Best 24-Hour Access Storage Units

Julia Campbell
Jan 11, 2022
bullet4 min read

At a glance

Storage facilities that offer 24-hour access are hard to come by. Even if a company advertises this amenity, that doesn’t guarantee that every location has it—or that you’re eligible for it.

Self-storage is used for both business and personal reasons, but businesses are more likely to be granted 24-hour access. Local self-storage companies with one or two locations may be more likely to provide 24-hour access, while national companies offer this feature more sparingly.

Finding a storage facility that offers 24-hour access is like trying to find a needle in a haystack—but starting with local companies in your area is the most surefire strategy.


The whole picture

It’s hard to pin down which self-storage facilities owned by national storage companies offer 24-hour access.

Here’s why:

  • Options for 24-hour access aren’t clearly advertised at each facility.
  • Big-name storage companies with locations in multiple states typically don’t have info on the hours and services at each individual facility.
  • Storage facilities are generally run by a local manager (even if they're owned by a bigger company), which means that 24/7 access may vary based on where you live.

Even then, almost every facility allows 24-hour access on a case-by-case basis at the manager's discretion.

So if you're a DJ who routinely has late-night Friday gigs—and you know you’ll need to drop equipment at your storage unit once your set wraps up at 2:00 a.m.—you may need to coordinate with your facility manager in advance to make sure you can stop by after hours.

Depending on your unit, your type of access may range from a gate to a keypad requiring a combination—these are the details you can work out with your facility manager!

How to find 24/7 access at local self-storage companies

A quick “24-hour access storage” Google search will likely pull in a dozen or more results in your area—some will be big-name companies, some smaller and more local.

In general, local self-storage companies service only your state or the surrounding region. But we’ve found that these facilities are more reliable for 24-hour access.

The only catch? You might not get the same service you’d expect when working with a reputable, widely-known storage company. It also may be more difficult to find a local storage facility that offers climate control, pest protection, and other perks and services. With a big-name brand, it’s easier to streamline your search for amenities.

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Research pro tip

When googling, carefully vet each storage facility that claims to offer 24-hour access. The deeper we dug into research, the clearer it became that not every company that advertises 24/7 access actually provides it.

The best national self-storage companies for 24-hour access

Even though a storage facility can be part of a nation-wide brand, it might be operated and managed on a local level with its own policies—which means that there's no blanket rule about 24-hour access.

If you prefer to go with a recognizable name for your self-storage needs, here are the ones that offer the best 24-hour access:

24-hour access storage companies

Company
Logo
Business use
Extra fee
Learn more
Extra Space Storageextraspace
bulletYes
bulletYes
CubeSmartcubesmart
bulletYes
bulletYes
U-Hauluhaul
bulletYes
bulletVaries
Life Storage
bulletYes
bulletYes

Remember: none of these companies guarantee 24-hour access at every single location—but they may allow you to have unlimited access to your unit on a case-by-case basis.

This is more likely if you’re renting your storage unit on behalf of your business—if you own a bakery, for example, and need to pick up supplies before you begin baking at 4:00 a.m.

But if you need to put away your grill after a summer party that went late into the night? Probably not.

Another caveat: even if a facility grants you 24/7 access, some will charge you extra for the privilege. Our research shows you can expect to pay anywhere from $5–$40 per month for 24-hour storage.

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Give ‘em a ring

The best way to know if a storage facility in your area has 24-hour access is to call. You can try googling, but online information may be outdated or unclear about which facilities are actually 24/7.


Your next step

Start with the local facilities in your neighborhood. Get on the phone and ask what 24-hour access looks like. Can you access your unit via a keypad? Is there a gate you’d need specific access to open?

It’s best to work it out all up-front rather than seek permission after-the-fact. Talk with the manager of the facility you want to go with to see what your options are.


24-hour storage unit FAQ

Do storage companies have 24-hour access?

Yes, storage companies have 24-hour access. However, storage unit managers determine whether or not to allow 24-hour storage, so you’ll want to check with your local self-storage company for more information.

Where can I find 24-hour access storage?

You can find 24-hour access storage at highly-rated companies like Extra Space Storage, CubeSmart, and Life Storage. However, since not all facilities offer 24-hour storage, you should contact your local storage facility manager.

Do I have to pay extra for 24-hour storage?

Yes, you typically have to pay extra for 24-hour storage. Prices vary widely depending upon manager discretion. Move.org found that 24-hour access fees range from approximately $5–$40 per month.

How much does vehicle storage cost?

Vehicle storage costs approximately $250 per month, according to Move.org. There is also an additional fee for 24-hour storage (prices and availability vary by location).

What are the best national companies for 24-hour storage access?

The best national companies for 24-hour storage access are Extra Space Storage and CubeSmart, according to Move.org. Both companies have more than 1,000 locations and offer 24-hour access storage at select locations for a monthly fee.


Julia Campbell
Written by
Julia Campbell
Julia Campbell is a full-time writer who knows the tricks of the trade when it comes to planning a hassle-free move. Having moved seven times in the past five years, she draws from her own experience and industry expertise to help you avoid her biggest mistakes (like that time she thought she could get away with packing her dishes without wrapping them first).