Even bulky items like mattresses, dressers, and refrigerators can fit inside U-Box moving containers without much hassle.
Renting a moving truck isn’t for everyone, and professional moving services can be very expensive. U-Box containers are affordable and can be used for local, long-distance, or international moves. They also make a great storage solution.
U-Haul has so many rental locations and delivery options, they are a convenient choice whether your move is down the street or across the country.
In this post, we’ll cover everything from what items fit in U-Box containers to how much driveway space they take up.
Before you make any move, do your homework by using a moving cost calculator.
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At A Glance
- Most locations nationwide
- Store at your residence or a U-Haul location
- Available for both local and long distance moves
- One month of storage included
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U-Haul U-Box container size
On the inside, where it matters most, U-Box containers measure –
- 7 feet 11 inches long
- 4 feet 8 inches wide
- 6 feet 11.5 inches high
With approximately 257 cubic feet of usable space, you can fit roughly 1½ rooms worth of furniture and boxes in one container.
Just remember that you may run out of space sooner if your loading skills aren’t exactly world-class. So it may be worth hiring professional movers to help you load.
Each container can hold a maximum of 2,000 pounds, but this shouldn’t be an issue unless you’re moving lots of books or your grandpa’s antique paperweight collection.
U-Box containers measure more than 9 feet diagonally, which can come in handy for awkward items like rolled rugs.
What fits in U-Box containers
One of the most commonly asked questions about U-Box containers is if they’re large enough for a king and queen mattresses.
The answer in both cases is usually “yes.”
Averaging about 7 feet long x 6 feet wide, most California king mattresses and box springs will fit, as will –
- Full-size sofas (average length is about 7 feet)
- Standard refrigerators (most are about 6 feet tall)
- Common household items like lamps, furniture, sports equipment, and yard tools
- Boxed items of clothing, dishes, picture frames and books or movies
What should NOT go in a U-Box container
U-Box containers are made of treated, pest-resistant plywood and covered with a heavy-duty vinyl cover. As a result, the storage container is not temperature controlled, so you should be careful about what you pack in it.
Don’t pack:
- Sensitive paperwork like deeds & documents, including legal and financial documents (passports, visas, birth certificates)
- Fur items
- Firearms
- High-expense or irreplaceable items like jewelry, watches, artwork, collectibles or, antiques
- Currency and medications
During transport, containers are loaded inside a truck, so they shouldn’t be in direct contact with snow, sleet, or rain. However, loading or unloading in inclement weather can be an issue, as the containers aren’t technically weather or waterproof.
U-Box containers don’t take up much driveway space
U-Box container’s exterior dimensions are approximately 8 feet long x 5 feet wide x 7 feet 10 inches tall when the vinyl cover is installed.
In other words, each U-Box only takes up about 40 square feet of ground space compared to about 96 square feet for a 2015 Toyota Camry.
Though they have less usable space than some competitors’ units, U-Box’s smaller footprints make them good choices in tight areas like college campuses and apartment complex parking lots.
U-Box containers for local, cross-country, and international relocations
U-Haul U-Boxes are a great option whether you’re making an international move, moving to a new state, or helping someone move to a local college.
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When moving domestically, containers are transported on trucks with “gentle-ride” suspensions to minimize (or eliminate) damage.
Unlike some competitors, U-Box also provides moving services between the lower 48 states and Alaska and Hawaii.
If you are looking to save money on a long-distance move and truck rental is not an option for you, U-Box is a solid solution.
Since both storage and U-Haul international shipping are available, U-Box containers are good options for college students vacating dorms or apartments over the summer break or studying abroad for a semester or two.
Though they’re most popular for moving household items, U-Box containers also work well as portable storage containers for –
- Portable business storage
- Shipping items to trade shows
- Storing tools and building materials during home renovations
With U-Box, you can also –
- Schedule moving help and full-service delivery
- Save money by loading or unloading at a neighborhood U-Haul location
- Pick up your container with a U-Box trailer (if you’re moving locally)
- If you are not ready to ship, U-Haul hold it at their storage facility for you
How U-Box containers from U-Haul work
- Estimate the number of containers you will need.
- Call U-Haul U-Box at 877-GO-UHAUL or make a reservation at uhaul.com/ubox to schedule your container drop off.
- Your storage containers will be dropped off to you on a flatbed truck and moved to your chosen location by forklift. You can also choose self-delivery and tow them to your desired location with a trailer or rent a U-Haul truck.
- Pack the containers at your convenience and then call for pick up and delivery to your new home.
Pros and cons of using a U-Haul U-Box
Pros of using a U-Box container
- U-Box containers can be kept on your property or stored at a U-Haul storage facility until you’re ready for final delivery. Though prices vary, you’ll generally pay between $50 and $100 per container per month in addition to initial and final delivery fees.
- U-Haul can provide labor for loading and unloading through partner company Moving Help.
- Your free online quote will generally include delivery to and from your home, monthly storage, or long-distance transportation charges.
- Delivery dates are guaranteed. If U-Box fails to make timely delivery at your final destination, they’ll reimburse you $50 per day, up to the total shipping cost.
- Each container comes with two dozen furniture pads at no additional charge.
- U-Box containers are a great option for self-storage.
- U-Box costs are very competitive and U-Haul facilities are easy to find.
Cons of using a U-Box container
- U-Box containers only come in one size.
- Your belongings aren’t insured for loss or damage while being stored or transported in U-Box containers. You can add mobile storage insurance to protect your belongings and cover damage to the container when it’s in your possession.
- PODS containers have more than 400 cubic feet of interior space than just 257 for U-Box containers. In addition, PODS offers three different container sizes, the largest of which (the 16-footer) has more than three times the interior space.
- U-Box containers are not airtight or weather-resistant (though they offer climate-controlled storage units at their facility).
- You may only be able to fit one heavy appliance in a U-Box, especially if you have other household goods to pack.
Using U-Haul U-Box
If space isn’t an issue then U-Box might work for you. Reading U-Haul U-Box reviews by real customers can help you with your decision.
U-Haul moving containers like U-Box are a great choice for DIY moves, storage or when you are unsure of how long you need to pack and move. You load and unload your household goods, they drive, and you save big bucks. Shopping around for the best moving container companies for your move will save you money.
If you want a full-service move, make sure to do your research. Hiring a best interstate moving companies with verified customer reviews is imperative.
Also, check out our thorough U-Haul U-Box review.
Frequently asked questions (faqs)
Can I use my U-Box for storage?
Yes, U-Box containers can be kept on your property or stored at a U-Haul facility until you’re ready for final delivery. Though prices vary, you’ll generally pay between 50 and $100 per container per month in addition to initial and final delivery fees.
Do U-Box containers come in multiple sizes?
No, U-Box containers only come in one size.
Will U-Haul load the container for me?
Yes, U-Haul can provide labor for loading and unloading through partner company Moving Help. You can check availability and book moving labor when you reserve your container.
What’s included in my U-Box quote?
Depending on which services you need, your free online quote will generally include delivery to and from your home, monthly storage, and long-distance transportation charges if you’re moving long-distance.
Are delivery dates guaranteed?
Yes, delivery dates are guaranteed. If U-Box fails to make timely delivery at your final destination, they’ll reimburse you $50 per day, up to the total shipping cost. Remember that reimbursem*nt is the same regardless of the number of containers you used.
Will my household goods be insured during transit and storage?
According to uhaul.com, your belongings aren’t insured for loss or damage while being stored or transported in U-Box containers. However, when making your reservation, you can add mobile storage insurance to protect your belongings and cover damage to the container when it’s in your possession.
Are PODS containers bigger than U-Boxes?
Yes, PODS 8-foot containers have more than 400 cubic feet of interior space than just 257 for U-Box containers. In addition, PODS offers three different container sizes, the largest of which (the 16-footer) has more than three times the interior space. There are also differences when it comes to PODS costs so be sure to check those!
We also show you how to choose the right container for your move in our article on PODS sizes.
Can I rent furniture pads and other equipment at Uhaul.com?
Each container comes with two dozen moving pads at no additional charge, and packing material like paper, tape, and boxes can be purchased online or at your local U-Haul facility.
