How Much Does Portable Storage Cost?

Comparing portable storage costs for long-distance moves 

Portable storage is a convenient option when you’re moving to another state. But deciding whether it’s right for you often means weighing the cost against the convenience.

To help you figure that out, we’ve broken down how portable storage pricing works, what different companies charge and how costs compare to other moving and storage options.

What goes into portable storage rates?

Portable storage rates usually include costs for:

• Container rental. The cost of renting the container(s) you need to hold your belongings.
• Transportation.  The cost of moving your containers from your starting point to your destination.
• Delivery and pickup. Fees for bringing containers to your home or a service center and collecting them when you’re finished.
• Storage.  Charges for keeping your belongings in storage.
• Liability coverage. Some companies include coverage in the rental price, while others charge extra.
   

How pricing varies by company 

Portable storage quotes can vary by hundreds, and sometimes even thousands, of dollars between companies. That’s because each service is basing pricing off its own transportation network, equipment inventory and operating costs.

The way companies structure their quotes can also make comparisons difficult. One company may include delivery, transportation and storage in its price, while others charge for those services separately. 

Here’s how some top companies handle those details:

• U-Pack’s portable storage quotes include equipment, transportation, standard liability coverage and 30 days of container storage.
   
• PODS® typically packages delivery, transportation, container rental and storage into a single quote, but the cost is split into multiple payments throughout the move. 
   
• U-Haul U-Box® breaks pricing into several line items, including container rental, delivery and pickup, transportation and storage. Optional services like moving labor, coverage plans and supplies can be added separately.
   
• 1-800-PACK-RAT® charges by the container and includes transportation and container use as part of its pricing. Customers pay for containers monthly and can add storage or other services as needed. Long-distance moves may also require a deposit.

Price is only part of the picture. See how these portable storage companies compare on equipment, coverage and more.

Portable storage vs traditional moving and storage 

If you're moving long-distance and need temporary storage, a self-storage unit might seem like the less expensive option. But remember to factor in everything it takes to get your belongings into and out of a storage unit.

To do that, your belongings are typically loaded, unloaded into storage, loaded again and unloaded again at your new home. That's a lot of extra lifting, time and potentially added moving costs.

With portable storage, your belongings are loaded once and remain in the same container until they're delivered to your new home. For many people, the convenience of avoiding all that extra handling can make portable storage a better value.

Don’t forget: U-Pack® includes 30 days of free storage at a service center, giving extra flexibility without an additional storage charge during the first month. 

Move and store with U-Pack

Compare U-Pack’s ReloCube® prices to other container moving options to see how affordable your move can be. 

Request your free, no-obligation quote by calling 844-362-5303844-594-3077 or using our online form.

If you have questions about portable storage costs, please let us know in the comments. We’re always happy to help!

PODS® is a registered trademark of PODS® Enterprises, Inc. U-Haul® is a registered trademark of U-Haul International, Inc. 1-800-Pack-Rat® is a registered trademark of 1-800-Pack-Rat, LLC. Use of third-party trademarks or registered trademarks does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by such third party.