5 U-Haul U-Box Alternatives In 2022

The Best U-Haul U-Box Alternatives

Here, we’ve broken down your best options for various self-service moving needs. Regardless of the size of your home or the distance of your move, you’ll be able to find a provider to help you from the list below:

1. Best Overall: U-Pack
2. Most Flexible: PODS
3. Best for Long-Distance: 1-800-PACK-RAT
4. Best Protection Options: Zippy Shell
5. Best for Expedited Shipments: Allied Van Lines

Here is a quick breakdown of the best container providers and how they stack up to U-Haul’s U-Box DIY option. For a more comprehensive look at each provider here, you should read on below.

U-Pack

U-Pack is the leading provider of trailers and containers for DIY and self-service moves of all sizes. With 240 locations throughout all 50 states, they’re available to tens of millions of potential moving customers. Three-day loading and unloading windows lead to a great deal of flexibility, while their pricing structure allows you to only pay for the container and trailer space you use. If you’re looking to save money on a long-distance move, then this is an ideal choice for you.

Their Services

U-Pack services long-distance moves of more than 150 miles. Such relocations with this mover can include the following:

• Your choice of eight-foot container or 27-foot trailer
• Short or long-term storage at one of their many locations
• Optional moving labor at loading and unloading points

U-Pack Cost

We were able to gather some pricing information for moves of varying size with U-Pack. With shorter two-bedroom moves starting at $600, their rates are some of the lowest you’ll find anywhere. That said, getting a quote before booking is always advisable.

U-Pack vs. U-Box

U-Box is an ideal fit for small moves of all distances. U-Haul provides this option as an in-between solution for clients who prefer a DIY solution for their move without assuming liability for a truck. However, U-Pack is a far better option if your move is more than 150 miles. Their costs are more competitive, and the range of moves they can easily handle is more comprehensive.

The above costs reflect a two-bedroom, 500-mile move.

PODS

PODS is one of the most recognizable names in the moving industry today. Their local and long-distance services are available across 46 states, coupled with three container size options, making them a favorite among moving clients today. Whether you’re looking for a provider to help you with on-site storage for a home remodel or are moving cross-country, this self-service moving giant is an excellent choice.

PODS’ Services

PODS provides three distinct sizes of quality containers for local and long-distance moves. With this provider, you’ll have access to the following:

• 8-foot, 12-foot, and 16-foot containers
• Short and long-term storage (on-site options available)
• One month of storage with each container rental
• Moving labor available if needed

PODS Pricing

PODS provides competitive rates among their self-service competitors. Here is a more in-depth breakdown of average pricing for PODS moves:

PODS vs. U-Box

While U-Box containers can only fit about a room and a half when fully packed, PODS containers are well-suited to a wider range of move sizes. From a studio to a mid-sized two-bedroom apartment, PODS is a great option.

The above costs reflect a two-bedroom, 500-mile move.

1-800-PACK-RAT

1-800-PACK-RAT provides the most well-constructed line of moving containers available. Their all-steel builds and barn door closures allow you to move or store more at a higher level of protection than the competition. Their ground-level loading and unloading, along with fully flexible pickup and dropoff dates, make moving with them a breeze, whether you hire moving labor or not. 

Their Services

Pack Rat’s premium containers come with the following options and can help you to move almost anywhere in the US:

• 8-foot, 12-foot, and 16-foot all-steel containers
• Short and long-term storage
• Local and long-distance moving
• Valuation protection options of up to $75,000 per unit
• Labor assistance

Pack Rat Pricing

Pack Rat’s all-steel containers have slightly higher price points than some of their competitors. However, costs with this mover are still very much within typical expectations for self-service or container relocations. Here are some average pricing figures for moves of varying size with Pack Rat:

Pack Rat vs. U-Box

Pack Rat’s containers offer far more variability and security across their service area. While U-Box’s size and availability make them ideal for student moves, Pack Rat is a perfect option for anyone with a small to mid-sized home. No matter which option you choose, you can opt for packing and loading help if needed.

The above costs reflect a two-bedroom, 500-mile move.

Zippy Shell

Zippy Shell got its start in Australia and made the jump to the US in 2010. They now operate directly in 28 states and assist clients with local and long-distance moving needs. Their 60-plus facilities across the country provide secure short and long-term storage for all who require it as well. 

Their Services

Though you’ll always be afforded the option of renting more containers for your move, Zippy Shell’s 8-foot container can fit a single room or small studio apartment comfortably. Their 15-foot option works well for smaller two-bedroom homes. Here are some of the service options this mover offers:

• Two container sizing options
• Local and long-distance moves
• Short and long-term storage: on-site or facility storage available
• Moving labor assistance

Zippy Shell Pricing

Zippy Shell’s slightly more limited availability will lead to higher price points than many of their competitors. While you can hope to pay less for your move if you’re relocating from a major urban area, a long-distance, two-bedroom move can hit the $3,000 mark fairly easily.

Zippy Shell vs. U-Box

Zippy Shell’s multiple container size options allow for them to handle moves of varying size. When compared with U-Box, this comes with a tradeoff of lower availability and comparable costs. Your choice between the two will depend largely upon move size and your location relative to each provider’s nearest service centers.

The above costs reflect a two-bedroom, 500-mile move.

Allied Express Moves

Allied Van Lines has more than eight decades of experience in providing the best in moving services. With locations and operational ability across all 50 states, their moving vans are a familiar sight on roadways across the country. Whether you’re in the market for a full-service relocation or are looking for simple storage or a DIY moving experience, this is an option worth considering.

Allied Services

Allied provides a fairly typical suite of services for a full-service operator. This includes full-service packing, crating, specialty furniture moves, and vehicle transportation. While not as well-marketed, their Allied Express moves are among the best self-service or semi-self-service options available. This express option involves supplying a smaller container/van option, around 20 feet long. This can fit most three-bedroom homes or any move up to that size. With this option, clients have the option to have a moving crew of between two and four workers assist at loading and unloading. This will move the needle for cost but lead to far more convenience throughout the process.

Allied Pricing

Here are some price points for full-service moves with AVL. You can hope to pay less for an Allied Express move, however. Simply contact them for a quote when evaluating your DIY moving options.

Allied Express vs U-Box

You can expect the availability of Allied Express to vary with each location. It’s an excellent option to have, especially from a carrier with full-service capabilities.

The above costs reflect a two-bedroom, 500-mile move.

Get Quotes

When evaluating moving carriers for any moving purpose, you’ll find that confident booking is made far easier when you get quotes from multiple providers. Researching movers near you and scheduling estimates with each that you consider will help ensure that you can book at a competitive rate.

Buying Guide

Before booking with any moving service provider, you should evaluate each company using the following criteria:

• Proper Registration: If you’re looking at nationwide providers like the ones listed above, then this should be a non-issue. All of the movers here are federally licensed for interstate commerce and should have adequate registration. However, when booking with a smaller, lesser-known provider, you should always request proof of registration.
• Proper Insurance: All reputable movers should carry cargo insurance and offer valuation coverage for all goods they carry. Request proof of such policies, and inquire about valuation options for coverage in the event of damage.
• Option for Moving Labor: Even simple DIY moves can involve some heavy lifting. Most container services will offer moving labor, either in-house or through a third-party vendor. Either way, this can come in handy for larger pieces or heavier boxes.
• Home Size: Your home size will largely determine which provider you go with. Container sizing options vary between self-service movers, and availability of each kind of container could differ from location to location.
• Well-Reviewed: The container providers and DIY moving options listed here are all excellent choices for a range of moves. That said, customer service and overall quality could be dependent on location. You’ll need to look up reviews for each company’s offices closest to you before making a decision.

Our Methodology

At Pro Mover Reviews, we are committed to providing our readers with comprehensive and unbiased information on each provider that we review. Our methodology is a step-by-step process that ensures we maintain your trust through transparency and data that is backed up through routine check-ins. Our staff has spent hundreds of hours reviewing dozens of local, long-distance, and international moving companies to bring you our recommendation for the best moving companies in the US. We then narrowed down our findings based on criteria that we find to be the most helpful for you to choose the best moving company for your needs.

Our Rating Categories:

• Company Transparency
• Pricing + Cost
• Services Offered
• Overall Reputation

While there are many sites out there that compare movers, we believe our rigorous standards give us more insights into company performance and better data to share with our community.  For each moving company we check for:

• Confirmed Licensing with the DOT
• Updated & Verified Business Registration
• Real & Recent Consumer Reviews
• Industry Ratings and BBB Complaints
• Accuracy of Online Quotes
• Services Provided & Total Service Area
• Pricing & Services vs. Competitors

From here we created a comprehensive, 100 point, rating scale based on the following factors:

• Moving services (25): Companies that offer more flexibility in their services are rated higher.
• Coverage of services (5): The more items a moving company can handle, the higher the score.
• Pricing (25): We compare this to the industry average when rating pricing.
• Trustworthiness (25): We comb through hundreds of reviews and check on BBB ratings to determine the trustworthiness of a company.
• State availability (5): Finding a moving company in your state can be a challenge depending on where you are located. The more states covered, the higher the score.
• Customer service (10): Is this moving company responsive? Do they respond quickly to issues that are brought to their attention? Are they helpful in answering questions? All of these factors are considered when rating customer service.
• Additional benefits (5): Moving companies can sometimes offer special promotions or deals when contracting them for a move. The companies with the most benefit scored higher.

Of the dozens of different moving companies that we’ve reviewed, we’ve broken down the best interstate and long-distance movers in Indiana. To keep our ratings and data current, we have a full-time researcher who collects (and regularly updates) more than 100 specific data points from each company to help us compare them on key factors such as coverage, cost, service, and dependability. This list is ever-changing, as companies will update policies and procedures, and we will change our information accordingly.