Is Zippy Shell the Best Moving Service? Here Is What We Found

Zippy Shell is a moving container company that lets you load on your own schedule, then hands off the driving — and, if you want it, the heavy lifting — to a network of local crews.

Founded in 2007 and now operating in 37 states, it's built a reputation as one of the more affordable options in the portable-storage category, with flexible at-home and facility storage add-ons for moves that don't go exactly as planned. Here's how that flexibility held up for Natalie, a Move.org tester who booked a cross-country move — with her dog, Tucker, along for the ride — with just days' notice.

Zippy Shell quotes are based on the origin and destination locations, number of containers, container size, any additional third-party services like labor or loading, and the days you choose to move. In all cases, the quoted cost is made of two parts: move costs and storage costs.

Move costs include transportation of the container, content protection, and other fees.

As for storage costs, If you move within a month of getting the container, you pay for one month of storage. If you use the container for more than a month, then you are billed for additional months.

For example, the quoted cost for a 2,400-mile long-distance move from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Boston, Massachusetts is:

• Storage: $259.00 for the first month of rental
• Moving: $7900.29 for Long Distance Move

Two business days before the day of the initial delivery, Zippy Shell charges 50% of the move cost. The remaining balance will be charged once the container arrives at the destination facility. You’ll see the first month’s rental cost charged on the day of the initial delivery.

One of the biggest surprises of our testing was how quickly Zippy Shell accommodated a cross-country move. We booked on a Friday, and pickup was scheduled for the following Tuesday — a turnaround that's rare for long-distance moves.

A confirmation email with the full move details arrived right after booking, and customer support stayed reachable even over the weekend.

Responsive support can make or break a stressful move, and our experience suggests Zippy Shell prioritizes communication from the moment you book.

Because the move was booked on short notice, Zippy Shell paired us with a local partner, College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, to handle pickup and loading. The crew arrived with the Zippy Shell container in a box truck, placed it at the home, loaded it, and sent it off on its cross-country trip.

It may not be the standard pickup procedure for every customer, but it showed Zippy Shell's preparedness to adapt when scheduling gets tight.

Natalie moved the contents of a two-bedroom, one-bath home — two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and a small home office — while keeping her dog out from underfoot. Most belongings were already packed into boxes and bins before moving day, which kept the loading process quick. Customers who'd rather skip packing altogether can add Zippy Shell's labor-crew packing service for an extra fee.

The biggest takeaway from the move, though, was the value of professional loaders.

The crew also offered optional moving blankets and heavy-duty packing straps for an added cost, using them to wrap furniture, protect delicate items, and keep everything secure in transit.

Another highlight was how easily the driver maneuvered the truck into the driveway. Customers on narrow streets or with tight access often worry about container delivery, but this pickup put those concerns to rest.

Our one piece of advice: keep your moving-day schedule loose. As with most moving companies, arrival times can shift because of traffic, a previous job running long, or other unanticipated delays. Our crew arrived later than expected but communicated well and worked efficiently once on-site. Build in a generous window rather than planning around an exact time, and minor delays won't derail your day.

Zippy Shell excelled where it matters most: customer service, flexibility, and execution. Scheduling a cross-country move with only a few days' notice was impressive on its own, but the company's communication and its willingness to coordinate a trusted local partner made the experience stand out. A skilled loading crew that maximized container space and protected our belongings sealed the deal.

We'd still recommend padding your schedule on pickup day, as you would with nearly any mover — but overall, our experience was overwhelmingly positive.