Portable, on-demand storage units, commonly called PODS, make storing and transporting your belongings easy. You can use PODS for stress-free long-distance moves or convenient local moving storage.
Here’s how PODS storage works: the company drops off a clean, empty container, and you fill it with whatever you need moved. You can do this yourself (friends and family are welcome, of course!) or with help from hired movers. When you’re ready, PODS takes your full portable storage container to your new home.
PODS container sizes include small, medium, and large. Small is great for a room or two, while large is perfect for fully furnished homes. PODS also offers a handy storage calculator if you’re unsure which size fits your needs. If you’re still unsure, we’ll also thoroughly explore PODS sizes and the amount of furniture and other common household items each one can hold in this guide.
What Fits in PODS Containers?
PODS moving container sizes range in length from 8 to 16 feet. You can fit most common household items inside a PODS unit, including couches, beds, dressers, and home decor. But you need to be sure you select the right container rental sizes for your needs. Smaller container rentals are typically fine for people who live alone or don’t have much furniture, while the large containers are best for a large home or rooms filled with furniture and other household items.
Here’s a helpful chart for PODS size comparison:
Dimensions
Cubic Footage
Weight Limits
What It Can Hold
8′ x 7′ x 8′
Fits up to 500 sq. ft.
4,200 lbs.
Bed, dresser, bookshelf, TV, several boxes
12′ x 8′ x 8′
Fits 500-800 sq. ft.
4,700 lbs.
Furniture, decor, and appliances from a 1- or 2-bedroom apartment, including beds, dressers, couches, and electronics
16′ x 8′ x 8′
Fits 1,200 sq. ft.
5,200 lbs.
Large furniture, such as sectional couches, and appliances from a 3- or 4-bedroom home
Weight doesn’t affect pricing for PODS temporary storage options. However, you should still consider getting multiple PODS units if you’re near the weight limit, as excess weight can make transportation harder or incur fees.
Benefits of Using PODS for Moving and Storage
Life can get busy, so residential movers appreciate the flexibility and convenience offered by PODS containers. After delivery, you can pack up your entire home that day or add belongings throughout the week. Residential storage solutions like PODS can also help you save money as you plan your move. You can customize your move with the perfect container for your budget and belongings, and avoid storage facility fees. Loading your own portable storage container also helps you cut costs on moving labor.
“Disassemble furniture before placing it inside your PODS container, too. This gives you a lot more room to work with.”
You can also use PODS for temporary storage options during home renovations, staging, or if you can’t move into your new home right away. Knowing you can access your belongings anytime if you store them at your home provides peace of mind. But once you know how PODS can help and have decided it’s the best fit for your situation, the next step is choosing the right size.
How to Choose the Right PODS Container Size
PODS container sizes range from small to large. Consider your home’s size and type, plus how many items you have, when comparing container size options.
Assess Your Home Size and Type
Are you a minimalist or a maximalist? Consider a large PODS rental if you have a lot of stuff or live in a 3- or 4-bedroom home. College students, people with few belongings, or folks who live alone can often get by with a smaller container rental.
A medium-sized PODS container can be perfect for people with 1- or 2-bedroom homes, but keep in mind that if you have a basement or attic, the actual amount of stuff you have might be closer to a 3-bedroom home in the end.
Create a Detailed Inventory
Determine what you’re taking during the move, then create a detailed inventory of your possessions. Consider breaking your inventory list into categories, such as by room, or keeping similar items together. Not only does this help with determining what type of PODS rental you need, but it also makes it easy to ensure everything you want to keep makes it inside the PODS container.
When in Doubt, Go Slightly Larger
If you’re on the fence about PODS container sizes, go with the larger option so you have plenty of space. It’s much better to have a little too much space than realize you can’t fit your favorite recliner inside the container.
Factor in Your Storage Needs
Think about your storage needs when you request a PODS container rental. Do you only have items in your house, or are there outdoor toys or tools in your shed that require storage? Consider a large unit if you want to store outdoor furniture, kids’ play equipment, and gardening tools along with your indoor essentials.
How to Effectively Pack a PODS Container
Loading your PODS unit correctly can maximize space and prevent items from getting damaged during transit. Begin by determining which items you’re putting inside your PODS rental. Set other items aside, then pack your moving boxes tightly, using blankets, bubble wrap, or packing paper to fill any gaps. Items should be clean and dry before you place them in moving boxes or your PODS rental.
Disassemble furniture before placing it inside your PODS container, too. This gives you a lot more room to work with. Stack furniture and boxes vertically when possible, as this helps maximize space. Finally, secure heavy items to the container’s wall with tie-downs and make sure weight gets distributed evenly by placing larger, heavier items on the bottom of your container.
Tips to Maximize Moving Container Space
Are you cutting it close with PODS measurements, or do you want to ensure you have plenty of space for your belongings? Follow these 7 helpful packing tips for a hassle-free move.
Choose uniform boxes. As much as possible, ensure your packing boxes are all the same size before you load them into your portable storage containers. This helps prevent boxes from sliding or falling and saves space because you can more easily stack boxes on top of each other.
Pack vertically. Maximize space by packing items vertically rather than horizontally as you load your PODS unit. Stacking boxes or furniture vertically helps prevent items from sliding around and utilizes the maximum amount of space from the floor to the ceiling.
Utilize wall space with tie-downs. Using tie-downs helps prevent items from falling while in transit. Tie-downs are also important because they help distribute weight evenly in your PODS rental and improve stability.
Keep essentials easily accessible. Leave important documents and other essential items you might need during your move near the front of your PODS container (or ideally, on your person) so you can grab them quickly.
Disassemble large furniture. Make the most of every square foot in your PODS unit by taking apart large pieces of furniture. Disassembly also helps reduce the risk of damage during transit.
Put heavy boxes on the bottom. Be mindful of fragile or lightweight items when you load your PODS container. Don’t place heavier items on top of them. Otherwise, delicate belongings may get crushed under the weight of heavy boxes. In other words, don’t put that box full of books on top of your framed family photos!
Avoid packing prohibited or unsafe items. Your PODS unit shouldn’t contain flammable items, including paint, nail polish, aerosol hair spray, or gasoline. You should also avoid packing live animals, fertilizer, very sentimental items like family heirlooms, plants, and perishable food.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about PODS container sizes or decluttering with PODS, you’re in the right place. Learn more about flexible moving services with these efficient storage solutions.
Is PODS a good way to move across the country?
Renting a PODS container helps make your cross-country move hassle-free. You can load the container at your own pace — no need to rush! You may find this is also a safer option, as you’re the only one handling your belongings. Traditional moving services may shuffle your prized possessions between trucks, but PODS storage conveniently keeps everything in one container. Plus, PODS rentals are often more cost-effective than hiring a traditional van line for a long-distance haul.
What can’t I load into a PODS moving container?
Live animals should not be loaded into your PODS moving container. You should also avoid packing flammable materials, cleaning supplies, radioactive materials, very sentimental items like family heirlooms, items that can’t be replaced easily, and perishable food into your temporary storage container. You can’t put a car, motorcycle, or riding lawnmower in your PODS, either.
How much time do I need to move with a PODS moving container?
PODS offers 30-day rentals, so you can take your time planning your move. If you need more time when your 30 days are up, you’re able to continue renewing your rental in 30-day increments.
Are PODS containers weatherproof and secure?
PODS containers are weatherproof and made from resilient materials, such as steel and wood. These storage containers have steel-locking mechanisms, and you provide your own lock for extra security.
What areas does PODS service, and are there any limitations?
PODS rentals are available in 46 states. The PODZILLA level-lift system service requires a flat, level surface for dropping off and picking up PODS. Some rental communities and HOAs have guidelines that limit or prohibit on-site PODS for residents. You should also check local laws regarding on-site temporary storage.
Thinking about using a PODS container for your move? Great call — but you’ll want to make the most of it. There are a lot of advantages when getting a moving container like PODS, but they don’t fit every situation. And, because they’re a finite space, if you don’t pack it well, you might have to get more than one (of course, hiring pros who know how to pack safely and efficiently helps eliminate this problem).
Not sure where to start? You can read on to learn about how PODS work, how much they cost, what moving scenarios they benefit most, and how you can make sure your move with PODS goes as smoothly as possible.
What Are PODS?
Think of a PODS (Portable On Demand Storage) container as a moving truck and storage unit rolled into one. You gather your boxes, load your belongings at your own pace, lock up the container, and then PODS transports it wherever you need. You do the packing, but you don’t have to drive a giant truck or squeeze everything into one hectic day.
How do PODS work for moving?
Here’s the process in a nutshell:
Book a container: Reserve a PODS container (7-foot, 12-foot, or 16-foot size) and pick a delivery date. Make sure there’s a flat, clear space — often a driveway — and check if you need a permit for street placement.
Container drop-off: On the scheduled day, a PODS truck delivers the empty container. The driver uses a nifty hydraulic lift (called PODZILLA) to gently set it down without scraping your property.
Pack at your pace: Fill the container with your stuff on your own schedule. Take a day, a week, or a little longer if needed — just pack wisely so items stay secure.
Pickup and delivery: Once you’re ready, PODS returns to pick up the loaded container and transports it to your destination or a PODS storage facility. When it arrives at your new home, they drop it off for you to unload, and then they haul the empty container away.
PODS also has a few rules and prerequisites you should follow to make sure your move goes smoothly. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
PODS location requirements: You need a suitable surface for the container, which means something level, off the grass, and free of obstructions. A typical driveway or firm parking spot works well. If you need to place the container on the street, check local rules or HOA guidelines. Also, ensure there’s enough overhead clearance (about 15 feet) for the hydraulic lift.
Prohibited items: PODS will not allow dangerous or living things inside the container. These include gasoline, chemicals, propane tanks, and fireworks. Perishable foods, household plants, live animals, and motor vehicles are also prohibited. Basically, stick to normal household goods and furniture.
How Are PODS Transported Long Distance?
You’ve finished loading your PODS container for a cross-country move. Now, you might be wondering: How does the PODS moving system work for a long-distance move? It works by truck, train, cargo ship, or occasionally ferry. PODS uses its own trucking fleet and logistics network to move containers long distances.
“[With PODS] you put your own lock on the container, so only you have the key. Plus, your stuff stays in the same container the entire time, which means no unloading and reloading along the way and less of a chance for damage or mix-ups.”
Your sealed container might share a truck with other PODS containers heading in the same direction. For very long routes, containers sometimes hop on freight trains. And if you’re off to Hawaii or Alaska, they’ll take a cargo ship.
The good news is that you don’t have to coordinate any of this. Once your container is locked, it remains sealed until it arrives. When it reaches your new area, a local PODS driver will bring it right to your door. You skip the stress of driving a big rig or worrying about multiple transfers—PODS handles the entire handoff behind the scenes.
How Much Do PODS Cost for Moving?
The cost of a PODS container depends on a few key factors: distance, number of containers, rental length, season, and your final destination. There’s no universal flat fee, but here are some ballpark figures:
Local moves (under ~50 miles): Expect anywhere from $300 to $800. That usually covers a single container, about one month of use, and the container drop-off plus pickup.
Long-distance moves (100+ miles): Anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000 (or higher), depending on how many containers you need and how far they’ll travel.
These estimates generally include the initial month of container rental and transport. If you keep the container longer, you’ll pay more. And this doesn’t account for extra costs such as tipping your PODS driver for doing a stellar job.
To be sure of your total costs, get a personalized quote on the PODS site. You’ll plug in your move details (dates, container size, origin, and destination) and get a quick estimate. For a deeper dive into real-world numbers, check out our PODS cost review.
How Much Do Moving PODS Cost per Month?
When you rent a PODS container, you typically get the first 30 days included in your quote. After that point, you’ll owe a monthly rental fee, which ranges from $150 to $300 per month — sometimes more, depending on moving container size, location, and seasonal demand. For example, a smaller container might cost between $150 and $200 per month, while a larger one could range from $250 to $300.
Keep in mind: if you stretch even a few days past your initial 30 days, PODS charges for the entire second month. They don’t prorate partial months. In other words, day 31 means you’re on the hook for another month’s rent.
That said, a little extra time can be worth it if you need the container for staging, renovation work, or a tricky gap between move-out and move-in. Just watch your calendar to avoid extra and unplanned charges.
Advantages of PODS
Wonder why some people swear by moving containers? Here are five benefits of PODS:
Flexible timing: You can pack and load at your own pace instead of being forced to finish in a single day. This flexibility makes moving a lot less stressful.
No driving required: You won’t have to drive a massive moving truck. PODS handles the transportation, so you avoid the hassle (and anxiety) of navigating a big vehicle.
Storage when needed: If your new place isn’t ready right away or you have a gap between homes, PODS doubles as storage. You can keep the loaded container on your driveway or have PODS store it at their facility until you’re ready for your belongings.
Secure handling: You put your own lock on the container, so only you have the key. Plus, your stuff stays in the same container the entire time, which means no unloading and reloading along the way and less of a chance for damage or mix-ups.
Cost-effective middle ground: Using PODS can be cheaper than hiring a full-service moving company. You’re doing some work (packing and loading) to save money, but you still get conveniences like door-to-door transport and flexible scheduling. It’s a nice balance between cost and effort.
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Disadvantages of PODS
Despite the many benefits, there are some disadvantages of PODS:
Costs vs. DIY: While cheaper than full-service movers, PODS can be more expensive than renting a moving truck and doing everything yourself. And remember, if you keep a container for extra time, those fees will stack up fast.
Space and permits needed: This can be a problem if you don’t have a driveway or private parking area. Putting a PODS on a public street usually requires a permit, and some neighborhoods might not allow it.
No labor included: PODS is basically a drop-off and pick-up service. You’re responsible for all the packing and loading (and unloading later). If you can’t or don’t want to lift and carry your stuff, you’ll need to arrange help or hire movers for the labor.
Scheduling and transit time: During peak moving season, PODS availability can be limited if you don’t book early. Also, long-distance moves with PODS may take longer to arrive than driving a U-Haul yourself — your container might be in transit for up to a week or more, depending on the distance.
More on How the PODS Moving System Works
Now that you know the basics, you might have some other questions about how PODS operates. Take a look at some of the FAQs:
Do PODS Need a Foundation?
No, PODS containers don’t require any kind of foundation. They’re designed to sit flat on a relatively level surface, like a driveway or parking lot, with no extra construction work. When the PODZILLA lift drops off your container, it stays steady on its built-in support rails. As long as you’re not placing it on super-soft ground or an extreme slope, you don’t need a concrete slab or anything fancy.
Some people lay plywood or boards under the container if they’re worried about a delicate surface. But for most standard driveways, you can place a PODS container down without any special gear or prep.
Do PODS Containers Damage Your Driveway?
Usually not. A fully loaded PODS is heavy, but the weight is distributed across the container’s steel frame, which helps prevent direct strain. PODS drivers use the PODZILLA lift to gently position the container rather than drag or drop it. Think of it like parking a large truck—most driveways can handle that weight just fine.
“You need a suitable surface for the container, which means something level, off the grass, and free of obstructions. A typical driveway or firm parking spot works well.”
If your driveway is brand-new (or freshly poured concrete that hasn’t fully cured), you might want to wait before placing a heavy load. Also, if your driveway is already damaged or riddled with cracks, be cautious: a PODS container could make them worse.
Laying plywood boards under the support rails can help if you’re worried about it. Typically, though, you’ll just see mild impressions or nothing at all.
How Long Can You Keep a PODS Container in Your Driveway?
You can keep a PODS container in your driveway as long as you’d like. PODS won’t force you to give it back, but they will keep billing you monthly until you schedule a pickup.
However, your local rules might not be so flexible. Some cities or HOAs restrict how long a portable container can stay visible, especially if it’s on the street. If it’s fully on your private driveway, you might be fine, but it’s smart to confirm any local regulations or HOA guidelines before your PODS shows up. And remember, every extra month adds to your bill, so plan ahead.
Millions of people move every year. Around 25 million, at last count. And every year, more and more of them are using portable moving containers instead of trucks.
For good reasons, too! Moving containers offer a convenient, versatile, cost-effective way for you to move your stuff down the road or across the country.
If you’ve already booked a moving pod (or if you’re considering getting one), you can either hire a couple of pros to load it up for you or you can roll up your sleeves and try to fit everything in there by yourself.
We’ve got you covered if you want pros to handle your belongings. But if you’d rather DIY it, read on and see how to pack your moving container the safest and most efficient way possible.
Before You Start Loading
Like always, preparation is key. Here are some steps to take before you load the first box into your pod. It’ll help make the whole process even easier!
Disassemble what you can
Taking apart your furniture before loading makes everything lighter and easier to carry. It also saves valuable space in your container so you can fit more, and lessens the chance any delicate parts will break off in transit. Here’s what you should disassemble:
Take apart bed frames
Remove table legs
Take apart dining chairs if feasible
Take unattached shelves out of bookcases, curios, etc.
Remove anything else that sticks out of a piece of furniture or could fall out and break, like dresser mirrors or TV stands/bases
Pro Tip: Movers keep a small cardboard box called a “parts box” on hand to hold all the hardware from the items they disassemble. Use (and label) Ziploc bags to keep all the nuts and bolts and screws for each piece of furniture separated.
Wrap things up in furniture pads
Furniture pads keep your things (and the walls and floors) safe from damage as you haul it all out of your home. Pads also keep your furniture protected against the moving and shifting that will occur as your pod is taken to your new place.
You can usually rent them from your moving container company or buy them in stores or online — and possibly sell them online when you’re done.
Pro Tip: When wrapping furniture pads around your china hutch, curio, or any other item with a glass surface, add some extra protection by placing a piece of cardboard big enough to cover the glass over the part of the pad that is hiding the glass. Then, tape or shrink wrap the cardboard in place.
Clear the Way
For safety’s sake, you want to keep a clear path all the way to the door and out to your container. From rugs to stray rolls of tape, make sure there is nothing on the floor that can make you slip or trip.
Also, pay attention to what’s above you: the height of a doorway, the slope of the staircase ceiling, light fixtures, fuse boxes, smoke detectors, and anything else sticking out of the walls and ceilings. You don’t want to knock your couch or dresser into something important!
How to Load a Moving Pod: The Basics
Now that you’ve made preparations, it’s time to start loading up the container. There’s a definite method to the madness of trying to fit everything you own into a box — even a box as large as a pod. Here are some helpful terms and concepts that will give you the proper know-how to get started.
Tiers
These are vertical layers (basically walls) of furniture and boxes that reach clear up to the roof of your pod. Our aim is to build up tiers, one at a time, using a mix of furniture and boxes in each one.
Base
The foundation on which each tier is built. The pros always start their first tier with some base, which is usually made up of stout pieces of furniture like a dresser or a desk. On top of this will go boxes and items of medium size and weight. Then, you finish off each tier with light stuff.
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Weight Distribution
This term refers to the balance in your load, both side to side and front to back. Remember that things in your pod will shift in transit, so too much heavy stuff in the back or on one side can mean your lighter stuff gets knocked into and broken.
Density
This refers to how much room is available and is crucial for safety. Just like a half-empty cardboard box will tend to get crushed, empty space in a loaded pod has room for everything to move around and, quite possibly, end up damaged.
“A great way to avoid [the door getting stuck] is to strap off your last tier…Better yet, use a mattress or a couple of large bookcases (or whatever other large items you have) for your final tier.”
Table legs and shelves (wrapped and padded, of course) can fill these spaces. In a pinch, stick sofa cushions, rolled-up blankets, and even sleeping bags into empty areas to make your tier more dense while adding extra protective padding. You’ll probably still have some space at the top of your load, and that’s okay. Just keep it tight side to side and front to back.
How to Load a Moving Pod: Expert Level
Now that you’ve got the basics down, let’s go through all you need to know to load your pod like a pro.
Start with some base
You may be tempted to begin by stacking a bunch of boxes neatly in the back corners of your container. But movers always build their first tier with a foundation of a large, solid base, using things like long dressers and stout desks. Stacking some boxes on top of that base, with some loose items to fill in up top, will make for a stable first tier.
Don’t build a wall of boxes
Stacking boxes is easy — until you run out of them. Then you’ll have to build tiers of furniture and garden tools and all that stuff in the garage. This is a recipe for disaster. Build each tier with a mix of furniture, boxes, and loose items.
Keep it loose up top
The free space on top of the already-packed items is great for tools and chairs
All those items in the garage — folding chairs, garden tools, sports equipment, bicycles — have to go somewhere. The best place for such items is on top of your tiers, where density is least critical.
Add strength front to back
Tall bookcases, entertainment centers, refrigerators, and mattresses can serve as walls, placed between tiers throughout the pod, making your load more stable, safe, and secure. Mattresses can also be placed against glass surfaces common in items like china cabinets and curios.
Get creative with large, flat items
Headboards and padded dining table tops can be loaded against the side walls, perpendicular to your tiers. Mirrors and large picture frames (so long as they’re packed safely in flat cardboard cartons) can fill in spaces in tiers with items of varying widths.
Stand your sofa on end
You don’t want to start piling stuff on top of your sofa cushions or the frame underneath. So unless your couch is super light and you can put it on top of one of your tiers, stand it upright on one end. Use furniture pads to create a pillow underneath so that the end at the bottom doesn’t get crushed.
Tier down
This example in a moving truck applies to moving pods as well
Remember that density is critical for a secure, safe load? You don’t want any empty floor space between your last tier and the door of your pod. If there is, everything will come crashing down into that empty space while in transit.
In all my years of moving, I’ve never had a load fit perfectly into a moving pod (or a truck for that matter), but we always had to make sure our last tier rested right up against the door to keep the load stable.
Furthermore, each tier needs to be tall enough to support the tier behind it. It takes some foresight, but the top of your load should slope gently downward towards the door, each tier a little shorter than the one behind it.
Pro Tip: Pods, like moving trucks, normally have vertical rows of cleats inside for attaching straps that can hold your load in place. If your belongings will not take up the entire pod, placing large items like mattresses and tall bookcases against your last tier and strapping them firmly in place is a great way to keep everything secure.
What To Do If Your Moving Pod’s Door Is Stuck
A moving pod will have a roll-up door that can get jammed if the load inside shifts and ends up leaning against it. If this happens, push on the door and try to edge the items inside away from the door. This may require some time and patience, not to mention a bit of elbow grease, but the alternative is to call your container company and hope they can come out and help.
“…the equipment and the trucks carrying loaded pods have weight limits for the combined weight of the pod and its contents. Since a larger pod weighs more, there is less leftover weight capacity for what is inside.”
A great way to avoid this scenario is to strap off your last tier to keep everything from shifting and falling against the door. Better yet, use a mattress or a couple of large bookcases (or whatever other large items you have) for your final tier. Large items are much easier to strap in place.
How Do You Pack a Couch in a Pod?
As mentioned above, it is not advisable to set your couch flat on the floor of your pod. Stacking things on top of it will damage the cushions, the frame, or both. Instead, follow these steps to make sure your couch comes through the move in one piece.
Shrink Wrap Your Couch: Shrink wrap not only keeps your furniture pads firmly in place, but it also keeps dust and dirt off the upholstery. However, don’t use it on wood, leather, or vinyl — the shrink will damage those materials. And make sure you leave a few open spaces for ventilation to avoid mold.
Use furniture pads for support: Placing one on the floor underneath your sofa serves as a cushion. If the end of your couch is not flat, add extra pads so the entire end of your sofa is supported.
Orient your sofa properly: The back of your couch should rest against the tier behind it to keep everything back there in place, and the legs should be against the side wall.
What Cannot Be Moved in a Pod?
As with moving trucks, there are quite a few things that are prohibited from being transported in a moving pod. Most of these items present a fire hazard, but there are other potential problems involving things like mold, pests, and legality. To avoid these issues, refrain from loading up the following:
Matches
Oil and gasoline
Fireworks
Paint and paint thinner
Car batteries
Aerosol/pressurized cans/containers
Propane
Perishable foods
Plants and/or soil
Firewood and untreated wood
Animals, alive or dead
Household cleaning products
Lawn chemicals and fertilizer
Explosives and ammunition
Your moving pod company may have additional items on their “no-go” list. Check if you have any uncertainty about anything you are thinking of loading.
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How Much Weight Can a Moving Pod Hold?
Good question! Moving pods are built to carry a heavy load, but they do have their limits, and so does the equipment used to drop off and pick up moving pods.
The weight limits for a common moving pod company’s pod sizes are:
5,200 pounds for an 8-foot pod
4,700 pounds for a 12-foot pod
4,200 pounds for a 16-foot pod
Looking at these numbers, you might think something is wrong. Why do the larger pods have lower weight limits? Because the equipment and the trucks carrying loaded pods have weight limits for the combined weight of the pod and its contents. Since a larger pod weighs more, there is less leftover weight capacity for what is inside.
Inquire about specific weight restrictions with your chosen moving pod company.
What Happens if My Pod is Overweight?
Maybe nothing. At least one moving pod company out there does not charge any extra fees if you go over the weight limit for your pod. However, there is a chance that if you are over the weight limit, you’ll have to rent a second pod.
If you are concerned your load might go over the weight limit, rent another pod.
What Fits in an 8-Foot Pod?
An 8-foot pod is generally large enough to accommodate a studio apartment or a lightly-furnished one-bedroom apartment. The interior dimensions of an 8-foot pod are roughly eight feet high, eight feet long, and seven feet wide, which is typically enough for:
Large bed
Dresser
Small sofa and coffee table
Dining table and chairs
TV/entertainment center
Bookcase
Smaller household items
10-20 boxes
For a clear visual of how much space your belongings will take up, use masking tape to mark a seven-foot by eight-foot square on your floor. Then, try to fit some of your larger pieces of furniture inside that square. If it starts getting tight, you might consider getting a larger pod.
What Fits in a 16-Foot Pod?
A 16-footer will hold three or four rooms of furniture and belongings. Of course, everyone’s home is different. But here is an average breakdown of what will fit:
King or queen-size bed
Two twin beds
Two dressers
Sofa with coffee table and end tables
Dining room table and chairs
Washer/dryer
TV/entertainment center
Two bookcases
Various small items
Several dozen boxes
Place Your Container In the Right Spot
When you call to reserve a container, you’ll need to be able to assure the container company you have a suitable place for them to drop it. Check the following before you call.
Level surface: It’s imperative to have your portable container placed on a flat, level surface. If a slight incline is unavoidable, like in a driveway, have the back of the container (the side furthest from the door) sit lower so your tiers lean toward the back wall and not your head.
Solid ground: Empty containers are heavy, and loaded containers can sink into the dirt or mud. Secure a spot on a paved or cement surface.
Room to move: It’s not just your container that needs some space. The truck that will come to drop it off and pick it up will need room to maneuver, too. When you call the container company, ask them how much space they’ll need to get your pod in and out. While you’re at it, take note of any wires and tree branches that might get in the way.
Check the rule book: Contact your municipality or HOA head for any rules and restrictions on placing a temporary container, whether on your property or the street. If you rent, check with your landlord before putting your container on the premises.
The Best Way to Load Your Pod
Success in loading your pod means fitting everything in at the start and getting everything back intact at the end. It means using base, building solid tiers, and keeping all that weight distributed — just like the pros.
And if it all seems like too much, HireAHelper has your back. We can connect you with professional movers who can get the job gets done right, leaving you with a successful start in your new home.
What’s the difference between preparing for a local move and planning a long-distance move? If you guessed “time,” that’s only part of the equation. When it comes to moving long distances, it takes a lot more planning, preparation, and money.
There are many, many more steps to take than a local move, and it can get a little overwhelming. That’s what this guide is for! Learn everything about how to move long-distance, including tips on moving across the country and packing up your things.
How Much Do Long-Distance Moves Cost?
Interstate and long-distance moving companies charge based on weight, distance, and any extra equipment or insurance options you opt into.
One more big factor to consider is if you have any specialty items to move, such as a baby grand piano or gun safe.
What counts as a long-distance move? Generally, a long-distance move is one that is 400 miles or more. However, the exact number used to determine “local or long-distance” may vary from one moving company to the next.
Cost-Cutting Long-Distance Moving Tips
Here are some money-saving pro tips to keep in mind as you collect estimates and plan your long-distance move:
1. Start a Moving Fund
If you have time before your move, try to start a moving fund to prepare yourself for the upcoming expense of moving long-distance. This may not necessarily save you money, but it’ll help ensure you have the nest egg you need when the time comes.
2. Understand Binding vs. Non-Binding Estimates
It’s important to understand the difference between a binding and non-binding estimate when working with a full-service moving company.
A binding estimate means you’ll pay the final price of the estimate regardless of whether your stuff ends up weighing less or more than expected.
A non-binding estimate means you could end up with a different final tally, either less or more, depending on the weight.
3. Take Advantage of Off-Season Moving Rates
Summer is the most popular time to move and, as a result, moving rates are typically the highest during that season. You can bring the price down by being flexible with your moving dates and scheduling your move during weekdays, especially in the winter (or at least not during the summer).
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4. Ask for Discounts and Promotions
Ask moving companies about any discounts or current promotions that you could take advantage of. For example, members of the military and veterans often get cheaper rates for rental trucks and containers.
5. Get Multiple Quotes
Always get moving quotes from at least three different companies, whether you’re moving with a rental truck, portable moving containers, or a full-service moving company. Just remember that cheaper isn’t always better. It’s a good idea to take a look at online reviews and customer satisfaction scores as well.
6. Inquire About Corporate Relocations
Those who are moving for work should see if their employer offers reimbursements for any or all of the move.
7. Make a Budget and Stick to It
Once you have a clear idea of what it’s going to cost to move long-distance, put together a budget. Be sure to keep track of spending along the way, saving receipts and noting expenses, to keep moving costs from getting out of control.
What Kind of Transportation Do I Need?
You have a number of options when planning a long-distance move, and all of them will depend on these three things:
How much stuff you’re hauling
Your budget
Personal preference
Unless you’re selling everything you own and driving into the sunset, you’re going to need something safe and reliable to get all your stuff to your new place.
But don’t worry, you’ve got choices. Here are your best transportation options for a long-distance move.
Driving Yourself
Driving yourself and your stuff in your car is by far the cheapest option. People sometimes decide to take this approach when their long-distance move involves bringing a car or two. If you’re thinking about going this route, there are a few things you should consider first:
The age and mileage of the car
Whether the car can handle a long trip without breaking down
How many people and things need to fit in the car
If you need to get repairs ahead of time, then trust us, do that first. If you don’t have money to sink into repairs, or you just don’t want to add hundreds of miles to your car, consider getting your car shipped.
“Bubble wrap is an attractive option for particularly expensive or hard-to-replace breakables, but it’s bulky and becomes expensive quickly (not to mention, it’s not great for the environment). Packing paper is more than adequate for packing most things.”
If you decide this is the end of the road for your car, consider selling it or trading it in before your move (or you could donate it).
Cons: Way more time investment, adds mileage to your car(s), limited space for your stuff, very difficult without movers
Price: $
Rental Truck
Driving your own car might be the cheapest option, but it’s one that dpesn’t afford a lot of room for your other stuff. Sometimes, a truck is necessary if you want to take all your things with you.
The three major rental truck companies you’re likely to have access to are U-Haul, Penske, and Budget. But, there might be alternatives near you.
If you decide to rent a moving truck, you’ll get a better mileage rate for doing a “one-way” drive (picking up a rental vehicle at one location and returning it to another). Of course, keep in mind that getting and driving the truck is only one aspect. You still have to pack and load everything in there yourself.
Pros: More affordable than most other long-distance moving options
Cons: Much fewer customer service options, no labor estimate, difficult without movers to help, more expensive than just driving your car.
Price: $$
Long-Distance Movers With a Truck
What if you don’t want to figure out where to get the truck or you don’t want to drive it? Then you can hire long-distance movers to transport everything for you.
Note: Long-distance movers with a truck are not van lines. There’s a difference!
With this option, you pack and load everything into the movers’ truck and they transport it to your new home. This frees you up to take a scenic road trip or fly to your new home with just your essentials. Moving this way is more expensive, but it takes a lot of time, effort, and planning off of your plate.
Pros: You don’t have to worry about driving a big moving truck
Cons: More expensive the more stuff you have, less affordable than other types of moves
Price: $$ to $$$
Van Lines
You’ve probably seen the van line trucks on the road before: ABF/UPack, Old Dominion, and more.
This is how it works: a semi-truck trailer is dropped off at your home, you load your stuff (or have someone load it for you), and you partition it off to keep it separate from other customers’ belongings.
A driver will come to take the trailer away and drive it to your new home. Sharing space on a trailer with other people who are moving is a cost-effective way to get your belongings across the country because you only pay for the space on the trailer you take up.
That said, because this moving option involves multiple individuals’ prize possessions packed inside in shared moving trucks, we highly recommend hiring movers to load the trailer for you. The pros have experience and know how to keep your stuff safe and take up the least amount of space possible.
Pros: You pay only for the space you use,and transportation is all taken care of.
Cons: More expensive the more stuff you have, some companies offer less flexibility with loading and unloading dates. Can have a high claims rate as your things may be unloaded and loaded multiple times during other deliveries, and there is a risk of your things getting mixed up with other customers’ belongings.
Price: $$$
PODS/Moving Containers
Moving containers are ultra-convenient for long-distance moves for a few important reasons.
Portable moving containers are like a freight trailer but a lot smaller. Your container is dropped off empty and picked up when full, then kept in storage untouched until you request delivery at your new home. One of the biggest benefits for moving containers is being able to load your belongings at your own pace. Companies like PODS bill you monthly (while others at least give you a few days).
“Both your departure and arrival towns likely have parking rules, which will come into play as you’re loading and unloading, especially if you’re leaving a PODS container somewhere for a week or more.”
If you’re planning to use a portable container for storage, be aware: unlike more traditional self-storage, access to your portable container is only easy if you keep it in your front yard. When kept at a storage facility, an appointment is generally necessary and may cost you extra, so plan ahead.
Pros: The most flexibility of any long-distance moving option, transportation is taken care of, storage options are built-in
Cons: More expensive than a moving truck rental, can add complexity if you keep your container in their storage centers
Price: $$$
Full-Service Movers
If money is no object, hire a full-service moving company. They can assess your home and schedule a crew of movers to come with the packing supplies to pack, load, drive, and unload your stuff within the month of your choosing. You can even pay for the movers to disassemble and reassemble furniture for you.
Pros: Aside from coordination with the moving company, your move is practically done for you
Cons: Almost always the costliest option, requires more time to plan (sometimes a month or more ahead of time)
Cost: $$$$
How Do I Pack for a Long-Distance Move?
If you’ve already decided to hire full-service movers, you can skip ahead — they’ll take care of all the packing! Otherwise, read on. Below are some general estimates for how long it will take to pack, as well as some of our best tips for packing for a long-distance move.
How long does it take to pack for a long-distance move?
It’s important to know when to start packing, so here are time-requirement estimates for packing a home:
Studio/1BR Apt: 1 Day
2BR Apt: 1–2 Days
3BR Apt: 2–3 Days
2BR House: 2–3 Days
3BR House: 3–4 Days
4BR House: 4–5 Days
In the estimates above, “one day” is about eight hours of one person packing. If you only have time to pack for four hours a day, double those estimates. With that in mind, the single best strategy for packing is to start well in advance of when you think you should start, no matter which transportation option you choose. In all my experience, I never heard someone say that packing took less time than they expected.
Long-Distance Moving Tips for Packing
Packing is one of the most time-consuming parts of any long-distance move. To save you time, and save your sanity, here are some tried and true packing tips for moving long distances.
Test your packing speed:
Pick a closet or a room, or even just part of one room, and time how long it takes to pack.
This may give you an idea of how long it will actually take you to pack up your entire home. It will probably start looking like it will take much longer than you originally thought.
Decide what your non-essentials are:
Make a list of the kinds of things you won’t need for a while. This will make it easy to decide what to pack first once you get started and are faced with that mountain of accumulation in the garage or spare room.
Things you don’t need for a while often include:
Out-of-season clothes
Holiday items
Books
Sentimental items
Decorations
Seasonal bedding
Even if you’re undecided about what to do with some of your belongings, other categories are a no-brainer. Get them packed up and out of your way.
Shelve the sentimental. You will undoubtedly come across items you think you might want to get rid of but aren’t quite sure about. Expect that. Instead of wasting time fretting over Grandma’s lace tablecloth, set it aside for later. The monstrous task of packing tends to help people clearly see what they really need and what they can let go of.
Pack an essentials bag for every member of the family:
The last thing you want is to realize you’ve packed every single sock you own or, worse yet, your emergency contact lenses. Make a list of the things everyone is going to need access to during the move and set those things aside. Before moving day, have everyone pack up a carry-on or duffel bag with what they’re going to need before the new house is unpacked.
Things you will likely need to keep on hand:
Clothing
Toiletries
Essential electronics and chargers
Medications
Child’s favorite toys
Shower rod, rings, and curtain
Towels
Coffee maker, coffee, and your favorite mug
This list can get pretty subjective, so think about what you can’t live without during your move and add to it as needed.
DO NOT pack important paperwork, documents, and irreplaceable items:
When it comes to sensitive documents, shred those you don’t need and secure (and keep with you) the things you do.
Identifying documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, driver’s licenses, passports
These items should stay with you during your move, secured in suitcases, safes, and binders.
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Don’t pack your boxes too heavy:
You want to be able to actually move your moving boxes, so avoid packing boxes that weigh more than you (or the movers) can comfortably carry. Using small boxes for heavy items and large boxes for lighter items is a good rule of thumb.
Label boxes as you go and keep an inventory:
If you’re thinking, “I’ll unpack these boxes in a week. I know what’s in there,” trust me — at the end of your move, you’ll have no idea what’s in all those boxes.
Do yourself a favor and get a pack of Sharpies, labels, and a fresh spiral notebook.
Label your boxes with the following on two sides:
A unique number (1, 2, 3…)
Which room it belongs in
What you’ve packed inside
Then note all that down in your inventory notebook. This will make unpacking much easier and you’ll be patting yourself on the back when move-in day comes.
Use packing paper, towels, and linens instead of bubble wrap:
Bubble wrap is an attractive option for particularly expensive or hard-to-replace breakables, but it’s bulky and becomes expensive quickly (not to mention, it’s not great for the environment). Packing paper is more than adequate for packing most things. It’s also easier to handle. Make sure you use the right kind of tape, too.
For some extra padding and protection for your most important and fragile items, consider using clothing, linens, or towels to wrap those items and line your boxes. You have to pack those things anyway, so might as well use them to protect your favorite mugs.
Experts suggest taking photographs, especially for anything of great value. You may want proof of exactly what condition the items you keep are in before they are packed away on the moving truck (or whatever mode of transportation you choose).
Where Can I Get Packing Materials for a Long-Distance Move?
The easiest way to get clean, sturdy boxes and packing paper is usually to buy them from your moving service provider. Many self-storage facilities also offer these items, along with tape and other packing essentials. However, from a price perspective, you could probably save some money by getting your packing supplies from a home improvement store instead.
You could theoretically choose to ship some of your things via UPS, FedEx, or the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Yes, it’s cheapest to send through USPS, but pricing typically levels out for packages weighing more than two pounds.
Should I Get Rid of My Things?
You might recognize by now that the less stuff you have to move, the better off you’ll be. After all, professional moving companies generally charge you based on the weight of the stuff being transported. In other words, both literally and figuratively, you will lift a weight off your shoulders if you downsize before moving.
Some ways you can unload your stuff before moving day:
Sell stuff online through Craigslist, eBay, or Etsy
Have a traditional garage sale
Give away things to your friends and family
Donate items through charities or religious organizations
How To Pack the Truck (If You’re Doing It Yourself)
If you’ve decided to DIY your move with a rental truck and now have to load it yourself, remember these two pro tips:
1. Keep the Heavy Boxes on the Bottom
The idea is to avoid anything being crushed. Heavy boxes of books? Those should be packed under the China tea set. Flatscreen TV? That should be secured upright between the couch cushions without anything on top of it.
2. Load Your Belongings in “Tiers”
This means building walls, i.e., vertical layers of furniture, boxes, and assorted loose items. Furniture pads are crucial for this.
For example, set down your dresser and a desk (wrapped in padding, of course), with some not-too-heavy boxes set on top of them, and top it off with outdoor equipment, pillows in plastic bags, etc. This all makes up one tier.
Build one tier at a time, mixing furniture, boxes, and miscellaneous stuff. It’s critical to pack tightly to avoid damage from everything shifting and bouncing around in transit. Naturally, not all your tiers will be uniform, but do your best to balance the weight throughout the truck as you pack.
Other Considerations When Moving Across State Lanes
Interstate moves are particularly complicated due to differences in state laws. You still legally have to know what you’re responsible for when moving to a new state, so the first step is to do your homework. Here are some
Moving Company Licenses
Hiring movers? Some moving companies can’t even provide service for interstate moves because they lack the proper license. Check-in with your mover ahead of time. (Of course, the HireAHelper search tool filters all that stuff automatically once you input your zip code.)
Parking During Your Move
It’s important to know both state and local laws and ordinances that may be relevant to you during your move. Both your departure and arrival towns likely have parking rules, which will come into play as you’re loading and unloading, especially if you’re leaving a PODS container somewhere for a week or more.
State-Specific Restrictions
Also, some states have certain laws restricting what you can bring in. For instance, there are several items that are illegal to bring into California, including certain firearms, fruits, and certain pets, like ferrets.
Moving Long-Distance with a Pet
Interstate moving with a pet adds one more tricky factor to the moving mix. It’s not impossible, though, and these tips can help make it a lot easier
PODS User Review: What’s the True Cost of Moving Using PODS in 2024?
PODS containers aren’t just for storage — they’re also a really convenient way to move. Although the price can be slightly higher than renting a U-Haul and driving yourself, you will save a boatload of money compared to full-service movers. Plus, PODS provides a unique moving experience that stands out from other moving services, making it harder to compare apples to apples from a pricing standpoint.
So how much exactly does PODS cost? It depends, of course, on where you’re going and how much stuff you have. But there are other factors to consider, such as how much PODS can save you in terms of time, effort, and other costs.
I recently had the opportunity to use a PODS container, making me not just a mover who’s loaded hundreds of PODS containers in my time, but also a PODS customer.
Keep reading to get the details on how much PODS really costs in 2024, how to save money with PODS, and who moving containers are a good fit for.
Key Takeaways
My PODS Experience: PODS is a great middle-ground option–more affordable than full-service movers but pricier than a U-Haul, balancing convenience and control.
Cost #1 (Two 16-Foot Containers): $8,581 for a cross-country move (3-bedroom home), including delivery, rental, transport, and redelivery.
Cost #2 (Adding an 8-Foot Container): $3,140, with flexible delivery options and the ability to cancel if not needed.
Why Choose PODS: PODS is ideal for temporary storage, staggered moves, or transitions between homes – simplifying the process and cutting down on stress.
What Is/Are PODS?
Technically, PODS is the name of the company (originally the acronym stood for Portable On Demand Storage), not the name of the containers they rent to their customers. Essentially, their solution is moving and storage in one package, also known in the industry as “containerized moving”.
PODS pioneered containers as a way to move and store back in the nineties, and since that time, several companies have followed suit with a similar product.
How Does PODS Work?
PODS drops off a container at your home and you take your time filling it up with your life’s possessions. Then you can either keep it in your driveway if you’re staging or remodeling your home, or have PODS pick it up and drive it to your new home.
They can move you down the street or across the country (the company even delivers to Hawaii!), or they can move your containers into one of their storage facilities. They have more than 240 indoor storage facilities around the country, so there’s usually one pretty close by.
“[With PODS,] you’re really only paying for the space you need instead of how heavy your items are…those with the best Tetris packing and loading skills will be rewarded with paying less for less space.”
PODS containers are rented by the month, which means you have 30 days to move your container and have it picked up. If you need to keep it longer, you can —you’ll just continue to get billed every month until you’re ready to return it.
It costs a little more each month to keep your container at a storage facility, but you can at least enjoy the peace of mind of knowing your stuff is extra secure —locked inside your container, which is then locked inside of a secure building.
How Is Moving with PODS Different?
The important thing to remember is that moving with PODS is different from moving with a full-service mover or a rental truck from U-Haul.
Typically, there are three ways to move:
DIY: With a DIY move, you take care of everything, including the packing, loading, driving, and unloading. Think: renting a moving truck.
Full Service: This is like calling in the troops to do your moving for you. The movers will sweep your property, gather up all your stuff, drive it to your new place, and you cross your fingers hoping everything will get there all in one piece. Think: van lines.
Hybrid: A hybrid move falls somewhere in between DIY and full service. You’re taking charge of your move, but you’re not doing everything. An example is renting a truck but hiring moving labor to load it for you. Or, in the case of PODS (which is really why we’re here today), renting a moving container and having someone else drive it for you. To make things ultra-easy and get the most out of your container space, you can also pair a moving container with packers and loaders.
As covered above, PODS falls into the hybrid “sweet spot” — it’s not total DIY, but it’s just DIY enough to save you a pretty penny and give you more control over your move. It also can save your butt if you find yourself in one of the unique situations below.
Best Use-Cases For PODS
Maybe you’ve sold your house, but you don’t have a new one quite yet. Or you’re moving across the country for a job and have to go ahead alone, leaving your family to follow six months later. Or there’s a divorce, or someone passes away and you have to sort through their things. The list goes on.
I’m covering all this before I even jump into the pricing because it’s important to know what you’re getting with PODS. It’s a solution that offers a lot more flexibility and less effort than you’d get with the other moving options, especially if your move has certain complications:
Staging your home for sale and then moving
Staying somewhere temporarily between homes
Downsizing with a need for temporary storage until you sort through/sell all your stuff
Moving different people to different households (like breakups)
In situations like these, using PODS means you don’t have to move your stuff twice or multiple times, saving on the additional truck rental costs or moving labor that comes with hauling your stuff to and from storage. This also saves you a bunch of time and hassle because you don’t have to rent a truck, and then a storage unit, and then rent a truck again.
In other words, there are a lot of nuances to keep in mind when considering a PODS container. While plenty of articles will publish pricing tables for you, in most cases, you’re not making a fair comparison when you size up PODS against your other moving options.
The takeaway: The price difference between a PODS container and a rental truck can be substantial, but what’s not so obvious is the convenience you’re paying for. Make sure to factor that into your comparison shopping.
What Is the Cost of Moving Using PODS?
PODS offers local and long-distance moving, each with a different quote process.
PODS Long-Distance Moving Costs
You’re going to pay different costs and go through a different quote process when you’re moving long-distance with PODS.
Of course, just as with any moving company, the farther you move, the higher your moving costs will be. But a lot more factors go into your final price tag than just that.
How much your move costs with PODS depends on the following:
Distance
How many containers you’ll need
How long you’ll need your containers for
When you’re moving ( container availability) —especially whether or not you’re moving during the peak summer season
Container rental and storage time. A one-month rental is included with every container, but if you exceed 30 days, you’ll have to pay the monthly rental fee again.
Whether or not you hire professional loading and unloading help (which technically isn’t delivered by PODS, but they can refer you to local packers and loaders like HireAHelper)
PODS Long Distance Quote Process
You might be left a little frustrated if you are looking for a long-distance moving quote completely online. When it comes to long-distance moving with anyone other than a rental truck company, this is the norm.
Full-service movers have to estimate how much stuff you have by weight, which means they need to visit your home to see exactly what you’re going to be moving.
With PODS, you can get a quote right away when you call, after answering questions about the stuff you’re moving. The call took me 29 minutes, which is faster than the 50 minutes I spent awkwardly walking a van line estimator through my uncleaned house to talk about every item I’d be bringing along.
So unfortunately, even with PODS, you do have to pick up the phone to get your full quote. However, you can take comfort in knowing you’re not just getting a quote, but your final price. This means that, unless you extend your container rental period or order another container, your pricing won’t change.
By the way, a reputable or established full-service mover will usually give you a not-to-exceed quote — so if the price changes it will be in your favor. But if you add any furniture, or they missed any in their inventory, you may possibly have to pay more.
See prices for local moving labor. Read real customer reviews. Easily book your help online.
My Long-Distance PODS Quote
Here’s the process of the quote that I got from my Florida to California move for my 3-bedroom home, approx. 2,000 square feet.
First of all, when I got a local moving quote, it was recommended online by PODS.com that I opt for one 16-ft and one 8-ft container. Turns out, this is not enough space.
The Allied estimator told me that my stuff totaled 1,466 cubic feet — which he said would be three PODS containers, not two. Of course, he doesn’t work for PODS, so I knew I couldn’t take what he said at face value.
“Their 12-ft container is only available for moving locally, so before you start doing all your calculations with that one, you better make sure your move qualifies as an in-town move.”
When I spoke with my PODS sales rep, she had me answer a series of questions to give her an idea of how much stuff I was moving. In the end, her recommendation for my moderately furnished place (according to the Allied rep who had been in the industry for four decades) was two 16-ft containers and an additional 8-ft container.
The idea was to stagger my 8-ft container, which means scheduling it to arrive a couple of days after the 16-foot containers, to give me a chance to determine whether or not it would be needed. I would then be able to cancel it without any fees up until 24 hours before the scheduled delivery date.
Scenario #1: Use just two 16-foot Containers
Delivery: $123.75 per unit X 2 = $247.50
Monthly rent (first month): $236.25 per unit X 2 = $472.50
Contents protection and transport fee: $50
Contents protection plan for $25,000 worth of coverage: $79.95 per month
Container transport: $3,722.47 per container X 2 = $7,444.94
Redelivery fee: $143.25 per unit X 2 = $286.50
Scenario #2: Add an 8-foot container
Delivery: $123.75 per unit
Monthly rent: $236.25 per unit
Container transport: $2,636.75 per unit
Redelivery fee: $143.25 per unit
The grand total for just the two containers came to $8,581.39. It was $11,721.39 for all three containers.
This included all possible discounts. PODS was running a 25% discount that my sales rep said saved me an additional $1,300 in transit fees by applying it, and this amounted to a much better discount than what PODS was advertising, according to the sales rep.
Another thing to note was that, as of July 30, PODS only had two days, September 12 and September 26 available. If this is indicative of a typical summer, I can’t emphasize enough that you should schedule way in advance if you expect to use PODS for your summertime move.
PODS Long Distance Moving Costs vs. Other Moving Methods
How did my quote stack up against other moving methods?
Rental Truck
U-Haul was able to give me a quote online for a cross-country move from Clearwater, FL to Los Angeles, CA:
Size
Home Size
Interior Truck dimensions (LxWxH)
Quote
10′ Truck
Studio to 1 Bed Apt.
9’11” x 6’4″ x 6’2″
$2,477.00
15′ Truck
1 Bed Home to 2 Bed Apt.
15′ x 7’8″ x 7’2″
$2,606.00
20′ Truck
2 Bed Home to 3 Bed Apt.
19’6″ x 7’8″ x 7’2″
$2,866.00
26′ Truck
3 Bed Home to 4 Bed Home
26’2″ x 8’2″ x 8’3″
$3,257.00
After my consultations with Allied and PODS, I knew I would opt for a 26-foot truck for $3,257.00 plus tax.
Full-Service Mover
For my full-service quote, I randomly chose Allied.
Their estimator came to my house and spent nearly an hour going through my home room by room. He was extremely friendly and helpful and gave me all sorts of packing tips, as I told him we would be doing the packing ourselves (they would take care of just the loading and transport). So for those who aren’t used to packing for a move, I imagine the consultation could be quite useful if your estimator is as helpful as mine was.
The grand total for my moderately furnished home was $10,716.14 for a Thursday loading date. I did a really good job pretending not to have sticker shock, by the way, when he gave me the final number.
Word to the wise: Scheduling the loading date for a weekday instead of the weekend saved me around $200.
One thing to note is that we have a pretty big shed full of tools. He said if I were to sell all my tools (which wasn’t gonna happen), that could save us $1,500. And if I were to sell maybe half our tools, that might shave off $1,000.
The Allied estimator also said that during the summertime, this would’ve been around $12,500. It goes to show you how much you can save on full-service moving if you’re willing and able to push back your move by one month.
How Much Does PODS Cost to Move According to PODS?
Now let’s take a look at what PODS says it costs on average for a 2–3 bedroom home compared to rental trucks and full-service movers. These numbers are based on what PODS publishes on their own website, as well as MoveBuddha’s estimates for rental trucks and full-service movers.
Some things to keep in mind about these numbers that follow:
PODS’ fees include container rental for the whole month, including transport and on-site storage.
Full-service movers include transport as well as loading and unloading, but not packing.
Rental truck costs do not include the fuel costs or packing and loading labor.
Actual pricing will vary depending on your specific location, dates, household size, discounts, and other factors.
The following is how PODS says the company stacks up against other moving categories for a cross-country move.
PODS
Full-Service Movers
Rental Truck
$4,002–$5,650
$4,533–$6,999
$1,906-$3,405
*This table is based on estimates from PODS and MoveBuddha for a 2-3 bedroom household (800-1,200 sf) as of December 2024. Costs don’t include insurance or taxes. Prices will vary based on specific locations, dates, the size of the household to be moved, and available discounts. For a detailed quote, call PODS at 877-350-7637. PODS estimate is for one 16-foot container.
After getting my PODS quote, which was $8,472 for two 16-foot containers, I would say that PODS’ range here might be a bit on the low side, unless you’re able to squeeze all your stuff into one single 16-foot container, which was priced at $3,722.47 for my move. And keep in mind that this doesn’t include the delivery fee and other incidental charges, which come to $489.95 per 16-ft container according to my personal quote.
Also remember that for the rental truck prices, you’re not seeing gas or travel costs, like staying in hotels for the five- or six-day trip out to L.A. from Florida.
PODS Local Moving Costs
What about moving locally? “Local” moving is always a bit hard to define, even for moving companies. Sometimes it means moving from one part of town to another. Other times, it might mean any move under 500 miles. For our purposes today, I mean from one part of town to another.
For my current home state of Florida, here are PODS moving costs according to PODS for a 2–3 bedroom home.
PODS
Full-Service Movers
Rental Truck
$475–$795
$799–$2,321
$49–$122
This is what I found according to my own research:
Clearwater, FL move
I ran a quote myself for a move in August — peak moving season — for my 3-bedroom/2,000 square foot home (1 16ft container and 1 8ft container) across town to my friend’s house 2.6 miles (9 minutes) away. The total cost was $982.00 including $20 for container-only protection.
After plugging in their promo code for 25% off, this came down to $786.00 plus tax, bringing me right to the very top of the range they presented for Florida local moves.
But how much does seasonality affect PODS local moving costs? I ran the same quote but for October 1, and the total before the promo code came out to $962.00. So not that much apparently, at least in this case.
Conclusion: It seems like PODS’ local prices are at the higher end of the range they quote, at least in Central Florida.
See prices for local moving labor. Read real customer reviews. Easily book your help online.
Los Angeles
I then ran a quote for a local move in Los Angeles from Eagle Rock to Glendale, a distance of 2.9 miles. The quote came to $1,452.00. This also included the $20.00 container-only protection fee.
With their 25% off promo code, the total came to $1,158.50 plus tax.
This goes to show you that geographical area probably has a lot more to do with pricing than seasonality.
Halfway Across the Country
What about moving long-distance but not quite coast-to-coast mileage? Here’s what we get based on PODS’ estimates for Texas moving costs and Florida moving costs.
Route
Miles Range
PODS
Full-Service Movers
Rental Truck
TX to CA
1,436–1,926
$2,002–$4,992
$3,545–$8,850
$1,142–$2,282
FL to NY
1,080–1,280
$2,134–$3,583
$3,020–$8,050
$923–$1,706
The Verdict: Is It Cheaper to Move with PODS?
When compared to full-service movers, it appears that PODS is the cheaper way to move. For example, with a cross-country move, you could spend $3,436–$6,030 with PODS compared to $4,231–$9,577, but keep in mind that PODS doesn’t include moving labor.
Still, even when hiring hourly packing and loading help, moving with PODS still seems to be the more affordable option.
PODS vs. Other Solutions
As I mentioned earlier, if you’re going to be using PODS for one of those complex moving situations, it’s not really helpful to directly compare to moving with a rental truck or a full-service mover.
For example, when using a rental truck instead of PODS for a move requiring temporary storage, you’ll have to keep in mind some additional costs.
Self-Storage
I was told by my Allied rep that I would need a 10 x 25ft unit, or a couple of units that would add up to the same amount of space.
If we packed our stuff tightly, this would come to three 10 x 7.5ft units, which are priced at $269/mo each at the closest facility in Los Angeles, or $807/mo.
Still, this is slightly cheaper than storage center storage with PODS, which costs:
$315/mo for each 16ft container
$286/mo for the 8ft container
$79.95/mo for contents protection ($25K coverage)
Total: $977.95
Still, this price tag comes with zero travel to and from the storage center.
Moving Labor Help
The cheapest moving labor help I could find was $370 for 2 movers for 2 hours, and this included moving our upright piano. Based on this moving labor guide I would hire them for about 4 hours, which would bring me to $740, just to have them unload and reload my stuff for the storage trip.
That’s $740 you could save by opting for PODS, which includes built-in storage.
If you don’t hire any help, this translates into man hours. You’re probably going to spend a day doing all that work yourself, and more recovering.
“PODS should reach out to you and let you know if you’re in an area that requires a parking permit, but it doesn’t hurt to do your due diligence to find this out yourself”
Plus, there’s also the stress of having to work out the logistics of moving your stuff in and out of storage. With PODS, if you’re caught by surprise because you go past the house closing deadline or your remodeling project on your new home takes longer than you thought, you can just pick up the phone or log into your account and reschedule your pick-up or delivery. Not so with other moving solutions.
Does PODS Offer Discounts?
Every now and then PODS offers moving specials. If you’re in the military you can save, and some workplaces may also offer a discount as part of their employee benefits, so it’s worth checking out your perks package to see if PODS is covered.
If you go to PODS’ promo offers page you’ll usually find several specials such as:
Summer and other periodic sales: Save up to 25%
Military discount: Whether you’re active duty or inactive, you can save between 10% and 25% depending on whether or not PODS is running a big special.
Need to store your stuff? You can save even more:
If you store your container at a PODS facility, you can save up to 15% and get your initial delivery free waived.
If you store even longer, for 6 months or more, PODS will waive the initial delivery and “re-delivery” (when you get your stuff dropped off back off ) with 15% off monthly storage fees.
If you store for 12 months or longer, not only will PODS give you free delivery and re-delivery, but you’ll also get 25% off your monthly storage fees.
PODS Moving Insurance
As with any moving solution, with PODS, you’re going to need to decide whether or not to get moving insurance.
Every container comes with a $20 container-only protection, which covers what it sounds like: just the container and not your stuff.
You then have an option of moving coverage for your stuff based on the replacement value. I was told by the PODS sales rep that the average person gets $20K worth of coverage, which is $69.95 per month. But since I have a lot of tools, I opted for $25K worth of coverage because it was only $10.00 more per month, and that’s a lot less than buying myself a whole new set of tools.
PODS vs. Other Moving Containers
Now, PODS isn’t the only moving container solution out there. Other portable moving containers include 1-800-Packrat, Zippy Shell, U-Pack, and U-Box. You may or may not be able to save a buck with them, but it might be worth a shot. Just keep in mind you might be compromising container quality or customer service by going with the cheaper option.
Container Sizes
Picking the right container size is one of the most critical ways to ensure you have a smooth moving experience. But it’s also critical to make sure you don’t spend too much on space you don’t need.
PODS has three container sizes to choose from with the following sizes:
Container size
Dimensions
How much stuff
Large/16-Foot
Cubic feet: 835.
Exterior: 16′ x 8′ x 8′
Up to 1,200 sq. ft. space (3–4 rooms)
Medium/12-Foot
Cubic feet: 689.
Exterior: 12′ x 8′ x 8’*
500–800 sq. ft. of space (2–3 rooms)
Small/8-Foot
Cubic feet: 402
Dimensions: 8′ x 7′ x 8’*
Up to 500 sq. ft. of space
Their 12-ft container is only available for moving locally, so before you start doing all your calculations with that one, you better make sure your move qualifies as an in-town move. The simplest way to do that is by running a quote online and seeing if you get your quote right away (local move) or if they make you call (long-distance move).
How Much Fits Inside PODS Containers?
Here are some videos that PODS has online that show you just how much you can fit into their 8-ft and 16-ft containers.
Obviously, you can pack even more into a 16-foot container, check out this video!
One of the nice things about PODS is that you’re really only paying for the space you need instead of how heavy your items are. This means that with PODS, those with the best Tetris packing and loading skills will be rewarded with paying less for less space.
As you can see, you should be filling your containers from floor to ceiling, and every few feet or so, secure your load by using cable or rope with these, known as D rings.
Will my couch fit in PODS’ 8-foot container?
The million-dollar question: will my couch fit in PODS’ small container? You’d be surprised by how much you can cram inside, and I’d venture to say that a lot of couches could fit. Our couch wasn’t one, however. At first, we thought it did…until we tried rolling down the door.
As you can see, the door has this clip, which measures a little over 1.5 inches, which means you should leave several inches of space between your loaded items and the door to be safe.
The container also has interior supporting beams that house the D rings, and they stick about 1.25 inches into the interior. This means that unless you have a narrow couch, you’re going to be losing 1.25 inches in length and 1.25 inches in width in interior space. This type of thing happens with rental trucks too, thanks to the wheel well.
This is all to say: If your couch is right on the edge between fitting or not fitting when you’re trying to pick out container sizes, it’s probably best to upsize your container length, especially because you don’t want to pack things too close to the door. This is because things may shift during transit, causing trouble when it comes time to open the door at your destination.
My Experience as a PODS Customer
Overall we had a positive experience with PODS. Our container was delivered and picked up on time, and it was clean and upscale-looking. Our drivers were friendly, fast, and obviously knew what they were doing.
Delivery
First of all, they will pick up and deliver your container using PODZILLA, which is a super cool level lift system operated by a remote. It’s a nice touch to reduce the chance of damage due to shifting.
Here is PODZILLA in action delivering my container:
What’s nice is you don’t have to be home for delivery. My driver didn’t so much as knock. By the time I met her outside, she was already backing the truck into place.
While the delivery is typically straightforward for houses like mine that have a private driveway, things can get more complex for apartment complexes, neighborhoods with HOA regulations, and urban areas with limited street parking or strict parking regulations.
If you fit into one of these other categories, you should check with your building management or HOA regarding their policies for on-site PODS containers. In cities like San Francisco or New York, reach out to local authorities to see if a parking permit is needed. In many cases, PODS’ customer service reps can help point you in the right direction if you need assistance with parking regulations or permit requirements. PODS also offers a special city moving service for driveway-less moving in certain urban areas.
PODS Moving Tips
Here are some things to know about using PODS that can make or break your experience, and impact how much money you end up spending.
Think carefully about where you want the door to face. In their ads and commercials, PODS has its signature blue door facing streetward at the camera, but in real life, you want it facing your front door, side door, garage, or wherever you’ll primarily be unloading or loading your stuff.
Clear the driveway of obstructions like tree branches or else PODS won’t be able to deliver your container, which can push your move back significantly.
PODS should reach out to you and let you know if you’re in an area that requires a parking permit, but it doesn’t hurt to do your due diligence to find this out yourself, especially if you live in an urban area known for its crazy parking scene. Read the HireAHelper guide to parking permits to learn more.
I’ve been loading and unloading containers for many a year, and I can vouch for the container packing tips PODS has on their website. Definitely take the time to review these, as you’ll help ensure your stuff stays safe from damage and you’ll be able to fit more into your container. Also, you can prevent issues when it comes to opening your container. Some of the most important tips include:
Load your container in sections and use tie-down hooks to secure items within the container.
Do not place your mattress on top, as it can fall and lean against the door, making the door difficult to open. Instead, try loading your mattress on either side of the container or wedge it between items.
In the last section of your container, closest to the door, use a large sheet of cardboard or four extra-large flattened boxes taped together to create a barrier. This will help prevent objects from falling against the door during transit, causing a door jam.
Also, hire moving help experienced with loading containers. Unlike rental trucks, PODS containers have to be loaded a little differently. You have to evenly distribute the weight with the heaviest items on the bottom. And loading efficiently can help you avoid having to rent an extra container, potentially saving you thousands of dollars.
That’s all I’ve got for now about PODS, but it’s definitely enough to get you started on your moving journey. In the end, because your move is unique to you, nothing replaces getting a quote yourself and doing some comparison shopping.
But before you ditch the idyllic temps and less-than-idyllic traffic of L.A. for the skyscrapers and snowstorms of NYC, there are some key details to think through:
How much does a cross-country move cost?
What exactly does a cross-country relocation entail?
What does it mean for your car?
As someone who grew up in L.A., I understand all of the amazing qualities of this sprawling city, but I also know why, after a while, you might want to try something new. After all, New York City is a big place, with 8 million people, 5 boroughs, and about 3,000 “best slice” spots. Here’s what I learned on my move.
From Coast to Coast: What You Need To Know When Moving from LA to NYC
As Frank Sinatra crooned, “If you can make it here, you’ll make it anywhere.” Of course, that implies it takes some fortitude to make it in NYC. (As a Los Angelino, you’ve already got that in spades.)
Here are a few key differences to consider between the two cities:
Transportation: Los Angeles is a driving-centric town; you must have your own vehicle in L.A. But the traffic is atrocious, and it takes so long to get anywhere that you really have to think hard before every RSVP. NYC is all about walking, but the subway is always there as a backup. Although the multicolored Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) map might seem daunting at first, you’ll quickly get to know your local route, and your knowledge from memorizing overnight switchovers and deciphering the conductor’s messages will only grow.
“The Vibe”:There might be some culture shock if you’re used to laid-back vibes. They say that New Yorkers are mean and rude and, well, some people are! But to be fair, you can find gruff people anywhere. Both cities offer diverse communities who will likely love to chat about their favorite brunch spots, fitness fads, and what they love or hate about their town.
Weather: Are you sure you want to give up the beach? OK, to be fair, you don’t exactly have to! NYC offers access to Coney Island, the Rockaways, and the Hamptons, providing a variety of beach escapes with different vibes. The big change is that you only get to enjoy NYC beaches for a few months out of the year. Then again, there’s something to be said for adding chic coats to your wardrobe.
What’s the cost of living in NYC vs. L.A.?
One thing that New Yorkers love to talk about is how much everything costs. So, let’s talk about money.
NYC has one of the nation’s highest median incomes: $87,745.
However, you should also consider that rising housing costs and the overall cost of living counteract some of those take-home benefits.One study shows that when today’s median household income is adjusted against county cost of living, New York County ranks very poorly: No. 3,105 in the U.S.
So, you can’t simply ask, “Is it cheaper to live in L.A. or NYC?” It’s important to really take into account your own lifestyle and the factors that might impact your take-home pay—everything from groceries to movie theater tickets. Both L.A. and NYC are unsurprisingly among the most expensive cities in the United States; L.A. ranks No. 7, Brooklyn comes in at No. 4, and Manhattan owns the dubious honor of No. 1.
A few things have changed about living in New York since 2020, several of which might inform a move to NYC.
One factor is that renters in NYC might need to pay broker fees again. These fees, which can range from one month’s rent to 15% of annual rent,were briefly prohibited in 2020. However, that is a “might”, because it’s possible to sort listings so that only no-fee apartments are displayed in your searches. In some cases, the amount itself may be negotiable, but this is something to discuss with a broker up-front.
“Consider that the 40-hour drive from LA to NYC takes about four days on average to complete—and that’s with an average vehicle, not a large moving truck.”
Another thing is that prices have steeply increased from the all-time lows of the pandemic. Not only are NYC prices rising, but it’s madebidding on apartments pretty fierce. Prospective renters might offer to pay over the asking rate, sign leases sight unseen, put down deposits in cash, and do other things that would’ve seemed crazy year ago. While competitive, you probably aren’t used to competition this fierce in LA.
How to ensure you get an apartment in NYC
What helps most is to know exactly what you’re looking for so that you know it when you see it, and that you’re ready to act.
Have all of your paperwork on hand so that you can apply for an apartment right away; typical documents include pay stubs (or similar proof of employment), records from the past year’s tax returns, and proof of the money that’s currently in your bank account (or other assets you hold).
The Mover’s Guide for How To Get From Here (L.A.) to There (NYC)
You’ve made your decision to pack up and head off to the opposite coast. Congrats! Now it’s time for the actual moving part. Although it’s impossible to provide one guide that will suit every situation, this at-a-glance overview offers useful and comprehensive tips for moving to NYC.
How to get your move out of L.A. started
It’s not really possible nowadays to simply decide you’re leaving today. Several experts recommend booking movers two months ahead of your trip, but this is a general rule. Given this is a long-distance move, you might want to start as far back as three months, especially if you’ll be moving during the busy summer season, which books up fast!
Pack now!
When a friend of mine moved to NYC recently, she started planning a few months out and felt pretty confident, but looking back, she says she could have benefitted from a little extra time to double-check everything, pack a little earlier and slower, and itemize and appraise some of her belongings. Case in point: a few of her boxes went missing. But she had difficulty holding her movers accountable — she wasn’t 100% certain about what specifically was lost because she’d marked them down broadly (i.e., “Kitchen”).
You need to look at NYC places well in advance
Unfortunately, housing inventory doesn’t show up online too far in advance of its availability in NYC. At best, you might see it listed a month early, but that might not feel like a lot of time to find somewhere to live, put in an application, and get everything in order while also planning your move.
“With moving containers, you pack all your stuff up and have it driven cross-country for you!”
Consider a temporary location, like an Airbnb
This is why some people find temporary places to stay at first or lease places without ever visiting them. If possible, schedule a weekend trip to NYC about a month ahead of your move and plan long days with back-to-back viewings until you find a place. For this to succeed, you might want to enlist a broker and develop a relationship so that they understand your needs.
Tips to make your NYC move-in day smoother
While moving days anywhere might have their little quirks depending on the city, here are some NYC-specific tips for the big day.
Check and double-check your apartment measurements
Many New York buildings are old (like remodeled tenements), and even new builds are often atypical in size and shape to make the most of limited square footage (Ever hear of “shoebox” apartments?). Measure:
Your doorways (they are not all standard)
Halls (especially corners)
Stairwells (plus, count the flights if it’s a walk-up)
Make sure you can actually get everything into your apartment before you put so much effort into moving your items to NYC!
For move-in, you might need to show your building proof that your movers are insured
This protects the building in the event that any damage occurs to stairwells, hallways, and the like so forth, during the move-in process. Professional moving companies are used to being asked about this, but it might cost a small fee to request a copy of their proof of insurance. (Tip: If the building doesn’t bring this up, don’t ask!)
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How to haul all your stuff to NYC
You have a few options for getting yourself (and all your belongings) to NYC:
Do-It-Yourself: Some people think the main advantage of DIY is saving money, but this may or may not be true depending on how you go about it. Consider that the 40-hour drive from LA to NYC takes about four days on average to complete — and that’s with an average vehicle, not a large moving truck. You’ll have to think about paying for gas across about 2,800 miles. And if you park at hotels and motels along the way, you’ll want to make sure your worldly belongings stay secure in your truck while you sleep.
All-In-One/Full-Service: Many people enjoy using moving services that do packing, move-out, transport, move-in, and unpacking (or some combination of those options). The obvious perk is convenience because it lets you focus on other aspects of the move. However, it’s important to find a company you trust, since they’re handling every element of your move.
Shipping Containers: A solution likePODS might be ideal for moving to NYC, because PODS gives you both storage and moving in one service, and you only have to load and unload one time. With moving containers, you pack all your stuff up and have it driven cross-country for you! Once your containers get to New York, you have the option to leave them in storage for as long as you need while you find a place to live and get yourself settled. Then, once you’re ready, you just book your container delivery and unload everything into your new place.
How much does it cost to move from L.A. to NYC?
First of all, give yourself time to price-shop! Do your research, compare prices, and don’t be afraid to bring other company quotes to places you prefer and ask them to match them.
Remember my friend whose items got “lost” when moving to NYC? She later learned that other complaints about that company losing belongings were buried on Google. With a little more time spent, she would have turned those up before losing her entire jewelry box while trying to save a few bucks.
DIY (Rent and Drive a Truck Yourself): $179–$219 (per day, truck rental) + $1,088 (total gas, assuming an average moving truck’s MPG and current national gas price average as of September 2022)
Full-Service: $4,290–$7,280
Shipping Containers: $3,368–$4,420
The main takeaway is that while the DIY and shipping container options look a lot cheaper than full-service, when all is said and done, the final numbers may not be so far off from each other. It all depends on which company you use, whether or not you choose to drive, how long you take to drive if you choose to, and little add-ons like getting insurance, permits, or adding moving labor.
Rather than concentrate entirely on the price tag, decide what really works best for your move — then pursue the best company and a fair price.
What’s the best time of year to move to NYC?
Generally, it’s cheaper to move during winter months and holiday weekends when fewer people are moving and demand is lower.
Demand is highest during a few peak dates in New York City: June 1 or 15 and September 1 or 15.
On and around those dates, it’s more difficult to find movers and rental trucks. But in NYC, there’s more to consider. For example, if you move into a high-rise building, you’ll often need to reserve special parking spots for move-in trucks (loading zones), and you might need to reserve the building’s freight elevators for furniture and big boxes.
Parking slots can fill up on prime move-in days, meaning that even if your lease is starting on June 1, if you can’t reserve parking and elevators, you might need to bring some of your things on another day in order to meet the building’s move-in policies and codes. If you’re moving into a more relaxed building, these might not be concerns.
Remember, consider available apartment inventory. If you choose a month when fewer people are moving out, there might be fewer vacancies for you to choose from.
“…if you move into a high-rise building, you’ll often need to reserve special parking spots for move-in trucks…and you might need to reserve the building’s freight elevators for furniture and big boxes.”
Do I need a car in NYC?
This is a question that always gets asked, and there are, unfortunately, only three real answers:
Sell it. Some people have cars in NYC, but the hassle of parking it is typically not worth the convenience of having it. Renting spaces can be anywhere from $200–$500 per month, while street parking requires moving your car to alternate sides of the road almost every day to avoid getting a ticket.
Drive it. If your belongings are being moved separately, you could take a nice, long road trip and see more of the U.S. Don’t forget to factor in today’s gas prices and your car’s mileage.
How much money should I save before moving to NYC?
It’s hard to give an exact number to save up before you make your move since that figure really depends on where you’re going and what your rent situation will be. But I can give you a list of factors that can help you come up with a number that makes sense.
You’ll need to have enough money to cover:
Moving costs (see above)
First month’s rent
Last month’s rent
Security deposit (which is typically equivalent to a month’s rent)
Tipping your movers: Make a good impression by tipping your doormen, movers, and anyone who helps you get settled. They will remember, and it will go a long way toward ensuring a more pleasant acclimation period.
Cabs/takeout/extras: When you move, you’ll be exhausted, and you’ll spend a few days ordering takeout and taking cars everywhere instead of walking. This is one of those rare times it really does help to throw money at the problem—pad your budget just enough.
All in all, you’re easily looking at ~$5,000+ estimate for moving from L.A. to NYC. That’s between a rental truck or moving service, first and last month’s rent, and other miscellaneous costs. (Even the most extreme DIY scenario will still net a couple grand in expenses.)
Of course, it’s always good to add some buffer in there to cover the extras that are sure to come up. Nothing makes you feel more like a New Yorker than a crazy curveball thrown at you at the moment you least expect it.
Hopefully, this advice helps you feel more confident about moving from L.A. to NYC. Now all you need to do is take the leap.
Moving labor is typically charged by the hour, so if you’ve ever tried to book labor-only movers, you know pretty much the first thing they ask you is, “how many movers do you need?”
While it might seem daunting to realistically know the answer, have no fear! I spoke with several of my friends about their recent moves and straight-up asked them how much labor help they ultimately required. Because while moving size charts are great, there’s nothing like talking to someone who’s been through it themselves to tell it like it is.
How long do movers take to finish?
Generally, it can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours on average to move a house. That’s a huge spread!
The number of hours YOU will end up needing depends on how many movers you hire, how much stuff you have, and whether your move involves any special circumstances, like moving specialty items or navigating stairs.
Here are some things to consider when booking moving labor:
Consider the factors that could make your SPECIFIC move a pain. It’s pointless to rely on typical moving labor estimates if your apartment is on the eighth floor with no elevator, or you own five baby grand pianos
Keep in mind that for the sake of operational efficiency, it’s standard for moving companies to maintain a minimum of two movers for two hours, so that’s the lowest amount of labor you’ll be able to reserve. But that’s okay! You very likely won’t need less than this anyway
The general consensus seems to be: It takes longer to load than it does to unload. As you’ll see below, it usually took about an hour less for my friends to unload than it did to load up. Since you no longer have to worry about things like stacking boxes or arranging the furniture inside the truck, unloading is kind of like riding your bike downhill versus uphill
Why hire more movers when you could hire them for longer hours?
You’ll see some recommendations below for booking up to four (or more) movers at a time. While this might not seem cost-effective at first glance, it’s definitely time-effective, which should ultimately lead to a smaller moving bill at the end of the day.
This is because not surprisingly, even superhumanly strong moving professionals get tired after a while. Making sure you have enough helpers keeps the whole team from losing steam.
How Many People Do You Need to Help You Move? Here’s What My Friends Recommend
Studio/Small Apartment
Square feet: Up to 800
Recommendations:
Loading time: 2 movers for 2 hours
Unloading time: 2 movers for 2 hours
When a former colleague of mine decided to move out of her 800-square-foot Tampa apartment into a new one closer to work, she couldn’t believe how fast the actual move went after weeks of preparing for it.
As mentioned above, the minimum amount of moving labor she could hire was two movers for two hours, but she felt this was perfect for the size of her apartment. The only hiccup was that she forgot to tell the movers her apartment was upstairs — which most movers charge extra for — so her final bill was a little higher than she expected.
When collecting quotes, make sure you don’t forget to let your movers know if there will be stairs involved! (HireAHelper automatically accounts for this during your online booking.)
2-3 Bedroom Apartment
Square feet: 800–1200 square feet
Recommendations:
Loading time: 2 movers for 3 hours
Unloading time: 2 movers for 2 hours
When my bestie moved from Big Bear, California back to her home in Los Angeles in order to be closer to family, she and her husband decided to go the budget-friendly route of hiring a U-Haul for the day.
Her 1,100-square-foot cabin had what she calls “two-and-a-half” bedrooms, the half bedroom being a hard-to-classify, den-like room that eventually became a storage room. While packing took over a week, the move itself was accomplished over the course of a very long day.
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She hired two movers who loaded everything into their moving truck in three hours that morning. Unloading was definitely faster, especially since she was moving in temporarily with her parents and only had to unload her stuff into a storage unit, which took about two hours.
2-3 Bedroom House
Square feet: 1,000–1,500
Recommendations:
Loading time: 3 movers for 4 hours
Unloading time: 3 movers for 3 hours
Recently, my cousin stayed with us in our guest room for a bit after selling her 1,250-square-foot, 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom home.
She decided to opt for a portable storage container since she would need to keep most of her things in storage for a few months, and she wanted to save herself time unloading and reloading her stuff. She did all of the packing herself and hired a few friends to help her finish loading her container on moving day.
“Think about other houses… Do you typically have more or less stuff than they do? Do you have an attic, garage, or basement filled with exercise equipment, tools, or holiday decorations? All of this factors into your moving labor calculations.”
While they weren’t professional packers and loaders per se, they were incredibly proficient (read: buff) and boasted some mad Tetris skills, so she’s confident they were fairly up-to-par with the pros. They had her container loaded in just four hours. Months later, when it was time for her to unload her items into her new apartment, it took about three hours to unload everything from her container.
3-4 Bedroom House
Square feet: 1,500–2,000
Recommendations:
Loading time: 4 movers for 4 hours
Unloading time: 4 movers for 3 hours
Some old friends of ours moved from Oregon to Florida using a full-service moving company, as they were not about to drive a rental truck with their three little ones across the country.
Their 1,700-square-foot home took about 4 hours to load with the help of their four-person moving team. Their loaders even helped with some last-minute packing. After racing across the country in their minivan to beat their movers to their new city, they quickly found a 3-bedroom home in just the nick of time so they could avoid being charged storage fees.
There were only three movers this time to help them unload the truck, and it took about 4 hours. If there had been a fourth mover, it most assuredly would have taken less time.
4+ Bedroom House
Square feet: 2,000–3,000+
Recommendations:
Loading time: 4+ movers for 5 hours
Unloading time: 4+ movers for 4 hours
After getting remarried last year, a family friend decided it was finally time to move out of his 3,200-square-foot Tampa Bay home, a place he had shared with his previous wife for nearly twenty years before she passed away. The kids were all grown, and Florida real estate prices are insane right now, so it was a great time to cash in.
His home was not only enormous — 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms — but it was also filled with stuff he had collected for decades. Months before the move, as soon as he listed his home for sale, our friend and his new wife began the “Great Purge”. But once they had sold and donated everything they needed to, they still had a decent amount of stuff on their hands.
“It’s pointless to rely on typical moving labor estimates if your apartment is on the eighth floor with no elevator, or you own five baby grand pianos.”
They hired a local full-service moving company for their move and a team of four was tasked with loading and unloading their items. It ended up taking the whole day (about 8 hours) to complete the move.
Something to keep in mind: our friend is a musician and collects guitars and other instruments. The movers didn’t feel comfortable moving these valuables, so he ended up having to take them in his own vehicle. Definitely make sure to let your moving help know ahead of time if you have any collectibles or other specialty items.
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What about drive time?
It counts.
Regardless if you’re hiring moving company for labor-only OR if the company is driving their own truck, if both ends of the move are happening on the same day, incorporate the drive time into the hourly cost AND combine both estimations.
If you’re worried that might cost a fortune, the good news is that hiring movers by the hour for both your load and unload (the good ol’ Hybrid move!) is still incredibly cost- and time-effective, especially relative to full-service van lines or other huge moving companies. If you’re at all worried and want to know how to keep your costs down, you can chat with someone for free and they’ll quickly figure out what your situation might cost you.
Now it’s your turn: calculate your moving labor needs
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Admittedly, the examples above are all anecdotes from people I know. But the actual data from tens of thousands of moves match up with these estimates pretty well, as those who have been in the moving business for over a decade will tell you.
To make your own moving labor estimate as accurate as possible, you’ll need to keep the following in mind:
How much stuff do you honestly have?Think about other houses you’ve visited. Do you typically have more or less stuff than they do? Do you have an attic, garage, or basement filled with exercise equipment, tools, or holiday decorations? All of this factors into your moving labor calculations. (Note: My friends above had a pretty average amount of stuff for the most part.)
What’s your mode of transport? If you’re moving with a portable container and take full advantage, you’ll likely load some of your items in advance of your move. In this case, you’ll want to shave off some loading time when estimating your moving labor needs
Does your move have any unique needs? If your movers have to specially handle unique items, or carry your stuff up or down stairs, or walk a city block to get to the moving truck, you’ll need to add some time to your move
Will you need help with packing or unpacking? Nearly all of my friends below did the packing themselves, although a couple of them had their pros help with some last-minute boxing on moving day. If you need any packing help on top of loading and unloading, make sure to keep this in mind
While this guide isn’t accurate down to the minute or a legally binding guarantee or anything like that, it should definitely give you a realistic idea of how much labor you might need for your home. With all this in mind, you can use your new moving labor estimate to calculate the cost of your move pretty quickly!
How to Use a Moving Container for a Long Distance Move
The first time I visited Hawaii, I fell in love. After a couple of days of snorkeling, hiking, and eating some of the best food I’ve ever had, I began fantasizing about packing up my home in Los Angeles and moving long-distance to the island of Oahu to live my dream life.
For now, that’s still just a fantasy. But for thousands of people every year, moving long-distance is very much a reality. If you’re considering a long-distance move, you may be wondering how to get all your belongings to your new destination for the least amount of money and headache. That’s where a moving container company may be able to help.
How Do Moving Containers Work?
Moving containers (sometimes called “shipping containers”) are large, portable storage units that can be used to store and move belongings, including over long-distances. They act as a portable storage unit while you get settled in. They are made out of either metal or wood and are weather-proofed to protect your items from the elements.
Typically, after you book, a truck will drop off the container(s) at your home. After you’re done loading (or in some cases, within an allotted amount of days), a driver comes and picks it all up, then drives it all to your new destination. Once you’ve unpacked the container(s), a truck will come to haul everything away.
The smallest sizes hold the equivalent of a studio apartment, while the largest containers can hold three to four bedrooms worth of furniture. Depending on how much stuff you plan to move, you may need more than one container.
The cost of using a moving container is based on several factors:
The distance of the move
Size and number of containers
Length of time you have the containers
The season
One thing you should know, however, is that moving long-distance is generally more expensive than moving locally. More on that below.
What Is Considered “Long Distance,” Anyway?
Usually, any relocation over 100 miles is considered “a long-distance move”.
Here’s some lingo to know: if you’re moving within your own state, it’s known as an “intrastate move”. Moving across state lines is an “interstate move”. And if you’re relocating somewhere several states away, it’s often known as a “long-haul” or “cross country move”.
Are Shipping Containers Better than Moving Trucks?
You might be wondering how using a shipping container is different from renting a moving truck. There are a few similarities, but also a few key differences.
Shipping containers allow you to take more time packing, unpacking and even storing your belongings. In fact, it’s possible to rent a moving container for several months! For that reason, moving containers usually cost a lot more than trucks, so you should really take advantage of it if you go with one.
You also put the driving in someone else’s hands. If you don’t want to drive a big truck, this is a huge perk. Once your belongings are packed and on their way to the new destination, you can’t access them.
A moving truck, on the other hand, means you are in control of every part of the move. That could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your goals. You are responsible for transporting your items from your old place to the new destination, but you can also access your stuff at any point if need be. Though renting a moving truck is cheaper, you also don’t have the added benefit of extra time or storage.
Pros and Cons of Using A Moving Container For Your Long-Distance Move
If you’re weighing the decision to use a moving container for your long-distance move versus going with a truck or full-service movers instead, here’s a look at the major pros and cons.
Long Distance Moving Container Pros
Cheaper than hiring full-service movers: One of the biggest benefits of using a shipping container is the savings. It can cost anywhere from $1,200 to $5,000 on average, or more, to hire movers for a long-distance move, according to Consumer Affairs. However, that cost can greatly increase if you have several rooms worth of furniture to move, many miles to travel, extra stops to make, specialty items, added materials, storage and more. Shipping containers, on the other hand, on average cost around $2,000 to $3,000, with storage included.
Storage at your new destination: Speaking of storage, it’s one of the biggest benefits to using a shipping container for your long-distance move. Not only can you pack up at your own pace, you can keep your items in storage while you get your new place in order. Renting a truck or movers, on the other hand, means you have to stick to a tighter schedule and have everything unloaded right away. No need to have to perfectly coordinate movers to the minute!
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Long Distance Moving Container Cons
You have to do the heavy lifting: Getting an entire house packed up and ready to move long-distance can be time consuming and exhausting. Not to mention, it takes strength and a few helping hands to get everything from Point A to Point B. If you want to focus on other aspects of your move and leave the major work to professionals, hiring labor from a moving company to load and unload your container may be the better choice, and might still cost less overall than full-service van lines.
They take up space: Neighbors won’t appreciate having their parking spaces or driveways blocked by the container. That means you’ll need a driveway or other large space where the moving container can sit as you pack up your home, as well as unload furniture at your new destination. Or if you’re moving to a busy city, you’ll need a permit ahead of time to place one for any amount of time. Plus, even though moving containers lock up, it’s a good idea to have yours in a secure area.
What Are The Best Moving Container Companies For a Long Distance Move?
Keep in mind that not all moving container companies will do long-distance moves. Below are some of the top companies that do!
PODS
Short for “Portable On-Demand Self-Storage,” PODS is one of the more expensive companies on the list. However, they’re known for durable containers and have the most locations by far.
Container material: Steel
Container sizes: 16′, 12′, and 7’
Average long-distance move cost: $3,352
1-800-PACK-RAT
This company is similar to PODS in the cost, sizes available and number of locations. However, 1-800-PACK-RAT is more spread out geographically, meaning there’s likely a facility near you to speed up pick up and delivery.
Container material: Steel
Container sizes: 16′, 12′, and 8’
Average long-distance move cost: $3,551
U-Pack
U-Pack only offers one size of moving containers through its Relocubes long-distance moving service. You also have only three days on either end of your move to pack and unload. The plus side is that this makes it much more cost-effective to move long-distance.
Container material: Metal
Container sizes: (one size) 6’3” x 7′ x 8’4”
Average long-distance move cost: $2,393
U-Box/U-Haul
You may know U-Haul for its orange moving trucks. For long-distance moves, the company offers its U-Box service, which only offers one size of container that’s not quite as durable as some metal options. However, it also provides flexible billing and live container tracking.
Container material: Plywood with weatherproof cover
Loading your truck is like getting ready for prom. You want everything to be perfect.
Unloading, on the other hand, is kind of the same way; take everything off, drop it on the floor and go jump in the pool with your friends, right?
Yes and no. Unloading a moving truck is definitely easier than loading one, but like jumping in the pool, there are good ways and bad ways to do it.
Below are some tips for safety and speed so you can not only do the job right but have plenty of time for the post-party. (And this all applies for moving containers too!)
How to Prepare Your Unload
Park on a flat, level surface
If you are renting a portable container like a PODS, you can expect it will be set on even ground. The same thing goes for a rental truck.
You’ll want to park in a similar level place, to make unloading both safer and easier. If you simply have to park on a sloped surface, point the front of your truck downhill. (You can imagine why.)
Apply the emergency brake
This applies even if you park on a level surface. It also doesn’t hurt to put chocks – or rocks or blocks of wood – under one or more of the wheels.
Open the back of the truck slowly
Your stuff will have shifted around in transit, and the possibility of something tumbling out onto the ground, or on you, is very real.
If something is about to come tumbling out, you may feel and/or hear it pushing against the door as you open it. But not always.
Keep your eyes open and have an extra set of hands ready.
Ramps slide out quickly, be careful
Rental trucks generally come equipped with a loading ramp that slides right out from under the rear door. Unlatching it, sliding it out and locking it in place is simple. So is hurting yourself if you aren’t careful.
That ramp is heavy! And pulling it too hard can turn it into a battering ram with you being the one getting battered. Ease it out all the way and set it down on something not your toes. And remember to set those hooks at the top of the ramp securely in place!
How to Unload Safely and Quickly
Get off to a pretty slow start
That’s right! Even if nothing looks about to topple over, you still want to take it easy when you begin unloading your stuff.
Your stuff will shift and resettle in transit
This goes triple if you have a freight trailer!
The pedal of the bicycle you so carefully placed on top of all those boxes might now be stuck in between two of those cartons, and pulling too hard trying to free your bike can send a whole stack of stuff cascading down on top of you.
Remember, if your truck was packed to the gills, you won’t have much room back there for your feet. Take your time. Watch your step. Ease those first items off the truck, always aware of how close your Nikes are to the edge of that deck. One misstep and there goes your stuff (and you).
Assign a ramp person
If you have someone (or a few people) helping you, assign one person to stay on the truck to break down the load and put everything at the edge of the deck where the others can grab it without having to climb into the truck.
Not only does this save time, it also eliminates a ton of bending over.
Working like this, it’s never long before the person on the truck gets ahead of the others. This is a good time for that person to nominate someone to help carry that sofa or dresser off the truck and into the house. In addition, jumping off the truck and helping get all the stuff they’ve set on the deck into the house is the obvious way to keep the process rolling.
Tackling the unload all by yourself?Try working in a similar fashion. As you break down your load, position as many boxes and other items as possible along the edge of the deck. Then you’ll be able to make a bunch of trips back and forth without having to walk up and down that ramp every time, saving both your legs and your back.
Form a box brigade
Building on above, if you are lucky enough to have two or more people helping you unload:
Keep one person working on the truck
One person carrying stuff from the truck to a staging area (usually the garage or the front door)
One person working inside carrying everything from the staging area to where it all belongs
Naturally, the person on the truck will start getting ahead of the person carrying stuff to the staging area, who will in turn probably get ahead of the person running back and forth inside the house. Periodically jumping off the truck or stepping inside to help your buddy catch up keeps everyone moving – and quickens the process of emptying out that truck or portable container.
Which, of course, leaves more time to enjoy the pool.
Use a dolly
When you are unloading your moving truck, a hand truck (also known as a dolly) is your best non-human friend.
Rolling heavy stuff means you don’t have to carry it. Rolling a stack of boxes means making one trip instead of three or four! The bigger your load and the heavier your stuff, the more you will thank yourself for having that hand truck around. It’s an essential item to rent of your moving truck doesn’t come with one, or if you don’t hire moving labor.
Make sure, by the way, to use that hand truck correctly. You should always be higher than the dolly when rolling stuff down that ramp. If you are hand-trucking something large and/or heavy, have an extra set of hands at the lower end to keep that thing moving steadily—and slowly!
It goes without saying that when you’re unloading major appliances and large pieces of furniture – or anything for that matter – you want to be doubly certain neither your feet nor the wheels of your hand truck miss that ramp.
But you also want your hand truck to hit the ramp squarely; if one wheel starts going downhill before the other your hand truck will start to tip to one side. Your buddy on the bottom end will naturally try to steady it, which can send one of his feet off the side of the ramp, and things will just keep going downhill from there.
Whether you are rolling or carrying that big heavy appliance or piece of furniture, you want to get centered on the back of the truck before you head for that ramp.
Again, when using a dolly, those wheels go down before you do. If you and a buddy are carrying that item, whoever is holding the bottom end needs to travel down first. In either case, the person on the lower end is responsible for maintaining a straight line of forward progress.
Protip: If you have to walk up a slope or up any stairs, it’s good practice to turn yourselves around so the person holding the top of that big bulky piece is again in a higher position.
Going upslope, however, the person on top takes over steering duty. The person on the bottom then will have the responsibility of providing most of the upward momentum. (This is especially true when going up a staircase.)
In other words, the person on bottom pushes while the person on top does their best to avoid banging into the walls and tripping up the steps.
Get Some Quick Help
And if all else fails (or you realize you have more stuff than you thought you did after loading your truck), do yourself a favor and double-check our movers’ prices for unloading trucks.
Get Help Unloading Your Rental Truck
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From my decades of experience moving people, an unbooked mover is pretty motivated to come out, as opposed to sitting around doing nothing. Do a quick fly by on HireAHelper if you were wondering, “But are there any local movers near me available to lend me and my friends a hand?”
I’ve saved plenty of people’s moving day who thought to check, even last second.
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