Best Moving Container Companies in Florida (2025)

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Mar 12, 2025 • 10 min read

Fact Checked by: Hilary Snow

Quick answer: Based on our in-depth research, our top recommendations for the best moving container companies in Florida are PODS and U-Pack.

The average price to rent a moving container for a local move is around $550, but the cost of a long-distance move from Florida is harder to estimate.

For this reason, we recommend you budget at least $5,000 for a cross-country move to ensure you have enough wiggle room for a seamless moving process. Read on to see our full list of the best moving containers in Florida to choose a company for your move.

PODS

rating

4.8 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Unlimited storage
3 container sizes
10% discount

Get A Quote

Visit Website

U-Pack

rating

5 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Fast delivery
Nationwide
100+ miles moves

Check prices Visit Website

MovingYourself

rating

4.5 / 5

Licensed

Insured

Price

Affordable pricing
Offers car shipping
No hidden fees

Check prices (352) 322-2920

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5 Best moving container companies in Florida

We’ve compiled a list of the five best moving container companies in Florida to help streamline your move.

PODS: Best for nationwide availability
U-Pack: Best overall value
MovingYourself: Best for large moves
1-800-PACK-RAT: Best for container options
Zippy Shell: Best for city-to-city moves

PODS: Best for nationwide availability

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.8 / 5

Get A Quote

At A Glance

30 days storage included
Local and long distance moving options
Unlimited loading/unloading time
Store on property or at a facility

read our full review

Get A Quote

Check prices

Why we chose PODS

While it’s true that PODS doesn’t service all 50 states, they win the spot for best nationwide coverage as the only provider on this list with three container sizes and a wide service area.

If you live in Florida, you’ll likely find a PODS physical location near you—PODS has 37 locations in cities and towns throughout the state.

We love that PODS offers discount opportunities for various demographics, including military members, veterans, and college students, plus shipment tracking for peace of mind.

Pros and cons

Unlimited loading and unloading time
Discounts for military members and college students
Shipment tracking while your container is in transit

Doesn’t offer online quotes for long-distance moves
12-foot containers restricted to local moves

How much does PODS cost?

PODS doesn’t offer online quotes for long-distance moves, and we had trouble getting a representative on the line without a long wait time.

However, we have pricing data available through the Better Moves Project. When our reader Alex used PODS to move his three-bedroom home from Minnesota to Washington, he paid $2,836, exactly the price he was quoted.

PODS container sizes

If you’re moving locally (within 50 miles), you can use an eight-, 12-, or 16-foot container. PODS’ 12-foot container is only available for local moves, so if you’re moving further than 50 miles, you’ll have to select one of the other two container sizes.

Container sizes: 8-, 12-, 16-foot
Container material: Steel frame, weather-resistant polymer siding
Climate-controlled storage: No
Capacity: 402–835 cubic feet, 4,200–5,200 pounds

All container rentals allow for open-ended monthly storage. You can store your containers on your property or at a nearby PODS storage facility.

U-Pack: Best overall value

Licensed

Insured

Price

5 / 5

Check prices Visit Website

At A Glance

Long distance moves only
Only pay for the space you use
No deposit or initial fees
Fast delivery time frames

read our full review

Check prices Check prices

Why we chose U-Pack

U-Pack offers the best overall value, serving all 50 states and offering transparent pricing. While they only have a standard eight-foot Relocube, you can order as many of these containers as you need to accommodate your move size and return the ones you don’t use without being charged.

U-Pack is the only company on this list that provides online quotes, so you can instantly decide if they fit your budget and needs. We like that U-Pack offers long-term storage. Just be mindful of their six-month limit for onsite storage solutions.

Pros and cons

Highly competitive pricing for moves between 250 and 500 miles
Rents moving trailers for larger moves
Only provider on this list that offers online quotes

Limits long-term storage to six months
Doesn’t handle local moves

How much does U-Pack cost?

U-Pack quoted us $3,570 to move a one-bedroom apartment from Miami to San Francisco. This is a major cross-country move, so don’t rule out U-Pack if you’re working with a smaller budget for a shorter move.

U-Pack container sizes

Container sizes: 8-foot ReloCubes, 28-foot trailers
Container material: Steel
Climate-controlled storage: No
Capacity: ReloCubes: 308 cubic feet, 2,500 pounds. Trailer: 1,944 cubic feet, 22,500 pounds

MovingYourself: Best for large moves

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.5 / 5

Check prices (352) 322-2920

At A Glance

Combines affordability of DIY moving with convenience of a truck and driver
Only pay for the truck space you use
Offers vehicle shipping

read our full review

Check prices (352) 322-2920

Why we chose MovingYourself

MovingYourself earned a spot on this list because they’re one of the few “you load, we drive” moving solutions offering enough space for large households with a lot of possessions.

While you won’t have the typical portable storage container experience, MovingYourself can drop off and pick up their trucks so you can load at your own pace. The company sells extra space on pre-planned trucking routes, so you can ship anything up to the total 52-foot capacity, including cars and large furniture items.

Pros and cons

Accommodates car shipping
Offers substantially more space than the typical moving container
Only charges you for the space you use

Doesn’t serve rural areas in some states
No local moving services

How much does MovingYourself cost?

Estimating the cost of MovingYourself’s services is difficult because they provide such customizable moving solutions. To get a quote, you have to call the company or submit your information to the contact form and wait for an e-mail response.

MovingYourself container sizes

MovingYourself’s size options are hard to beat for large moves. The trailer comes equipped with all the moving pads, straps, and dollies you’ll need. You can even transport a car in the trailer directly with your home goods.

Container sizes: 22-foot and 53-foot moving trucks
Container material: Metal
Climate-controlled storage: No
Capacity: Varies

Whatever truck size you choose, you’ll load it up, and they’ll drive everything to your destination. Like the majority of container companies, MovingYourself gives you up to three days to load and unload.

1-800-PACK-RAT: Best for container options

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.45 / 5

Check prices Visit Website

At A Glance

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

read our full review

Check prices Check prices

Why we chose 1-800-PACK-RAT

1-800-PACK-RAT offers three container sizes at competitive prices. While their quotes aren’t always the most affordable at face value, they edge out the competition by allowing haggling and price-matching if you can get a better quote elsewhere.

You can store your container on your property indefinitely if you need to move slowly or take advantage of the company’s climate-controlled facilities for more sensitive items. Their containers come with 30 days of complimentary storage.

Pros and cons

Offers price-matching
Access to climate-controlled storage options
Doesn’t require ramps to load or unload

Doesn’t deliver on Sundays
May add per-mile fuel surcharges

How much does 1-800-PACK-RAT cost?

PACK-RAT has a multi-step quote process, including a consultation with a moving representative, to ensure you get the most accurate estimate for your needs, so they don’t offer instant quotes online.

One of our readers, Batool, chose PACK-RAT for her 2022 move from California to Texas. She paid $3,400 for the container only and about $1,000 more for moving labor.

1-800-PACK-RAT container sizes

1-800-PACK-RAT offers the same container size options PODS does, with eight-, 12-, and 16-foot options. While some competitors use plastic or wood containers, 1-800-PACK-RAT’s containers are made of steel.

Container sizes: 8-foot, 12-foot, 16-foot
Container material: All-steel construction
Climate-controlled storage: Yes (at some locations)
Capacity: 404–830 cubic feet, 4,000–6,000 pounds

1-800-PACK-RAT’s door design gives you more usable space in the container. When moveBuddha reader Desmond rented a 16-foot container, he had plenty of room for all the contents of his three-bedroom, 2,000-square foot home.

Zippy Shell: Best for city-to-city moves

Licensed

Insured

Price

4.2 / 5

Check prices Visit Website

At A Glance

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

read our full review

Check prices Check prices

Why we chose Zippy Shell

Zippy Shell is our pick for city-to-city moves because their compact sizing, street-legal status, and availability in urban areas are unmatched. While many portable storage container companies require a permit or enough space on your property to store the vessel, Zippy Shell can be parked on the street in cities that allow it.

Zippy Shell’s containers are made of steel and weather-resistant, which keeps your belongings safe while you load them. But the company goes the extra mile by transporting them in weatherproof trailers that are protected from all the elements.

Pros and cons

Offers street-legal storage containers for urban areas
Steel construction is weather-resistant and prevents damage in transit
Has climate-controlled storage

Containers are slightly smaller than most competitors
Only available in 34 states

How much does Zippy Shell cost?

Zippy Shell doesn’t offer online quotes. Instead, they give you a reservation number after you input your details online. From there, you can call the company, and a representative will walk you through your options.

Danielle paid $2,730 to move three bedrooms worth of belongings from Virginia to Florida in August 2022.

Zippy Shell container sizes

The company offers 10-foot and 15-foot containers, as well as a 22-foot trailer. The internal capacity of the containers is slightly smaller than competitors, so be sure to compare sizes when you’re evaluating Zippy Shell vs. PODS and other top companies.

Container sizes: 10-foot and 15-foot; 22-foot trailer
Container material: All-steel construction
Climate-controlled storage: Yes (at some locations)
Capacity: 420–680 cubic feet, 3,500–5,500 pounds

With Zippy Shell, you can easily tack on loading and unloading help, and take advantage of 30 days of free storage. You can also choose from several insurance options to protect your belongings.

Local Florida moving container companies

Looking for a smaller local moving container company in Florida? Here are a few top options:

Compare the best moving container companies in Florida

Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose the best storage container company in FL 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 Florida moving container companies

Planning a move in Florida? Insights from real moving container customers can help you prepare for costs, logistics, and potential challenges. Here’s what the customers we interviewed through our Better Moves Project experienced on their moves with some of Florida’s top moving container companies:

Average costs: Long-distance moves with containers generally ranged from $2,500 to $4,500, while local moves started at around $500 to $1,500. Prices were sometimes higher for customers who needed extended storage or ones moving to urban areas like Miami or Orlando.
Unexpected fees: About 45-55% of customers encountered unexpected costs. 1-800-Pack-Rat customers reported the highest rates, up to 55%. In Florida, permits for container placement in crowded neighborhoods or apartment complexes were often behind added fees.
Delivery timelines: 20-40% of customers experienced delivery or pickup delays. U-Pack had the fewest delays (20%), while PODS and Zippy Shell were more prone to scheduling issues (up to 40%), especially in larger cities like Miami or Tampa. Weather-related delays, particularly during hurricane season, were also a concern for some customers.
Damage rates: Damage reports ranged from 5-20% across our top moving container companies. U-Pack maintained the lowest rate at 5%, while 1-800-Pack-Rat had the highest at 20%. Most damage was linked to improper loading or unloading, not issues with the containers themselves.
Would they use the company again? Over 85% of U-Pack and PODS customers would use them again, while Zippy Shell and 1-800-PACK-RAT lagged behind at 65%, with some concerns about communication and delivery delays.

How we picked the best moving container companies in Florida

We arrived at our best storage container companies for Florida by passing each company through our methodology, which we’ve developed to be unbiased and attuned to our readers’ needs.

We look at key factors like:

Customer satisfaction: In our rating system, we prioritized the moving experiences of real-life customers. The more satisfied customer reviews, the better the portable moving container company fared.
Services: Next, we considered each company’s moving solutions. For storage units, we considered whether drop-off and pickup were included and if they offered climate-controlled storage facilities. We assessed the weatherproofing of their containers and evaluated their container sizes.
Reputation: To take it one step further, we investigated each company’s reputation in the moving industry by vetting Better Business Bureau accreditation and U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure.
Add-on options: In this section, we looked at the available add-on options, including moving labor, such as packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading, plus any available insurance options.
Service area: We considered the availability of each moving container company, including their storage facilities, availability in major cities and rural areas, and overall state and international availability.
Payment methods: Moving companies don’t always make it easy to request an online quote with transparent pricing, pay a deposit, or take advantage of available discounts, so we considered each company’s payment methods and how straightforward they were throughout the booking process.
Scheduling: Finally, we considered each company’s scheduling tools to assess how easy it is for customers to get their desired moving date. Portable storage solutions give you the flexibility to pack and load at your own pace, but it doesn’t mean much if it’s difficult to contact the company to confirm your reservation.

Compare moving container sizes

Portable moving containers tend to come in several sizes, but availability can depend on your current and new location, desired moving services, and whether or not you need onsite storage for any length of time.

Use the following table as a guide to estimate the best storage container size for your needs. Keep in mind that you can order multiple containers in several sizes to make the most of your storage options.

Container Size	Ideal For
8-foot container	Studio apartment, or approximately 500 square feet of belongings
10-foot container	One-bedroom home, or approximately 500–800 square feet of belongings
16-foot container	Two-bedroom home, or up to approximately 1,200 square feet of belongings

Moving containers vs. full-service movers

Moving containers

Moving containers are a better fit for customers seeking competitive prices, convenient storage options, and a DIY moving experience. They’re ideal if you don’t want to drive a moving truck but don’t mind doing the labor on your own.

They’re particularly cost-effective for cross-country and international moves, especially if you’re willing to declutter for a move to pare down to the bare essentials.

Portable storage companies will drop off and pick up your container, and many companies offer weatherproof or weather-resistant steel containers to protect your belongings from the elements.

Full-service moving companies

Full-service moving companies like Safeway Moving and Mayzlin Relocation, on the other hand, aim to eliminate the hassle of moving by doing pretty much everything, from packing your old place to assembling furniture in your new home.

While you can add storage options to your moving reservation, you’ll seldom be able to store your belongings onsite like you can with a storage container.

Instead, you’ll have to visit a long-term storage facility. Check out our best moving companies to request quotes and find the best option for your situation.

Our take

Start your moving process off on the right foot by requesting quotes from U-Pack, PODS, and MovingYourself.

U-Pack is our best overall value and has the easiest quote process, but they only offer one container size. PODS offers three container sizes, but they don’t service all the areas U-PACK does.

MovingYourself is an unconventional moving solution that can help you move up to a 52-foot moving truck worth of possessions.

Give yourself at least two weeks to get all your quotes back and make an informed choice. You can use our moving cost calculator to get started. Whenever possible, we recommend booking eight weeks out, especially if you’re relocating during peak moving season.

FAQ

How much do moving containers in Florida cost?

Moving containers cost between $500 and $5,000 on average, but your exact costs will depend on:

The number of containers you need
The distance to ship them
The length of your storage rental
Any add-on services you select

Is it cheaper to use PODS or a moving company?

It is cheaper to use PODS over a moving company, especially if you’re willing to DIY your moving labor and packing. A full-service moving company will often have a labor minimum, which can make it more costly.

Request quotes from several moving container companies and full-service movers using our moving cost calculator to find the best value for your needs.

How much do moving shipping containers cost from Florida to Texas?

The average cost to move from Florida to Texas using shipping containers ranges from $1,144 to $5,388. Your costs will depend on the size of your home, the distance to your new home, and how long you need your container.

How do you determine what size moving containers in Florida you’ll need?

You can determine what size moving container you need by requesting a free quote or using our moving cost calculator tool. In general, you’ll need at least one eight-foot portable storage container per 600 square feet of space. A 16-foot container is typically enough space for a one- to two-bedroom home.