How Much Can You Fit in a U-Box Container?
Here’s the short answer: A single U-Haul U-Box container holds about 1 to 1.5 rooms’ worth of household goods. A U-Box measures 5′ x 8′ x 7.5′, a total of 257 cubic feet, and can accommodate up to 2,000 pounds, including large furniture like a couch, a king-size mattress, and appliances. You can typically fit a studio apartment in one container.
How to maximize space in a U-Box:
- Take advantage of the U-Box’s 7.5′ height to stack items vertically.
- Stick items like cushions and pillows in the gaps to use every available inch.
- Disassemble furniture such as tables and bed frames to save space in the container.
- Reserve multiple boxes if you’re unsure. You’ll only pay for the space you use.
- Most locations nationwide
- Store at your residence or a U-Haul location
- Available for both local and long distance moves
- One month of storage included
How many U-Box containers do you need?
Since one U-Box container holds about 1–1.5 rooms of furniture and household goods, you typically need one container for a studio apartment, and 2–4 containers for a two-bedroom or larger home.
- Studio or 1 room: 1 U-Box
- 1–2 bedroom apartment: 2–3 U-Boxes
- 2–3 bedroom home: 3–5 U-Boxes
- 3+ bedroom home: 5+ U-Boxes
Not sure? It’s usually safer to reserve an extra container. You won’t be charged if you don’t use it.
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U-Haul U-Box container size
U-Box containers measure:
- 7 feet 11 inches long
- 4 feet 8 inches wide
- 6 feet 11.5 inches high
With approximately 257 cubic feet of usable space, you can fit roughly 1½ rooms worth of furniture and boxes in one container. Just remember that you may run out of space sooner if you don’t load everything properly, so it may be worth hiring professional packers to help you load.
Each container can hold a maximum of 2,000 pounds, but this shouldn’t be an issue unless you’re moving lots of books or heavy antique pieces. U-Box containers measure more than 9 feet diagonally, which can come in handy for awkward items like rolled rugs.
Pro tip: To find the right fit for your move, we recommend comparing quotes for moving containers, trucks, and movers with our moving cost calculator. The average user saves 30% on their move by comparing quotes first.
What fits in U-Box containers
One of the most commonly asked questions about U-Box containers is if they’re large enough for a king and queen mattresses. The answer in both cases is usually “yes.”
California king mattresses are about 7 feet long x 6 feet wide on average with box springs and usually fit in a U-Box container. Here are a few more items a U-Box container can typically fit:
- Full-size sofas (average length is about 7 feet)
- Standard refrigerators (most are about 6 feet tall)
- Common household items like lamps, furniture, sports equipment, and yard tools
- Boxed items of clothing, dishes, picture frames, and books or movies
What should NOT go in a U-Box container
U-Box containers are made of treated, pest-resistant plywood and covered with a heavy-duty vinyl cover. As a result, the storage container is not temperature-controlled, so you should be careful about what you pack in it. Here are a few items to avoid placing in a U-Box container, even if they fit.
- Sensitive paperwork like deeds & documents, including legal and financial documents (passports, visas, birth certificates)
- Fur items
- Firearms
- Expensive or irreplaceable items like jewelry, watches, artwork, collectibles, or antiques
- Currency and medications
During transport, containers are loaded inside a truck, so they shouldn’t be in direct contact with snow, sleet, or rain. However, loading or unloading in inclement weather can be an issue, since the containers aren’t technically weather or waterproof.
Want to leave packing and transporting your belongings to experts who are equipped to move in all conditions? We recommend comparing quotes from the reputable long-distance movers below alongside your U-Box quotes.
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U-Box containers don’t take up much driveway space
U-Box container’s exterior dimensions are approximately 8 feet long x 5 feet wide x 7 feet 10 inches tall when the vinyl cover is installed. For example, each U-Box only takes up about 40 square feet of ground space compared to about 96 square feet for a Toyota Camry.
While they have less usable space than some competitors’ units, U-Box’s smaller footprints make them good choices in tight areas like college campuses and apartment complex parking lots.
U-Box containers for local, cross-country, and international relocations
U-Haul U-Boxes are a great option whether you’re making an international move, moving to a new state, or helping someone move to a local college.
Learn MoreWhen moving domestically, containers are transported on trucks with “gentle-ride” suspensions to minimize (or eliminate) damage. Unlike some competitors, U-Box also provides moving services between the lower 48 states and Alaska and Hawaii.
If you’re looking to save money on a long-distance move and don’t want to rent a truck, U-Box is a solid solution.
Since both storage and U-Haul international shipping are available, U-Box containers are good for college students who are vacating dorms or apartments over the summer break or studying abroad for a semester or two.
How U-Box containers from U-Haul work
- Estimate the number of containers you will need.
- Call U-Haul U-Box at 877-GO-UHAUL or make a reservation at uhaul.com/ubox to schedule your container drop-off.
- Your storage containers will be dropped off to you on a flatbed truck and moved to your chosen location by forklift. You can also choose self-delivery and tow them to your desired location with a trailer or rent a U-Haul truck.
- Pack the containers at your convenience and then call for pickup and delivery to your new home.
Should you use U-Haul U-Box?
If space isn’t an issue, then U-Box might work for you. Reading U-Haul U-Box reviews from real customers can help you with your decision.
U-Haul moving containers like U-Box are a great choice for DIY moves, storage, or when you’re unsure how much time you need to pack and move. Shopping around for the best moving container companies for your move will save you money.
If you want a full-service move, do your research. Hiring one of the best interstate moving companies with verified customer reviews is key.
Also, check out our thorough U-Haul U-Box review.
FAQs
Can I use my U-Box for storage?
Yes, U-Box containers can be used for both moving and storage. You can keep the container on your property for easy access or store it at a U-Haul facility until you’re ready for delivery. This flexibility makes U-Box a good option if your move-in and move-out dates don’t line up.
Storage costs typically range from $50 to $100 per container per month, in addition to delivery and transportation fees. Keep in mind that if you store your container at a facility, you won’t have direct access to your items without scheduling a visit.
Do U-Box containers come in multiple sizes?
No, U-Box containers only come in one size, with about 257 cubic feet of space. While that may seem limiting, it makes planning simpler since you’ll just need to decide how many containers to reserve based on your home size.
If you’re moving a larger household or want more flexible sizes, you may want to compare options from other providers that offer multiple container sizes.
Will U-Haul load the container for me?
Yes, U-Haul can arrange loading and unloading help through its Moving Help marketplace. This allows you to hire local labor for packing, loading, or unloading without committing to a full-service moving company.
This is a good middle-ground option if you want to save money but still need help with heavy lifting. You can browse providers, compare prices, and book services when reserving your container.
What’s included in my U-Box quote?
Your U-Box quote typically includes transportation, delivery and pickup, and one month of storage. For long-distance moves, the price usually covers shipping to your destination and final delivery.
However, your total cost can vary depending on distance, number of containers, storage time, and whether you add services like loading help or insurance. It’s a good idea to compare your quote against other moving options to make sure you’re getting the best value for your move.
Are delivery dates guaranteed?
Yes, U-Haul offers guaranteed delivery dates for U-Box containers. If your container doesn’t arrive on time, U-Haul will reimburse you $50 per day, up to the total cost of your shipment.
While delays are relatively uncommon, this guarantee can provide peace of mind—especially for long-distance moves where timing is critical.
Will my household goods be insured during transit and storage?
According to U-Haul, your belongings aren’t automatically insured for loss or damage while in a U-Box container. This means you’re responsible for protecting your items unless you purchase additional coverage.
U-Haul offers optional mobile storage insurance, which can help cover damage to your belongings and the container while it’s in your possession. If you’re transporting valuable or fragile items, adding coverage is usually worth the extra cost.
Are PODS containers bigger than U-Boxes?
Yes, PODS containers are significantly larger than U-Box containers. Even PODS’ smallest container (8-foot) offers more than 400 cubic feet of space, compared to just 257 cubic feet for a U-Box.
PODS also offers multiple container sizes, including a 16-foot option that provides more than three times the capacity of a U-Box. However, larger containers often come with higher pricing, so it’s important to compare both size and cost. You can learn more about pricing differences in our guide to PODS costs.
We also show you how to choose the right container for your move in our article on PODS sizes.
Can I rent furniture pads and other equipment at Uhaul.com?
Yes, U-Haul includes two dozen furniture pads with each U-Box container at no additional cost, which can help protect large items like sofas and appliances during transit.
You can also purchase packing supplies like boxes, tape, and wrapping materials directly from U-Haul online or at a local store. If you’re packing fragile or high-value items, investing in extra padding and supplies can help prevent damage during loading and transport.
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