PODS Moving Cost: How Much Does a PODS Container Cost in 2026?

Moving costs have a way of creeping up on people. One minute you're browsing apartments in a new city, feeling optimistic about fresh starts. The next? You're staring at a spreadsheet trying to figure out whether a portable storage container actually saves money compared to hiring a full-service moving company.

PODS has become almost synonymous with the moving container concept. That brand recognition comes at a price, though. Sometimes a reasonable one. Sometimes not. The actual PODS moving cost depends on factors that aren't always obvious from the company's website, which is why this breakdown exists.

What is the Average Cost For a Moving POD?

For anyone who wants numbers without the preamble:

A local move with PODS typically runs about $300 to $600+ for a single container (8–16 feet) with roughly one month of storage included, depending on your market, container size, and a short distance under about 100 miles.

For long-distance moves, realistic totals usually fall between $2,000 and $7,500+, with smaller, shorter moves on the lower end and cross-country, larger-home moves on the higher end.

Instead of one true “national average,” the most recent data shows typical PODS costs clustering around $350–$500 for many local jobs and $3,000–$6,000 or more for long-distance or cross‑country moves for a 2–3 bedroom load. But individual quotes vary widely by season, exact mileage, origin and destination markets, and how many containers you need.

Why such a massive range?

PODS pricing has never been straightforward. The company uses dynamic pricing that shifts based on demand, season, and delivery zones. Two people moving the same distance might pay very different amounts depending on when they book.

What Affects PODS Moving Costs?

Several factors determine the final bill. Some can be controlled. Others simply come with the territory.

Distance & Delivery Zones

Moving stuff across town costs less than shipping it from Florida to Oregon. That much is obvious. PODS calculates distance-based pricing by delivery zone, and the farther a container travels, the higher the bill.

Something people often overlook: both the initial delivery location and final pickup address affect pricing. If either spot sits in a remote area or outside standard delivery zones, surcharges apply. PODS doesn't disclose these costs during the initial quote process, which can catch some customers off guard when finalizing details.

Local moves under 50 miles stick to relatively predictable pricing. Long-distance moves introduce more variables. Seasonality plays a role, too. Summer months mean peak demand, resulting in higher rates across the board. Booking a January move to the same destination might cost 20-30% less than the exact same move in July.

Container Size

PODS offers three container sizes, and choosing the right one matters more than most people realize.

The 8-foot container works for studio apartments or single rooms. It holds roughly the equivalent of a small storage unit. The 12-foot option handles one to two-bedroom apartments comfortably. And the 16-foot container suits three-bedroom homes or larger spaces.

Pricing scales accordingly. An 8-foot container might run $150-200 per month for storage alone, while a 16-foot container could cost $250-350 monthly. For moves involving transport, the size of the container affects both delivery fees and mileage charges.

Underestimating space needs creates headaches. Ordering a second container mid-move costs significantly more than sizing up from the beginning. Most moving experts recommend erring on the side of slightly too much space rather than cramming belongings into a container that's too small.

Storage Duration

PODS promotes flexibility as a major selling point, and fair enough. The ability to keep a container at your own pace genuinely helps people navigate complicated moves.

But that flexibility has limits.

The first month typically comes bundled with delivery and pickup fees. Additional months cost extra. Storage fees vary by location, but expect somewhere between $150 and $350 monthly, depending on container size and whether the unit sits at a PODS facility or your property.

Temporary storage at a PODS facility usually costs less than keeping the container on-site at a residence. However, accessing belongings becomes less convenient when the container lives across town at a storage center rather than in your driveway.

Access, Parking, and Permits

This category catches people off guard constantly.

PODS containers need space. Flat, accessible space. If delivery requires navigating narrow streets, steep driveways, or tight parking situations, additional fees may apply. Some municipalities require permits for placing containers on streets or in certain residential areas. Those permit costs fall on the customer.

Urban moves tend to encounter more of these complications than suburban or rural relocations. A Brooklyn apartment move might involve permit fees, parking surcharges, and delivery limitations that simply don't exist for someone moving from one Texas suburb to another.

PODS Cost Examples (Local vs. Long Distance)

Abstract pricing ranges only help so much. Concrete examples paint a clearer picture.

Consider a family moving between Chicago suburbs, about 15 miles apart. Their costs break down like this:

• 16-foot container rental: $199
• Initial delivery fee: $89
• Pickup and redelivery to new location: $125
• One month storage: included
• Total: approximately $413

Now compare that to a long-distance relocation from Atlanta to Denver, roughly 1,400 miles:

• 16-foot container rental: $299
• Initial delivery: $89
• Transportation fee: $2,800
• Delivery at destination: $89
• One month storage at origin: included
• Total: approximately $3,277

The gap between these scenarios illustrates why distance matters so dramatically in PODS moving cost calculations. Both examples assume straightforward deliveries without permit requirements or access complications. Actual quotes may vary based on current demand and seasonal pricing.

PODS vs. Other Moving Container Options

PODS dominates the portable storage container market, but competition exists. Comparing alternatives before booking makes sense for anyone watching their budget.

PODS vs. Pack Rat

1-800-PACK-RAT operates on a similar model. Both companies deliver containers, let customers load at their own pace, then transport everything to the new location.

Pack Rat typically prices slightly lower than PODS for comparable moves. The difference typically ranges from 10-15% for long-distance relocations. However, PODS maintains a larger network of storage facilities, which can matter for people who need flexible storage options during transitional periods.

Pack Rat containers come in different size configurations, too. Their dimensions don't match PODS exactly, so direct size comparisons require some math. Generally speaking, Pack Rat's large container holds slightly more than a PODS 16-foot unit.

Customer service reviews run fairly similarly between the two companies. Neither earns stellar marks for communication during the booking process, though both generally deliver on the core service.

PODS vs. U-Pack

U-Pack takes a different approach entirely. Instead of delivering a standalone container to your property, U-Pack drops off a trailer or ReloCube (their container option) and charges based on the linear feet used.

This model works well for people who don't need long-term storage and prefer to pay only for the space they use. A family that fills half a trailer pays for half a trailer, not the whole thing.

U-Pack pricing often beats PODS for long-distance moves, sometimes by a significant margin. Cross-country relocations might cost $1,500-2,500 less through U-Pack depending on cargo volume.

The tradeoff is less flexibility. U-Pack doesn't offer the same month-to-month storage options that make PODS attractive to customers with complex timelines. The trailer needs to move within a set window, which doesn't suit everyone's situation.

Hidden Fees to Watch For

Nobody enjoys surprises on a final bill. PODS quotes sometimes exclude costs that appear later in the process.

Watch for these potential additions:

• Damage protection: Optional insurance coverage that PODS strongly encourages, typically $10-15 monthly
• Extended storage fees: Keeping containers beyond initial rental periods costs more than the standard monthly rate suggests
• Redelivery charges: Moving a container from a PODS storage facility to your new address costs extra if not included in the original quote
• Fuel surcharges: These fluctuate based on current gas prices and aren't always reflected in initial estimates
• Permit fees: PODS passes municipal permit costs directly to customers
• Lock purchases: Containers don't come with locks included

Reading the full contract before signing prevents most unpleasant surprises. The fine print matters more than it should.

How to Get an Accurate PODS Quote

PODS offers online quotes, but they function more as rough estimates than firm pricing. The examples used earlier in this article can serve as a rough ballpark estimate, but actual costs depend on specific circumstances.

Start with the website estimate to establish a baseline, then call and speak with a representative directly. Phone quotes tend to be more accurate because representatives can ask about access issues, storage timelines, and permit concerns that affect final pricing. Request itemized pricing so each line item is clear from the beginning.

Getting quotes from competitors helps too. Even customers who prefer PODS benefit from having alternative pricing as leverage. PODS occasionally matches competitor rates when asked directly. Booking early almost always saves money, as availability significantly affects pricing.

Ready to Skip the Heavy Lifting?

Let's be real for a second. The numbers above might look attractive on paper, but they don't account for the ibuprofen you'll need after hauling a sleeper sofa down a flight of stairs. Or the stress of wondering if you packed your dishes securely enough to survive a cross-country rattle.

Managing a container move requires project management skills and serious physical labor. If the idea of playing Tetris with your furniture inside a steel box sounds more like a nightmare than an adventure, there is an alternative that doesn't involve breaking your back.

Sometimes, the smartest financial decision isn't the one with the lowest upfront price tag; it's the one that guarantees your stuff arrives safely without you lifting a finger. If you'd rather preserve your energy (and your sanity) for enjoying your new home, you might want to forego PODS and hire Three Movers. As a trusted moving company, we handle the logistics, the lifting, and the driving, often for prices that compete surprisingly well with DIY options once you factor in all the hidden costs.

Get a free quote today and see how easy moving can actually be.