Best Moving Container Companies in Illinois (2025)
Quick answer: Based on our in-depth research, PODS and U-Pack are our top recommendations for the best moving container companies in Illinois.
In Chicago and other parts of Illinois, moving containers usually cost anywhere from $150 to 1,100 for local moves, and $1,000 to $7,000 for long-distance and cross-country moves. Before you get a quote, consult our moving cost calculator.
And whatever you do, don’t pack without reading our picks for the best moving container companies for smooth moves in the Prairie State.
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5 Best moving container companies in Illinois
To get started, take a look at our recommendations for the top Illinois 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, shorth for “portable on-demand storage,” is pretty much interchangeable with moving containers or portable storage containers. They’ve become one of the most popular moving container companies in the industry.
With multiple container sizes, PODS is a great fit for families and larger moves. The company also gives you 30 days to load and unload furniture and other belongings, while most companies provide about 3 days.
PODS doesn’t have full, nationwide coverage, but they’re the only moving container company with multiple container sizes and 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 and cons
- Short and long-term storage options
- Services for local and long-distance moves
- Unlimited loading and unloading time (additional charges after 30 days)
- No online quotes available
- Not available for long-distance moves to Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, or Wyoming
- May have limited availability during peak moving season
How much does PODS cost?
When Kyle needed to move from Scottsdale, Arizona to Kirkland, Washington, but hiring a full-service moving company or long-distance movers was too expensive, he chose PODS for their $3,252 quote. Kyle’s final bill matched the quote exactly.
PODS container sizes
If you’re moving locally (within 50 miles), you can use an eight-, 12- or 16-foot container, with 12-foot containers available for local moves.
- 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 gives customers the most competitive prices without compromising their moving experience by only charging them for the space they use. Their containers have less space, with only an eight-foot ReloCube.
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 from Illinois that might require storage services, with onsite storage options for up to six months.
U-Pack’s main downside is the required minimum distance of 250 miles—they aren’t a good option for local moves. As long as you’re moving far enough away, U-Pack is one of the best options out there.
Pros and cons
- No deposit required
- Free quotes online
- Gives referrals for pre-screen movers
- Doesn’t service local moves
- Only one container size
- Doesn’t price-match
How much does U-Pack cost?
At this time, they’re the only moving container company that gives customers accurate instant quotes online.
When Shiri planned to move her family from Tarzana, California to Beaverton, Oregon in the middle of peak moving season, U-Pack quoted her $2,540 to move her three-bedroom apartment. At the end of her move, U-Pack charged her exactly that amount.
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 company that rents out 52-foot moving trucks, so customers can pack up themselves or hire their own movers. Then like U-Pack or PODS, MovingYourself does the driving for you.
Founded in 2022, MovingYourself doesn’t have the established track record of other companies, but their founder is a veteran of the moving industry, who also started MovingPlace, a highly rated company that brokers out moving trucks.
Unlike PODS, MovingYourself only services interstate moves. Their trailers have all the moving pads, straps, and dollies you’ll need. You can even transport a car in the trailer directly with your home goods.
A huge reason to consider MovingYourself is that they’re 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 and cons
- 52-feet of space to pack, and enough room for car-shipping
- Only pay for the space you use
- Insurance options available
- Doesn’t do local moves
- No storage options or other add-on services
How much does MovingYourself cost?
None of our Better Moves Project participants have used MovingYourself yet, so we don’t have any firsthand quotes.
For comparison, we looked at their sister company, MovingPlace. When our reader Matt moved his family from Berkeley, California to St. Paul, Minnesota in peak moving season, he paid $3,218.
Just note that if you’re renting a 52-foot moving truck to load in 72-hours, you’ll need a place to park it. Otherwise you might have to add the cost to rent a U-Haul to bring belongings to a separate truck depot.
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
It’s important to choose a moving container company that will protect your belongings from the wind, rain, and other bad weather. 1-800-PACK-RAT excels in this area. Their 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 in the company’s climate-controlled warehouses for short-term and long-term storage. The unmatched durability and easy loading makes PACK-RAT containers some of the best on this list. All containers come with 30 days of storage included in the base price.
PACK-RAT services local and long-distance moves, but their services aren’t available in a handful of states, which limits their long-distance services.
Pros and cons
- Unlimited loading and unloading time (additional charges apply after 30 days)
- Occasional price-matching opportunities and other discounts
- Easy to load, weather-resistant steel containers
- Only one location in Chicago and no nationwide availability
- May not deliver on Sundays (hours of operation differ depending on location)
- Possible miscommunications and hidden fees
How much does 1-800-PACK-RAT cost?
Desmond chose 1-800-PACK-RAT for his move from Lafayette, Oregon, to Waynesville, Ohio. His quote was $7,048 for the 2,300-mile move, and his final bill was $7,310.44.
Meanwhile, another reader, Carrie, was met with unforeseen charges due to a miscommunication. The PACK-RAT truck didn’t have enough clearance to get to her final destination, so Carrie had to rent a Penske truck to retrieve her belongings from a storage facility in New Jersey. Her final bill was $1,252 more than what she was initially quoted.
With the exception of miscommunications like Carrie’s, the price of 1-800-PACK-RAT is more expensive than U-Pack and PODS, and they don’t appear to match their quotes as consistently as those competitors.
1-800-PACK-RAT container sizes
- 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
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. Competitors like PODS, U-Pack, and 1-800-PACK-RAT might be a better pick in these cases.
Zippy Shell is limited 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 and cons
- Steel-framed, street-legal containers perfect for urban areas
- 30 days of storage included for long-distance moves
- Occasional price-matching opportunities and other discounts
- Only one location in Chicago
- May not deliver on Sundays (hours of operation differ depending on location)
- Steep cancelation fees if you change plans within 10 days of move
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.
We like that Zippy Shell makes it relatively easy to add loading and unloading help at a reasonable rate, and their base package includes 30 days of storage. They also have several insurance options to protect your goods in case of an accident.
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 Illinois moving container companies
Looking for a smaller local moving container company in Illinois? Here are a few top options:
Comparing the best moving container companies in Illinois
No matter how good of a company’s reputation with the Better Business Bureau, they still have to serve your area and have container sizes to meet your 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 Illinois moving container companies
We arrived at the best storage and moving container companies in Illinois by using an objective rating system. The methodology of MoveBuddha 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: It’s essential to know what services a container company offers. We considered their storage unit sizing, storage container quality, pickup and drop-off service, and storage facilities.
- Reputation: We look at ratings from the Better Business Bureau and check each company’s licensure with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and accreditation with other professional associations.
- Add-on options: We also consider extras like cleaning, packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading. A select few container companies include add-on options for this type of labor, as well as insurance options.
- Availability: The best container companies offer widespread availability. We looked into the number of locations in Illinois and nationwide for long-distance moves.
- 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 don’t make it clear what they do, it is easy to book the wrong moving solutions to fit your needs.
- Payment: It’s difficult to have a smooth moving experience when you end up paying $1,000 more than you were initially quoted. We considered each company’s overall affordability and quoting accuracy.
- Scheduling: If you’re moving with a strict schedule, you needsa moving container company that can be flexible with that. Companies that are open seven-days a week and have 24-hour customer service scored higher in our evaluation.
Compare moving container sizes
Here are some dimensions to consider before booking a moving container company.
Container Size | Ideal For |
---|---|
8-foot containers | Studio apartment, or approximately 500 square feet of belongings |
10-foot containers | One-bedroom apartment or house, or approximately 500–800 square feet of belongings |
16-foot containers | Two-bedroom apartment or house, or up to approximately 1,200 square feet of belongings |
Moving containers vs. full-service movers
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. If you need a lot of add-on services, like hiring labor loading and unloading, a full-service company may be worth the extra expense.
Moving container companies
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, you can add on other services as needed.
Ultimately, using a moving container company is a less expensive option than hiring a full-service moving company or long-distance movers.
Our take
For the average move, U-Pack and PODS are our 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 your needs. If you have specific needs like protecting antique furniture, or accommodating city parking, 1-800-PACK-RAT and Zippy Shell are great options.
For larger moves and moves that include car-shipping, a 52-foot truck from MovingYourself is a great pick. 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 availability. 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.
From there, compare quotes to find a company that 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.
Are moving containers better than hiring movers?
Moving containers are not necessarily better or worse than hiring movers. 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’re 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 depends on the company. U-Pack and Zippy Shell give customers 3 days to load their moving containers, but they provide storage options after thatl MovingYourself does not provide any container storage after the three days to load, and three days to unload.
If you need more time, PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT give you 30 days out of the gate, and any extra time for a fee.
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 you need, 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.
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