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When planning your move, one of the first concerns that likely comes to mind is paying for it.
Full-service movers provide a variety of services that help reduce the stress and physical strain of packing and loading your belongings. But if you are moving locally, don’t have much to haul or want to save money by taking a more DIY approach, storage containers might be a better route to take.
U-Pack offers a convenient, affordable alternative to traditional moving companies. Available in all 50 states, the company provides drop-off, pick-up and delivery of mobile containers at reasonable rates and with quality customer support, and it doesn’t require an up-front deposit or in-home assessment.
We at the Home Media reviews team have researched the best moving companies across the country and recommend U-Pack for city-to-city moves. Our U-Pack review highlights the company’s perks and potential pitfalls as well as its services, pricing and customer satisfaction.
Offers ReloCube containers in multiple sizes and cargo trailers
Does not accommodate moves fewer than 150 miles
Provides an optional delivery date guarantee that shipments will arrive within a one- to two-hour window on a specified date or U-Pack will reduce your total moving cost by up to 100%
Requires a quick turnaround (three days to load and unload) with containers and trailers
Charges only for the space customers fill in a trailer instead of a flat rental fee, saving them money during their move
U-Pack began in 1997 as an innovative and affordable approach to moving. At its foundation, U-Pack only provided cargo trailers but, based on customer feedback, added equipment like ReloCube containers and other features such as storage, guaranteed delivery and an online customer portal.
Within less than a decade of operation, U-Pack assisted approximately 250,000 people with their relocations. By 2011, the company celebrated 500,000 completed moves. The company currently provides services in all 50 states.
U-Pack handles door-to-door delivery of its steel weatherproof ReloCube containers. Rates include the driver and fuel, and you won’t be charged if you order more ReloCubes than you actually need to hold your belongings.
The containers fit into a standard parking space, making them a convenient option for those moving from one city to another. ReloCubes are also a cost-effective solution for smaller moves, such as into or out of a dorm room or apartment.
U-Pack can also accommodate larger moves with its cargo trailers, which can hold the contents of most three- and four-bedroom homes. Trailers are priced by the amount of space you actually fill rather than at a flat rental rate.
It’s important to note that U-Pack provides services only for long-distance moves and is therefore not a good solution for those moving to a new home within their current town or city.
Below are highlights of some of U-Pack’s services and offerings.
U-Pack containers are 6 feet long by 8 feet wide, with a clearance height of 8 feet. One ReloCube can hold up to 2,500 pounds, or approximately all furniture and contents of a standard living room or other large room in your home. ReloCubes can hold any standard-size mattress, as well. U-Pack recommends ordering one ReloCube per room in your home but, since the company bases its pricing on space, you won’t be charged for ordering more containers than you actually use.
For larger moves, U-Pack’s cargo trailers can hold furniture and belongings for a typical three- to four-bedroom home and up to 22,500 pounds. According to U-Pack, the total weight of goods for a home with three to four bedrooms is usually around 12,600 pounds. Depending on the distance of your move, a trailer can be cheaper than multiple ReloCubes.
U-Pack guarantees it will move on reserved moving dates, but like most moving companies, transit times are estimated. For an additional cost, U-Pack will guarantee a delivery within a one- to two-hour time frame on the date you specify. If the shipment does not arrive on that guaranteed date, U-Pack will reduce your transportation charges by up to 100%.
U-Pack offers monthly storage of your items, with pricing based on the number of containers or trailers. Items remain in containers or cargo trailers during storage, rather than being unpacked into a unit.
The company’s storage facilities are not climate-controlled, which isn’t an issue for most household goods, but any heat-sensitive items should be stored elsewhere to avoid damage. An additional downside is you do not have access to your items while they’re in storage with U-Pack.
However, U-Pack’s method of storage can be a convenient solution for city-to-city moves in which moving can be logistically tricky (an apartment building with restricted days and times for moving furniture, for example) or for people who relocate for work and would rather focus on getting settled into their new job before unloading and unpacking all of their belongings.
For those who want assistance loading and unloading their containers or cargo trailers, U-Pack can refer you to Moving Staffers , a national network of pre-screened moving labor providers. Add-on assistance includes a minimum of two movers for two hours and labor is charged at an hourly rate. Additional time is prorated in 15-minute increments and customers have the option of requesting larger crews at an extra cost.
U-Pack’s website is easy to navigate and includes a wealth of moving information and resources, including checklists and tips for military and student moves as well as job relocations. The company also has online guides for its 20 most popular city-to-city relocations, including Denver to Houston, Boston to Los Angeles and New York to Atlanta, and provides links to help you compare U-Pack against other moving container companies and full-service movers.
New and existing customers also have access to MyMove, an online dashboard for changing reservation details and tracking shipments.
U-Pack gives instant, all-inclusive quotes through its moving space estimator . The company is transparent in its pricing, defaulting to the least inexpensive option in its online quotes. U-Pack also guarantees no hidden fees in its estimates, and the company does not require in-home assessments since pricing is based on space, not weight. Additionally, U-Pack offers $50 off moves for active and retired military members.
We received a quote to move the contents of a three-bedroom home from Hartford, Conn., to Tallahassee, Fla. U-Pack’s estimation tool determined a 17-foot trailer was the best option at $3,779. Renting ReloCubes was an option, though a more expensive one ($7,655) because three of the approximately 6×8-foot containers would be needed to accommodate the move.
To get started with U-Pack, fill out this online quote form for local moves.
U-Pack has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), of which it has been a member since 2001.* Based on reviews on sites like the BBB and Trustpilot , customer experiences with U-Pack range from extremely satisfied to unsatisfied. Much of the negative feedback is related to discrepancies in services promised and services provided, as well as damage to items due to improperly maintained containers.
We reached out to U-Pack for a comment on the customer feedback included in this article but did not receive a response as of the publication date. To help mitigate some of these issues, talk to a U-Pack representative before scheduling services.
Here are some examples of U-Pack reviews from Trustpilot and the BBB:
“Everyone I spoke with was very helpful. The process worked as planned without any issues. My furniture arrived in perfect condition. I hired movers from Moving Staffers, who did a great job packing the truck as close to my estimated space and had available extra quilts to sell me… to wrap all of my furniture. It was a stress-free experience.” — Linda via Trustpilot
“Our cube came in three weeks late and, once it arrived, nearly $1,500 worth of furniture and equipment was damaged and glasses that were bubble wrapped in boxes [were] broken. Had I known all of my stuff would be damaged, I would have sold everything and bought new [items] instead of wasting my time with this company.” — Bee via Trustpilot
“This company is fantastic: professional, friendly and great with communication. I had a move canceled multiple times due to title issues from the seller and our home falling through. These folks kept my original quote, worked with me to reschedule (multiple times) and ensured my move was executed as best as possible. Highly recommend them!” — David A. via BBB
“The people were friendly, helpful and honest but the care taken of our personal property was nothing short of negligent. We’ve moved 14 times. That includes U-Haul, Penske, Professional Movers and PODS. We know how to pack things and we use professional-quality moving blankets, as well as bubble wrap and other padding. We had at least three times as much damage to our personal property with U-Pack than with any other mover. For the cost of the move plus the cost of all of the damage, I could have gotten a professional mover and had them do the packing.” — Delightful1 via Trustpilot
*BBB information accurate as of November 2021
U-Pack Moving is our top pick for city-to-city moves, but we recommend researching other moving companies to compare services and pricing before making a final decision. The table below gives you a quick look at how U-Pack compares to its competitors.
Self service (with full-service referral option)
* BBB information is accurate as of November 2021
U-Pack is a great solution for those who want to handle packing and loading but prefer professional transport of their belongings. With quick quotes, container and cargo trailer options and a door-to-door delivery method, U-Pack is a bare-bones but hassle-free way to coordinate your cross-country move.
Those relocating from one city to another may find the container size convenient, as it fits into a standard parking space. Keep in mind that you only get a few days to fill your container or trailer and U-Pack won’t move under 150 miles, so if you have a large or in-town move, a more traditional full-service company could be a better option.
To find out more about U-Pack’s services and options, fill out this online form.
A Bill of Lading (BOL) is your contract with U-Pack for the transport of your household goods. A BOL includes your name, origin and destination addresses, equipment information and other details related to your move.
U-Pack will mail, email or fax a copy of your BOL before your move. It’s important to review the terms of your move to ensure everything is correct. You can contact U-Pack prior to your moving date with any questions or to make changes to your BOL.
Your shipment should not include anything poisonous, flammable, corrosive or perishable. U-Pack also recommends taking firearms and ammunition and houseplants with you during your relocation or shipping them separately.
Additionally, you must certify that used outdoor items from a location federally recognized as a gypsy moth area to a non-regulated location have been inspected and don’t contain egg masses. U-Pack will require you to complete a gypsy moth checklist prior to relocation, if applicable.
U-Pack provides carrier negligence liability and catastrophic liability coverage for all moves. Carrier negligence covers your items at a rate of $.10 per pound per item for damage that is the fault of U-Pack’s equipment or employees. You can increase the amount of your carrier negligence coverage for an additional charge, but you must do so at least one business day prior to your reservation date.
Catastrophic coverage will reimburse you at $3 per pound per item up to $60,000 per trailer and $7,500 per ReloCube for any damage due to fire, a trailer overturn or collision or complete theft of a trailer or ReloCube.
Since U-Pack customers are responsible for their own packing, loading and unloading, damage due to improper packing and loading, even with additional moving labor, is not covered in any of the company’s liability coverage.
Yes. If you have leftover space on your trailer, U-Pack may use it to transport commercial freight that’s moving in the same direction. U-Pack trailers include a bulkhead divider wall that you can install after you finish loading your items to keep them separate from another shipment.
We collected data on dozens of moving companies, both full-service and self-service, and created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings, grade each company and provide objective findings to our readers. The end result of weighing a wide range of factors is a cumulative score for each provider.
We called each moving company directly, spoke with representatives to get an in-depth understanding of their offerings and simulated the quote and scheduling process. We also reviewed each company’s contents protection (insurance) plan information in detail, and we closely examined more than 100 customer reviews to understand the customer service experience with each provider.
All company data is monitored on an ongoing basis so that all rankings and information remain up-to-date.
Once we gathered all relevant data, we used the following scoring system to grade each moving company on a 100-point scale:
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