Where to get moving boxes near you for cheap (or possibly free)
By Thumbtack Staff•Last updated Apr 15, 2024
Last updated Apr 15, 2024
Table of Contents
- 1. In your home
- 2. Your neighbors
- 3. Online marketplaces, neighborhood apps, and social media
- 4. Your work office
- 5. Recycle centers
- 6. College residences
- 7. Local stores and businesses
- 8. Local libraries and bookstores
- 9. Your mover or moving company
- 10. Restaurants
- 11. Copy centers
- 12. Yard sales
- 13. Post office
- 14. Office supply stores
- 15. Home improvement stores
- Hire a mover on Thumbtack today
- FAQ
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When calculating moving costs, you’ve most likely considered all the obvious expenses, including the cost to hire movers, buy new furniture and hire a cleaning service. But did you factor in moving boxes?
Safely transporting your bulky belongings requires you to use heavy duty boxes. Wardrobe kits can make unpacking and hanging clothing items a lot easier. And dish packing boxes are a great way to help organize your plates, bowls and other dishware while preventing them from cracking. Unfortunately, some of these boxes can be hard to find for cheap or free.
However, we’ve prepared a list of places you’re most likely to find cheap or free moving boxes near you.
1. In your home
The best place to find free moving boxes is your own home. Before you spend money on new boxes, take inventory of the ones you already have. You may have saved boxes that came with appliances or furniture, such as a TV or dining room table. Or you may be using boxes to store items in your closets, attic, basement, or garage. If so, consider hauling that junk away and using those boxes for your upcoming move. Just make sure they’re in good enough condition before you start packing.
Once you know how much you can fit in your existing boxes and realize it’s not enough for everything, estimate how many more moving boxes you need and go on the hunt.
2. Your neighbors
Whether you live in an apartment complex or a gated community, it doesn’t hurt to ask your neighbors if they have boxes they want to get rid of. Did they leave a few boxes outside their front door or on the curb? If the boxes aren’t dirty or damaged, ask if you can take them off their hands.
As you plan and prepare for your move, keep an eye out for new neighbors moving in. Introduce yourself and politely ask if it’s OK to take their moving boxes when they’re done. You never know — they may be happy to help.
3. Online marketplaces, neighborhood apps, and social media
Online marketplaces can be a great source for moving boxes. For example, Craigslist can be a place where people post free boxes and other packing supplies for pickup. Quality varies, so use your best judgment.
You can also check social media for free or cheap moving supplies. Search Facebook Marketplace for moving boxes, or make a post or tweet asking whether anyone has boxes to give away. You may be surprised by how many people have spare boxes or know someone who does.
Some apartment buildings also have community forums you can access online or through an app. Search there for packing boxes or to see whether anyone in your building needs help getting rid of moving supplies. You can also check community apps like Nextdoor for free boxes.
4. Your work office
If you work in an office, find out whether you can take empty file boxes stored in a corner or conference room. File boxes are relatively sturdy and uniform in size, which makes them good for moving. Their built-in handle slots also make them easier to load and unload.
5. Recycle centers
A lot of cardboard boxes used commercially are recycled at local recycling centers. If you haven’t had luck elsewhere, your local recycling center may have boxes you can use.
Recycle bins usually aren’t as messy as regular garbage bins, so you may find cardboard boxes in acceptable condition. Still, use gloves and be cautious. Before you take any boxes home, inspect them for damage, dirt, and infestation.
6. College residences
Do you live near a college? Many students move into on-campus housing and dorms at the start of every school year. If you’re moving during back-to-school season, it may be worth taking a quick trip to campus to see whether there are any free boxes lying around.
Before you do, contact the college and talk to the authorities to make sure that’s allowed. Some colleges have drop-off points, and they may be willing to let you pick up the boxes so they don’t have to dispose of them.
7. Local stores and businesses
Some local stores near you may sell cheap moving boxes — or they may have cardboard boxes they’re willing to give away so they don’t have to recycle them.
If you have time, visit a few local stores and ask whether you can take their unused boxes. Try these places:
- Gas stations and convenience stores. Gas stations pack a handful of boxes every so often. Their proximity makes them ideal spots to pick up a couple of boxes on very short notice.
- Grocery stores. Grocery stores are a great place to source free moving boxes. Unfortunately, they aren’t always the best quality, and some may be too thin for your needs. But they often have many boxes, so there’s a good chance you’ll find a few that can work for your move.
- Liquor stores. Many boxes at liquor stores are designed to carry glass, so they’re built to be sturdy and can be a good quality choice for moving. Some even have dividers, making them ideal for packing kitchenware and plates.
- Pharmacy and drug stores. The next time you pick up medication, take a quick look around. If you see boxes that seem unused, ask whether they’re available for free. Just make sure the boxes are completely empty before you take them home.
- Shoe and clothing stores. Clothing stores may have small or medium moving boxes that you can stack into larger boxes. If you need a few small moving boxes, the shoe store may have leftover shoeboxes you can use.
8. Local libraries and bookstores
If you’re looking for small moving boxes to stash books, shoes, and other smaller items, your local library and bookstores can be a great place to look. These spots often have a lot of small boxes in great condition. Even better, the cardboard boxes in bookstores and libraries are sturdy and thick enough to support the weight of books, which makes them ideal for moving.
9. Your mover or moving company
If you enlist the help of a moving company, they may come with moving boxes. Most moving companies factor the cost of moving boxes into their quotation.
Hiring a moving company from Thumbtack can also lighten the burden of moving, including not having to find moving kits on your own. Your moving company may ask about the type and number of items you need to move so they can determine what boxes to bring.
Getting the right type of moving boxes improves safety, helps with organization, and makes packing and unpacking easier. Popular moving boxes to ask about include:
- Small moving boxes
- Medium moving boxes
- Large moving boxes
- Extra-large moving boxes
- Wardrobe boxes
- Telescope boxes
- Dish and glassware boxes
Pro tip: When hiring a mover, get quotes from at least three different professionals to find the best price for your budget. Ask them to include the cost of moving boxes and packing supplies, as well as other moving services you may need, such as packing and unpacking or storage units.
10. Restaurants
Restaurants, especially fast-food restaurants, receive a lot of perishable shipments. This means they have a regular influx of cardboard boxes, making them a potentially good source of free moving boxes.
However, like grocery stores, you should avoid picking up boxes with food stains, since you’ll risk your household items smelling like whatever leaked in the box. Food stains and remnants may also attract pests.
11. Copy centers
Often, you can find quality, uniform-size boxes at local copy centers. These places constantly order a large number of copier, laser, and inkjet papers, so they’re bound to have many copier paper boxes on site. Visit several copy centers near you and ask whether they have any old boxes you can get for free.
12. Yard sales
Someone hosting a yard sale is probably decluttering their garage or attic, which means they might have empty cardboard moving boxes you can snag.
You may find boxes in a variety of sizes and conditions. However, chasing down yard sales can take a lot of time, so it may be best to call ahead and check whether the sale includes old boxes. Keep in mind that many of these boxes may have been in basements, attics, or garages for years and might not be in the best condition for heavy or bulky items during a move.
13. Post office
Unsurprisingly, the post office is often filled with various types of moving and shipping boxes that you can buy. Visit your local UPS store to find a lot of moving supplies, including boxes for wardrobe, TV mounting, pictures, and frames, plus packing tape, bubble wrap and cushioning, and much more. Just be prepared to pay — these moving boxes and supplies won’t be free.
14. Office supply stores
Office supply stores are great places to get school and business items. When you’re shopping there, take a look at their collection of moving, storage, and shipping boxes. They often have moving kits and boxes in different sizes and shapes, including:
- Heavy duty boxes
- Tall boxes
- Side loading boxes
- Flat boxes
- Dish packing boxes
These stores also often carry other moving supplies you’ll need, such as packing tape, bubble wrap and rolls, furniture covers, packing peanuts, packing foam, shrink wrap, and more.
Pro tip: Time your shopping during a special sale or discount season for the best deal. For example, if there’s a back-to-school sale at your local store, check whether moving boxes and packing supplies are included in the promotion.
15. Home improvement stores
Last but not least, don’t forget to visit your local home improvement stores. Although you won’t find free moving boxes there, they can be very cheap, especially during a sale. Stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot have moving boxes in a wide range of sizes and shapes.
Standard moving boxes can range from small to extra-large, with starting costs ranging from $1 to $2 or $3 per box. You can also find boxes specifically designed for your television or wardrobe, which are slightly more expensive, as well as other items that come in handy:
- Packing tape
- Foam and bubble wrap
- Dollies and carts
- Lifting straps for boxes
- Moving blankets
- And much more
Hire a mover on Thumbtack today
There are many places where you can find free and cheap moving boxes near you. However, getting these boxes can take a lot of effort and may or may not be worth it. To avoid the stress of moving, consider hiring a moving company that can provide all of the moving boxes and supplies you’ll need.
FAQ
How do I ask for free boxes?
Companies and establishments often need to get rid of excess boxes. Asking for free cardboard boxes shouldn’t be a problem. Simply approach the clerk and request any box they may have. Don’t be shy — the worst they can say is no.
What can I use instead of boxes to move?
If you can’t find moving boxes or have used up all your moving boxes, you can try using any of the following instead:
- Garbage bags
- Laundry baskets
- Suitcases
- Vacuum bags
- Ziploc and plastic bags
- Hampers and baskets
- Beer boxes and crates
- Trash cans and buckets
- Furniture drawers
- Tote bags
- Large, reusable shopping bags
- Backpacks and duffle bags
How much do boxes cost?
The cost of a box depends on the size, type, and where you get it. Generally, you’ll pay $1 to $2 or $3 per box.
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