Best Moving Container Companies in Florida (2026)
Quick answer: The best moving container companies in Florida are PODS and U-Pack, based on our 72-point rating system.
Florida container customers in our Better Moves Project paid $500 – $1,500 for local moves and $2,500 – $4,500 for long-distance moves.
This guide compares the top five on cost, container sizes, and Florida coverage. For national picks, see our best moving container companies.
Jump to the Florida moving container info you’re looking for:
- PODS: Best nationwide reach
- U-Pack: Best overall value
- MovingYourself: Best for big moves
- PACK-RAT: Best container options
- Zippy Shell: Best for city moves
- Local Florida companies
- Compare the top 5
- Real customer costs
- Container size guide
- Containers vs. full-service
- Which company to choose
- How we picked
- FAQ
Why moveBuddha?
- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
What are the 5 best moving container companies in Florida?
PODS, U-Pack, MovingYourself, 1-800-PACK-RAT, and Zippy Shell are the five best moving container companies in Florida, based on our review of pricing, coverage, container options, and real customer experiences.
PODS: Best for nationwide availability
Why we chose PODS
PODS earns our pick for nationwide availability because it serves 44 states plus Washington, D.C., and offers three container sizes: 8, 12, and 16 feet.
In Florida, PODS has service locations from Tallahassee to Miami, including Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota, and Ocala-Gainesville.
PODS gives verified military members and veterans 10% off, and you can track your move and change delivery dates online.
PODS pros & cons
- Online quotes & move tracking
- 10% military discount
- Three container sizes
- 12-foot containers mostly local only
- Not available in six states
How much does PODS cost?
PODS offers online quotes for local and long-distance moves, and your price depends on distance, container size, and storage time.
When our reader Alex used PODS to move his three-bedroom home from Minnesota to Washington, he paid $2,836, exactly the price he was quoted.
PODS container sizes
Most PODS 12-foot containers are only available for local moves within 50 miles, so long-distance moves use the 8- or 16-foot sizes.
- Container sizes: 8-, 12-, and 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 open-ended monthly storage, either on your property or at a nearby PODS storage facility.
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
U-Pack: Best overall value
Why we chose U-Pack
U-Pack offers the best overall value, with long-distance service in all 50 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico, plus an instant online quote.
U-Pack uses one standard ReloCube size, so you order as many cubes as your move needs. Larger households can book a 28-foot moving trailer instead.
U-Pack stores ReloCubes at its service centers for as long as you need, while trailer storage tops out at 120 days.
U-Pack pros & cons
- Serves all 50 states, Canada & Puerto Rico
- Instant online quotes
- Trailers for larger moves
- Only one ReloCube size
- No local moves
How much does U-Pack cost?
U-Pack quoted us $3,570 to move a one-bedroom apartment from Miami to San Francisco. That’s a major cross-country move, so expect a lower price on a shorter route.
U-Pack container sizes
- Container sizes: 8-foot ReloCubes, 28-foot trailers
- Container material: Steel
- Climate-controlled storage: No
- Capacity: ReloCubes hold 308 cubic feet and 2,500 pounds. Trailers hold 22,500 pounds, or up to a four-bedroom home
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
MovingYourself: Best for large moves
Why we chose MovingYourself
MovingYourself is a “you load, we drive” service that gives large households more room than a typical moving container.
MovingYourself drops off a 28-foot trailer, and movable walls let you book as little as 4 feet of space or the whole trailer. You get up to three days to load and up to three days to unload.
The company handles state-to-state moves only. If you’re bringing a car, MovingYourself ships it separately on an auto transporter.
MovingYourself pros & cons
- Book only the space you need
- Guaranteed price with fuel & tolls
- Separate car shipping option
- No in-state moves
- Quotes by email, not instant
How much does MovingYourself cost?
MovingYourself prices each move by the trailer space you reserve, so there’s no flat rate to compare. Submit a free quote request online or call the company, and your guaranteed price arrives by email.
MovingYourself container sizes
MovingYourself’s trailer is hard to beat for large moves because you can scale your space up or down with its movable walls.
- Trailer size: 28 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 9 feet tall
- Space options: From 4 feet up to the full trailer
- Loading time: Up to three days at pickup and three days at delivery
- Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
- Only pay for the truck space you use
- Offers vehicle shipping
1-800-PACK-RAT: Best for container options
Why we chose 1-800-PACK-RAT
1-800-PACK-RAT offers three all-steel container sizes and promises to beat comparable competitor quotes in qualifying locations.
The company serves 37 states plus Washington, D.C., with seven Florida markets: Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, and Tampa.
Each rental includes 30 days of container use, so you can load at your own pace before pickup.
1-800-PACK-RAT pros & cons
- Beats comparable quotes
- All-steel containers
- Seven Florida markets
- Containers aren’t climate controlled
- Not available in 13 states
How much does 1-800-PACK-RAT cost?
1-800-PACK-RAT prices each move from your ZIP codes and move date, and a representative confirms the details before you book.
Our reader Batool chose PACK-RAT for her 2022 move from California to Texas. She paid $3,400 for the container and about $1,000 more for moving labor.
1-800-PACK-RAT container sizes
1-800-PACK-RAT offers the same 8-, 12-, and 16-foot sizes as PODS, but its containers are all steel.
- Container sizes: 8-foot, 12-foot, and 16-foot
- Container material: All-steel construction
- Capacity: 404 – 830 cubic feet, 4,000 – 6,000 pounds
1-800-PACK-RAT’s door design gives you more usable space. When moveBuddha reader Desmond rented a 16-foot container, it held everything from his three-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot home.
- 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
Zippy Shell: Best for city-to-city moves
Why we chose Zippy Shell
Zippy Shell is our pick for city-to-city moves because its street-legal containers fit driveways and tight urban spots where larger containers won’t.
Zippy Shell serves 38 states plus Washington, D.C. It merged with 1-800-PACK-RAT in 2018, and both brands list the same seven Florida markets.
Every long-distance Zippy Shell move includes 30 days of storage, and its storage centers are temperature controlled.
Zippy Shell pros & cons
- Street-legal containers
- 30 days free storage on long-distance moves
- Temperature-controlled storage centers
- Only two container sizes
- Not available in 12 states
How much does Zippy Shell cost?
Zippy Shell quotes include pickup, delivery, and storage, and you can request one online. A representative then walks you through your options.
Our reader Danielle paid $2,730 to move three bedrooms’ worth of belongings from Virginia to Florida in August 2022.
Zippy Shell container sizes
Zippy Shell offers 10-foot and 15-foot containers, so compare capacity carefully when you weigh Zippy Shell vs. PODS.
- Container sizes: 10-foot and 15-foot
- Container material: All-steel construction
- Climate-controlled storage: Yes, at storage centers
- Capacity: 420 – 680 cubic feet, 3,500 – 5,500 pounds
You can add loading and unloading help and choose from several insurance options to protect your belongings.
- 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
What are the best local moving container companies in Florida?
If you’d rather work with a regional company, these local and regional moving container providers serve Florida:
How do the best moving container companies in Florida compare?
U-Pack has the widest coverage of the five, while PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT offer the most container sizes. Here’s how the top companies stack up.
| Provider | BBB rating | States served | Container sizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-Pack | A+ | 50 | 8-foot cube & 28-foot trailer |
| PODS | A+ | 44* | 8-, 12- & 16-foot |
| MovingYourself | A- | 48** | 28-foot trailer |
| 1-800-PACK-RAT | A+ | 37^ | 8-, 12- & 16-foot |
| Zippy Shell | A+ | 38^^ | 10- & 15-foot |
*Plus D.C. Not in AK, MT, ND, VT, WV, or WY
**Not in AK or HI
^Plus D.C. Not in AK, DE, HI, ME, MS, MT, NH, ND, RI, SD, VT, WV, or WY
^^Plus D.C.
What do real customers say about Florida moving container companies?
We interviewed moving container customers through our Better Moves Project to see what Florida moves really cost and where they ran into trouble:
- Average costs: Long-distance container moves generally cost $2,500 – $4,500, while local moves started around $500 – $1,500. Prices ran higher for customers who needed extended storage or moved to urban areas like Miami or Orlando.
- Unexpected fees: About 45% – 55% of customers ran into unexpected costs, and 1-800-PACK-RAT customers reported the highest rate at 55%. In Florida, permits for container placement in crowded neighborhoods or apartment complexes often drove the added fees.
- Delivery timelines: 20% – 40% of customers experienced delivery or pickup delays. U-Pack had the fewest delays at 20%, while PODS and Zippy Shell ran up to 40%, especially in larger cities like Miami and Tampa.
- Damage rates: Damage reports ranged from 5% – 20% across our top companies. U-Pack had the lowest rate at 5%, while 1-800-PACK-RAT had the highest at 20%, mostly from loading and unloading rather than the containers themselves.
- Repeat customers: Over 85% of U-Pack and PODS customers would use them again, compared with 65% for Zippy Shell and 1-800-PACK-RAT, where customers cited communication issues and delivery delays.
Pro tip: Hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center, so build a few buffer days into a summer or fall Florida move and see our guide to the best time to move.
What size moving container do you need?
Most moving container companies offer containers between 8 and 16 feet long, and you can order more than one if you need extra space. Use this table to match a container size to your home.
| Container size | Ideal for |
|---|---|
| 8-foot | Studio apartment, up to 500 square feet |
| 12-foot | One-bedroom home, 500 – 800 square feet |
| 16-foot | Two-bedroom home, up to 1,200 square feet |
Are moving containers cheaper than full-service movers?
Yes. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service movers on average, according to moveBuddha pricing data. On a Florida to Texas move, a container runs $900 – $4,650, compared with $1,070 – $8,040 for full-service movers.
Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service movers on average.
When a moving container makes sense
A moving container fits you if you want a lower price, flexible storage, and don’t mind packing and loading yourself. The container company handles the driving, and many use weather-resistant steel containers.
Containers are especially cost-effective for cross-country and international moves, and you’ll save more if you declutter for a move first.
When full-service movers make sense
Full-service moving companies like Safeway Moving and Mayzlin Relocation handle packing, loading, transport, and unloading for you. You can add storage, but it sits in the mover’s warehouse instead of your driveway.
If you’d rather hand off the labor, the moveBuddha Mover Marketplace gets you up to five no-obligation quotes from one request, matched to movers’ real-time availability. You can also browse our best moving companies.
Which Florida moving container company should you choose?
Start with quotes from U-Pack, PODS, and MovingYourself.
U-Pack is our best overall value with the easiest quote process, but it offers only one container size. PODS offers three container sizes but serves fewer states than U-Pack. MovingYourself works best for large state-to-state moves that need up to a full 28-foot trailer.
Give yourself at least two weeks to collect quotes, and book eight weeks out if you’re moving during peak moving season.
Pro tip: Our moving cost calculator runs on 1,000+ live price points collected every month, so you get a real benchmark to measure each container quote against.
rating
4.8 / 5
How did we pick the best moving container companies in Florida?
We ran each company through our methodology, which scores movers across 72 data points from 25+ independent sources.
We look at key factors like:
- Customer satisfaction: We prioritized the moving experiences of real customers. The more satisfied customer reviews, the better a portable moving container company fared.
- Services: We checked whether drop-off and pickup were included, whether climate-controlled storage was available, how weatherproof the containers were, and which sizes each company offered.
- Reputation: We vetted each company’s Better Business Bureau profile and U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) registration.
- Add-on options: We looked at available moving labor, such as packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading, plus insurance options.
- Service area: We compared each company’s storage facilities, coverage in major cities and rural areas, and overall state and international availability.
- Payment methods: We evaluated how easy it was to get an online quote with transparent pricing, pay a deposit, and use available discounts.
- Scheduling: We assessed how easy each company’s scheduling tools make it to lock in your preferred moving date and confirm your reservation.
FAQ
How much do moving containers in Florida cost?
Florida container customers in our Better Moves Project paid $500 – $1,500 for local moves and $2,500 – $4,500 for long-distance moves. Your price depends on the number of containers, distance, storage time, and add-on services. Use our moving cost calculator to estimate your route.
Is it cheaper to use PODS or a moving company?
It’s usually cheaper to use PODS than a moving company if you pack and load yourself. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service movers on average. Full-service movers often have labor minimums that push the price higher.
How much does a moving container cost from Florida to Texas?
A moving container from Florida to Texas costs $900 – $4,650, based on moveBuddha’s Florida to Texas moving cost data. A two- to three-bedroom home typically costs $1,630 – $3,460. Plan on 1 – 2 weeks from loading to delivery.
What size moving container do you need?
Plan on one 8-foot container for every 500 square feet of belongings. A 16-foot container holds up to about 1,200 square feet, or a two-bedroom home. Order a second container if you’re between sizes.
What should you not put in a moving container?
Don’t pack perishable food, plants, fuel, cleaning chemicals, or anything illegal. Leave out lawn mowers and other motorized equipment. Keep cash, jewelry, and important documents with you.
How far in advance should you book a moving container in Florida?
Book your moving container at least eight weeks ahead, especially during peak moving season. Give yourself two weeks to collect and compare quotes. Hurricane season runs June 1 – November 30, so leave room for weather delays.
Can you keep a moving container in storage long term?
Yes, most moving container companies offer monthly storage. U-Pack stores ReloCubes at its service centers for as long as you need, while its trailers max out at 120 days. Zippy Shell includes 30 days of storage with every long-distance move.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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