U-Haul U-Box review: one of the cheapest moving containers in 2026, with pay-per-box pricing, a small footprint and free date changes. Great for small moves and budget storage, less ideal for big homes.
U-Box is U-Haul’s portable moving and storage container. You load it at your own pace, then U-Haul stores it in a warehouse or ships it to your new home. Here’s what it really costs, how many boxes you need, and when it beats PODS, PACK-RAT and U-Pack.
Check U-Haul PricesU-Box at a Glance
| Container size | One size: about 5′ × 8′ × 7.5′ outside; 95″ × 56″ × 83.5″ inside |
| Capacity | 257 cu. ft., about 1.5 rooms of furniture; up to 2,000 lb |
| Construction | Plywood box on a steel base with a weather-resistant cover |
| Delivery | U-Haul delivers and picks up, you tow it on a U-Haul trailer, or you load at a U-Haul location |
| Storage | At your property, or indoors in a U-Haul warehouse |
| Average cost | About $440 to $760 local; $1,970 to $4,090 cross-country |
| Flexibility | No fee to change your date or cancel |
| Best for | Dorms, studios, one-bedrooms and budget storage |
Our Verdict
U-Box is consistently one of the lowest-priced moving containers. In HireAHelper’s 2026 price data it ranks second-cheapest for local, regional and cross-country moves, a few dollars behind Zippy Shell and ahead of PODS. The pay-per-box model is ideal when you’re moving a small home or aren’t sure how much you have, the small footprint fits tight driveways, and U-Haul’s huge network means it’s available almost everywhere. The trade-offs are the single small size, so larger homes need several boxes, and plywood construction that’s less weatherproof than steel.
- Among the cheapest containers for every distance
- Pay only for the boxes you use
- Small footprint for tight spaces
- Self-tow option skips the delivery fee
- Free date changes and cancellations
- Indoor warehouse storage
- Only one small size
- Plywood is less weatherproof than steel
- Larger homes need many boxes
- Service varies by local U-Haul location
What U-Box Costs in 2026
These are average final prices people actually paid, including fees, fuel and extensions, from HireAHelper’s 2026 moving container price data.
| Home size | Local (under 50 mi) | Regional (~500 mi) | Long distance (~1,200 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | About $440 | About $1,400 | About $1,970 |
| 3 bedrooms | About $590 | About $2,160 | About $3,260 |
| 5 bedrooms | About $760 | About $3,010 | About $4,090 |
Averages from HireAHelper’s 2026 Moving Container Price Database. Your quote depends on the number of boxes, route, dates and storage time. Monthly storage is quoted per box and varies by location.
How U-Box compares on price
| 3-bedroom move | Local | Regional | Long distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zippy Shell | $585 | $2,154 | $3,255 |
| U-Box | $587 | $2,160 | $3,264 |
| U-Pack | Not offered | $2,161 | $3,266 |
| PODS | $608 | $2,238 | $3,382 |
Prices before promo codes. The top companies are within a few dollars of each other, so a discount code can change the order.
How Many U-Boxes Do You Need?
| Home size | U-Boxes | Equivalent PODS container |
|---|---|---|
| Dorm or studio | 1 | One 8-ft |
| 1 bedroom | 2 | One 12-ft (local) or 16-ft |
| 2 bedrooms | 3–4 | One 16-ft |
| 3 bedrooms | 4–5 | One to two 16-ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 6+ | Two 16-ft or more |
Not sure how much stuff you have? Try our storage space calculator.
How U-Box Works
- Reserve online with your dates and the number of boxes. You can change the date or cancel with no fee.
- Choose how you get them. U-Haul delivers to your door, you tow them home on a U-Haul trailer, or you load at a U-Haul location.
- Load at your own pace. Put heavy items on the bottom, use the full height and keep each box under 2,000 pounds.
- Store or ship. Keep the boxes at home, store them in a U-Haul warehouse, or ship them to your new address. You get notified when they’re in transit and when they arrive.
- Unload and return the empty boxes when you’re done.
U-Box vs. Other Containers
| U-Box | PODS | PACK-RAT | U-Pack | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sizes | One small box | 8′, 12′, 16′ | 8′, 12′, 16′ | ReloCube or trailer space |
| Local moves | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Construction | Plywood | Steel frame | All steel | Steel ReloCube |
| Discount | None published | 10% with WEBSAVE6 | Up to 25% with SAVE25 | Varies |
| Best for | Small moves, budget storage | Most moves, flexible storage | Durability, long distance | Long-distance value |
See every option in our best portable storage container companies guide and PODS vs. PACK-RAT vs. U-Pack.
U-Box FAQs
How much does a U-Box cost?
Based on HireAHelper’s 2026 data, a U-Box move averages about $440 to $760 locally, $1,400 to $3,010 for a regional move of about 500 miles, and $1,970 to $4,090 for a cross-country move, depending on home size.
How big is a U-Box container?
A U-Box is about 5 by 8 by 7.5 feet on the outside, with an interior of 95 by 56 by 83.5 inches. That’s 257 cubic feet, roughly a room and a half of furniture, with a 2,000-pound weight limit.
How many U-Boxes do I need?
Plan on one for a dorm or studio, two for a one-bedroom, three to four for a two-bedroom and four to five or more for a three-bedroom home.
Is U-Box cheaper than PODS?
Usually, by a little. In HireAHelper’s 2026 data, U-Box averaged about $20 less than PODS for a local three-bedroom move and about $120 less cross-country. A PODS promo code can close that gap.
Can I pick up a U-Box myself?
Yes. With a suitable vehicle and hitch, you can tow U-Boxes on a U-Haul trailer and skip the delivery fee, or load them at a U-Haul location.
Is a U-Box waterproof?
U-Boxes are plywood with a weather-resistant cover, so they’re best kept in a U-Haul warehouse for longer storage. Use plastic bins for anything that must stay dry.
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The worst experience ever. U-Box can’t even tell you where the boxes are or when they will be delivered, and that is if you can even reach a human to talk to. Don’t bother trying to talk to someone and the local U-Box; all calls go through the corporate call center. We were promised delivery three times. They lied about delivery. Boxes are made out of cheap plywood and warp. We had a horrible time getting the box to close due to the warped door. Take my advise and go with IPOD or anoyone else!!
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