U-Haul U-Box Review And Prices 2024 (2024)

U-Haul U-Box at a Glance

U-Box is a container rental service provided by U-Haul, one of the most trusted nationwide moving and shipping companies. It is a carrier based in Phoenix, AZ that services all U.S. states, and it has been in business for 77 years according to the Better Business Bureau.

U-Box offers nearly limitless moving services, from local moving, interstate moving and international moving, as well as full-service packing and supplies, tracking for shipments, protection and insurance options and storage. The flexibility of U-Box allows customers to rent a shipping container for however long they need to pack and move their personal items with pick up and drop off available nearly anywhere, as well as options to save time and money by loading and unloading at a U-Haul facility.

What Moving Services Does U-Haul U-Box Offer?

U-Haul’s U-Box offers the following services to help with packing, shipping and storage:

Local Moves

U-Haul’s U-Box is a great option for local moves and also allows customers the flexibility of packing how they want to, whether at their home or on-site at a U-Haul facility. If the distance between your point of origin and your destination is less than 50 miles, you can even transport the U-Box yourself with a vehicle that can tow a trailer holding at least 3,000 lbs.

Interstate and Long Distance Moves

With availability in every U.S. state, U-Haul can easily handle long-distance and interstate moves.

International Shipping

U-Haul is one of the few container moving companies that offer international shipping to nearly any destination.

U-Haul U-Box Container Sizing and Pricing

The inside of a U-Box container is seven feet by 11 inches long, 4 feet and 8 inches wide and 6 feet and 11 ½ inches tall. The total interior space is 257 cubic feet and can hold up to 2,000 pounds. Containers can be rented by the day or by the month. Costs for shipping, delivery, insurance and other fees will be included in your final tab.

In addition to the cost of your move, U-Haul charges a monthly rental fee of about $100 per container and a $99 delivery fee per U-Box container, which may not be shown in your initial quote.

U-Haul U-Box Additional Services

If you’re moving, you probably already have a lot on your plate. That’s why U-Haul offers U-Box, a portable storage and moving container service that makes your move easier. U-Haul offers a variety of services to make your experience with U-Box more convenient, including:

Home Delivery

U-Haul offers no-contact delivery of your U-Box to your home address, which allows convenient flexibility for packing and unpacking. Customers can schedule a pick-up for shipping or removal when they’re ready.

Self-Delivery

You have the option to transport your U-Box yourself, though you’ll need a vehicle that can tow 3,000 pounds to do so. When you’re finished packing, you can bring your U-Box back to the U-Haul facility for shipment or storage—or, if your local move is less than 50 miles away, you can transport it to your destination first.

Pack Onsite

You can save time and money by loading your U-Box at a U-Haul facility during business hours.

Moving Help

U-Haul provides the option of hiring professional movers directly through the company. They will be available to help you either pack your items at home or help you load items at the U-Haul facility. While this may be cheaper than hiring workers through other moving companies, the U-Haul employees may not be licensed or insured.

Storage

U-Haul offers ample short- and long-term storage options. You can store your belongings in a U-Box on your property for as long as you wish to rent the container. U-Haul also has self-storage facilities to keep your belongings safe.

Car Shipping

U-Haul does offer car shipping, though this is separate from U-Box. The maximum load towing capacity is 5,290 pounds.

Insurance Options

U-Haul offers five different insurance plans to protect your possessions at every step throughout moving and storage, including while in a U-Box container.

What Sets U-Haul U-Box Apart?

In addition to excellent availability and being one of few container moving companies that ship to nearly any national or international destination, the flexibility of being able to pack or pick up U-Box containers at a U-Haul facility is a standout feature that allows customers to save time and money.

You’ll also know where your items are at all times with U-Haul’s digital tools and shipment tracking that can keep you informed throughout your renting experience. U-Box containers are secured with a lock and key, so you can rest easy knowing your items are safe until you see them again.

How Much Does U-Haul U-Box Cost?

Many factors will affect the final cost of your move with U-Box. U-Haul U-Box charges by container, with each container fitting about one and a half to three rooms. A sample trip from San Diego to Austin, TX scheduled three months in advance to move a one-bedroom apartment would cost $2,273.90. U-Haul also charges a monthly rental fee of about $100 per container and a $99 delivery fee per U-Box container, which may not be shown in your initial quote.

Breakdown of Costs

The additional factors that may affect the final cost of your move with U-Box are:

• Distance traveled from origin and destination: Though U-Haul is available in all 50 states, the farther your U-Box travels, the more it will cost to move.

• Geographic locations of origin and destination: Rates will inevitably vary by location and market. In some regions, more U-Haul U-Boxes may be available.

• Total time you need the container: The longer you need to keep your containers, the higher the cost.

• Number of U-Box containers:You can reserve as many U-Box containers as you think you will need, but U-Haul will only charge you for the number of containers you actually use.
  
• Add-on services and supplies: This can include professional packing help, packing materials or short- or long-term storage, these add-ons will increase your total cost.
  
• Moving dates and season: You can expect to pay more during peak moving times and popular booking seasons.
  
• Delivery options: U-Haul offers many choices for delivery, including door-to-door, full-service, self-delivery and service center delivery. Full-service delivery is more expensive than self-delivery (only available for local moves less than 50 miles).

Customers can save money by customizing their reservation and opting for:

• Packing and unpacking at a U-Haul location, rather than at your home
• Picking up the containers yourself instead of having them delivered
• Hauling the containers yourself instead of U-Haul shipping them (which is only available for local moves less than 50 miles)

How to Get an Estimate

U-Box offers instant online quotes to estimate the cost of your move. This will likely factor in the cost of moving your belongings from Point A to Point B, but may not account for U-Box rental fees or delivery fees, which will depend on how you choose to customize your move.

Where Is U-Haul U-Box Available?

U-Haul’s U-Box offers excellent availability; containers are available in all U.S. states. Additionally, U-Haul offers international U-Box moving and storage to almost any international destination.

Fine Print

U-Haul Safety & Security

U-Haul is committed to its customers’ safety and security throughout the rental and storage process. Their range of protective measures includes locks and keys for rented equipment, well-maintained storage facilities with security features, optional insurance coverage for peace of mind, regular maintenance and inspections of rental equipment, online account management and 24/7 roadside assistance. U-Haul also provides customers with comprehensive safety guidelines to promote responsible use of their equipment and facilities.

U-Haul U-Box Insurance

U-Haul offers optional insurance coverage for U-Box containers, protecting the items stored or transported within them. This insurance can safeguard against damage, theft or loss during the storage or transportation process. U-Box insurance is a great way to protect the things you’ve packed in your U-Boxes. You can get up to $20,000 worth of coverage for each box, and that means you can be sure that your belongings are safe during their journey. Understanding the terms and conditions, potential limitations and the claims process is essential for those considering U-Haul U-Box insurance. While insurance is optional, it can offer peace of mind and financial security in the event of unexpected incidents, making it a valuable consideration for U-Box renters.

U-Haul Customer Service

U-Haul places a strong emphasis on customer service, offering a comprehensive range of assistance to ensure a smooth and positive experience for individuals and families during their moving and storage journeys. Its 24/7 support, user-friendly online resources and a focus on feedback and reviews all contribute to a customer-centric approach.

How U-Haul U-Box Stacks Up

Company	Company - Logo	Sample Price	BBB Rating	States Covered	Online Quote Available	Learn More CTA text	Learn more CTA below text	Learn More
U-Haul's U-Box		$2,273.90*	NR	All	Yes	Get Free Estimates	From Participating Partners
PODS		$4,577.00*	NR	All except AK, MT, ND, VT, WV, WY	Yes	Get Free Estimates	From Participating Partners
U-Ship		U-ShipCross-country moves average $1,500 - - $3,000	A+	All	Yes	Get Free Estimates	On uShip's Website
Prices collected by representatives which show average costs for a sample trip from San Diego to Austin, TX scheduled three months in advance to move a one-bedroom apartment

U-Haul U-Box vs. PODS

U-Haul U-Box vs. U-Ship

U-Ship is a broker, whereas U-Box is a carrier. While U-Ship might have lower moving costs, the company does not provide the same amount of services or flexibility that U-Haul’s U-Box can, and your belongings will be transported by a third party, rather than by U-Haul’s trusted name and experienced professionals.

Is U-Haul U-Box the Right Moving Container for You?

Affordable pricing and convenient flexibility are great reasons to choose U-Haul’s U-Box over other container movers. Additionally, U-Boxes can be moved to nearly any national or international destination, which is a rarity amongst its competitors.

The widespread availability of this service and the number of ways customers can save time and money by customizing their moving services are standouts for this company.

Methodology

To determine the best moving containers ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed third-party data on 10 different companies. Each company’s star rating is determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:

Types of Moves (12%)

For this metric we consider the strength of each company when it comes to local moving, interstate moving and international moving.

Services and Options (11%)

To determine this ranking we balance full-service packing, tracking for shipments and protection and insurance options.

Nationwide Availability (20%)

One of the most important factors we consider is each company’s service availability in each state.

Company Information (14%)

We evaluate whether each company is a broker, agent or carrier and the size of the business.

Deposits and Online Quotes (8%)

We balance what the process with each company requires, such as deposits required or the availability of online quotes.

Customer Reviews (21%)

One of the most important ranking factors we evaluate is based on customer reviews from services such as Trustpilot, Google and the Better Business Bureau.

Other Editorial Judgment Points (14%)

The editorial team looks deeper into categories such as complaints, add-on services, sample pricing and coverage.

All figures and facts were accurate at the time of first publication.