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Where to Get Moving Boxes
By Cassidy Horton MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Planning an upcoming move? Whether you’re heading down the street or across the country, there’s a lot you have to do to get ready. One of the most important things on your moving checklist should be getting cardboard boxes. Luckily, this is one part of moving that shouldn’t be too difficult. There are plenty of places where you can get moving boxes and other supplies cheap–or even for free.
Table of Contents
- Where to get free moving boxes
- Where to buy moving boxes
- What supplies do you need for moving?
- Moving boxes FAQ
- Summary of our guide to getting moving boxes
Where to get free moving boxes
You’d be surprised at how many places give away free boxes. In most cases, all you have to do is ask. So before you drop a lot of cash on cardboard moving boxes, see if you can snag some from these places first. It’s a great way to save money and reuse big boxes that would otherwise get thrown in the trash.
Nextdoor
Nextdoor is an online hub for community news, events, updates, and classifieds. You’ll often find your neighbors giving away free household items. Look here first to see if you can get free moving boxes without leaving your neighborhood.
Craigslist
If you don’t mind used boxes, then definitely check out Craigslist. It’s an online marketplace where you can find just about anything. The website has a “free” section, so look here to see if anyone is already giving away moving boxes. You can also create a posting to let people know what you’re looking for.
Grocery stores
Believe it or not, many grocery stores will give away their empty boxes for free. They just want to get rid of them and don’t want to have to pay to take them to a recycling center. So it’s definitely worth asking if your local grocery store has any boxes you could take off their hands.
Liquor stores
Similar to grocery stores, liquor stores are another great place to get free cardboard boxes. They get constant deliveries of heavy items, so you can count on their boxes to be sturdy. Some will likely be corrugated or have partitions inside, which is great for packing delicate items like glassware.
Your friends and family
You never know who has old moving boxes or other cardboard boxes lying around. Let your friends and family know you’re in need of boxes in whatever way you can—in person, over the phone, or via social media.
Freecycle
Freecycle is a nonprofit organization with a platform for giving away stuff you don’t use anymore and getting the things you need—for free. You can create a free membership, browse the listings, and create a post asking for moving boxes.
Local libraries
Libraries are constantly receiving books in sturdy, cardboard boxes, and may have some extras lying around. Just ask if they have any you can take off their hands.
Gas stations
Gas station convenience stores get frequent deliveries, so you can bet they go through lots of cardboard boxes. And with gas stations being as common as they are, you can stop by several on a single drive around town and quickly stock up on free boxes.
Facebook Groups
There are lots of buy/sell/trade groups on Facebook where people are always looking to unload unwanted items—including moving boxes! There’s also Facebook Marketplace. Between these two groups, there’s a good chance someone has free packing boxes they don’t need anymore. Simply do a search for “moving boxes” in your area and see what comes up.
U-haul Customer Connect
U-Haul Customer Connect is a way for U-Haul customers to share supplies, transportation, and—you guessed it—moving boxes. You can visit this online platform and browse posts by location or create a post letting people know what you’re looking for.
Where to buy moving boxes
If you can’t find any free boxes, don’t worry—you can always buy them. Here are some places to look:
| Moving boxes | Average cost for a standard, large moving box |
| Walmart | $2.06 (each when you buy a pack of 25) |
| Amazon | $3.42 (each when you buy a pack of 12) |
| U-Haul | $2.35 |
| Lowe’s | $2.41 |
Walmart
Walmart has a wide selection of moving boxes in different styles and sizes, available individually or in multi-packs. You can shop for moving boxes at Walmart in-store, by pickup (either curbside or in-store), by same-day delivery, or with two-day shipping.
Based on our research, Walmart appears to have the lowest prices for moving boxes, which is especially helpful if keeping moving expenses low is a priority.
Amazon
Amazon has the widest selection of moving boxes to choose from, so you can search online for exactly what you need. You can get boxes delivered to your doorstep—and quickly—but you won’t be able to get a feel for the boxes before you buy them. Based on our research, you may pay more per box than other options on our list.
U-Haul
U-Haul has all kinds of specialty boxes, which makes sense given that it’s in the business of helping people move. The company has everything from wardrobe moving boxes and TV moving boxes to standard storage boxes and “box kits” that include a little bit of everything. You can shop in person, place an order for in-store pickup, have it shipped to your house, or get same-day delivery. Read more in our U-Haul review.
Lowe’s
Lowe’s sells its house brand of moving boxes in several sizes, shapes, and styles. It also sells reputable box brands like Bankers Box and SmoothMove, if you’re looking for options with lift-off lids or easy-to-carry handles. Lowe’s also has the added flexibility of selling individual boxes and moving kits, so you can stock up on as few or as many moving boxes as you need to get the job done.
UsedCardboardBoxes
If you’re intent on making your move as eco-friendly as possible, UsedCardboardBoxes might be the way to go. They “rescue” extra, misprinted, or returned boxes from other manufacturers and sell them at a discount. Instead of selling the boxes individually, UsedCardboardBoxes packages them in handy kits with other essential moving supplies. So if “reduce, reuse, recycle” is a part of your ethos, it may be worth checking out.
The Home Depot
The Home Depot sells their house brand moving boxes in many shapes and sizes and offers standard and heavy-duty boxes. Like at Lowe’s, you can buy single boxes or buy them as part of a moving kit. Shop or pick up in-store, ship boxes to your house, or get next-day delivery.
Uboxes.com
Uboxes has boxes for all kinds of household items—from wardrobe boxes to mattress and lamp boxes. They also sell box kits with other moving supplies based on the size of your house. Uboxes offers free shipping on orders over $35.
The UPS Store
The UPS Store sells moving boxes in a wide range of sizes and can even make custom storage boxes for weirdly-shaped items. Box sizes and availability vary by location, so you’ll have to contact your local store to make sure they have what you need.
What supplies do you need for moving?
Of course, moving boxes aren’t the only supplies you’ll need for moving. Tape, bubble wrap, and packing supplies are all essential when it comes to packing up your home.
While prices vary by store and location, you can expect to pay this much on average for moving supplies:
| Moving supplies | Average cost |
| Packing tape | $3 to $4 per standard roll |
| Packing paper | $15 to $25 for a pack of 200 sheets |
| Plastic wrap | $30 for 1,000 feet |
| Bubble cushioning | $20 to $30 for 200 feet |
| Plastic baggies | $9 for three, 20-gallon bags |
| Tool set | $20 to $50 |
| Labels | $3 for a set of 70 moving labels |
Moving boxes FAQs
How many boxes do you need for moving?
A good rule of thumb is that you'll need around 10 large or medium moving boxes for each room in your house. Of course, this will vary depending on the size of your home and how much stuff you have.
Keep in mind you'll probably use more medium and small moving boxes than large and extra-large boxes. If you're totally unsure, be ready with more boxes than you think you'll need. When it comes to moving, it's better to be overprepared than underprepared.
What kind of boxes are best for moving?
You'll most likely need a variety of boxes to pack all of your belongings. You might want some extra-large bags for big, lightweight items, and smaller, sturdier boxes for books or fragile items.
Cardboard is the popular pick for moving box material. If you go this route, look for sturdier options like double-walled cardboard boxes. These will cost more than regular cardboard boxes, but they're worth it because they won't fall apart as easily and will make moving day a breeze.
Cardboard moving boxes are the easiest to find—especially if you want to get moving boxes for free. However, for certain items or situations—like wanting to protect a special item from moisture—plastic boxes may make more sense.
What is the best way to ship boxes when moving?
The best way to ship boxes depends on how far you're moving and how much stuff you have. If you're flying to your new home and only have a few boxes, you can ship them via USPS or bring them with you when you fly.
Of course, if you have a lot of stuff or are going a significant distance, you may want to hire a moving company to do all the heavy lifting for you. (Most moving companies will help you pack, move, and unpack your boxes.)
If you're willing to pack the boxes and drive them to your new home yourself, you can rent a truck or trailer from U-Haul. And if you're on a tight budget, you can rent a shared moving truck or use a moving marketplace like uShip.
How much does it cost to ship moving boxes?
If you're shipping boxes by parcel carrier, you can pack a large flat-rate box for around $20 or ship by retail ground (the price depends on the box size and weight). If you fly with your boxes, you'll pay the price of a checked or carry-on bag.
Hiring movers is the most expensive option, but it's also the most convenient. For example, if you're preparing for a move from Florida to San Francisco, you should expect to pay several thousand dollars for a moving company to handle things for you. Be aware that it's customary to tip movers if they do a satisfactory job, which adds even more to your total.
If you rent a truck or trailer from a business like U-Haul, the price varies depending on the size of the vehicle or trailer you rent and how far you're going. A small trailer for a local move starts at about $15 per day.
If you're looking for the cheapest way to move, you'll have the best luck with a platform like uShip or another consolidated shipping freight marketplace. You'll negotiate the price with the driver, and you can usually get a very good deal.
Summary of our guide to where to get moving boxes
Moving can be a huge hassle. From finding your new place to packing up your stuff, there are tons of logistics to coordinate and execute. Not to mention managing moving costs and budgeting for supplies and labor. But there are ways to make it slightly less painful—like by getting free or cheap moving boxes.
As you can see from our list, there are plenty of places to find cheap or even free moving boxes—you just have to know where to look! So before you start packing up your belongings, take some time to check out these places and see if you can score some free or inexpensive moving boxes. Also, some of the best moving companies offer boxes as well. Trust us: your wallet will thank you!
Cassidy Horton is a finance writer based in Seattle, Washington. With an MBA and a bachelor's in public relations, her work has been published over a thousand times by The Balance, Finder.com, Money Under 30, Clever Girl Finance, and many more. Cassidy is a self-confessed money nerd who’s passionate about helping people find financial freedom. Oh, and she really loves cats.