How Much Does a Portable Storage Container Cost?

If you’re thinking about renting a portable storage container, cost is probably one of your first questions. The short answer is that there isn’t one set price. Your total depends on how much space you need, how long you keep it, how the container gets to you, and whether it stays nearby or travels to another destination.

With U-Box® containers, you have some flexibility if you’re unsure how much space you’ll need. You can reserve an extra container and receive a refund for any containers you don’t use.

Key Takeaways

• Portable storage costs depend on your move. The space you need, rental length, distance, and services you choose can all affect your total.
• The monthly rental rate is only part of the price. Delivery, shipping, coverage, and moving labor may add to your total.
• Compare complete quotes. Looking at all included charges gives you a clearer picture of what you’ll actually pay.
• With U-Box, you only pay for the containers you use. If you’re unsure how much space you’ll need, you can reserve an extra container and receive a refund if you don’t use it.

What Is Included in a Portable Storage Container Quote?

Portable storage quotes typically start with the cost of the storage space itself, but that isn’t always the entire price. Depending on how you plan to use your container, your quote may also include delivery, pickup, transportation, additional rental time, coverage, or moving labor.

Here's a general breakdown of costs to consider:

Cost	What it may cover
Monthly container rental	The container or storage space for a set rental period
Delivery and pickup	Getting the container to and from your location
Shipping	Transporting loaded containers between locations
Additional rental time	Keeping the container for additional rental periods
Optional services	Coverage, moving labor, or supplies added to your reservation

With U-Box containers, the initial container rental period is 30 days. A U-Box container quote may also include delivery fees, a Gentle Ride Shipping Fee for long-distance transportation, coverage, and Moving Help® labor services.

That means two portable storage rentals can have very different totals based on how the containers are used.

Monthly Container Rental

Portable storage containers are generally rented on a monthly basis. Your monthly cost will depend in part on how much storage space you need.

Depending on the provider, that might mean choosing between several container sizes or deciding how many containers you need.

U-Box takes the number-of-containers approach. Each U-Box container measures 8 feet long by 5 feet wide by 7.5 feet high, provides approximately 257 cubic feet of space, and holds about 1.5 rooms of household belongings.

If you're between estimates, you don't have to squeeze everything into fewer containers. You can reserve an extra U-Box container and receive a refund for any containers you don’t use. Each container also includes 24 rental furniture pads.

Delivery and Customer Pickup

Delivery and pickup fees vary by portable storage company. Some charge separate fees for delivery and pickup, while others combine both into a single charge. How those fees are structured can make a difference in your total cost.

With home delivery, your container is brought directly to your location so you can load it there.

This can be convenient, but the delivery and pickup costs are worth including when you compare quotes.

Want to avoid delivery and pickup fees? With U-Box containers, you can choose Customer Pickup and tow your container from a U-Haul location using a U-Box trailer, if your vehicle meets the towing requirements.

There’s no delivery or pickup fee for this option.

You can also load and unload your container at a U-Haul facility with no delivery fee, which can be helpful if you don’t have enough space at home or simply want another way to save on delivery costs.

Shipping

Distance matters when a portable storage container needs to travel.

A container that remains nearby for temporary storage has different transportation needs than one traveling hundreds or thousands of miles to your new home.

 

Portable Storage Container Shipping Costs

Shipping Distance	Estimated Cost
Local (about 30 miles or less)	~$90–$250+
Regional (375–1,000 miles)	~$700–$2,300+
Long Distance (1,800 miles or more)	~$1,400–$3,000+

Based on shipping fees for one approximately 8-foot container. Last researched October 2026.

Entering your actual locations and dates will give you a much clearer idea of what to expect.

Coverage and Moving Labor

Portable storage companies may offer optional coverage for your belongings while they’re in storage or being transported. Coverage levels and costs vary by provider, so this is another item to consider when comparing quotes.

For example, PODS® offers its Contents Protection Option with declared values ranging from $5,000 to $300,000, with monthly costs ranging from $38.95 to $516.95.

With U-Box containers, Safehaul® Shipping Protection is available for belongings being transported, while Safestor® Storage Protection is available when your container is stored at a U-Haul storage facility. Both offer coverage levels from $1,000 to $20,000 per container.

Need help with the heavy lifting, too? U-Box customers can add Moving Help services for loading or unloading. You can find independent local Service Providers through the Moving Help Marketplace, giving you the flexibility to handle the move yourself or add help where you need it.

Why Do Portable Storage Container Prices Vary?

It can be frustrating to search for a simple price and keep seeing “it depends.” But with portable storage, a few personal choices really do shape the final cost.

One of the biggest factors is how much container space you need. Portable storage companies may offer different container sizes or allow you to reserve multiple containers. With U-Box, you choose how many containers you need, and you can receive a refund for any containers you reserve but don’t use.

Rental length and distance matter, too. Keeping your container longer can add another monthly rental charge, while transporting it to another destination can add shipping costs. With U-Box, the container rental fee covers an initial 30-day rental period.

Finally, delivery, coverage, and moving labor can affect your total. U-Box offers different delivery and pickup options, plus Moving Help as an optional add-on, so you can choose the services that fit your move and budget.

How Do Monthly Container Rental Fees Compare?

It’s helpful to see real prices when you’re planning your budget. To make the comparison as consistent as possible, the rates below are based on one approximately 8-foot container rented in the same ZIP code for the same rental period.

Brand	Approximate monthly container rental fee
U-Haul® U-Box®	~$80
PODS®	~$206
1-800-PACK-RAT®	~$289

Rates researched in Denver, Colorado 80209. Prices do not include delivery, pickup, shipping, coverage, taxes or optional services unless otherwise noted. Rates and availability vary by location and date. Last researched: October 2026.

In this example, the U-Box container monthly rental fee was lower than the rates quoted by the other providers. Your results may differ based on your location, rental date and service selections.

How Do U-Box Containers Work?

Using U-Box containers gives you more control over your moving or storage schedule. Choose how many containers you need and how you would like to receive them. Then, pack at your own pace.

After loading, you can keep your containers at home where permitted, store them at a secure U-Haul facility or have them transported to another destination.

This flexibility can help when your move-out and move-in dates do not line up, when you are remodeling, or when you simply need more time to get settled.

How Can You Save Money on Portable Storage?

Start with a realistic estimate of how much space you’ll need. With U-Box containers, you can reserve an additional container if you’re unsure and receive a refund for any containers you don’t use.

Your delivery method can also help you manage the cost. Home Delivery offers convenience, while Customer Pickup or loading at a U-Haul facility can help you avoid delivery fees.

It also helps to plan around your rental period. With U-Box by U-Haul, the initial container rental period is 30 days, and additional months are billed monthly.

Most importantly, compare complete quotes rather than focusing only on an advertised monthly rate. Look at container rental, delivery and pickup, shipping, coverage, and optional services to get a clearer picture of your total cost.

Ready to see what your move may cost? Get a personalized U-Box container quote using your locations, dates, and container needs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a U-Box container rental include?

The container rental begins with an initial 30-day rental period. Each container also includes 24 rental furniture pads. Delivery, shipping, optional coverage, moving labor and supplies may be separate charges.

Can I keep a U-Box container longer than 30 days?

Yes. You can keep your container longer if you need more time, though additional rental charges may apply.

Do I have to pay for a U-Box container I don’t use?

No. You only pay for the containers you use. If you reserve an extra container and leave it unused, the unused container is fully refunded.

Can I pick up a U-Box container myself?

Customer pickup may be available if your vehicle meets the towing requirements. You can also choose to load and unload your container at a participating U-Haul facility.

How much fits inside one U-Box container?

One U-Box container holds approximately one and a half rooms of household belongings. It offers about 257 cubic feet of space and can hold up to 2,000 pounds.