10 Best Moving and Storage Companies

Here’s the quick answer: Choosing a moving and storage company that meets your specific needs can greatly reduce the stress of your move. Look for companies that offer both transportation and storage solutions, ensuring they align with your requirements such as distance, move size, and specialty item handling.

Some other information you should know.

• Quite often, people have temporary storage needs as part of their move. So finding companies that offer both moving and storage solutions can greatly reduce the stress
• Fortunately, many of the best long-distance moving companies and best moving container companies offer storage as part of their services
• Companies like PODS, U-Pack, and International Van Lines provide diverse options catering to various needs, from DIY moves to international relocations

How long will moving companies store your stuff?

Unlike a self-storage facility, many moving and storage companies have limits for how long you can keep items in storage (such as 90-120 days). If you’ll need long-term storage, be sure to ask about the company’s limits.

PODS: Best for unlimited storage

PODS is the name most people think of when they think of portable storage containers, and for good reason. PODS offers affordable and flexible moving container rentals for long-distance and local moving alike.

Every PODS reservation includes 30 days of storage for free, but you can continue to rent your container on a month-to-month basis if you need it longer. PODS containers can be stored on your property or at one of the company’s secure facilities.

While it is easy to combine moving and storage services, only two container sizes are available for long-distance moves. Because PODS is so popular, it can sometimes be difficult to ensure availability in some areas.

Best Nationwide Coverage

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rating 4.8 / 5

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Pros and cons

Read our full PODS review for more info.

U-Pack: Best for DIY moves

When it comes to DIY moving and storage solutions, you can’t top U-Pack. With U-Pack, you only pay for the space you use, whether using their ReloCube containers or space on a moving trailer. You won’t be charged for unused space or containers.

With U-Pack, you’ll have three days to load your items before the company does its pick up. Upon delivery, you’ll have three days to unload. In between, you can keep items in a trailer in storage for up to 120 days. ReloCubes can be stored at one of U-Pack’s facilities for as long as you need.

With instant online quotes and nationwide availability for long-distance moves, U-Pack offers an extremely user-friendly experience.

Best value container

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Price

rating 5 / 5

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Pros and Cons

Read our full U-Pack review for more info.

1-800-Pack-Rat: Best container options

1-800-Pack-Rat stands out from other moving container companies thanks to its unique container options. Available in three sizes, the company uses barn-door style containers that rest directly on the ground for incredibly easy loading and unloading. Containers are available with a minimum 30 day rental, which also makes them great for home renovations and other situations that require temporary storage.

1-800-Pack-Rat offers unlimited loading and unloading time, after which the company’s drivers will transport your container to its new location. You can also use the containers for on-site storage or have them stored at one of the company’s warehouses.

That being said, 1-800-Pack-Rat’s limited availability can be a drawback, as it only has 68 locations in 29 states. For many movers, they may not be an option in the first place.

Most container options

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Price

rating 4.45 / 5

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Pros and cons

Read our full 1-800-Pack-Rat review for more info.

U-Haul U-Box: Best availability

With over 22,000 locations in North America, finding a U-Haul U-Box for moving and storage is very convenient. Though U-Haul is best known for its moving truck rentals, its U-Box service provides a useful storage container option that can be used for moving and storage.

U-Haul U-Box also has highly competitive pricing, and you can get a discount if you pack and unpack at a U-Haul facility. Instant online quotes make it easy to compare your options with other moving and storage companies.

U-Haul U-Box is only available in one size, and the containers are made from plywood, rather than metal. This results in some reports of the containers not providing sufficient protection for items while they are in transit.

Best for College Students

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rating 3.95 / 5

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(800) 468-4285

Pros and cons

Read our full U-Haul U-Box review for more info.

Zippy Shell: Best for city moves

If you’re concerned about where you can place a storage container for loading and unloading, Zippy Shell is the perfect solution. The company’s unique street legal containers can be parked in front of your home or apartment, or in a parking lot.

Zippy Shell container rentals include 30 days of free storage with all long-distance moves. Containers can be stored on your property for short-term needs, or kept at a Zippy Shell facility for long-term storage.

Zippy Shell also makes it easy to add moving labor if you don’t want to load the container yourself. However, Zippy Shell is only available in 33 states, and costs and services can vary by location.

Best for city to city moves

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Price

rating 4.2 / 5

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Pros and cons

Read our full Zippy Shell review for more info.

Smartbox: Best for compact moves

Smartbox is another portable storage container company worth considering if you live in its service area. Measuring 8’x7’x5’, Smartbox’s portable storage containers are smaller than other companies, but they can deliver up to eight in a single trip. This makes Smartbox well suited for a wide range of move sizes, from studio apartments to larer homes. The company uses wood storage containers, but they are protected by a waterproof vinyl cover.

Smartbox moves include one month of free storage, and a handy online calculator helps estimate how many containers you need. You’ll only pay for the space you actually use – you don’t have to pay for any unused containers. Smartbox also offers price matching and discounts for college students and military members.

Smartbox is only available in 23 states, and its reputation with customers isn’t as good as others on this list – in part due to a strict cancellation policy and varying availability for full-service offerings.

Best for Price Matching

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Price

rating 3.9 / 5

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(877) 395-2102

Pros and cons

Read our full Smartbox review for more info.

International Van Lines: Best for international moves

If you’re planning an international move, International Van Lines is a clear-cut winner. This full-service moving and storage company provides very competitive rates, and works with vetted partners to provide moving assistance to 180 countries.

As part of its services, International Van Lines offers 30 days of free storage with their moves, with future monthly charges based on the volume of your items. According to the company’s website, storage fees are 50 cents per cubic foot, and IVL does not charge handling fees or storage in or out fees.

IVL can also facilitate storage at your delivery or pickup point for international moves.

Best customer service

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Price

rating 4.45 / 5

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(855) 929-4120

Pros and cons

Read our full International Van Lines review for more info.

Allied Van Lines: Best for auto transportation

Household goods aren’t the only thing you need to worry about transporting and storing. Many families also need help transporting their automobiles, and Allied Van Lines can transport cars, boats, and other vehicles in three to seven days.

This full-service van line offers temporary storage in transit for up to 90 days, as well as “permanent” storage options at a secure, climate-controlled facility if your goods need to be kept in storage for longer. For those who prefer a DIY-style move, Allied Van Lines also offers portable moving containers that can be used similar to PODs or U-Pack.

As part of its full-service options, Allied Van Lines also offers crating and packing supplies to protect items during moving and storage. However, the company is reported to have higher prices than its competitors.

Best for Contents Coverage

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Price

rating 4.75 / 5

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(866) 935-3437

Pros and cons

Read our full Allied Van Lines review for more info.

Mayflower: Best for specialty items

If you’re concerned about safely moving and storing specialty items like pianos, pool tables, or antiques, Mayflower is an excellent choice. With over 90 years of industry experience and basic full value protection on every move, their team is equipped to safely transport such items for local, long-distance, and international moves.

As part of its full-service options, Mayflower offers short-term and long-term storage for residential and commercial moves. Other available services include packing and unpacking, debris removal, crating, and car shipping.

Keep in mind that Mayflower does not offer online quotes – they conduct in-person estimates. Though this is more time-consuming, it also ensures you get an accurate quote.

Pros and cons

Read our full Mayflower review for more info.

United Van Lines: Best for contents coverage

Even when using professional movers, it can be stressful wondering if your items will make it through moving and storage in one piece. United Van Lines stands out thanks to its strong content coverage plans. Full value content protection is included on every move, and movers can add up to $25,000 in additional coverage.

Short-term storage is available for local and long-distance moves, holding your items until you are ready to move into your new home or office. United Van Lines agents can also help you facilitate long-term vault storage separate from United’s own offerings, giving you some added flexibility in finding storage solutions.

United Van Lines offers several other helpful optional services, such as debris removal, TV wall mount setup, and auto transport, making it easy to manage your full moving and storage needs without breaking a sweat.

Pros and cons

Read our full United Van Lines review for more info.

Moving companies and storage costs

The costs for using a moving and storage company can vary significantly. After all, it is much more expensive to get storage from a full-service mover, since they will also be taking care of tasks like loading and transporting your items. As such, it’s best to get a moving quote from multiple companies that offer the type of services you need.

When getting free quotes, be sure that your quote includes all desired services, and accounts for common factors that can affect your costs:

Factors that affect cost

The following factors are likely to affect your moving and storage quote with different companies:

• Distance: Cross-country or long-distance moving, when combined with storage needs, can be a bit more logistically complicated than a local move. The longer the distance from your old home to your new home, the higher your costs will be.
• Size of the move: The more items you need to store, the larger the storage unit or portable container you’ll need at your moving company’s facility. Naturally, this means higher prices.
• Length of storage: Some full-service moving companies offer 30 days of storage for free. If you need long-term storage, expect to pay a monthly fee based on the size of the storage space you’re using.
• Additional services needed: Purchasing add-on services from a moving and storage company, such as unpacking and packing services or moving supplies, will increase your total quote.
• Type of storage: Climate-controlled storage protects your items from extreme temperatures and humidity, but it is more expensive than a standard storage solution. Your preferred storage option will have a direct impact on your pricing.
• Specialty items: If you have fragile or specialty items that require extra care and handling, you can expect to pay an additional fee when using a full-service mover. These items often require extra padding or climate-controlled storage.

When should you use a moving and storage company?

So, in which situations should you specifically look for a moving and storage company, rather than just a company that provides moving services? Here are some factors to consider.

Use a moving and storage company if:

• Your new home won’t be ready for a while. If you won’t be able to move into your new home for a month or more after you move out of your old space, a moving and storage company can be a lifesaver. Having a secure place to store your belongings until you can move in will make moving much easier.
• You have additional items that won’t fit in your new home. If you don’t plan on moving everything into your new home, a moving and storage company can help you set up a long-term solution for storing seasonal items or other goods that won’t fit in your new space.
• You’re moving internationally. For international and military moves, many belongings are left in long-term storage until you return, making a moving and storage company a big help.
• You need extra space for business supplies. Moving and storage companies that provide commercial moving services will make it easier for your company to manage inventory and other supplies.

Don’t use a moving and storage company if:

• You expect to be able to move into your new home within a week. It often takes long-distance moves a week or more to get delivered to your new home. In this case, you don’t need to worry about temporary storage.
• You want to save money on storage. The storage services offered by moving and storage companies tend to be more expensive than if you rented a storage unit at a self-storage facility near your home. This requires more work, but can help you save in the long run.

Questions to ask moving and storage companies

Trying to decide which moving and storage company is right for you? Asking some key questions of potential providers can help you make a decision with confidence.

• What is your pricing for storage services? Be sure to ask about any hidden fees not included in the original quote, and a pricing breakdown based on your storage needs. This way, you can do an apples to apples comparison with other companies.
• What storage options are available? Do they offer climate controlled storage, or just standard units? You want to make sure your stored belongings are kept at a safe temperature. And of course, you’ll want to make sure a large enough storage solution is available every step of the way for your move.
• Do you provide crating for fragile items? When moving antiques or specialty items with full-service movers, crating can go a long way in preventing damage during transit and storage.
• Do you have secure facilities? Making sure your moving company’s storage facilities provide secure storage will give you much-needed peace of mind. Video monitoring, security gates, and other features will protect your items until you are ready to move in.
• Can I access my items while in storage? Many moving and storage companies actually do not provide access to your items while they are in “permanent” storage. If you think you’ll need to use any items before you are done with storage services, be sure to confirm the company’s access policies.

How to prepare for storage

Before moving day arrives (and sometimes even before you get a quote), there are several things you can do to prepare your items for moving and storage.

• Get rid of the clutter. If you’re downsizing from your current home, start by going through your possessions and identifying items to sell, donate, or trash. Getting rid of excess items now means fewer items that will need to be moved or stored later. This will help you get a more accurate (and less expensive) quote from moving companies.
• Clean household goods. All household goods should be clean and dry before spending significant time in storage. This will prevent mold and mildew, and reduce the risk of pests being attracted to your items.
• Disassemble furniture. When possible, disassemble larger pieces of furniture. Tape screws and other smaller pieces to the back of the furniture inside a small plastic bag. Disassembled furniture will fit more easily into storage containers, giving you more space for other items.
• Inventory items while packing. It can help to number your boxes and make note of their contents. This will make it easier to find everything when you need to unpack, or to check if anything is missing.
• Clearly label all boxes and containers. Labeling boxes and other containers with the name of the room they belong in will make it easier to unpack once you’re ready to take everything out of storage.
• Pack properly. If you’ll be doing the packing yourself, make sure all items have sufficient padding and protection.

FAQs

Will moving companies store your stuff?

Yes, many full-service movers and portable storage container companies offer short and long-term storage solutions for a stress-free moving experience.

How do you find the best moving and storage company?

For residential moving and storage, start by looking at customer satisfaction rates and testimonials for available companies in your area. It may also be helpful to consider how many years of experience a company has in the industry, and whether the scope of their service fully covers your moving and storage needs.

How much does it typically cost to use a moving and storage company?

The cost of the moving process can vary significantly depending on whether you use professional movers for a full-service move, or opt for the semi-DIY route of portable storage containers. Keep in mind that when also making use of a company’s storage services, it will cost more than if you were to use moving services alone. You could pay several hundred dollars per month when adding monthly storage on top of other moving services.

What factors should I consider when choosing a moving and storage company?

To ensure a hassle-free, don’t just look at pricing (though that’s certainly important, too). Check potential companies’ move date availability, whether they have the right storage solutions for your situation (and items), customer reviews, and estimated moving timeline.