30 days of storage included in each rental
- Price matches competitors
- Patented lift system keeps items level when loading and unloading
- Only available in 31 states and Washington, D.C.
- Fuel surcharges can greatly increase costs on long-distance moves
- No online quotes
How much does 1-800-PACK-RAT cost?
1-800-PACK-RAT costs range from under $500 to more than $2,000 for local moves, and up to $6,000 for long-distance moves, with an average cost of $3,750. Remember, the company also does price matching with PODS and other competitors, so you might be able to lower your cost if you’ve already obtained other quotes first.
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
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
Whether you’re navigating the streets of Denver or moving out of state to another urban area, standard shipping containers can sometimes be hard to work with. Zippy Shell offers unique street-legal containers that make city moves much more manageable.
Zippy Shell rents galvanized steel mesh containers in 10- and 15-foot options, as well as a street-legal 22-foot trailer. The unique design of the moving containers, which have wheels and function more like a tow-behind trailer, ensures they can be legally parked in areas where a standard container might not be allowed.
In addition to moving containers, Zippy Shell also offers 16-foot containers exclusively for storage. These containers have a weatherproof, all-steel design, and can be kept on your property or at a Zippy Shell storage facility.
Pros and cons
- Street-legal containers that are well-suited for city parking
- 30 days of free storage included on interstate moves
- Climate-controlled storage available
- Only available for long distance CO moves to 34 states
- $299 cancellation fee within 10 days of your move
How much does Zippy Shell cost?
Zippy Shell offers some of the most competitive prices among moving container companies, with an average quote coming in around $2,900.
For a two- to three-bedroom move of less than 250 miles, you could expect to pay $750–$1,600. A cross-country move of the same size could be between $2,800 and $4,500.
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
Local Colorado moving container companies
Looking for a smaller local moving container company in Colorado? Here are a few top options:
Comparing the best moving container companies in Colorado
Here’s a closer look at our picks for the best moving container companies in Colorado.
Since each of these companies offers a free quote, we recommend that you get a quote from at least three using our moving cost calculator so you can compare your options and pick the best fit for your move.
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 Colorado moving container companies
At moveBuddha, we use a comprehensive methodology to evaluate moving container companies. This allows us to give you the best information to help you plan your move.
Here are the factors we used to pick the best Colorado moving container companies:
- Customer satisfaction: We don’t just rely on feedback on aggregator sites like TrustPilot and Google Reviews. Instead, we gather and analyze the opinions of our Better Moves Project participants for in-depth first hand insights into real-life experiences with moving companies that other sites just don’t have.
- Standard services: We consider the breadth of standard services a moving container company offers in comparison to its competitors.
- Reputation: We also look at factors that influence a moving container company’s industry reputation, including its BBB rating, whether it holds relevant insurance, and if it has U.S. Department of Transportation licensure.
- Add-on services: We also consider the variety of optional services such as moving labor and car shipping.
- Availability: We look at which parts of the country a moving container company operates in, as well as whether they are available for local or long-distance moves.
- Payment: We consider how easy (or not) it is to review your charges and make a payment to your moving company.
- Scheduling: Streamlined scheduling can eliminate a lot of hassle from the moving process.
Compare moving container sizes
The size of your moving container is one of the biggest influences on your moving costs. Understanding what size of moving container you need for your move is an essential part of getting a quote and prepping your items.
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 |
Moving containers vs. full-service movers
Depending on the scope of your move, you may find yourself trying to decide between renting a moving container or using one of the best full-service moving companies.
There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer to which is best—it ultimately comes down to your budget, how much work you want to do yourself, and your specific moving needs.
Moving containers
With moving container companies like U-Pack and PODS, the company will drop off your container and give you a set amount of time to pack and load everything yourself.
Once you’re done, the company will pick up the container and transport it to your new home, where you’ll have a similar amount of time to unload.
Because you do all the heavy lifting, pricing is much lower than if you used full-service movers. However, this can become tricky if you have bulky furniture or items that require special handling. This is especially true for larger moves, which may require a freight trailer to fit everything.
Full-service movers
With professional movers like American Van Lines, you gain access to a much broader range of moving services. At a minimum, these providers will load, transport, and unload your items.
However, you can also get add-on services like packing and unpacking or custom crating for fragile items. This can be especially helpful for large moves, but it comes with pricing that is typically much higher than moving containers.
Our take
As with any other moving experience, you get what you pay for when you choose moving containers as your moving solution. For people with the time and physical capability, using a moving container is a great way to save money without having to drive a moving truck.
Though not as cheap as even the best rental moving trucks, containers are far less expensive than professional movers, offering a great middle ground between DIY and full-service.
If a moving container company seems appealing to you, we recommend starting with quotes from U-Pack and PODS, since they offer the widest availability and good container options.
For larger moves, definitely look into MovingYourself, while either Zippy Shell or 1-800-PACK-RAT could be good options for local moves.
FAQ
How much does Zippy Shell cost?
Zippy Shell costs around $2,900, on average, though your exact costs will vary based on the size of the container you use and the distance of your move.
How much does moving shipping containers cost from Colorado to Texas?
Moving shipping containers from Colorado to Texas costs between $1,775 and $3,158 for a two- to three-bedroom home. Moving the contents of a home with four or more bedrooms will cost $2,381 to $4,334.
Exact costs will depend on which company you use and the total distance of the move. You can use our moving cost calculator to get pricing information from multiple companies on your specific move.
What cannot be moved in a pod?
Items that cannot be moved in a pod include:
- Gas
- Liquids
- Chemicals
- Lawn mowers
- Motorized vehicles
- Illegal items
Check with your rental company for a full list of prohibited items.
Which moving container company offers the best value for long-distance moves in Colorado?
PODS and U-Pack offers the best value for long-distance moves in Colorado, with transparent pricing and competitive rates. Competitors like Zippy Shell and 1-800-PACK-RAT also offer good pricing, but they aren’t as widely available for out of state moves.
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