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Sean Donnelly is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront. His content draws on more than three years of experience in the moving industry. He started as a laborer and was quickly promoted to moving crew leader. Sean also served as a move coordinator, where he conducted in-home and virtual estimates for customers. During his time in the industry, Sean assisted more than 500 clients with their relocation needs. Thanks to his years of hand-on experience, he understands all aspects of moving — from proper preparation to the quote process to effective packing techniques. Sean studied English literature and creative writing at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is still located in the greater Springfield area. When he isn’t writing, Sean is a cohead coach of the boxing team at his alma mater.
If you’re not opposed to getting your hands a little dirty, renting and shipping moving containers is the most affordable relocation method. U-Pack and U-Haul, in particular, offer reliable service at bottom-dollar prices — between $1,405 and $1,787 to move three bedrooms from Boston to Philadelphia. Comparatively, hiring a full-service mover for a 2,880-mile move costs between $9,000 and $12,900, according to our research.
To find the cheapest moving container companies that don’t fall short in other aspects — such as reliability, punctuality and availability — we researched top options for you. We called and collected personalized quotes, scoured real customer experiences and interacted with the brands online.
We recommend starting your search for cost-effective moving containers with the providers listed below.
We chose the following moving container providers for their container size options, state availability and customer review scores:
If you’re still weighing the convenience of a full-service move against the affordability of hiring a moving container company, the providers below offer comprehensive service to most locations in the country.
We listed the following container providers in order of cost, beginning with the most affordable option.
U-Pack is one of the most flexible options for large do-it-yourself (DIY) moves. Its trailer and container options make it suitable for most move sizes, from dorm rooms to four-bedroom homes. While it only provides long-distance moving service, U-Pack’s affordable rates and pricing structure are excellent for anyone trying to handle their own long-distance move.
What we like
U-Pack’s volume-based pricing structure sets it apart from its competitors. While all container providers charge per container rented, U-Pack prices larger trailer moves by total space used. So, if your household goods only take up half of your rented trailer, you won’t pay for space you didn’t use.
What we don’t like
U-Pack’s three-day loading and unloading windows can be tricky to negotiate for clients who want minimal involvement by local movers. If you have a larger home and aren’t planning to hire moving labor, this could make for a difficult move.
U-Pack rents out 8-foot ReloCubes for smaller relocation needs. These can fit single rooms and are ideal for small studio apartments or for shipping a few items. It also rents out 27-foot trailers to fit a three- to four-bedroom home. Along with this, it also provides clients with access to moving labor online.
It’s easy to get pricing information from U-Pack. We filled out a quote form for a three-bedroom move between Boston and Philadelphia and got a clear pricing figure in minutes. Our proposed move required 23 feet of space in one of U-Pack’s trailers, and would cost $1,405 total. If we used the entire trailer, the price would increase to $1,685.
You don’t have to pay a deposit when booking with U-Pack. However, you must cancel at least seven business days before your move date to avoid cancellation fees.
U-Pack offers long-distance and cross-country service to all 50 states via more than 240 locations. It also provides service to Puerto Rico and Canada.
U-Pack has 4.3 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). After reading more than 100 reviews, I found high praise for on-time delivery of containers and trailers, and consistent pricing that aligned with online quotes. Negative reviews mention high pricing for storing ReloCubes at U-Pack facilities. If you have a gap between leaving your old house and moving into your new home, then this could make you reconsider booking with U-Pack. These reviews are few and far between, however.
U-Haul is one of the most easily recognized names in the moving industry. Aside from its moving truck rental services, it also rents small containers to clients who want to move at their own pace without the stress or hassle of driving an unfamiliar truck. These mobile storage solutions can each fit one or two rooms and are a cost-effective option for small moves.
U-Haul operates more than 23,000 locations throughout the United States. This widespread availability ensures that clients have access to DIY moving and storage services regardless of where they live.
U-Haul only provides a single small container size. This can seriously limit the utility of these containers, as many clients would prefer to rent as few units as possible. However, this could make it a viable solution for those planning student moves or for clients shipping single furniture items.
U-Haul serves as a one-stop shop for all DIY moving needs. It rents a variety of moving truck sizes, from pickups and cargo vans to full-sized 26-foot trucks. It also provides easy booking for moving labor through its website for any moving clients who need it. Its U-Box offering (approximately 8 by 5 by 7 feet) offers a convenient solution for small moves in almost any location.
We got a three-bedroom quote for a move between Boston and Philadelphia online. The process took minutes and gave us an all-inclusive rate. Our move would require four U-Box containers, and the transit time would be six business days. The total price of $1,787 included pickup, delivery and all associated fees.
U-Haul is available in all 50 states.
U-Haul’s corporate BBB page shows an overall customer rating of 1.1 out of 5 stars. This page lists reviews for U-Box and truck rentals and is not indicative of many customers’ experiences at individual locations throughout the country. Many of U-Haul’s rental and storage facilities have excellent reviews and attentive staff that can assist you throughout your move. You should look into reviews for your local U-Haul branch before booking.
PODS is the single most recognized name in the moving container industry. It offers three container sizes and wide availability for local and long-distance moving needs. It has more than 240 locations throughout the country that offer units for customer-friendly storage solutions at your home or in a secure PODS facility.
PODS provides three mobile storage container sizes, which are available for moving as well as short- and long-term storage. It also offers clear rates for tiered insurance coverage for all goods packed into these containers. To top it off, PODS offers fully flexible pickup and drop-off dates.
PODS’ main drawback is that its cost increases significantly for larger moves. If you have a move that requires multiple units, it can double your overall cost. Aside from this, some negative reviews mention lengthy shipping times for long-distance moves, which caused delivery windows to be missed.
PODS provides the portable storage container sizes listed below. These are available for short- and long-term storage and local and long-distance moves:
PODS also provides the following:
We got a quote for a three-bedroom move between Boston and Philadelphia. Our long-distance free quote included pickup and delivery fees plus optional added costs for storage.
In all, this move required a 16-foot and an 8-foot container. These two containers combined are estimated to hold three bedrooms or 2,000 square feet of moderately furnished living space. The total cost would be $3,243. Of that, $1,165 is due upon delivery at the first address, and the remainder is due upon delivery at the new home. Storage for both units was assessed at $739 per month. All moves include PODS’ basic protection plan.
PODS has locations in 44 states and Washington, D.C.
PODS has 1.1 out of 5 stars on BBB and 3.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. This illustrates the importance of looking into multiple review platforms before making your final decision. In some cases, review platforms become sounding boards for complaints, driving down scores in a way that doesn’t reflect the typical customer experience. Negatives cited in these reviews include late deliveries of containers at their destination and overcharging for units. Positives mention the quick quote process and the ease of staging smaller moves with PODS.
1-800-PACK-RAT is a moving container provider that offers all-steel portable storage units in multiple sizes. This construction means full weatherproof protection for all transported goods. These units also have barn door-style closure, which helps maximize the space in each container and can ultimately save you money.
1-800-PACK-RAT’s containers are among the sturdiest in the industry. It offers secure shipping for any household goods. You may want to consider hiring professional moving labor to properly pack your units and maximize any protection offered, however.
1-800-PACK-RAT’s relatively limited state availability is one of its major drawbacks. It also adds fuel surcharges onto all longer moves, which is a negative for clients when we compare this mover with other container companies.
This container company offers three different container sizes. Here are the approximate storage capacity of these units:
These containers are all available for rent for local and long-distance moving, as well as short- and long-term storage. 1-800-PACK-RAT offers both on-site and secure storage options at its facilities. You can also purchase moving supplies for DIY packing and tiered insurance coverage starting at $9.99 per unit.
We filled out a quote form on 1-800-PACK-RAT’s site to get a quote for a three-bedroom move between Boston and Philadelphia. After submitting our contact information, we got a follow-up email stating that we would have to call their corporate number to get a detailed pricing breakdown. If you’re booking a long-distance or interstate move, this provider will take a $500 deposit five days before your scheduled unit delivery date.
1-800-PACK-RAT operates locations in 34 states and Washington, D.C.
1-800-PACK-RAT has 2.0 out of 5 stars on BBB. As is the case with some other container providers, BBB is a hub for negative reviews, which can skew the overall perception of the company without investigating other review platforms. The major negative trend that customers should pay attention to is lack of communication. Many reviews mention a steep drop-off in customer service quality after storage units were delivered, which offsets the quality construction of these steel containers.
When you choose a container provider for your upcoming move, go through your selection process just as methodically as you would if you were hiring a full-service moving company — this will ensure you’ll have the best possible moving experience. As you research your options, keep in mind the following factors.
Most container companies have a storage space calculator on their websites to help you determine how many containers and which sizes you’ll need. Most companies’ 16-foot mobile storage units can fit a one-bedroom apartment or small two-bedroom home. Additionally, if you plan on using a container provider, you’ll have to ensure that you’ll have enough parking space near your home when your units are delivered.
You may also require add-ons such as moving labor or packing supplies. While you can hire movers from any moving company and purchase packing supplies from numerous different retailers, some container companies provide these services in-house. These companies offer further convenience and flexibility than a basic container move.
Requesting moving quotes from container companies is far easier than contacting full-service movers or van lines for pricing. Most providers offer full online booking and quotes that can give you all-inclusive pricing in minutes. Be sure to get different quotes to determine which provider offers the best price and delivery date guarantees that match your move parameters.
Based on quotes we gathered, the average cost for a three-bedroom move between Boston and Philadelphia is $2,145, with a low of $1,405 and a high of $3,243. This shows how widely pricing can vary and the importance of getting multiple quotes.
The companies listed above have locations throughout the country, which means your experience will depend on the quality of the specific branch that handles your DIY moving needs. Google, Yelp, BBB, Trustpilot and social media are excellent customer feedback sources. Look for reviews that mention adherence to quoted rates and timely deliveries as you consider your container rental options.
Most container services provide insurance options for the protection of your goods while in transit. Most protection plans will charge per portable moving container and will set a total dollar amount of coverage per unit. If you’re moving fragile items or any goods you’re worried about packing into a unit, you should look into container providers offering such coverage.
Customer reviews are the most important resource for clients booking moving container services. Your first step in any DIY moving process should be to review a storage company’s customer feedback. Narrow down your search to providers whose reviews mention honest pricing and timely deliveries. Then, get quotes from at least a few providers to determine your lowest possible price.
Our quote-gathering process determined that U-Pack and U-Haul are the cheapest options available for long-distance moves. However, your exact moving needs might make another company a better fit for you.
Our moving recommendations are all backed by our detailed rating methodology. To fairly assess both interstate and local movers, we have tailored two sets of review standards for long-distance and intrastate movers.
Both sets of review standards assess factors including reputation and customer satisfaction, availability and range, services offered, pricing and quote practices and customer service. We rate each moving company out of 100 possible points. We then divide the final score by 20 to obtain the 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.
BBB and Trustpilot reviews are accurate as of February 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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