How Much Do PODS Cost for Moving in 2025?

Move Type	8′ (small)	12′ (medium)	16′ (large)
Local	$596	$652	$652
Regional	$1,613	N/A	$1,841
Cross-country	$3,646	N/A	$4,710

*Prices include one month of rental, delivery, transport, and pickup, with 30% promotional discounts applied. Extra months cost ~$324–$344 for a 16′ container, depending on location.

---

The Cost of a Local PODS Move

Based on our 2025 data, the average cost of a local PODS move is about $633–$700, which includes container delivery, one month of container rental, transport, and pickup. Actual costs vary depending on your city, season, and which container size you choose, but most short-distance moves fall in this range.

The Quoting Process

For local moves, PODS makes it easy to get a price. You enter your addresses, pick a container size, and select your dates online or through their chat feature. The process usually takes less than 10 minutes, and discounts of 25–30% are often applied automatically.

Pro tip: If you’re not sure whether one container will be enough, reserve an extra. You can cancel up to 24 hours before delivery without penalty. This flexibility saves you from last-minute stress and keeps costs predictable.

PODS Local Moving Costs vs. Other Moving Methods (2025)

Here’s how PODS compares to other moving options for a typical 2–3 bedroom local move in 2025:

PODS usually sits in the middle ground. You’ll pay more than a simple truck rental, but much less than full-service movers. For many people, the ability to skip driving a truck — and to add storage if needed — makes PODS worth the price.

---

The Cost of a Long-Distance PODS Move

In 2025, the average cost of a long-distance PODS move is about $1,600–$1,850. This includes one month of container rental, delivery, transport, and pickup. Prices increase if you need more than one container, extend your rental beyond a month, or move during peak summer months.

The Quoting Process

Unlike local moves, you can’t get a full long-distance PODS quote entirely online. You’ll need to talk to a rep by phone or chat, answer questions about your home size and timing, and confirm details about the addresses. In our test, the call/chat took under half an hour. The upside is that the price you receive is usually locked in — it won’t shift later unless you add another container or extend your rental. That certainty can be reassuring compared to full-service movers, where estimates can creep up if the inventory list isn’t perfect.

Pro tip: If you’re not sure how many containers you’ll need, schedule an extra one for later delivery. PODS lets you cancel up to 24 hours before it arrives without penalty, which is a safe way to avoid surprise costs.

PODS Long-Distance Moving Costs vs. Other Moving Methods

Here’s how PODS stacks up against other long-distance moving options for a typical 2–3 bedroom home in 2025:

From our research, PODS consistently lands between the extremes — not as cheap as driving a truck, but significantly less than hiring a full-service mover. For many long-distance moves, it’s the mix of predictable pricing and built-in storage flexibility that makes PODS appealing.

---

The Cost of a Cross-Country PODS Move

In 2025, the average cost of a cross-country PODS move is about $3,600–$4,700, based on our review of current quotes. This price includes one month of container rental, delivery, transport across state lines, and final pickup. Costs rise if you need multiple containers, longer rental periods, or if you’re moving during the busy summer season.

The Quoting Process

For cross-country moves, the quoting process works the same as other long-distance PODS moves: you’ll need to call. Expect to spend 20–30 minutes answering questions about your household size, timing, and special needs. What stood out during our research is that PODS quotes for cross-country moves tend to be more predictable than truck rentals or van lines. PODS locks in a final price once you confirm your details, while full-service movers often issue “non-binding estimates” that can change.

Pro tip: If you think you might need more than one container, ask about staggering deliveries. This lets you cancel the extra unit up to 24 hours before drop-off without penalty — a big savings if you end up not needing the extra space.

PODS Cross-Country Moving Costs vs. Other Moving Methods

Here’s how PODS compares to other common moving methods for a 2–3 bedroom cross-country move in 2025:

Average Cross-Country Moving Costs (2025)

Our analysis shows PODS sits firmly in the middle ground. You’ll pay more than driving a truck yourself, but usually far less than hiring a full-service van line. For people who want to avoid cross-country truck driving — and may need built-in storage during a long transition — PODS is often the best fit.

---

The Cost of PODS Storage

In 2025, storing a PODS container at one of the company’s 240+ facilities typically costs about $249–$270 per month for an 8-foot unit and $323–$344 per month for a 16-foot unit, plus any protection plan you add. The first month of storage is included with your container rental; after that, you’ll pay monthly until you’re ready for redelivery.

When PODS Storage Makes Sense

• Gaps between homes: If you sell your house before moving into the next one.
• Home projects: During remodeling or staging, it’s handy to be able to keep your belongings safely out of the way.
• Downsizing: When you need time to sort, donate, or sell belongings.
• Long-distance transitions: If you move ahead of your family or start a job before finding a new place.

Benefits of PODS Storage

• Convenience: Your belongings stay sealed inside your container — no unloading into a storage unit and then reloading later.
• Security: Containers are locked, then stored inside locked facilities.
• Flexibility: You can extend your storage month-to-month and schedule delivery when you’re ready.
• Savings on labor: Fewer load/unload cycles mean means less time (and money) spent on moving help.

For many people, the main appeal of PODS storage is avoiding the “double move” of renting a truck, moving items into a storage unit, then renting another truck later. With PODS, your container simply stays put until you’re ready for it — a simpler, often cheaper solution in the long run.

---

How Is Moving with PODS Different?

Moving with PODS is different from hiring a full-service mover or renting a U-Haul. Here’s how the options compare:

• DIY (rental truck): You do everything — packing, loading, driving, and unloading.
• Full service: A moving company handles every step for you, from loading to transport to unloading.
• Labor-only with PODS (hybrid move): You pack your things, then hire moving labor to do the loading and unloading for you. PODS handles the driving and storage.

Typically, PODS sits in this “hybrid” middle ground. It usually costs more than a DIY truck rental but far less than a full-service move, while giving you flexibility if you need storage or have time between homes.

Who is PODS Best For?

Maybe you’ve sold your house, but you don’t have a new one quite yet. Or you’re moving across the country for a job and have to go ahead alone, leaving your family to follow six months later. Or there’s a divorce, or someone passes away, and you have to sort through their things. The list of scenarios goes on.

Not all moves look exactly alike, which is why it’s important to know what you’re getting with PODS. It’s a solution that offers a lot more flexibility and less effort than you’d get with the other moving options, especially if your move has certain complications:

When PODS Works Best:

PODS is a flexible moving and storage option that helps when your move isn’t straightforward. It’s often the best fit in situations like:

• Selling your home: Use a container while staging, then keep it for your move.
• Living between homes: Store your belongings while you stay in temporary housing.
• Downsizing: Keep extra items in storage until you can sort or sell them.
• Multiple destinations: Split belongings between households after a divorce, breakup, or family change.
• College moves: Store dorm or apartment belongings between semesters.
• Military relocations: Take advantage of PODS’ participation in PPM/DITY programs for more flexibility.
• Home renovations: Keep furniture and valuables in a container on-site while you remodel.
• Elder transitions: Move parents or grandparents gradually into assisted living.
• Seasonal storage: Hold sports gear, holiday decorations, or equipment during a move.

In these situations, PODS can save you from moving belongings twice. Instead of renting a truck, hauling everything to a storage unit, and then renting another truck later, you load once, and PODS handles the rest. While a PODS container often costs more than a rental truck, the convenience of built-in storage and not having to drive usually outweighs the price difference.

---

The Verdict: Is It Cheaper to Move with PODS?

When compared to full-service movers, it appears that PODS is the cheaper way to move. For example, with a cross-country move, you could spend $3,600–$4,700 with PODS compared to $7,000–$16,000+ with a full-service mover, but keep in mind that PODS doesn’t include moving labor.

Still, even when hiring hourly packing and loading help, moving with PODS still seems to be the more affordable option.

PODS vs. Other Solutions

As I mentioned earlier, if you’re going to be using PODS for one of those complex moving situations, it’s not really helpful to directly compare it to moving with a rental truck or a full-service mover.

For example, when using a rental truck instead of PODS for a move requiring temporary storage, you’ll have to keep in mind some additional costs.

Self-Storage

I was told by my Allied rep that I would need a 10 x 25ft unit, or a couple of units that would add up to the same amount of space.

If we packed our stuff tightly, this would come to three 10 x 7.5ft units, which are priced at $269/mo each at the closest facility in Los Angeles, or $807/mo.

Still, this is slightly cheaper than storage center storage with PODS, which costs:

• $344/mo for the 16ft container
• $289/mo for the 8ft container
• $87.95/mo for contents protection ($25K coverage)
• Total: $720.95

While that’s a little more expensive than self-storage, it comes with a major advantage: you don’t have to unload and reload your belongings into a separate unit — they stay in the container until delivery.

Moving Labor Help

The cheapest moving labor help I could find was $370 for 2 movers for 2 hours, and this included moving our upright piano. Based on this moving labor guide I would hire them for about 4 hours, which would bring me to $740, just to have them unload and reload my stuff for the storage trip.

That’s $740 you could save by opting for PODS, which includes built-in storage.

If you don’t hire any help, this translates into man-hoursman hours. You’re probably going to spend a day doing all that work yourself, and more recovering.

 

“In 2025, storing a PODS container at one of the company’s 240+ facilities typically costs about $249–$270 per month for an 8-foot unit and $323–$344 per month for a 16-foot unit, plus any protection plan you add”

 

Plus, there’s also the stress of having to work out the logistics of moving your stuff in and out of storage. With PODS, if you’re caught by surprise because you go past the house closing deadline or your remodeling project on your new home takes longer than you thought, you can just pick up the phone or log into your account and reschedule your pick-up or delivery. Not so with other moving solutions.

---

Does PODS Offer Discounts?

Every now and then, PODS offers moving specials. If you’re in the military you can save, and some workplaces may also offer a discount as part of their employee benefits, so it’s worth checking out your perks package to see if PODS is covered.

If you go to PODS’ promo offers page you’ll usually find several specials such as:

• Seasonal sales: Save up to 30% on moving and storage with promo code 30NOW (limited-time 2025 offer).
• Referral program: Earn a $50 Amazon.com gift card for you and your friend once their container is delivered.
• Military discount: Whether you’re active duty or inactive, you can save up to 10% with promo code SERV10.

Need to store your stuff? You can save even more:

• 3+ months: Save up to 15% and get free initial delivery with code 3MOSPECIAL.
• 6+ months: Free initial delivery and one re-delivery, plus up to 15% off rent with code 6MOSPECIAL.
• 12+ months: Free initial delivery and two re-deliveries, plus up to 25% off monthly rent with code 12MOSPECIAL.

PODS Moving Insurance

As with any moving solution, with PODS, you’re going to need to decide whether or not to get moving insurance.

Every container comes with a $10 container-only protection, which covers what it sounds like: just the container and not your stuff.

For added protection, PODS offers a Contents Protection Option that covers the items inside your container while it’s at your home, in a PODS Storage Center, or during transit. You choose the coverage amount based on the replacement value of your belongings, anywhere from $5,000 up to $300,000.

Sample monthly costs (2025):

• $5,000 coverage → $38.95/month
• $20,000 coverage → $76.95/month
• $25,000 coverage → $87.95/month
• $50,000 coverage → $131.95/month
• $100,000 coverage → $197.95/month

There’s also a $54.95 one-time coverage fee for moves outside your local area and a $100 deductible per claim. Damaged items are covered at their depreciated value.

Pro tip: Most people choose around $20,000–$25,000 in coverage, which balances cost and peace of mind. For high-value homes, you can increase coverage up to $300,000.

---

PODS vs. Other Moving Containers

Now, PODS isn’t the only moving container solution out there. Other portable moving containers include 1-800-Packrat, Zippy Shell, U-Pack, and U-Box. You may or may not be able to save a buck with them, but it might be worth a shot. Just keep in mind you might be compromising container quality or customer service by going with the cheaper option.

Container Sizes

Picking the right container size is one of the most critical ways to ensure you have a smooth moving experience. But it’s also critical to make sure you don’t spend too much on space you don’t need.

PODS has three container sizes to choose from, with the following sizes:

Their 12-ft container is only available for moving locally, so before you start doing all your calculations with that one, you should make sure your move qualifies as an in-town move. The simplest way to do that is by running a quote online and seeing if you get your quote right away (local move) or if they make you call (long-distance move).

How Much Fits Inside PODS Containers?

Here are some videos that PODS has online that show you just how much you can fit into their 8-ft and 16-ft containers.

One of the nice things about PODS is that you’re really only paying for the space you need instead of how heavy your items are. This means that with PODS, those with the best Tetris packing and loading skills will be rewarded with paying less for less space.

As you can see, you should be filling your containers from floor to ceiling, and every few feet or so, secure your load by using cable or rope with these, known as D rings.

Will my couch fit in PODS’ 8-foot container?

The million-dollar question: will my couch fit in PODS’ small container? You’d be surprised by how much you can cram inside, and I’d venture to say that a lot of couches could fit. Our couch wasn’t one, however. At first, we thought it did, until we tried rolling down the door.

As you can see, the door has this clip, which measures a little over 1.5 inches, which means you should leave several inches of space between your loaded items and the door to be safe.

The container also has interior supporting beams that house the D rings, and they stick about 1.25 inches into the interior. This means that unless you have a narrow couch, you’re going to be losing 1.25 inches in length and 1.25 inches in width in interior space. This type of thing happens with rental trucks too, thanks to the wheel well.

This is all to say: If your couch is right on the edge between fitting or not fitting when you’re trying to pick out container sizes, it’s probably best to upsize your container length, especially because you don’t want to pack things too close to the door. This is because things may shift during transit, causing trouble when it comes time to open the door at your destination.

My Experience as a PODS Customer

Overall, we had a positive experience with PODS. Our container was delivered and picked up on time, and it was clean and upscale-looking. Our drivers were friendly, fast, and obviously knew what they were doing.

Delivery

First of all, they will pick up and deliver your container using PODZILLA, which is a super cool level lift system operated by a remote. It’s a nice touch to reduce the chance of damage due to shifting.

Here is PODZILLA in action, delivering my container:

What’s nice is you don’t have to be home for delivery. My driver didn’t so much as knock. By the time I met her outside, she was already backing the truck into place.

While the delivery is typically straightforward for houses like mine that have a private driveway, things can get more complex for apartment complexes, neighborhoods with HOA regulations, and urban areas with limited street parking or strict parking regulations.

If you fit into one of these other categories, you should check with your building management or HOA regarding their policies for on-site PODS containers. In cities like San Francisco or New York, reach out to local authorities to see if a parking permit is needed. In many cases, PODS’ customer service reps can help point you in the right direction if you need assistance with parking regulations or permit requirements. PODS also offers a special city moving service for driveway-less moving in certain urban areas.

PODS Moving Tips

Here are some things to know about using PODS that can make or break your experience, and impact how much money you end up spending.

• Think carefully about where you want the door to face. In their ads and commercials, PODS has its signature blue door facing streetward at the camera, but in real life, you want it facing your front door, side door, garage, or wherever you’ll primarily be unloading or loading your stuff.
• Clear the driveway of obstructions like tree branches or else PODS won’t be able to deliver your container, which can push your move back significantly.
• PODS should reach out to you and let you know if you’re in an area that requires a parking permit, but it doesn’t hurt to do your due diligence to find this out yourself, especially if you live in an urban area known for its crazy parking scene. Read the HireAHelper guide to parking permits to learn more.

I’ve been loading and unloading containers for many a year, and I can vouch for the container packing tips PODS has on their website. Definitely take the time to review these, as you’ll help ensure your stuff stays safe from damage and you’ll be able to fit more into your container. Also, you can prevent issues when it comes to opening your container. Some of the most important tips include:

• Load your container in sections and use tie-down hooks to secure items within the container.
• Do not place your mattress on top, as it can fall and lean against the door, making the door difficult to open. Instead, try loading your mattress on either side of the container or wedging it between items.
• In the last section of your container, closest to the door, use a large sheet of cardboard or four extra-large flattened boxes taped together to create a barrier. This will help prevent objects from falling against the door during transit, causing a door jam.

Also, hire moving help experienced with loading containers. Unlike rental trucks, PODS containers have to be loaded a little differently. You have to evenly distribute the weight with the heaviest items on the bottom. And loading efficiently can help you avoid having to rent an extra container, potentially saving you thousands of dollars.

Pro Tip: Hire Help to Load and Unload Your PODS Container

One of the biggest perks of using PODS is the flexibility: you handle what you want and outsource the rest. While PODS covers the container delivery, storage, and transport, you can easily add professional help for the heavy lifting. HireAHelper lets you book vetted moving labor to load or unload your PODS container right at your home. That means you don’t have to worry about carrying couches down stairs, lifting boxes into the container, or figuring out how to stack everything so it rides safely.

The process is simple: enter your move details, compare local crews, and book the team that fits your schedule and budget. HireAHelper movers come prepared with the right equipment and know how to maximize every inch of space inside a PODS container, which helps prevent damage and keeps your items secure during transit.

That’s all I’ve got for now about PODS, but it’s definitely enough to get you started on your moving journey. In the end, because your move is unique to you, nothing replaces getting a quote yourself and doing some comparison shopping.

Other Helpful Articles: