U-Haul U-Box Review: Is U-Box the Best Deal?
Here’s the bottom line: U-Haul U-Box’s competitive prices and availability make them one of the best options for DIY movers and anyone needing storage.
rating
4.15 / 5
89% of users select this mover
U-Haul U-Box is a flexible, budget-friendly option for a DIY-friendly container move, which is why it earned a spot on our list of the best moving container companies.
When our reader Nancy used U-Haul U-Box for her move from Quincy, Massachusetts to Minneapolis, she appreciated the convenience and affordability, even as she navigated some logistical challenges placing her container at her new apartment.
Nancy’s story is one of more than a hundred firsthand moving experiences we’ve gathered through our Better Moves Project. Read on to see what other U-Haul U-Box customers had to say and get our take on their pricing, service, and availability.
Pros & cons of moving with U-Haul U-Box
- Unparalleled nationwide availability
- You only pay for the containers you use
- You can pack and unpack at a U-Haul facility to reduce costs
- Average costs beat out top competitors
- One of the only container moving companies that ships overseas
- Single container size is smaller than the competition
- Some customer reviews complain about container quality
- Customer ratings are typically lower than competitors
Jump to the U-Haul U-Box info you’re looking for:
What customers had to say about U-Haul U-Box
To get a read on U-Box’s customer experience, we interviewed several U-Box customers about their moving experience through our Better Moves Project. Here’s how they described their moves.
Common complaints we discovered revolved around delays and poor communication, which are typical in the industry. On the other hand, a lot of customer reviews complimented U-Box’s affordability and flexible services.
Jarom’s experience moving from Springville, Utah, to Tampa, Florida, went off without a hitch. He and his wife only had about 1,000 pounds of belongings, so everything fit well in the portable storage container U-Haul provided.
Nancy had about as many belongings as Jarom and was concerned about keeping moving costs as low as possible but didn’t want to risk loss or damage.
Although she experienced a few issues throughout her moving process, she was ultimately satisfied and paid $180 less than her original quote.
Both customers say they’d recommend U-Haul U-Box to other movers who want to forgo moving truck rentals.
U-Haul U-Box pricing: How much it costs to move
Our research suggests that U-Box is a more affordable option overall than 1-800-PAK-RAT and PODS, and it’s on par with U-Pack for long-distance moves.
When Nancy moved her one-bedroom apartment from Massachusetts to Minnesota U-Haul U-Box quoted her $1,797. Her final cost came in slightly lower at $1,614, which she appreciated.
Nancy also gathered quotes from other companies before choosing U-Box. While she considered full-service movers and other container companies, U-Box ended up being the most affordable option for her 1,400-mile move.
Here’s how U-Haul U-Box’s pricing compared to other estimates she received:
| Company | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| U-Haul U-Box | $1,797 (Final Cost: $1,614) |
| PODS | $3,915 |
| 1-800-Pack-Rat | $3,800 |
| Safeway Moving (Full-Service) | $5,000 |
The average cost of a U-Haul U-box move depends on factors like the distance of the move, the pickup and destination locations, and the length of time you need the containers.
U-Box allows you to customize your reservation to bring the cost down in the following ways:
- Packing: Packing and unpacking at a U-Haul location rather than at home
- Pickup: Picking up the containers yourself instead of having them delivered
- Moving: Hauling the containers yourself instead of having U-Haul ship them (only available for moves under 50 miles)
Here’s a look at what real U-Haul U-Box customers from our Better Moves Project paid for their moves:
| Participant | Approx. Distance | Route | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nancy | 1,400 miles | Quincy, MA to Minneapolis, MN | $1,614 |
| Jarom | 2,300 miles | Springville, UT to Tampa, FL | $2,650 |
| Hope | 2,800 miles | Oakland, CA to Waldorf, MD | $3,500 |
U-Haul provides specialty trailers to transport U-Box containers for a low rental fee. Your vehicle will need to have a towing capacity of at least 3,000 pounds to support the U-Box.
If you want your containers delivered to your first address and picked up from your second address after unpacking, it’ll add at least $79 to your reservation, depending on your location and number of containers.
U-Haul also offers full-service delivery and loading. With this option, U-Haul contracts with local professional movers who deliver and pack the containers for you. For our hypothetical two-bedroom apartment, this service would add about $350 to the reservation.
Get started: Use our free moving cost calculator to get accurate quotes tailored to your move.
U-Haul U-Box services
The name U-Haul is practically synonymous with moving and rental trucks, and U-Box containers further expand these offerings. You can use these containers for moving, storage, or both. Here’s a closer look at U-Haul’s services.
U-Box moving
You can have your containers delivered to your property to pack onsite or transport your belongings to a U-Haul facility to pack. Self-delivery options are only available for local moves.
All long-distance containers ship in an enclosed tractor-trailer for protection. The minimum reservation is 30 days. Then, you can have the containers shipped by U-Haul or transport them with a U-Haul U-Box trailer. Once they arrive, you unpack them.
If the containers are delivered to a U-Haul facility, you unpack them there. If they are delivered to your new home, you unpack at home and transport them to the U-Haul facility or schedule a day for a driver to pick them up.
U-Box storage
With U-Box storage, you order as many U-Box containers as you need. You can pick them up, have them delivered, or head to a U-Haul facility and pack them there. Then, they’re stored on your property or in a U-Haul storage center until you’re ready to unpack your stuff.
You pay a monthly fee and can use the containers for storage as long as needed. All rates, including the monthly fee, vary by market, so be sure to get quotes.
U-Box moving and storage
U-Box can help you combine moving and storage options to ensure your rental fits your needs. You simply pack your containers and store them at your place or in a U-Haul facility.
When you’re ready to move in and unpack at your new place, have the containers delivered there, whether it’s one month or six months later. You just pay a flat monthly rate for as long as you need your containers for storage.
U-Box insurance
According to U-Box, your belongings aren’t automatically insured against loss or damage while they’re being moved or stored at a U-Box warehouse.
However, you can add SafeStor® damage protection to cover your belongings while they’re in storage and insure them with SafeHaul® damage coverage while they’re in transit. There are multiple levels of coverage to choose from when you book a reservation
U-Haul U-Box sizes
U-Box containers come in one size: 8 x 5 x 7 feet (257 cubic feet), which is big enough to fit a king-size bed or the average contents of a small one-bedroom apartment.
The container size is a downside compared to the competition. Competitors like PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT offer up to 16-foot containers that can hold larger pieces like pianos, dressers, or wardrobes.
Where is U-Haul U-Box available?
What U-Box lacks in sizing options, it makes up for in availability, with more than 2,400 U-Box locations in the US and Canada.
U-Box also stands out for offering international moves, which U-Pack, 1-800-PACK-RAT, PODS, and Zippy Shell don’t. U-Haul will create a custom shipping itinerary to get your containers to almost any port in the world.
How U-Haul U-Box stacks up against the competition
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Here’s how U-Box compares to some of our other best moving container companies.
U-Haul U-Box vs. PODS
U-Haul’s U-Box is a budget-friendly option for smaller moves, college students, or anyone who needs maximum flexibility and nationwide availability. The containers are smaller and made of wood with a weather-resistant cover, which works for light moves but may not offer the same durability as steel containers.
PODS, on the other hand, is better suited for larger moves or those needing long-term storage, thanks to its sturdier containers and wider range of sizes. While U-Box is often cheaper, PODS typically provides better protection for your belongings — making it the better choice for larger households or moves involving valuable items.
Take a look at how Alex’s move with PODS went below.
U-Haul U-Box vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT
U-Box by U-Haul is a solid pick for smaller moves or anyone prioritizing affordability and flexible delivery options. Their wood-frame containers are compact and easy to maneuver, making them a good fit for urban moves or limited space.
On the other hand, 1-800-PACK-RAT stands out for its heavy-duty steel containers that offer superior protection — ideal for larger moves or storing belongings for an extended period of time. While U-Box keeps costs low, PACK-RAT is often worth the extra investment if durability and secure storage are your top priorities.
Here’s how Desmond fared when he moved with 1-800-PACK-RAT recently.
Want more options? See how U-Box compares to the best long-distance moving companies.
How moving with U-Haul U-Box works
Because U-Haul U-Box is so flexible, you can customize your move to fit your schedule and needs and book online for everything except international moves.
To get some first-hand experience, we asked Jarom and Nancy about the U-Box moving process.
U-Box makes it easy to get an estimated quote for your move online. To get an idea of what moving with U-Box costs, we requested online quotes for a local move (within 50 miles) and a long-distance interstate move (from Idaho to Illinois).
Jarom’s take on the moving process
To get started, Jarom called U-Haul directly leading up to his move to confirm all the details. Jarom’s moving container arrived right on time on his moving date, and it took less than two hours to load.
After U-Box picked up his container, they texted him delivery updates. His items arrived unscathed and right on time in Tampa, even though he had purchased optional insurance.
The delivery drivers wanted to save time picking up the container, so they offered to unload his belongings free of charge.
Nancy’s take on the moving process
Nancy didn’t communicate as closely with U-Box, and on the day of her move, the container couldn’t be placed in the right spot due to issues getting a parking permit.
As such, she had to have the container delivered to the nearest U-Haul location and arrange to get her belongings to her new home by herself. However, this wrinkle in her plan saved her about $180.
U-Haul doesn’t offer a pricing guarantee because the final costs are calculated at the end of the move. Nancy’s items arrived 10 days before they were expected, so she had to keep her items at U-Haul’s storage facility until her new home was ready.
Interested in U-Box’s moving services? you can request an online quote, call U-Haul directly, or visit your nearest location.
FAQ
What isn’t allowed in a U-Box?
There are a few items you can’t put in a U-Box for safety and legal reasons, which is common across the industry.
The following items are restricted by U-Haul U-Box:
- Ammunition
- Animals
- Butane bottles
- Explosives
- Firearms
- Fireworks
- Food
- Gasoline
- Heaters
- Liquids
- Plants
- Propane tanks
- Torches
Is the U-Box waterproof?
U-Boxes come with a weatherproof cover you can use while they are on your property. It isn’t necessarily waterproof, but it is water-resistant. When your items are in U-Haul’s possession, the company will store the U-Box in a secure storage facility or covered tractor-trailer until drop-off.
What size bed can fit in a U-Box?
The U-Box is big enough to fit a queen or king-size mattress. While it may be smaller than other portable storage containers, its compact size makes it ideal for U-Haul customers who only want to take the essentials or DIY folks without moving help.
How much weight can a U-Box container hold?
When it’s fully loaded, a U-Box container from U-Haul can hold up to 2,000 pounds, which is reasonable for most smaller and mid-sized moves. If your belongings exceed this weight, you can easily reserve another U-Box container.
Our rating methodology
At moveBuddha, we conduct extensive research on moving container companies using our unique methodology so we can provide reliable recommendations. Each company’s analysis is determined by the following metrics:
- Customer satisfaction (30%): For this metric, we interview Better Moves Project participants for their real-life perspectives and look at third-party reviews on Google, TrustPilot, the BBB, and elsewhere.
- Standard services (20%): We look at how a moving container company’s services stack up against its competitors — especially any added or missing services.
- Reputation (15%): This metric is based on industry ratings (including membership in professional organizations), compliance with government regulations, and insurance options.
- Add-on services (10%): We look at the number of add-on services and perks —such as climate-controlled storage and third-party labor help — the company offers in addition to their standard services.
- Availability (10%): We evaluate the availability of the company in each state, as well as the types of moves (local, long-distance, and cross-country) it offers.
- Type of mover (5%): The type of service a moving company provides — such as full-service vs. DIY — can directly impact your experience.
- Payment (5%): We determine how easy it is for moving customers to review their charges and make a payment, including the type of payment options available.
- Scheduling (5%): We also look at how easy it is to schedule your move, including what is needed to get an estimate or how the company addresses delays.
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