Best Moving Container Companies in Tennessee (2025)

Quick answer: Based on our research and customer reviews, PODS is the best moving container company in Tennessee. PODS offers a variety of container sizes, built-in storage, and availability for local and long-distance relocations, giving you flexibility and convenience.

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  • Unlimited storage
  • 3 container sizes
  • 10% discount
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  • Fast delivery
  • Nationwide
  • 100+ miles moves
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  • Affordable pricing
  • Offers car shipping
  • No hidden fees

Moving container costs in Tennessee vary based on the distance of your move, the container sizes you choose, and whether you need storage. A local move in Tennessee can range from $200 to $800, while long-distance moves typically cost between $2,500 and $7,000 or more.

We recommend comparing quotes from multiple companies for the most competitive pricing. Read on for a detailed breakdown of the best moving containers in Tennessee to choose the right company for your move.

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5 Best moving container companies in Tennessee

To get started, take a look at our picks for the top Tennessee moving container companies.

PODS: Best for nationwide availability

Best Nationwide Coverage
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.8 / 5
At A Glance
  • 30 days storage included
  • Local and long distance moving options
  • Unlimited loading/unloading time
  • Store on property or at a facility
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Why we chose PODS

PODS is one of Tennessee’s most widely available and flexible moving container options. Whether you’re relocating somewhere like Nashville, Memphis, or Knoxville, or you’re heading out of state, PODS offers three container sizes to fit different moving needs.

A key advantage of PODS is that each rental includes 30 days of storage at no extra cost. This feature is beneficial if you need time to settle in before unloading or if your new home isn’t move-in ready. Additionally, PODS containers are built to withstand Tennessee’s humidity and occasionally unpredictable weather, protecting your belongings.

Pros and cons

  • More container sizes than most competitors
  • 30 days of storage included with every rental
  • Nationwide availability for local and long-distance moves
  • Long-distance moves must be booked over the phone
  • Limited availability in rural areas

How much does PODS cost?toggle

PODS pricing depends on your move’s distance, container size, and storage needs. Based on reports from our readers who’ve moved with PODS, their long-distance container moves typically cost between $2,836 and $5,090.

While PODS may not be the cheapest option, their built-in storage and flexible scheduling make them a great value for most movers.

PODS container sizestoggle

If you’re moving locally (within 50 miles), you can choose between an eight-, 12-, or 16-foot container. However, the 12-foot container is only available for local moves. If you’re moving long-distance, you’ll have to select either the 8-foot or 16-foot container.


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

U-Pack: Best overall value

Best value container
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At A Glance
  • Long distance moves only
  • Only pay for the space you use
  • No deposit or initial fees
  • Fast delivery time frames
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Why we chose U-Pack

U-Pack is a cost-effective choice for long-distance moves in Tennessee. Unlike other companies that charge per container, U-Pack allows you to only pay for the trailer space you use, which can help keep the cost of your move low.

U-Pack is known for their fast delivery times — most shipments arrive within two to five business days. You can also get an instant online quote, and there’s no deposit required, making the booking process straightforward.

Pros and cons

  • Pay only for the space you use
  • Faster delivery than competitors
  • No deposit required
  • Only handles long-distance moves
  • Limited to one container size

How much does U-Pack cost?toggle

U-Pack’s pricing depends on how much trailer space you use and how far you’re moving. Customers report paying between $2,352 and $6,109 for long-distance moves.

As some of our readers who moved with U-Pack noted, you may need to pick up or drop off ReloCubes at a service center instead of having them delivered in some areas.

U-Pack container sizestoggle

U-Pack offers two size options: an eight-foot ReloCube for smaller moves and a 28-foot moving trailer for larger relocations.


Container details:

  • Container sizes: Eight-foot ReloCube, 28-foot trailer
  • Container material: Steel
  • Climate-controlled storage: No
  • Capacity: ReloCube: 308 cubic feet, 2,500 pounds. Trailer: 1,944 cubic feet, 22,500 pounds

MovingYourself: Best for large moves

best for large moves
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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
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Check prices (352) 322-2920

Why we chose MovingYourself

MovingYourself is a great choice for large moves in Tennessee because they provide space on a 53-foot moving truck instead of a standard container.

This setup allows you to only pay for the space you use, making it a cost-effective option for households with a lot of belongings.

Unlike most moving container companies, MovingYourself also lets you transport your vehicle inside a trailer. The truck comes equipped with moving pads, straps, and dollies to make loading easier. Unfortunately, they don’t handle local moves within Tennessee, so you can only book them for an interstate move.

Pros and cons

  • Only charges you for the space you need
  • Large trailers accommodate bigger moves
  • Includes essential moving equipment like pads, straps, and dollies
  • Only available for long-distance moves
  • Limited availability in some rural areas

How much does MovingYourself cost?toggle

MovingYourself doesn’t provide upfront pricing like some other companies on this list. Since their services are fully customized, the cost of your move will depend on the distance and the amount of truck space you use.

This flexibility helps control costs but also makes it harder to estimate pricing without getting a quote.

MovingYourself container sizestoggle

MovingYourself is one of the best choices for large moves due to their spacious trailer capacity.


  • Container sizes: 22-foot and 53-foot moving trucks
  • Container material: Metal
  • Climate-controlled storage: No
  • Capacity: Varies based on space used

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

Most container options
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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
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Why we chose 1-800-PACK-RAT

1-800-PACK-RAT is an excellent choice if you want to ensure your stuff is well-protected with durable steel containers. Unlike PODS, which uses a mix of metal and polymer siding, 1-800-PACK-RAT’s containers are fully constructed from steel, providing better protection against weather, pests, and impacts.

The company also offers a price-matching policy, meaning you can negotiate a lower rate if you find a better deal with a competitor. Additionally, every rental includes 30 days of storage, which can be useful if you need extra time to move or store your belongings between homes.

Pros and cons

  • Fully steel containers offer strong protection
  • Price matches to keep costs competitive
  • Includes 30 days of storage with every rental
  • Limited availability for moves to/from other states
  • May require a call to book

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

Like the other companies on the list, 1-800-PACK-RAT’s pricing varies based on your distance, container size, and storage needs. Our reader Desmond reported paying $7,300 to move a three-bedroom home from Oregon to Ohio, but your cost will depend on your unique moving details.

Unlike some competitors, 1-800-PACK-RAT doesn’t provide instant online quotes. Instead, you’ll have to request pricing over the phone, but their price-matching policy can help lower costs.

1-800-PACK-RAT container sizestoggle

1-800-PACK-RAT offers three container sizes like PODS, but their all-steel construction makes their containers more durable.


  • Container sizes: Eight-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

Zippy Shell: Best for city-to-city moves

Best for city to city moves
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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
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Why we chose Zippy Shell

Zippy Shell is a top option for city-to-city moves in Tennessee, offering street-legal containers you can park in standard spaces without permits. This makes them an ideal choice for urban moves, especially in downtown Nashville, Knoxville, or Memphis.

Since Zippy Shell is a sister company to 1-800-PACK-RAT, they offer many of the same benefits, including 30 days of free storage. However, their containers have slightly less internal space than PODS or 1-800-PACK-RAT, so you should double-check how much space you need before booking.

Pros and cons

  • Street-legal containers simplify urban moves
  • 30 days of storage included with every rental
  • Optional labor assistance for loading and unloading
  • No instant online quotes
  • Limited service in some parts of the country

How much does Zippy Shell cost?toggle

Pricing depends on the size of your move and the distance. Our reader Danielle reported paying $2,703 to move a three-bedroom home from Virginia to Florida, but costs vary by location.

Like 1-800-PACK-RAT, Zippy Shell doesn’t provide instant online quotes, so you need to call for pricing.

Zippy Shell container sizestoggle

Zippy Shell offers two container sizes and a 22-foot trailer for larger moves.


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

Local Tennessee moving container companies

If you’re looking for a local moving container company in Tennessee, here are a few options:

  • Go Mini’s of Tennessee: With multiple locations in Tennessee, Go Mini’s provides portable moving and storage solutions, with flexible scheduling and secure, weather-resistant containers.
  • UNITS Moving and Portable Storage: UNITS delivers moving and storage containers with convenient drop-off and pickup.
  • Mobile Attic of Tennessee: Based in Nashville, TN, they provide portable moving and storage containers for residential and commercial needs, offering flexible delivery and pickup options.
  • Storage Solutions: Headquartered in Columbia, TN, the company offers climate-controlled storage units and packing supplies.

Comparing the best moving container companies in North Carolina

Provider BBB Rating State Availability Container Options
PODS A+ 46 states 8′, 12′, 16′
U-Pack A+ 50 states 8′ ReloCube, 28′ trailer
MovingYourself A 48 states 53′ truck space
1-800-PACK-RAT A+ 31 states 8′, 12′, 16′
Zippy Shell A+ 35 states 10′, 15′

How we picked the best North Carolina moving container companiestoggle

We chose the best storage container companies in North Carolina by passing each company through our thorough methodology.

We look at key factors like:

  • Customer satisfaction: In our rating system, we prioritized moving experiences of real-life customers. The more satisfied customer reviews, the better the portable moving container company fared.
  • Services: 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 get a transparent quote, pay a deposit through a secure processing system, or take advantage of discounts, so we considered each company’s payment methods and how straightforward they were.
  • Scheduling: Finally, we considered each company’s scheduling tools to assess how easy it is for customers to get their desired moving date.

Compare moving container sizes

Each company offers different container sizes that cater to various home sizes and budgets. Here’s how they compare:

Container Size Ideal For
8-foot Studio apartment, ~500 sq. ft.
12-foot 1-bedroom home, ~500–800 sq. ft.
16-foot 2-bedroom home, up to 1,200 sq. ft.
28-foot 3-bedroom home, ~1,500+ sq. ft.
53-foot Large moves, bulk shipments

Moving containers vs. full-service movers

Moving containers

Moving containers are a cost-effective and flexible solution if you want to pack and load at your own pace. Whether you’re moving between cities like Chattanooga and Murfreesboro or moving out of state, moving containers allow you to avoid driving a moving truck and offer built-in storage options.

Full-service movers

Full-service movers handle packing, loading, transportation, and unloading, making them a hassle-free option for long-distance and large-scale moves. While they tend to be significantly more expensive, they provide additional services like furniture disassembly, packing assistance, and vehicle transport.

If you’re considering full-service movers, Safeway Moving and Mayzlin Relocation are two reputable options.


Our take

PODS is our top pick for moving container services in Tennessee due to their flexibility, included storage, and extensive availability. However, the right choice depends on your specific needs.

We think U-Pack is the best option for budget-conscious long-distance moves, while MovingYourself works well for large relocations. If you want ultra-durable containers, 1-800-PACK-RAT is your best bet, and Zippy Shell is a great move for city relocations.

Be sure to compare multiple quotes and services to find the best option for your move.


FAQ

What size moving container should I get for my Tennessee move?toggle

Here’s how much stuff you can generally fit into different moving container sizes:

  • 8-foot container: Best for small apartments or dorm rooms
  • 12-foot container: Ideal for a one-bedroom home (local moves only)
  • 16-foot container: Suitable for a two-bedroom home
  • 28-foot trailer: Great for a three-bedroom home
  • 53-foot trailer: Best for large households or business relocations

Which moving container company is the best for long-distance moves in Tennessee?toggle

PODS is our top pick for long-distance Tennessee moves since they come with built-in storage on-site or in facilities. They also provide free storage, which can be advantageous if you need time to settle into your new home. Their range of container sizes is hard to beat, too, giving you several flexible options for moving your belongings.

Is it cheaper to use PODS or a moving company?toggle

Using a moving container like PODS is usually cheaper than hiring a full-service moving company. The biggest reason for the cost difference is that you pack and load your belongings with PODS, while full-service movers handle every aspect of the move.

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