The Best Moving Container Companies (Updated for 2026)

We compared dozens of quotes from U-Haul and moving container companies to figure out which is cheaper. U-Haul might be the cheaper option in most cases, but spending a little extra money on a container might make the moving experience easier in the long run.

DIY moving with a rental truck comes with a lot of extra work and personal safety risks that you may be able to avoid by using a moving container company. Sometimes the timeline flexibility and storage ability moving containers provide is more important than overall cost. That’s why we’d definitely recommend a moving container if you can afford it.

Portable storage is a moving industry term that refers to moving containers (or moving cubes). Rather than storing belongings in a storage unit, a portable storage company  (aka moving container company) brings a storage container to your home.

Moving containers cost approximately $3,870 for the average move. Prices vary depending on home size and distance. For example, it could cost as low as $850 to move a studio apartment within the same city, and from $6,000 to $10,000 or more to move a multi-bedroom home across the country.

We recommend booking your moving container at least 2–4 weeks in advance, and earlier if you’re moving during the busy season (summer, weekends, or the end of the month).

Here’s a quick rule of thumb:

• Local or short-distance moves:
  • Book 2–3 weeks ahead if possible.
• Long-distance moves:
  • Aim for at least 3–6 weeks ahead, especially if you have a firm move-out or move-in date.
• Peak season (summer and holiday weekends):
  • The earlier the better. 6–8 weeks ahead gives you the best shot at your ideal dates and container size.

Most moving container companies can sometimes accommodate last-minute moves, but you’ll have fewer date and size options—and prices may be higher when availability is tight. Booking early gives you more flexibility if your plans change and more time to compare quotes from multiple companies.

Yes — many people use moving containers specifically for short-term and long-term storage.

Most container companies let you:

• Keep the container at your home as long as you want (for a monthly fee), or
• Store it at the company’s facility, where it’s kept in a secure, often climate- or temperature-controlled warehouse.

Using a moving container for storage can be especially helpful if:

• You’re in between homes and don’t want to unload everything into a traditional storage unit
• You’re remodeling and need your furniture out of the way for a few months
• You’re moving on a flexible timeline and don’t know your exact move-in date yet

Just be sure to check:

• Monthly storage rates (at home vs. at the facility)
• Whether the storage facility is climate- or temperature-controlled
• How easy it is to access your container while it’s in storage (hours, appointment rules, etc.)

If you need storage for several months or longer, it’s worth asking about long-term discounts — some companies lower your monthly rate once you hit a certain number of months.