Where to Get Moving Boxes
Do you want to know where to find moving boxes? Moving from one home to another brings many important but monotonous tasks that you need to think about.
One such task is where to get moving boxes. Whether you are moving across town or relocating out of state, you’re probably going to need boxes.
You may find a few around your home, but more than likely, you’ll be hunting for more.
Whether you are moving directly into your new place or need to find a local storage unit, the whole experience can be a significant aggravation to get through, especially with your sanity in check.
Acquiring boxes for moving will be one of those jobs that need to be considered part of your planning process.
You may be able to get your hands on free boxes, but you could find that buying them might be a more viable option if you’re in a hurry. When you are moving to a new home, you may not have the time to be scrambling to find what you need.
Let’s take a look at both options so you can determine where you will start the process of finding your moving boxes.
Places to Find Free Moving Boxes
To save you some money on moving supplies, there are some places where you can get free boxes. Here are some of the most popular places to acquire them.
You might also try a Google search using the terms where to get moving boxes near me or boxes for moving near me as the search term.
Finding cardboard boxes might work well, too, or even “get free moving boxes.”
1. U-Haul Box Exchange
If you are looking at where to get boxes for moving, U-Haul is an excellent place to start. Using U-Haul will be a terrific choice if you are renting a storage container or moving truck. It makes sense to lump all of your shopping for the move in one place. U-Haul provides this one-stop shopping opportunity.
U-Haul operates a box exchange to help people who are moving. It enables you to find people who have likely recently moved home and don’t need their boxes anymore.
The program has the advantage of letting you have boxes that will be suitable for a move, and you may be able to pick up some other supplies at the same time.
You simply enter your location on their Customer Connect site, U-Haul Box Exchange, and search for free boxes. Using the search bar on their site, all you need to do is type in your location or a search phrase such as “free boxes” to find those in your area who are giving away their boxes. Pretty cool, right?
If you can’t find any in your local area, you can make a post asking people to contact you if they have some to give away.
So, to be clear, U-Haul does not provide free moving boxes, but their customers do through their program.
2. Craigslist
Checking the local pages for people giving away boxes is an excellent place to look online. The free section could be a source of boxes that others have used in their move. Craigslist is used to find just about everything, and boxes are no exception.
Since you are moving, you might also want to consider the site for selling things you no longer want, unless, of course, you will be donating to charity.
Lots of people will sell furniture and other household goods they no longer want. Using the free section is an excellent place to look for extra boxes and packing supplies. It is also possible to create your own advertisement expressing the need for free boxes and other supplies.
3. Use Freecycle to Get Boxes For Moving
Another useful online option for moving supplies is Freecycle. They are a great resource for many things connected to your move including stretch wrap and box cutters.
You can post on the site to ask for boxes in your local area if you can’t find any offered already. The site is similar to Craiglist because you can find some great free stuff in your local area.
Just go to Freecycle Network to sign up for free. You are then able to create an ad that you are looking for sturdy boxes. If you have heavy items to move, you can look for specific kinds of boxes to accommodate what you’re looking for.
4. Various Local Stores Will Work Well
Local stores are some of the best potential options for finding moving boxes for free. Grocery, book, and liquor stores could be excellent places to locate boxes. Local hardware stores are also fantastic for a wide variety of boxes.
They receive regular deliveries to replenish their shelves and are likely to have more boxes than they know what to do with.
Whether it is a local independent store or part of a larger brand, check with the office manager if they will let you have some boxes.
Here are some of the more popular places you can try that might be able to help with your move:
- Office Depot
- Walgreens
- Petsmart
- Petco
- Costco
- Dollar Tree
- Target
- Starbucks
- Dollar Store
- Right-Aid
- Sam’s Club
- Best Buy
- BJ’s
- CVS
- Staples
- OfficeMax
Some boxes will be more useful to you than others, with bookstores, in particular, likely to have some extra durable ones available. You can check out the local Barnes & Noble or other large chain book stores.
Asking at a local college bookstore could provide excellent results as well.
5. Grocery Stores
Like a local liquor store, grocery stores are an excellent option. Grocery stores, both large and small, are continually getting shipments at a minimum every week, with busy stores almost daily. Grocery stores commonly recycle a ton of excellent boxes that make them a great place to find them.
The next time you are in the store, ask to speak to the manager. Let them know you will be relocating and love to take some of their empty boxes off their hands. More than likely, they will be glad to help out.
5. Schools
Schools are another terrific option for finding free boxes. Though perhaps not as good as a college bookstore, other education campuses could have boxes available.
Phone the office of your local high, middle, and elementary schools to see if they have boxes they want to get rid of. The beginning of the school year could be an ideal time to contact them, with new books and supplies having been delivered.
6. Recycling Points
A local Recycling Center is worth trying. Recycling locations can be a good source of cardboard boxes. Check your local drop-off location, and you should have a good chance of getting your hands on multiple boxes for the move.
Many larger cities have numerous recycling drop-off locations that accept cardboard in great shape. You could potentially hit a gold mine for cheap boxes.
7. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is another terrific place to find old boxes and even unused boxes. You will often be able to find a variety of sizes. If you are doing a local move or even a big move out of the area, it’s a good idea to give Facebook Marketplace a shot.
When looking where to find boxes for moving most people don't think about Facebook Marketplace but it's a good avenue to try!Click To Tweet8. Local Coffee Shop
Do you have a favorite local coffee shop? Local coffee shops are another excellent choice on where to find sturdy cardboard boxes. If there is a local Starbucks nearby they are also worth speaking with for boxes of various sizes.
You will usually be able to find the box sizes you want in good shape.
9. Friends, Neighbors, and Local Groups
When you tell friends and neighbors that you are moving, it could be an excellent time to ask if they have any boxes available. Even if they don’t have any present, they can be on the lookout for supplies to help you.
Making a post on social media could alert people to your need for packing items. Facebook is an excellent place to spread the word you need boxes.
Local online groups are another place that could provide you with free cardboard boxes. Local communities like Nextdoor could be an excellent source of supplies if you’re lucky.
Nextdoor is a place that many real estate agents and other local businesses use to find things in your city or town. The site has a classifieds section you can use to search for free items, including boxes for moving. If the timing is right, you could find a few folks who require disposing of their boxes.
Community groups such as Nextdoor and others are a great resource to get the word out.
10. Your Grandmother
This one may sound like I am trying to sound funny (maybe I am), but don’t most grandmothers save everything? The odds are pretty good that your grandmother has a few boxes hanging around that you can use. When you need a moving box in a pinch, check with Nana.
Never discount an older person when thinking about where to get some accessories for your move. If anyone has empty boxes in good condition it is probably your Nana.
Types of Moving Boxes Video
See an excellent guide to the size and type of moving boxes you need for your move from Home Depot. You can also buy boxes at Home Depot, as you will learn below.
Where to Buy Moving Boxes
If you can’t find moving boxes for free, the next best option is to pay for them. Purchasing them for your move is an easier way to make sure you get the packaging items you need in time for moving day. It can also ensure you get boxes that are best suited to packing your possessions.
Buying the best moving boxes could mean that your fragile things are less likely to be broken or damaged during the move. Purchasing boxes will be a breeze when you visit one of these resources.
The cheapest places to buy boxes will be where you can bundle other services together. For example, if you will be doing remodeling at your home, buying at Lowe’s, or Home Depot would be an excellent choice.
1. Purchase Moving Boxes at Amazon
When it comes to finding moving boxes, Amazon should be at the top of your list. Perhaps the most obvious place to look online is Amazon. You can purchase just about anything on their site.
They have a wide variation of boxes to meet your requirements and make sure your possessions are kept as secure as possible.
Whether you need a box of a certain size, or boxes designed to pack large TVs securely, there are likely to be many to choose from.
Checking the customer feedback on the site will help you make the right choice for your needs. Of course, they have great prices.
You will have the boxes delivered to your door and for free if you are a Prime member. The only downside with purchasing boxes through Amazon is that you can’t just buy a couple of boxes.
If you are an online shopper, Amazon is one of the best places to get your boxes at an affordable price.
2. Offerup For Finding Boxes
An excellent place you can do where people sell everything under the sun is a site called Offerup. As the name suggests, it is an online store where you can get rid of things you no longer want by selling them.
If you do a quick search on the website, you will be directed to local members who want to sell their boxes.
3. You Can Purchase Them at U-Haul
Along with their box exchange program, U-Haul Boxes will sell you new ones as well. They offer a good range of box types to suit your items, and you can purchase them on their website or U-Haul locations where pick-up is free.
U-Haul is one of the best places if you are also in need of a local moving truck. Do a search for moving truck rentals nearby, and if U-Haul is on the list, you may want to consider killing two birds with one stone.
They provide a range of moving kits as well as individual boxes to meet your needs. Other packing materials are also available, and they will rent plastic boxes to you as well.
4. Home Depot is a Popular Option
Home Depot will be best for buying boxes if you need to see all the details before purchasing them in the store.
The Home Depot website clearly displays the dimensions of available boxes and gives you information about the numbers stocked in your local store. If they don’t have what you need in their nearest location, you can order it for collection. They also offer a moving and packing guide to help.
Another excellent feature is they will tell you how many boxes are available for purchase in the store nearest your location. They also provide a project guide filled with general packing and moving tips. Home Depot is one of the best places to get cheap moving boxes.
5. You’ll Find Them at Lowe’s
If you are doing home improvement projects at the house you’re buying, Lowe’s will be an excellent choice to find moving boxes. Lowe’s Home Improvement stores provide a good range of boxes.
They are available for purchase in-store or for ordering online for collection. Like Home Depot, you can pick up other DIY items you might need to help with the move at the same time. Lowe’s will have a section where you will find their moving supplies.
6. Walmart is an Option
Unsurprisingly, Walmart sells boxes in its stores, along with its almost exhaustive range of products. If you need to buy other things in the store like trash bags, Walmart will be an excellent choice.
They provide access to a large selection of sizes, and there is free shipping on most boxes. You can also choose to collect from one of the nearly 5,000 stores across the country that are often open around the clock. They also offer other supplies to help pack your things securely for the move.
When you need to find boxes quickly, Walmart is an excellent choice. Take a look at Walmart’s website for help.
7. Get Them Online From Uboxes
If you are wondering if there is anywhere you can purchase boxes online besides Amazon, the answer is yes. Uboxes specializes in selling moving boxes online. You can order from them very easily through their website.
They are one of the leading suppliers of boxes factory direct for both consumers and businesses.
These are all great companies where you can buy moving boxes.Click To TweetFrequently Asked Questions About Moving Boxes
See eleven commonly asked questions about boxes along with their answers.
1. Where Can I Get Big Boxes For Free?
Some of the better places for getting larger boxes are liquor stores, hardware stores, grocery stores, and large retail stores.
2. Does USPS Provide Free Boxes?
The post office gives its customers free shipping supplies to send packages through the mail. The post office will keep give you boxes, forms, and stickers for free. When you make an address change, it would be a great time to pick up some free boxes.
3. Does FedEx give Free Boxes?
Yes. If you use their services, FedEx will supply you with boxes for moving. In fact, UPS and DHL also provide free shipping supplies when using their services.
4. Does Target Sell Boxes?
Yes. You can purchase boxes at Target. They have heavy-duty boxes as well.
5. How Many Boxes Will I Need?
5. How Many Boxes Will I Need?Figuring out how many boxes you will need is obviously a smart task. There is no sense in being underprepared, as that will add unneeded stress to your life.
Moving from a small apartment is going to be much different from a large home. Home Depot has a moving calculator you can use to estimate the number and type of boxes you’ll need.
6. How Do You Choose The Type of Boxes?
What type of boxes you should get will depend on how much you want to spend along with what you’re moving. Standard boxes are great for clothing, nick-knacks, decore, books, etc.
For fragile items, you’ll want specialty boxes that are specifically durable enough so you minimize the chances of things getting damaged.
There are also picture-moving boxes that are made for transporting artwork and mirrors. They offer superior protection for these easily breakable items.
7. What Size Boxes Do I Need?
Lots of folks wonder what size boxes they need for their move. Here is some helpful sizing information to guide you:
- Small boxes are 6” x 10” x 10.”
- Medium boxes are 18” x 14” x 12.”
- Large boxes are 20” x 20” x 15.”
- Extra-large boxes are 23” x 23” x 16
Use these measurements are a guideline for what works best you are packing.
8. How Many Boxes Do I Need?
There are going to be a few factors that will determine how many boxes your move will require. Here are some guidelines that will influence the answer:
- What size boxes you have?
- What is the square footage of your home?
- How many people live in your house?
- What is the number of bedrooms in your home?
- How long have you lived in your home?
- Are you a packrat or a minimalist?
Updater has a fantastic resource to help you determine the number of boxes you’ll need.
9. What Supplies Do I Need With The Boxes?
To ensure your boxes are packed well, you’ll need some supplies to help out. It’s often recommended to have packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and packing paper, along with towels or blankets to protect your fragile items. Packing correctly is a significant part of moving.
Protecting your boxes will also be essential. It will be important to tape all the seams of your box, especially the bottom, which will be the weakest point. Clear packing tape is the best.
The smartest way to protect your cheap free moving boxes is to put the heaviest ones on the bottom. Stacking your smaller and medium-sized boxes on top makes the most sense.
If you have hired a moving professional to help you pack and move your boxes, don’t forget to provide them with an acceptable moving tip. Moving companies will expect a gratuity for their hard work.
10. Are There Specialty Boxes For Moving?
Yes. There are quite a few different types, including kitchen boxes, wardrobe boxes, picture boxes, lamp boxes, TV boxes, and filing boxes. Many folks even like to use crates or plastic boxes because they’re far more sturdy than their cardboard counterparts.
11. What Do Moving Boxes Cost?
If you are in a hurry to find boxes, the quickest way to get them is to buy them. Here is how much you can expect to pay. Keep in mind these are estimates and can vary by location.
Small boxes: $1 to $2.00 each
Medium boxes: $2.50 to $3.00 each
Large boxes: $3 to $3.25 each
Extra-large boxes: $3.75 to $4.00 each
Picture boxes: $10 to $11 each
Wardrobe boxes: $8 to $12 each
If you have a small apartment, you can expect to spend around $100-$150 for them. For a larger home, you will pay at least double that and probably more.
How to Get Rid of Your Left Over Boxes
Once you have collected all your boxes for moving and gone through with your move, you’re going to wonder what to do with them all. The natural inclination will be to throw them away.
What you should do instead is recycle them or reuse them for other projects. So if you’re wondering if cardboard boxes can be recycled, the answer is YES!
Recycling cardboard boxes is not that challenging. When recycling old cardboard, it can be turned into new boxes, lessening the environment’s damage.
Cardboard box recycling uses less energy than creating new boxes, produces less sulfur dioxide, and reduces the use of raw materials.
One of the first places to try recycling will be your local board of health or waste department. No doubt others have asked before, so they should have a firm answer for you.
If the local waste management company doesn’t do box collections, you should be able to locate a drop-off center nearby for your recycling material.
Here are some other ways to use your leftover boxes as well:
- Give them to friends and family. They’re always going to be folks that will need them.
- If you are a gardener, use them as compost.
- Use them for flooring protection. Whether you are painting a room, moving furniture, or some other home improvement, boxes work well to keep your floors in top shape.
- Create a playhouse or “fort” for the kids. Remember growing up how cool it was to make a fort or playhouse? Larger boxes are great to keep kids entertained on a rainy afternoon.
- Use them to ship gifts and other packages. Another excellent use for your boxes is using them to send items by mail.
- Donate them to charity. A local charity or church might have use for them. It is always worth asking to help others in need.
More Valuable Moving Resources
- How to change your address with the post office – when you’re moving, it is vital to make sure you fill out an address change form with the USPS as soon as you know where you’ll be moving to. The resource at Maximum Real Estate Exposure offers easy instructions on how to get your mail forwarded.
- Who you should let know your address changed – one of the more crucial tasks when moving is to let everyone know it is happening. There are quite a few companies and organizations you should let know immediately.
- Moving with PODS – if you need the convenience of storing boxes and other items you own onsite, then renting a pod would be worth investigating. Pods make moving and storage far more easy. See what you need to know about the PODS company.
Final Thoughts
Whichever route you take to get the boxes you need, make sure you give yourself enough time to pack so you don’t add to the stress.
Don’t forget the bubble wrap, styrofoam, and packing paper to help prevent your items from moving around in the boxes. You can also use towels, sheets, and old clothes to prevent damage to your breakables. Packing tape and a tape gun or dispenser will be needed to make up the boxes as well.
Hopefully, you have found this guide on where to get free and paid moving boxes to be helpful! Best of luck with your move.
About the author: The above Real Estate information on where to find moving boxes was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-625-0191. Bill has helped people move in and out of many Metrowest towns for the last 34+ years.
Are you thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for Real Estate and love to share my marketing expertise!
I service Real Estate Sales in the following Metrowest MA towns: Ashland, Bellingham, Douglas, Framingham, Franklin, Grafton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Natick, Northborough, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sutton, Wayland, Westborough, Whitinsville, Worcester, Upton, and Uxbridge MA.
Thanks for such a detailed article.