I Moved from Utah to Florida with U-Box: What I Paid and What I’d Do Again
As told to moveBuddha
- Jarom moved from Springville, Utah, to Tampa, Florida, in June 2022 for work, a 2,330-mile move covering the contents of a 1-bedroom apartment.
- After comparing quotes from four companies, he hired U-Box, and his Utah to Florida move cost $2,650, matching his original quote exactly.
- This is Jarom’s story, shared as part of moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project.
This account is based on our conversation with Jarom, recounting his Utah to Florida move in June 2022 using U-Box. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
My wife and I moved from Springville, Utah to Tampa, Florida in mid-June 2022 for work. We were only moving the contents of a 1-bedroom apartment, about 1,000 pounds of boxes and furniture, and I wasn’t interested in driving a van 2,330 miles across the country. A portable container made far more sense.
I spent nearly a week researching my options before settling on a company. I did Google searches, read online reviews, and talked with friends who had made cross-country moves. I also used moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator to get a sense of the market and compare quotes.
My U-Box experience at a glance
U-Box delivered on every front. Here’s how the move broke down from start to finish.
- Communication: U-Box communicated effectively throughout the process, reaching out by both text and phone to confirm services and delivery dates.
- Pricing accuracy and transparency: My quote came in at $2,650, and that’s exactly what I paid. Nothing changed between booking and delivery.
- Container placement: There weren’t any issues with container placement. The drivers asked where I wanted the container at both origin and destination to make loading and unloading as easy as possible.
- Timeliness: My container arrived in Florida on schedule, exactly as U-Box had promised.
- Loss and damage: Everything arrived accounted for and undamaged.
- Would I use U-Box again? Yes, and I’d recommend U-Box to anyone moving a relatively small shipment from one state to another.
rating
4.15 / 5
Why I chose U-Box
Keeping moving costs low was a priority, but working with a reliable, experienced company mattered just as much. I also had no interest in driving a moving van from Utah to Florida.
Since my wife and I were only moving the contents of a 1-bedroom apartment, a container was the obvious call. We moved a few pieces of art, but nothing particularly valuable or fragile.
I put together a list of four candidates: PODS, U-Box, 1800 Pack Rat, and U-Pack. Each had its pros and cons, but U-Box came through with the lowest quote, which included transportation and one month of storage. Strong reviews sealed it.
My move at a glance
| Moving from | Springville, Utah |
|---|---|
| Moving to | Tampa, Florida |
| Distance | 2,330 miles |
| Moving company | U-Box |
| Moving quote | $2,650 |
| Actual cost | $2,650 |
How I got my quote
I knew about the relocation about six months before my move date, which gave me plenty of time to be thorough. After finding moveBuddha and using the calculator to compare, I gathered quotes from PODS, U-Box, 1800 Pack Rat, and U-Pack.
U-Box came back with the lowest number. That quote covered transportation and one month of storage, and I planned to handle all loading and unloading myself.
Booking and preparing for the move
I booked my container online but verified everything over the phone. U-Box followed up with helpful information about what to expect on move day and how to load the container properly.
In the weeks before the move, I finished packing and made sure everything was staged and ready to go. I opted to purchase additional insurance and paid a $1,200 deposit the month before my move date. Going into move day, I felt confident that my possessions were in good hands.
Pickup day
U-Box confirmed my services and move dates by both text and phone. The truck arrived on time at 9:00 AM on move day, and the driver placed the container exactly where I wanted it. Since everything was already packed and staged, loading took less than two hours. Afterward, I called U-Box to let them know the container was loaded and ready for pickup.
Delivery day
I got a text when my container arrived in Tampa and another one confirming the delivery date to my new address. A local U-Box partner handled the final leg. My quote didn’t include labor, but the movers who dropped off the container helped me unload it free of charge so they wouldn’t have to come back later.
My container arrived on time, nothing was missing or damaged, and I got free unloading labor on top of it. I paid the remainder of the bill by credit card on delivery day and later received a post-move survey from U-Box via email.
Final thoughts
There were no surprises or headaches throughout my entire move. I was satisfied with how everything went and honestly a little surprised by how smoothly it all played out.
For anyone moving the contents of a studio or 1-bedroom apartment across state lines, I’m not sure there’s a more affordable or efficient option than U-Box. In my case, U-Box was cheaper than every other company I compared, and it came out less expensive than renting a moving van once you factor in gas, food, lodging, and tolls. If you’ve ever wondered how much you can fit in a U-Box, I can tell you from firsthand experience that it handles a full 1-bedroom apartment without any trouble.
I’d use U-Box again and would recommend them to anyone planning a similar move.
Use moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator to compare quotes and find the best container option for your route.
Before you go…
- U-Haul U-Box Review
- The Best Interstate Movers
- Best Companies for Small Moves
- Best Moving Container Companies
- Moving Cost Calculator
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