Best Moving Container Companies in California (2025)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Based on our in-depth research, PODS and U-Pack are our top recommendations for the best moving container companies in California.
You can expect to pay around $2,500 on the low end and $7,000 on the high end to rent a portable storage container to move to or from California.
Don’t skip shopping around, because moving container pricing and services can vary. We always recommend getting at least three quotes and planning at least eight weeks in advance to get the best price and services for your moving needs.
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5 Best moving container companies in California
To get started, take a look at our picks for the top California moving container companies.
PODS: Best for nationwide availability
- 30 days storage included
- Local and long distance moving options
- Unlimited loading/unloading time
- Store on property or at a facility
Why we chose PODS
PODS is one of our top picks because they offer multiple container sizes and give you unlimited time to load and unload your belongings (additional charges apply after the first 30 days).
They’re our top pick for long-distance moves to and from California due to their competitive prices for shipments all the way to Hawaii and tracking in transit for additional peace of mind.
As a well-recognized brand name, PODS is a popular choice with lots of physical locations throughout the country, though they aren’t available in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, or Wyoming.
Pros and cons
- Offers moving discounts for military members and college students
- Provides shipment tracking while your container is in transit
- Has multiple insurance plans to choose from
- Not available in every state (isn’t in AK, MT, ND, or WY)
- Is busier than competitors during the summer peak moving season (may need to make reservations far in advance)
How much does PODS cost?
PODS container sizes
U-Pack: Best overall value
- Long distance moves only
- Only pay for the space you use
- No deposit or initial fees
- Fast delivery time frames
Why we chose U-Pack
U-Pack earned their spot on this list because of how cost-effective they are. With U-Pack, you only pay for the space you actually end up using, so estimating the amount of containers you need isn’t an issue. It’s also easy to get an instant quote online, and they have nearly 250 convenient locations in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Canada.
However, U-Pack’s space is more limited than competitors—they only offer the eight-foot ReloCube. If you end up needing more space, you can always reserve more than one ReloCube and send back any containers you don’t use.
The company has a mandatory distance of at least 250 miles for rentals, so you’ll need to look elsewhere if you need a moving or storage solution for a local move.
Pros and cons
- No deposit required
- Highly competitive pricing for moves over 250 miles
- Can add month-to-month storage rental
- Doesn’t service local moves
- Only one container size
How much does U-Pack cost?
U-Pack container sizes
MovingYourself: Best for large moves
- Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
- Only pay for the truck space you use
- Offers vehicle shipping
Why we chose MovingYourself
MovingYourself is a little different than the other container companies on the list, but they follow the same you-load-we-drive service model.
MovingYourself can accommodate much larger homes than the typical moving container company because they broker extra space on 52-foot trucks. As such, they can ship cars or unconventional vehicles, as well as numerous moving boxes and furniture.
They shouldn’t be ruled out for smaller moves, though, because you only have to pay for the space you use. But it’s important to note that MovingYourself doesn’t service moves within the same state.
Pros and cons
- Accommodates car shipping
- Offers substantially more space than the typical moving container
- Only pay for the space you need
- Doesn’t offer a portable storage container, just truck space
- Doesn’t offer local moving services
How much does MovingYourself cost?
MovingYourself container sizes
1-800-PACK-RAT: Best for container options
- Barn-style container doors make packing easier
- Available for both local and long distance moves
- $10k insurance included with option to purchase more
- Free lock provided for container door
Why we chose 1-800-PACK-RAT
1-800-PACK-RAT offers three container sizes to accommodate local and long-distance moves. While their container sizes are similar to PODS, the interior dimensions are slightly more generous, and their barn-style doors mean you won’t need extra equipment or ramps to load your items.
You can store items on your property indefinitely, transport them to your new home, or take advantage of the company’s partnerships with climate-controlled storage facilities. All containers come with 30 days of storage included in the base price.
Pros and cons
- Will match competitors’ prices
- Offers climate-controlled storage options
- Doesn’t require ramps to load or unload
- Only services 31 states
- Tacks on fuel surcharges, which can make longer-distance moves more expensive
How much does 1-800-PACK-RAT cost?
1-800-PACK-RAT container sizes
Zippy Shell: Best for city-to-city moves
- Available for local and long distance moves
- Street legal containers perfect for city parking
- Innovative metal cage containers that promote airflow
- Expedited and guaranteed delivery options
Why we chose Zippy Shell
Zippy Shell and PACK-RAT are sister companies, so they tend to have a lot of overlap despite their different service areas.
Zippy Shell stands out as an excellent option if you’re moving out of busy urban areas because it has street-legal container options, while a lot of storage container companies have restricted availability in congested city centers.
Pros and cons
- Offers street-legal storage containers for urban areas
- Innovative metal cage is weather-resistant while improving airflow
- Guaranteed and expedited delivery options available
- Containers are slightly smaller than competitors
- No shipment tracking
How much does Zippy Shell cost?
Zippy Shell container sizes
Local California moving container companies
Looking for a smaller local moving container company in California? Here are a few top options:
Comparing the best moving container companies in California
Here’s a quick comparison table to help you choose the best storage container company for your moving needs.
| Provider | BBB Rating | State Availability | Container Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-Pack | A+ | 50 | 8-foot |
| PODS | A+ | 46* | 8-foot 12-foot 16-foot |
| MovingYourself | A- | 48** | Up to 52 feet |
| 1-800–PACK-RAT | A+ | 31^ | 8-foot 12-foot 16-foot |
| Zippy Shell | A+ | 34^^ | 16-foot |
*Not in AK, MT, ND, or WY
**Not in AK or HI
^Not in AL, AK, AR, DE, HI, IA, KS, ME, MS, MT, NE, NH, ND, RI, SD, VT, WV, WI, or WY
^^Not in AK, AR, DE, HI, KS, ME, MS, MT, NE, NH, ND, RI, SD, VT, WV, or WY
What real customers say about California moving container companies
While every move is unique, insights from real moving container customers can help you plan better for your California move. Here’s what the customers we spoke to through our Better Moves Project experienced when they used some of the top moving container companies in California:
- Average costs: For long-distance moves involving moving containers, customers typically paid between $2,500 and $4,500. Costs on the higher end often included storage fees or additional labor. Local California moves are generally more affordable than long-distance ones, starting at around $500 to $1,500.
- Unexpected costs: About 45-55% of customers reported encountering unexpected costs. U-Pack customers were the least likely to encounter surprises (around 45%), while 1-800-PACK-RAT customers were on the higher end (55%). Customers in urban areas like Los Angeles and San Francisco were more likely to face extra charges for container parking permits.
- Delivery timelines: While most customers got their containers on time, 20-40% experienced delivery or pickup delays. U-Pack had the lowest delay rate (20%), while PODS and Zippy Shell were more likely to experience delays (around 35-40%), especially in congested or high-traffic urban areas where scheduling can be trickier.
- Damage rates: U-Pack had the lowest damage rate (5%), while 1-800-PACK-RAT had the highest (20%), largely due to issues during loading and unloading. PODS and Zippy Shell fell in the middle, with damage rates closer to 10-15%. Most damage stemmed from third-party labor handling, rather than issues with the containers.
- Customer satisfaction: Despite some challenges, the majority of customers said they’d use their moving container company again. 85% of U-Pack and PODS customers would use them again, higher than the other companies on the list.
Key Takeaways
When choosing a moving container company in California, it’s important to consider factors like cost, delivery timelines, and local regulations. Research whether your city requires parking permits for containers and budget for potential extra fees. For smoother experiences, many customers recommend confirming logistics details early—especially in urban or high-traffic areas.
How we picked the best California moving container companies
Comparing moving container sizes
Moving containers are ideal for small moves if you don’t mind a DIY moving process. Here’s a breakdown of the most common space allowances.
| Container Size | Ideal for |
|---|---|
| 8-foot | Studio apartment, or approximately 500 square feet of belongings |
| 10-foot | One-bedroom home, or approximately 500–800 square feet of belongings |
| 16-foot | Two-bedroom home, or up to approximately 1,200 square feet of belongings |
While you can purchase additional portable storage containers if your moving needs exceed these guidelines, you may want to consider a moving truck, like MovingYourself, if you have a lot of household goods.
In general, storage containers are great if you take a few irreplaceable possessions to your new home, but you might need to explore other options for larger moves.
Moving containers vs. full-service movers
Moving containers
Portable storage containers are a flexible moving solution that allows you to pack and load at your own pace, take advantage of onsite and facility storage, and save money by DIY-ing some or all of the moving process.
Moving containers are a great option for short- and long-term storage, as you can keep items on your property, often with at least one free month included in your reservation.
However, not all storage containers are weather-resistant, which can leave your valuable items at risk. While it’s generally a perk that you don’t have to drive like you would with a moving truck rental, you may end up at the mercy of your provider’s schedule for long-distance moves.
Full-service moving companies
While full-service moving companies are less cost-effective, they offer a more stress-free experience by handling more parts of the moving process, which frees you up to complete last-minute tasks at home while the professionals handle the heavy lifting.
Full-service movers can coordinate other services like car shipping if you have a complex move. We’re big fans of Mayzlin Relocation’s stellar customer service and Safeway Moving’s wide service area to all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.
Our take
PODS, U-Pack, and MovingYourself are our top three picks for moving container companies in California.
We like PODS because they deliver all the way to Hawaii and have GPS tracking while your items are in transit.
U-Pack also offers great value due to their competitive and easy-to-access pricing process. While they only offer one container size, you can order as many as you want and transport them to all 50 states, plus Canada and Puerto Rico.
MovingYourself isn’t a traditional storage container company, but they allow you to use the convenient you-load-we-drive service model without rigid space restrictions.
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