U-Haul U-Box review: one of the cheapest portable containers, with a small footprint and pay-per-box pricing. 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, and U-Haul stores it or ships it to your new home. Here’s how it works, what it costs, and when it beats the alternatives.
Check U-Box PricesU-Box at a Glance
| Container size | One size: about 8′ × 5′ × 7.5′ outside, roughly 257 cu. ft. |
| Capacity | About 1 to 1.5 rooms of furniture; 2,000 lb load limit |
| Construction | Plywood box on a steel base with a weather-resistant cover |
| Delivery | U-Haul delivers, or you tow it yourself on a U-Haul trailer |
| Storage | Indoors at U-Haul facilities, or at your property |
| Best for | Dorms, studios, one-bedrooms and budget storage |
Our Verdict
U-Box is usually one of the lowest-priced container options, and its modular, pay-per-box approach is ideal when you’re moving a small home or aren’t sure exactly how much you have. Its small footprint fits in tight driveways and apartment lots, and U-Haul’s huge network means it’s available almost everywhere. The trade-offs are the single small size, which means many boxes for a larger home, and plywood construction that’s less weatherproof than steel containers.
- Usually among the cheapest containers
- Pay only for the boxes you use
- Small footprint for tight spaces
- Self-tow option saves on delivery
- Indoor storage at U-Haul facilities
- Only one small size
- Plywood is less weatherproof than steel
- Larger homes need many boxes
- Service varies by local U-Haul location
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 |
What U-Box Costs
For a medium-size move, U-Box averages roughly $560 for a local move, $1,900 for a move of about 500 miles and $2,600 for a long-distance move, according to 2026 quote data from independent moving-cost sources. Storage typically runs about $80 to $200 per box per month. Your price depends on the number of boxes, distance, dates and how long you store.
How U-Box Works
- Reserve online with your dates and the number of boxes you need.
- Get your boxes delivered, or pick them up yourself with a U-Haul trailer if you have a hitch.
- Load at your own pace. Put heavy items on the bottom, use the full height and secure the load.
- Store or ship. U-Haul can store your boxes indoors, deliver them locally or ship them long distance.
- Unload and return the empty boxes when you’re done.
U-Box vs. Other Containers
| U-Box | PODS | U-Pack | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sizes | One small box | 8′, 12′, 16′ | ReloCube or trailer space |
| Local moves | Yes | Yes | No |
| Construction | Plywood | Steel frame | Steel ReloCube |
| Best for | Small moves, budget storage | Most moves, flexible storage | Long-distance value |
See all the options in our best portable storage container companies guide and PODS vs. PACK-RAT vs. U-Pack.
U-Box FAQs
How big is a U-Box container?
A U-Box is roughly 8 feet long, 5 feet wide and 7.5 feet tall on the outside, with about 257 cubic feet of space and a 2,000-pound load limit. It holds about one to one-and-a-half rooms of furniture.
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.
How much does U-Box cost?
For a medium-size move, U-Box averages roughly $560 locally, $1,900 for a regional move of about 500 miles and $2,600 for a long-distance move, based on 2026 quote data. Storage runs roughly $80 to $200 per box per month.
Can I pick up a U-Box myself?
Yes. With a suitable vehicle and hitch, you can pick up and return U-Boxes on a U-Haul trailer and skip the delivery fee.
Is a U-Box waterproof?
U-Boxes are plywood with a weather-resistant cover, so they’re best stored indoors at a U-Haul facility for longer periods. Use plastic bins for anything that must stay dry.
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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