The Best Moving Container Companies of 2025

A DIY move that involves renting a moving truck might be the most affordable way to move, but driving a large box truck long distances is not for the faint of heart. Meanwhile, a moving service offers end-to-end support, from packing to moving to unloading, but it can cost thousands of dollars. For a budget-conscious mover, moving container companies strike a happy medium between these two extremes. These services cost a fraction of a professional moving service but don’t require you to drive a moving truck.

Moving container companies will deliver an empty shipping container to a customer’s property, then return days later to move it once it’s been loaded. You can opt to have them move the container immediately to your new home, or choose storage for an extended period during a move or remodel until they are ready to have it delivered. Moving containers are also easy to order, and many moving container companies offer quotes and scheduling online. Read on to discover the best moving container companies in the country based on features like storage capabilities, policies, and service area.

1. BEST OVERALL: U-Haul U-Box
2. RUNNER-UP: PODS
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Zippy Shell
4. ALSO CONSIDER: U-Pack

Our Top Picks

The moving container companies below are widely available throughout the United States, offer transparent pricing, and can conduct both local and long-distance moves. Keep reading to find out more about the best options.

Why It Made the Cut: U-Haul U-Box offers highly competitive rates, nationwide availability, no cancellation or delivery fees, and a streamlined, transparent quote process.

One of the best moving truck rental companies is also one of the best for renting a moving container. U-Haul’s U-Box is affordably priced with relatively low monthly storage rates and a transparent online quote process that lets customers know exactly what they’re paying before they commit. You can select from a variety of delivery options, and U-Haul provides guaranteed container delivery dates.

While some customers have voiced concerns that the plywood construction is less secure than steel moving containers, U-Haul asserts the U-Box is sturdy yet provides optimal airflow—important for reducing the risk of mold and mildew during transit and storage. Plus, it offers secure warehouse storage as an option for customers. The durable weatherproof plastic cover keeps belongings safe from the elements. Measuring just about 8 feet long by 4 feet 8 inches wide, each fits approximately a room and a half of belongings.

Other standout qualities of U-Haul’s U-Box include no cancellation or hidden container delivery fees, which makes the already affordable cost even more attractive. In addition, the company offers moving container services across the country; customers can rent a container for a move or store their belongings anywhere in the U.S. The company even offers moving and storage services for international moves, with full-service, door-to-door options available. 

Why It Made the Cut: PODS is a popular name in the moving container industry for good reason: The company boasts multiple container size options and flexible content protection plans, plus it has a low damage rate.

PODS is one of the original moving container companies, and its offerings still make it a great choice. The company has an excellent track record for handling customer belongings with a less than 2 percent damage rate—well below the 20 percent industry average. The company’s flexible protection plans range from $5,000 to $300,000 in value to ensure adequate protection for your belongings. PODS offers three container size options to suit different-size moves. The company also offers unlimited loading time, and it can handle both local and long-distance moves, as well as international moves to select countries. Its moving services might not be available in all ZIP codes within its service area, however. 

PODS prices vary depending on the location, time of year, and container size, among other factors, but delivery fees for PODS containers can be relatively high. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to check all applicable fees before selecting a storage or moving service. The company also offers specialized services for those moving to or from urban areas, including procuring all necessary permits to deliver the container. The PODS driver will then stay with the pod while the customer loads it to protect against thieves and parking enforcement officers.

Why It Made the Cut: Zippy Shell offers relatively low rates for its moving containers, as well as temperature-controlled storage facilities for customers to use.

Those looking for an affordably priced moving container option may want to consider Zippy Shell. The company boasts relatively low monthly rates to rent its 10- and 15-foot containers, which could be very appealing to those moving on a tight budget. And once loaded, the storage container is shipped to one of Zippy Shell’s temperature-controlled facilities, a suitable option for storing items that are sensitive to extreme temperatures.

The company’s website does not provide any information about its cancellation policy, though some reviewers cite a $299 fee if canceling within 10 days of the delivery date. Check with the company to verify its cancellation policy when receiving a quote. Zippy Shell limits customers to a 3-day loading period, which might necessitate additional planning before container delivery. The containers have a metal cage design without fully enclosed walls, which some customers might find less secure than fully walled containers. However, Zippy Shell claims that this feature is a positive, as it allows air to circulate and minimizes potential mold or mildew growth. 

Zippy Shell also offers a robust content protection plan for stored belongings that includes replacement value coverage. This means that if covered items stored in a container are damaged or stolen, the company will calculate their value based on the cost to replace those belongings with similar items at current prices. Because this coverage does not factor in depreciation, customers could receive more compensation if any belongings placed into a container are damaged, lost, or stolen.

Why It Made the Cut: A nationwide footprint, short delivery time frame, and easy online quote process make U-Pack a moving container company worth consideration.

With its simple quote process and fast delivery time, U-Pack is a great option for those using a storage container for a long-distance move. Customers can complete the quote process online, eliminating the need to go through a lengthy phone call. U-Pack also has a relatively short transit time of as little as 4 business days, which is relatively quick for a long-distance move. 

It’s worth noting that U-Pack does not offer local moving services, and there are no weekend container drop-offs available. In addition, the company’s cancellation policy can be fairly rigid, with customers being charged a fee depending on how far in advance they cancel. Customers also won’t be able to access their containers once they’re at the storage facility. However, as long as a customer can plan around these factors, U-Pack is an option worth checking out no matter where you live in the United States. U-Pack services are available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., so customers across the country can hire the company for their long-distance moving needs.

Our Verdict

U-Haul U-Box is our pick for Best Overall thanks to its competitive rates, minimal fees, broad coverage area, and easy quote process. Those looking for more options regarding container sizes or planning an urban move would do well to consider our Runner-Up, PODS, which offers three container size options and a service that caters to city dwellers.

How We Chose the Best Moving Container Companies

We looked at a variety of criteria when vetting our list of the top moving container companies. We considered the size of the company’s service area, leaning toward those with broader national coverage. When comparing 1-800-PACK-RAT versus PODS, for instance, we looked at each company’s footprint to assess service availability. Also a consideration was how much loading time the container company provides its customers and the estimated delivery time for the storage unit to the new location. We also preferred companies that offer their customers a broader range of container sizes.

Customers will want to know how much the service will cost up front, so we selected companies with a straightforward quote process and transparent pricing. Other factors we considered included cancellation policies, security, and storage facility amenities.

What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Moving Container Companies

When choosing the best moving container company, a customer will want to consider many factors, including move distance, container size, and loading and shipping time. Just ahead, learn more about these attributes and what to know about this alternative to using one of the best moving companies for a move.

Service Area and Quote Process

When selecting a moving container company, you will want to determine where the company stores the container. After you load the container, the moving container company will move it to a storage facility until you are ready for delivery. If you anticipate needing to access the container while it’s in storage, consider a company with a nearby storage facility. Customers can reach out to a company representative to ask about storage facility access availability. Remember that not all moving container companies can serve every corner of the country, so it’ll be essential to find a company that can deliver a container to both your old and new addresses.

Moving crate companies vary in how they supply quotes for their shipping containers. Almost all moving container companies will allow customers to get a quote for storage services online, but some companies may only provide moving quotes by phone. This is because there are more logistics to consider with moving, and minor differences can significantly alter the quote. However, some companies allow customers to get an online quote for both moving and storage services without speaking to a customer support representative.

Move Distance

The best moving pod companies vary in how they define the difference between local and long-distance moves. It’s important to keep this in mind because some moving container companies set a minimum distance for moving a shipping container from the current home to the new house. For many moving container companies, a local move is under 50 miles, and a long-distance move is more than 50 miles.

Pricing

Rates for container moving services can vary depending on the customer’s location, the move distance, the size of the container needed, and the number of containers rented, among other factors. Moving container companies might also charge a delivery fee for bringing a container to a customer’s home and, in some cases, may assess an additional fee to pick up the container once the move has been completed or the customer no longer needs to store their belongings. 

If working with a container company for storage, you will typically pay a monthly rate. If looking to hire container services to assist with a move, remember that prices might fluctuate depending on the time of year and even the day of the week, if you have flexible moving times, you might be able to reduce the overall moving costs. Customers looking to move on a very tight budget might want to consider an inexpensive moving service such as American Van Lines or Budget Truck Rental.

Container Material and Size Options

The best moving containers are made of steel or high-grade plywood with a waterproof covering. Some shipping containers are just steel cages, and others have enclosing walls. Each container type has its pros and cons. Full steel containers are more secure, but there’s less air circulation, which could encourage mold or mildew growth if there is moisture in the container. If you strongly prefer one material type to another, seek out a moving pod company that offers that type of container.

Pay attention to the size options provided by moving companies with storage containers. Some companies offer a range of container sizes, and customers can opt for one large container to fit all their belongings. Other companies offer only one smaller container size, which might require using multiple containers to hold all your belongings. With that in mind, it’s worthwhile to inventory your belongings ahead of time to determine the best storage options for moving.

Loading and Shipping Time

It’s crucial for customers to be aware of a company’s loading and shipping times when choosing the best moving pod company. While some companies require their customers to complete loading in just a few days, others allow customers to keep the shipping container at their home indefinitely (though the customer will still pay for the container). When moving, you also will want to inquire how long the container takes to arrive at the new home to plan the move accordingly. Although some companies will provide an estimated delivery time, others will guarantee a delivery date.

Packing and Loading Assistance 

One of the downsides of using a moving container is that you have to load the container yourself. However, most moving container companies allow customers to hire third-party services to help pack the moving container. These services can take some of the burden off the customer, and the entire move will likely be more affordable than it would be if hiring a full-service professional mover.

Storage Availability and Facility Climate Control

All moving container companies have facilities where they can store containers for customers who are not moving their belongings immediately. Customers who are storing delicate items, like art or heirlooms, might want to identify a storage facility with temperature or climate control and excellent security.

Some storage companies allow you to store the container on your property for an indefinite amount of time, which is ideal if you are using the container to store belongings or supplies during a renovation or remodel.

Insurance

When using one of the moving pods companies, customers will want to contact their homeowners or renters insurance company to determine whether the insurance will cover their belongings while they’re in storage. If not, consider adding additional coverage to protect these items. Some moving container companies also offer insurance coverage for customer property for an additional monthly fee.

Cancellation Policy

The cancellation policies of moving container companies vary. While some companies allow cancellation up to the day of delivery, others require as many as 7 days’ notice before the delivery date to avoid fees. Since cancellation fees can be as high as $300, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with a moving container’s cancellation policies before renting.

Before You Use One of the Best Moving Container Companies

Before hiring a moving container company, consider moving or storage alternatives. While the best moving storage containers are more affordable and offer more flexibility than hiring a moving company, customers must load the container themselves. You also will need to lock or secure the container and park it in a suitable area while loading and unloading. This necessitates having a driveway, reserved parking spot, or another open space where the company can drop off and pick up the container. Homeowners associations may have restrictions on using moving containers, even if the container fits in the resident’s parking space or driveway.

When packing a container, do not load any damp items that could cause mold growth since the container might remain closed for days, weeks, or even months. In addition, storage containers could become breeding grounds for pests if you do not properly seal boxes or fail to notice signs of insect or other infestations when packing your belongings. Those who live in gypsy moth or spotted lanternfly quarantine areas who are moving to non-quarantine areas should take extra care to ensure they don’t end up packing and moving any of these pests in their moving containers. Customers in these areas also might have to sign additional forms when scheduling a moving container delivery.

Cost of Using One of the Best Moving Container Companies

Three main factors influence the cost of a moving container: season, distance, and size. Expect to pay between $1,200 and $7,500 for a moving container. For instance, PODS moving costs average around $3,300 for long-distance moves, but the exact price will depend on how far the move is, what size container a customer selects, and when the move is scheduled. Local moves with smaller containers will be on the low end of that range, while large containers that must travel long distances will be on the upper end. Most storage containers generally cost more to rent on weekends and during the peak moving season, which is between April and September.

Customers might also need to budget for packing services if they plan to hire a third party to take care of that aspect of their move. Boxes and packing materials are additional expenses to consider, and some municipalities may require residents to pay permit fees to place storage containers on public streets. All of these factors are worth weighing when calculating how much it costs to move.

The Advantages of Using One of the Best Moving Container Companies

There are many good reasons to use the best storage pod company. Whereas a standard storage unit requires your belongings to and from the unit, a moving container can go nearly anywhere, minimizing work and eliminating the need to rent a moving truck. Since portable storage containers rest flat on the ground, they’re easier to load than a moving truck elevated off the ground. And provided you don’t mind loading the container yourself, you’ll find significant cost savings by using moving containers over a full-service moving company. In general, containers offer:

• Greater portability
• No need to rent and drive a moving truck
• An easier packing experience
• More affordability than a moving service

FAQs

If you’re wondering what the cheapest way to move cross-country is or how to determine what size container you need, then keep reading for those answers and more.

 

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