Money Research Collective’s editorial team solely created this content. Opinions are their own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how companies may appear. Many featured companies advertise with us. How we make money.
U-Pack Review
By Alison Tobin MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
U-Pack is a do-it-yourself-style long-distance moving and storage company that uses trailers and portable storage units. The company is available in all 50 states as well as Canada and Puerto Rico. Because of its flexible services and strong reputation, it’s one of the best long-distance movers in the country.
Read on to learn more about U-Pack’s services, cost, customer service and reputation.
Table of contents
- U-Pack overview
- U-Pack’s services
- U-Pack’s credentials
- U-Pack’s accessibility
- U-Pack’s customer satisfaction
- U-Pack FAQ
- How we evaluated U-Pack
- Summary of Miami Herald’s U-Pack review
U-Pack overview
- Offers two equipment options (trailer or storage cube)
- No deposit required
- No in-home estimate needed
- Quotes are available online
- Has locations in every state
- Lenient cancellation policy
- Offers discounts, including one for booking online
- Doesn't load your items onto a truck with other households
- Doesn't offer local moving (less than 100 miles)
- Doesn't offer vehicle relocation
- Isn't a full-service mover
- Doesn't allow you to access your items while in storage
U-Pack was founded in 1997 and is a subsidiary of ArcBest Corporation. ABF Freight is the primary transportation provider for U-Pack, which is also an ArcBest carrier. U-Pack offers an easy quoting system online and doesn’t require you to complete an in-home estimate or put down a deposit.
With some large moving companies, your belongings might be loaded onto a truck with another household’s shipment. This creates a risk of items being misplaced or damaged. However, if you choose the U-Pack trailer option for your move (which is discussed in more detail below), your items will be the only household goods on the truck. It may be loaded with freight deliveries but not with other residential moves.
U-Pack’s services
As one of the best shipping container companies, U-Pack offers customers a variety of options for transporting their household items far distances. It is a DIY mover, so it doesn’t offer full-service labor. By packing and loading your boxes and furniture into the U-Pack unit yourself, you may be able to save some money on your move. U-Pack also offers numerous discounts.
What it offers
U-Pack offers the following moving services and features:
- Long-distance moving
- Cross-country moving
- Interstate moving
- Large and small moves
- Short- and long-term storage options
- Portable storage units (ReloCube)
- Online quotes
- Guaranteed delivery day
- Discounts on your move
- Multiple delivery and equipment options
- 24/7 Customer service for quotes and reservations
- Locations in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico
- Extra protection packages
U-Pack moves are done with two equipment options: a trailer or ReloCube. The trailer is more accommodating for large moves. You pay for the space you need — from five feet of a U-Pack trailer to its entire 28-foot length.
The ReloCube option is best for smaller moves. A ReloCube is a portable storage container similar to those offered by PODS. You can rent as many containers as you need — U-Pack advises that one cube typically fits all the contents of one large room. The ReloCubes are about eight feet high, seven feet wide and six feet long and takes up an area of about one parking space for loading and unloading. Each one holds up to 308 cubic feet or 2,500 pounds.
If you need to store your belongings, they will be kept in ReloCubes at one of U-Pack’s locations. Storage pricing is based on how many units you use and is billed monthly.
There are flexible delivery options to choose from:
- Door-to-door delivery: Your equipment will be delivered, picked up and dropped off at the locations you want. You’ll have three business days to load your belongings and three to unload them.
- Service center delivery: This option is good if parking the ReloCube or trailer at your home is not feasible. Your equipment will be at a U-Pack service center, so you will bring your belongings there in a personal vehicle or rental truck to load into the moving container. For delivery after transport, you would unload your items from the unit at the facility and bring them to your new home yourself.
You can combine these options, such as choosing door-to-door for your origin location and service center delivery at your destination. And in some cases, same-day equipment drop-off and pick-up is available.
Two liability coverage options are included with U-Pack moves: catastrophic and carrier negligence.
Carrier negligence includes coverage of 10 cents per pound per item, but you can purchase more. Catastrophic liability includes protection of $3 per pound per item for things like fire, theft, an overturned trailer, or a collision in transit. This coverage is to a maximum of $60,000 per trailer and $7,500 per ReloCube.
Since you pack and load your items into the unit or moving trailer yourself, U-Pack doesn’t cover damage caused by unsuitable packing. You can also check with your renters or homeowners insurance policy to see if it offers any protection while moving, or you can purchase moving insurance.
What it doesn’t offer
U-Pack doesn’t currently offer the following options:
- Full-service moving (in-house packing, unpacking, loading and unloading)
- Local moving
- Car shipping
- Climate-controlled storage
- Access to your belongings when in storage
- International moving outside of the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico
U-Pack isn’t a full-service moving company, so it doesn’t offer any in-house services for packing, unpacking, loading or unloading your belongings into the portable storage unit. The company may be able to connect you with local moving companies in your area for labor help. It also doesn’t have any car shipping or transport of other vehicles.
Long-distance moves are U-Pack’s specialty. It doesn’t offer local moves that are short distances. The website notes that long-distance moves are typically considered to be moves that are at least 100 miles and go across state lines.
As mentioned above, U-Pack offers short- and long-term storage of your items in ReloCubes. Items are stored at the company’s facility. While the ReloCubes are weatherproof, the facility is not climate controlled (which you might desire for some items, such as antiques). You also won’t have access to your belongings while they are in storage, as some other storage companies allow.
U-Pack cost
The average moving cost of U-Pack with one ReloCube is about $2,500 for door-to-door delivery, according to U-Pack’s website. The company notes that its costs vary based on the number of containers or space on the trailer you use, equipment choice and availability, location and date of your move.
In the table below, you can find example quotes that U-Pack provides on its website. The estimates are based on one U-Pack ReloCube for moves that were scheduled for September 2022.
| Origin and Destination | Cost |
| Orlando, FL, to Charlotte, NC | $1,301 |
| Atlanta, GA, to Indianapolis, IN | $1,766 |
| St. Louis, MO, to Philadelphia, PA | $1,818 |
| Salt Lake City, UT, to Columbus, OH | $2,329 |
Source: U-Pack
When you get quotes, experiment with different equipment options and sizes (trailers and ReloCubes) to see what the best value is for your moving distance. If you plan to add storage, U-Pack claims that some locations may be as affordable as $100 per month, but the price varies.
U-Pack coupons
U-Pack offers moving discounts for various things so you can save money on your move. It currently offers the following coupons and discounts (as of November 2022):
- $25 discount when you book your move online
- $25 discount with promo code BLOG25 (as found in the U-Pack blog)
- $50 discount for military members with code MIL50
- Senior discounts (unspecified amount)
- Student discounts for those moving to or from college (unspecified amount)
- Free shipping on orders from the U-Pack Box Store for shipping supplies
U-Pack’s credentials
U-Pack is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as a freight forwarder/broker under the legal name Moving Solutions, Inc. and DBA (doing business as) name U-Pack Movebuilder. The FMCSA is the agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) that regulates interstate commercial trucking in the U.S.
Licenses and registrations
U-Pack’s credentials for operating authorities are listed below:
- USDOT Number: 2632086
- MC Number: MC-914011
- FF Number: FF-8973
Awards and certifications
U-Pack was the winner of the 2015 Arkansas Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics. The company doesn’t appear to be recognized for any more recent awards. However, its freight partner ABF Freight — which is U-Pack’s primary transportation provider — has been awarded many accolades.
ABF Freight won the American Trucking Association (ATA) Excellence in Cargo Claims and Loss Prevention Award in 2022, 2019, 2017, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2005, 2002 and 2001. This was awarded for ABF’s standards regarding claim management, loss prevention and damage control.
In addition, ABF earned the Excellence in Security award from ABF for its ability to protect employees, property, trucks and cargo in 2019, 2016, 2015, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2004 and 2001. And the company was recognized for exceptional environmental performance with the 2021 SmartWay Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
U-Pack’s accessibility
U-Pack is widely available in the U.S. and beyond. The company’s customer service accessibility varies based on what kind of assistance you need, but you may find help to your questions on its blog.
Availability
U-Pack serves all 50 states in the U.S. as well as Canada and Puerto Rico. It has 240 total locations, with more than one location in every state.
Contact options
You can contact U-Pack for customer service by phone. Customer service is available 24/7 for quotes and reservations, but if you need help with your move, you can contact the operations team from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST on Saturdays.
You can also send U-Pack an email through a form on its website or contact the company through Facebook Messenger, which U-Pack claims is monitored during regular business hours.
User experience
U-Pack’s website is very easy to use. It contains a lot of helpful information about the process, available services, equipment options (portable units and trailers) availability and more. U-Pack has an informational blog that covers topics ranging from U-Pack services and pricing to general moving tips.
The quoting engine only asks for a few questions (origin, destination, moving date and equipment needed). You may be required to enter your email address to get a quote.
Limitations
As mentioned above, U-Pack has a variety of contact options, but it doesn’t have an online chat feature. Its 24/7 customer service is limited to those that need help getting a moving quote or booking a reservation. Unfortunately, other inquiries regarding help with your move are limited to the hours listed above and are not available on Sundays. If you have general questions, you may be able to find the answer in an article published in U-Pack’s blog.
U-Pack customer satisfaction
U-Pack has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since Feb. 13, 2001 and holds an impressive A+ rating. It has decent ratings with minimal complaints considering the size of the company. Third-party ratings are mixed, but the majority of them are positive.
Customer complaints
As of November 2022, U-Pack has received 77 customer complaints in the last three years that people submitted to the BBB.
The company has a response rate of 100% — which means it has answered all complaints it has received. By scanning the complaints, we see some regarding contents that shifted in the moving truck during transport, damage to items and delivery delays.
On the customer review portion of U-Pack’s BBB profile (which doesn’t affect the previously mentioned BBB rating), it earns a rating of 3.98 out of five stars based on 182 customer reviews.
U-Pack is registered with the FMCSA — the agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that focuses on trucking safety. No complaints have been filed against U-Pack to the FMCSA in 2021 or so far in 2022. There were four in 2020.
Third-party ratings
U-Pack has decent reviews on most of the third-party websites that we analyzed as of November 2022.
It has a rating of 3.5 out of five stars on the review platform Consumer Affairs. The majority of the reviews are four- and five-star ratings. Frequent mentions include an easy booking process and friendly customer service. The poor ratings are supplemented by comments on issues such as damage to their items and delays with delivery.
U-Pack has a different Yelp profile for each location. We surveyed a handful of them and noticed that the average ratings are strong overall, ranging from four to 4.5 stars. Scanning the reviews, we noticed mention of affordability, easy process and quick delivery. Some reviewers discussed friendly customer service, but a handful of the negative reviews cited poor customer service.
Unfortunately, the U-Pack customer ratings are not as favorable overall on the review platform TrustPilot.com. The average rating is 1.9 out of five stars. Most reviews have rated the company as either five stars or one star.
U-Pack FAQ
How to get a U-Pack quote?
U-Pack offers free instant quotes on its website or via phone call. For online, you can go to the U-Pack's website and use the quoting form. You will need to enter a few details about your move, including your locations and how much you plan to move. You'll be able to choose which type of equipment you want (trailer or ReloCube) and you will see the estimated cost.
If you'd prefer to get a quote over the phone, you can call U-Pack's customer service line and speak to a representative.
Which is better: U-Pack or PODS?
U-Pack and PODS are comparable in that they both offer portable storage container moving options, but they differ slightly in what they offer.
U-Pack focuses on long-distance moving, so if you are moving locally (or a short distance), PODS might be the better option for you. U-Pack has more availability across the U.S. than PODS, which isn't available in every state. Both companies offer storage solutions.
Consider getting a quote from both portable-storage movers and compare the cost of PODS versus U-Pack, along with the respective services the companies offer.
How do you book a move with U-Pack?
You can book a U-Pack move online or over the phone. If you reserve online, you can get a $25 discount. You will need to enter some contact information and details about your move, like where you are moving to and from, which equipment option you want and how much space you need for your belongings. Once you select your moving day, you can book the move.
U-Pack says that the best times to move are during the "off" season, from September through April, because prices tend to be lower during this time. Off-peak days are typically mid-month and mid-week days.
Can you cancel a U-pack move?
If your plans change, you can cancel your U-Pack move. There is a generous cancellation policy. There is no cancellation fee if you cancel the move more than seven days before the scheduled moving day. If you need to cancel within seven days, the fee is $50, and if you need to cancel on the day of your planned move, the fee is $150.
You need to call the company and speak to a moving consultant to cancel your U-Pack reservation.
How we evaluated U-Pack
We evaluated U-Pack by reviewing details on the company’s website as well as reviews, complaints and ratings that have been submitted through the following agencies:
- The Better Business Bureau: We looked at the BBB rating, customer review rating and customer complaints submitted to the BBB.
- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: We looked at the FMCSA’s Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) System to review safety complaint history.
We also analyzed third-party reviews from the following websites. All three of these websites accept reviews from U-Pack customers and publish them.
- Consumer Affairs
- Yelp
- TrustPilot.com
Summary of the U-Pack review
U-Pack is a self-service mover. It provides the equipment and you handle the labor of packing, unpacking, loading and unloading. The company only handles long-distance moves — local moves that are less than 100 miles may not be accepted by U-Pack.
Two equipment options are available: a trailer for large moves and ReloCubes. The U-Pack ReloCubes are storage units that can be kept at one of the company’s locations if you need storage before moving your items to your new home. You can get a free quote for U-Pack on its website without completing an in-home estimate.
It has flexible options and a positive reputation, which is why it’s one of the best long-distance moving companies.
Alison Tobin is a personal finance news writer and editor. She covers news topics in the areas of savings, investing, real estate, taxes, insurance, and more. Her work has been featured in Yahoo!, Forbes, AP News, PropertyCasualty360, and various local publications across the United States.