Section 01 / Do it yourself
You pack.
Someone else might drive.
Self moves cover everything between doing it all yourself and hiring a full service crew: moving containers, rental trucks and storage. Here is how each one works, what it really costs and which companies are worth a call.
Quick answer
A moving container is the self move for long distance: you load, the company drives. A rental truck is cheapest when you can drive it and load in a day. Storage fills the gap when your move out and move in dates do not line up.
The directories
Three ways to move yourself
- 01Moving ContainersPODS, U-Pack, 1-800-PACK-RAT and SmartBox compared and reviewed.
- 02Truck RentalsU-Haul, Penske, Budget and Enterprise: truck sizes, mileage, one way pricing and what to watch.
- 03StoragePublic Storage, Extra Space Storage, CubeSmart and U-Haul Self Storage: unit sizes, climate control, insurance rules and fees.
Reality check
Is doing it yourself actually cheaper?
Sometimes. The honest answer depends on distance and how much you own, so compare two real numbers before you commit.
Full service movers, CMR booking data
$2,720 to $3,990
Typical cost of a 2 bedroom move (400 to 800 cu ft) of 1,000 to 1,499 miles, from 121 moves booked with movers in the CMR network. Packing, loading and driving included. Cost Report
PODS container, third party data
$2,039 to $4,235
What customers paid for PODS moves of about 1,200 miles, per HireAHelper (August 2026). You still pack and load, or pay for labor on top.
Different sources and home sizes, so this is a direction, not a match. The point: do not assume a container wins on price. Quote both.
Choose
Which self move fits you
- Moving container
Best when the move is long distance, you want days or weeks to load, and you would rather not drive a big truck. Storage at home or at the company is usually available.
- Rental truck
Best for local and regional moves when you can load in one day and are comfortable driving a 15 to 26 ft truck. Budget for fuel, mileage and a dolly.
- Storage unit
Best when there is a gap between leaving one home and getting into the next, or when you are downsizing and not ready to part with things.
- Hybrid
A container or truck plus hired loading labor gets you most of the savings without the heavy lifting. Check the labor company separately.
Questions
Self move FAQ
What is a self move?
A self move is any move where you do the packing and loading yourself instead of hiring a full service crew. The three common ways are a moving container that a company drives for you, a rental truck you drive yourself, and a storage unit to hold things in between.
Is a moving container cheaper than hiring movers?
Not always. For a 2 bedroom move of 1,000 to 1,499 miles, CMR's booking data shows full service moves typically cost $2,720 to $3,990. HireAHelper's August 2026 data on PODS moves of about 1,200 miles shows $2,039 to $4,235. The ranges overlap, so get a container quote and a full service quote for the same dates.
Container or rental truck: which is better?
A container means someone else drives and you can take days to load. A rental truck means you drive, you load in one go, and you pay for fuel and mileage on top of the rental. Containers suit long distance moves for people who do not want to drive a 20 ft truck across the country.
Do I need to check a self move company's FMCSA record?
It is worth it. Look up the USDOT number on FMCSA SAFER and see what authority it lists. Among the four container companies CMR reviewed, the records range from household goods carrier authority to property only authority, and that affects who is responsible for your belongings in transit.
Would rather not lift a thing?
See vetted full service movers.
Shipping a car, boat or piano?
Cars, motorcycles, boats, fine art, pianos and pets have their own specialists. See Specialty Shipping for checked companies in each.