For local moves, a U-Haul truck ($130–$400) beats a PODS container ($350–$800) on price; for long distance, U-Haul's U-Box container usually undercuts PODS by a few hundred dollars, and a one-way U-Haul truck can be cheaper still if you drive. PODS costs more but offers larger containers, longer loading windows, and strong storage. This guide compares all three options — PODS containers, U-Haul trucks, and U-Haul U-Box — so you can pick the cheapest path for your move.
| Option | Local move | Long distance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-Haul truck rental | $130–$400 | $1,400–$3,200 + fuel | Lowest price, fast, you drive |
| U-Haul U-Box (container) | $300–$700 | $1,200–$4,000 | Small loads, pay per crate, storage |
| PODS (container) | $350–$800 | $1,500–$5,000 | Whole-home, long loading window, storage |
The truck excludes fuel ($400–$900 cross-country); container prices include transport. See our container vs truck rental guide and truck rental cost guide for the full math.
PODS offers 7-, 12-, and 16-foot steel-and-aluminum containers delivered to your curb. You load on your own schedule — typically with a generous free loading window — and PODS transports the unit to your new home or to a secure storage center. The strengths are size (one 16-foot container holds a small home), durability, and storage flexibility. The trade-off is price: PODS is usually the most expensive of the three, especially on shorter routes.
U-Box is U-Haul's portable container — smaller wooden crates (about 8 feet) ordered in the quantity you need. Because you pay per crate, U-Box often comes in cheaper than PODS for smaller loads, and unused crates are not billed. U-Box also plugs into U-Haul's nationwide network and storage facilities. The downside is that several crates may be needed for a full home, and the crates are smaller and less rugged than PODS units.
A one-way U-Haul truck is typically the lowest-cost way to move long distance — if you are willing to drive a 15- to 26-foot truck and your belongings arriving on your timeline matters. You trade convenience for savings: you do all the driving, fueling, and scheduling. Compare U-Haul against rivals in our U-Haul vs Penske vs Budget guide.
If your move-in date does not line up with your move-out, both PODS and U-Box let you store the loaded container at the company's facility for a monthly fee (roughly $100–$300), then redeliver it. That beats unloading into a separate self-storage unit and reloading later — see our self-storage cost guide to compare.
Whichever container you choose, you still have to load and unload it. Hiring labor-only movers at $40–$80 per mover per hour spares your back and is still far cheaper than full-service. This container-plus-labor combo is one of the most cost-effective long-distance strategies.
Start with a baseline from our free moving cost calculator, then stack savings using the cheapest way to move long distance guide.
U-Haul truck rental is the cheapest if you will drive; U-Box is the lowest-cost container; PODS costs more but delivers the largest containers, the longest loading window, and the strongest storage. Pull live quotes for all three — pricing swings enough by route and season that only real quotes settle the question for your specific move.
For a local move, U-Haul truck rental is cheaper than PODS, at roughly 130 to 400 dollars versus 350 to 800 dollars for a PODS container. For long distance, U-Haul's U-Box container competes directly with PODS and is often a few hundred dollars less, while a one-way U-Haul truck rental can be cheaper still if you are willing to drive. PODS tends to cost more but offers larger containers, longer free loading time, and a strong storage option.
Both are portable moving-and-storage containers, but PODS containers are larger (7, 12, and 16 feet) and made of weather-resistant steel and aluminum, while U-Haul U-Boxes are smaller wooden crates (about 8 feet) that you order in multiples. PODS suits whole-home moves with one or two big containers; U-Box suits smaller loads or moves where you want to pay per crate used. U-Box is usually the lower-cost container option.
Rent a U-Haul truck if you want the lowest price, are comfortable driving, and want to move fast on your own schedule. Choose a PODS container if you would rather not drive long distance, want to load over several days, or need storage at either end. The truck wins on price and speed; the container wins on convenience, flexibility, and built-in storage.
A PODS container for a long-distance move costs roughly 1,500 to 5,000 dollars in 2026, depending on container size, distance, and how long you keep it. Monthly storage adds about 150 to 300 dollars. Always get a live quote, because PODS pricing is dynamic and varies significantly by route and season.
Both offer storage. PODS can keep your loaded container at a secure PODS storage center for a monthly fee, then redeliver it. U-Haul offers U-Box storage at its facilities and also rents traditional self-storage units. If your move involves a closing gap or renovation, both brands let you store the loaded container rather than unloading into a separate unit.