# Moving Containers: PODS, U-Pack, and Other Options Compared *Reviewed by Joey Padgett · Last reviewed September 2026* Portable moving containers sit in your driveway while you load them at your own pace, then get transported by the company when you're ready. They cost more than renting a truck yourself and less than full-service movers for most long-distance moves. The real advantage is flexibility. You load on your schedule, not a moving crew's schedule. If your move-in date shifts, your stuff stays in storage without a full move and re-move. --- ## How Portable Containers Work 1. You choose a container size and schedule delivery. 2. The company drops the container at your current home. 3. You load it over however many days you need. 4. You call when you're done. The company picks it up and transports it. 5. At the destination, the container is delivered to your new home or held at a storage facility until you're ready. 6. You unload it, call for pickup, and the company takes it away. The main difference from a rental truck: you don't drive anything, you work at your own pace, and the company handles transport. --- ## The Major Container Options ### PODS The largest and most recognized container service. PODS containers come in three sizes: 8-foot (fits a small apartment), 12-foot (fits 1 to 2 bedrooms), and 16-foot (fits 2 to 4 bedrooms). PODS is available in most U.S. markets and offers both local and long-distance service, plus storage at their facilities if needed. The brand-name recognition and wide availability come at a price: PODS is typically one of the more expensive container options. **Typical costs:** | Scenario | Estimated Cost | |---|---| | Local move, 12-ft container | $350 to $700 | | Long-distance 500 miles, 12-ft | $1,500 to $2,500 | | Long-distance 1,000 miles, 16-ft | $2,500 to $4,500 | | Monthly storage at PODS facility | $150 to $300 | *Source: [Forbes Home](https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/moving-services/pods-moving-cost/), [Moving.org](https://www.moving.org/moving-containers/)* ### U-Pack U-Pack offers two options: freight-trailer space (you load a dedicated portion of a shared trailer and pay for the linear feet you use) and ReloCubes (individual portable containers roughly 6×7×8 feet, delivered to your home). The trailer option is typically less expensive for larger loads; ReloCubes work well for smaller moves or when you want a container sitting in your driveway. U-Pack is often less expensive than PODS for long-distance moves. The tradeoff: less availability in smaller markets compared to PODS. **Typical costs for a 2-bedroom long-distance move:** | Distance | U-Pack Estimate | |---|---| | 500 miles | $900 to $1,800 | | 1,000 miles | $1,400 to $2,500 | | Cross-country | $2,000 to $3,500 | *Source: [U-Pack](https://www.upack.com/), [Moving.org](https://www.moving.org/moving-containers/)* ### 1-800-PACK-RAT Similar model to PODS. Containers come in 8-foot and 16-foot sizes. The 16-foot container is slightly larger than PODS' 16-foot offering, which matters if you have a lot of furniture. Available in fewer markets than PODS. Pricing is competitive in markets where they operate. ### Zippy Shell A smaller regional service in some markets. Uses a proprietary container-within-a-container system. Less widely available but worth a quote if they serve your route. --- ## Container vs. Truck Rental vs. Full-Service Movers | Factor | Container | Truck Rental | Full-Service Movers | |---|---|---|---| | Cost (long-distance 2BR) | $1,500 to $4,000 | $1,200 to $2,500 | $3,500 to $7,500 | | Loading effort | You do it | You do it | Movers do it | | Driving | Company drives | You drive | Movers drive | | Flexibility on timing | High | Low | Low to medium | | Storage option | Yes | No | Sometimes | | Minimum physical ability needed | Moderate (loading only) | High (loading + driving) | Low | --- ## When Containers Make Sense **Gap between move-out and move-in.** A container in a storage facility for 2 to 4 weeks is far simpler than moving twice. This is the scenario where containers provide the clearest value. **Long-distance move where you don't want to drive a truck.** If the idea of driving a 26-foot truck across 1,000 miles isn't appealing, a container gives you the cost savings of loading your own goods without the cross-country drive. **Flexible delivery timing.** If your closing date might shift, or your new place needs work before you move in, a container at the company's facility buys you time without a second move. **When you want to load at your own pace.** Having 5 days to load instead of 1 is genuinely useful for large or complex moves, especially when packing is happening simultaneously. --- ## When Containers Don't Make Sense **Short local moves with no timing gap.** If you're moving from one apartment to another on the same day, a truck rental is cheaper and simpler. **Tight urban access.** Containers need a place to sit: your driveway, the street in front of your home (with a permit in many cities). If your current or new home doesn't have accessible space for a container, this gets complicated. **Limited loading capacity.** If you physically can't load the container yourself and don't have help, you're either hiring labor-only movers to load the container (which works, just factor in the cost) or you need a different solution. --- ## Getting a Quote Container pricing depends heavily on your specific route, time of year, and how much space you need. Get quotes from at least two services. For long-distance moves, also compare U-Pack's trailer model, which often beats container pricing. Pricing tends to be higher in peak moving season (May through September). A September or October container move costs meaningfully less than the same move in July. --- For a side-by-side comparison of containers versus renting a truck or hiring movers, see [DIY Moving vs. Hiring Movers](/advice/diy-vs-movers). If you're comparing total move costs, see [Cheapest Way to Move](/advice/costs/cheapest-way-to-move) and [Moving and Storage Costs Explained](/advice/costs/storage-cost). For a DIY alternative with you driving, see [Renting a Moving Truck](/advice/diy-vs-movers/renting-a-moving-truck). --- ## Sources - [PODS Moving Cost — Forbes Home](https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/moving-services/pods-moving-cost/) - [Moving Containers: Complete Guide — Moving.org](https://www.moving.org/moving-containers/) - [U-Pack Moving](https://www.upack.com/) - [Moving Container Comparison — Move.org](https://www.move.org/moving-containers/) - [PODS vs. U-Pack — HireAHelper](https://www.hireahelper.com/advice/pods-vs-upack/)