How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Portable Storage Container?
Thinking about renting a portable storage container for your next move? Good thinking! Storage containers – such as U-Box® containers – provide unmatched flexibility and convenience. Keep them at home for storage needs, ship them across the country, store them at a self-storage facility, or even deliver them across town – whatever your need might be, we’ve got you covered.
At U-Haul, we know how important cost is as a factor in moving. It pays to do your research. In the case of renting a portable storage container, the cost varies based on factors like the number of containers you need, length of rental period, shipping distance, pick up/drop off location(s), and more.
To help you get a better idea of how much it might cost to rent a portable storage container, use this guide to learn more about available options and how pricing typically works.
How Much Does a Portable Storage Container Cost?
That’s the million-dollar question. The actual cost, luckily, is not a million dollars. The cost of a portable storage container can vary depending on how many containers you need and what you plan to do with them, but here is a general breakdown of all associated costs:
Monthly rental fees: Just like traditional self-storage units, portable storage containers have a rental fee that you’ll be charged monthly. The fees vary depending on container size, but monthly rent for a single container typically ranges from $80 to $200 per month.
Delivery and pickup fees: Delivery and pickup fees vary depending on the company: some charge separate delivery and pickup fees, some have a single charge that covers both together. Regardless of how the fees are structured, they typically range from $70 to $120 per container.
Optional insurance/coverage fees: Many providers, including U-Box, offer optional coverage to protect your items while they’re in storage or transit. The cost can vary depending on the amount of coverage you select, but most companies provide base coverage for somewhere between $10-40 per month.
Shipping fees: Most portable storage companies also give you the option to load up the container and ship it wherever you need it, whether you’re moving or just need to get some of your stuff from one place to another with ease. Shipping fees depend heavily on the distance and the origin and destination locations, but here is a quick breakdown of the ranges:
| Shipping Distance | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Local (about 30 miles or less) | ~$90–$250+ |
| Regional (375–1,000 miles) | ~$1,000–$2,300+ |
| Long Distance (1,800 miles or more) | ~$1,200–$3,000+ |
*The table above is based on shipping fees for a single 8' container.
In summary: Portable storage containers vary in price depending on how you use them and where you’re located, but if you’re just planning to have them at your home for some temporary storage for a month or so, you’ll pay a container rental fee ranging from $80-$200 per container and also a delivery/pickup fee ranging from $70-$120.
Want to see how much portable storage with U-Box will cost? Get a quote today!
What is a Portable Storage Container?
Portable storage containers, also known as portable moving containers and portable storage units, are spacious wooden or metal units that are designed for storing and moving your belongings. These containers come with a roll-up or swinging door that can be locked from the outside. Since portable storage containers are often kept outside, they are built to be durable and weatherproof to protect your belongings from the elements.
One U-Box container fits about one room of stuff
How Do Portable Storage Containers Work?
Your container will be delivered to your home on a pre-planned, scheduled day for you to pack and load. Once you're done loading, you can keep the container at your home, store it with the rental company, or have it shipped wherever you need. If you choose to store it at home or at a storage facility, you’ll just pay monthly rental fees like a traditional storage unit.
Renting a portable storage container can be a do-it-yourself task, but many local companies offer loading services as well. As mentioned, U-Box containers come with optional loading services powered by Moving Help® service providers. Naturally, the inclusion of added services will affect the overall cost. The cost of loading services depends on the number of containers and other factors like the type of items you need loaded, but the typical hourly rate for moving labor ranges from $190-$400.
How Big is a Storage Container?
Sizes typically range from around 8 to 16 feet long for residential containers. Commercial containers can be up to 40 feet long. Keep in mind that the larger the container, the higher the cost.
U-Box containers are a convenient size of 8' x 5' x 7.5’, providing 257 cubic feet of storage – large enough to fit about a room or a room and a half of common household items.
Why Choose U-Box for Portable Storage?
We may be a little biased, but even home improvement expert Bob Vila agrees: U-Box containers are more affordable than many well-known competitors. With more than 1,500 U-Haul locations offering U-Box service across the U.S. and Canada, our widespread availability helps keep delivery costs low and our prices competitive.
Only pay for what you use: Unlike many competitors, U-Box offers refunds for any unused containers. If you overestimate how many you’ll need and end up with extra, unused containers, you won’t pay for them.
A versatile container size: U-Box containers come in one optimized size, large enough to hold a king-size mattress yet compact enough to fit in a single parking space. That makes U-Box a convenient option for apartment dwellers or anyone without a driveway or yard. Every U-Box container also contains 24 free rental moving blankets for you to use to wrap and protect your items.
Wondering how U-Box stacks up against the competition? We’ve put together a straightforward comparison of monthly container rental fees from some of the biggest names in the industry:
| Brand |
Monthly Container Rental Fee |
|---|---|
| U-Box® | ~$90 |
| PODS® | ~$270 |
| 1-800-Pack-Rat® | ~$127 |
*The table above is based on rates in San Francisco, California 94108 for 1 8' container. Last updated 6/18/25.
With pricing like this, it's easy to see why U-Box is one of the most budget-friendly options for portable storage.
Here’s what our U-Box customers have to say about us:
“Everyone was great!! Very helpful! Everything arrived in one piece, great price, beat all the other container companies prices by far!”
“We are 100% convinced that we made the best decision for our move by choosing to go with the U-Haul U-BOXES. We were able to pack up on our own schedule, everything happened conveniently and on-time, and the cost was better than any other solution we could find.”
“This was a cross-country U-Box job. Everything, from start to finish, was outstanding. The communication, over the phone and with texts, was great. The cost was very competitive and the invoicing was exactly what we agreed to. Overall it was a very professional job.”
How Can I Save Money When Renting Portable Storage?
We all want to save money where we can. Luckily, U-Box containers offer several ways you can save on your next move or storage need, including:
Transport Your Containers Yourself – If your vehicle meets U-Haul’s towing requirements, you can tow 1 or 2 U-Box containers yourself using a U-Haul trailer, with no delivery or pickup fee required. The self-delivery option is available for moves of 100 miles or less. Don’t have a tow-capable vehicle? You can still choose self-delivery by renting a U-Haul truck to tow the container.
Load/Unload at a U-Haul Facility – Another entirely free option is to keep your U-Box containers at a U-Haul facility where you can load and unload them as needed instead of having them delivered to your home. All you'll pay is the monthly rental fees.
Start a U-Box Container Quote Today
Renting a portable storage unit is relatively affordable. However, the cost is heavily dependent on your personal needs. We hope this guide provided some insight into the process and helped you decide what the best options are for your next moving and storage need.