Moving Containers Long-Distance: A Complete Guide to Flexible Moving and Storage

Security, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness are just a few reasons moving containers for long-distance moves may be the right choice for your relocation. Compared with traditional full-service options, long-distance moving companies like PODS provide a hybrid approach that can be tailored to your unique situation. Our guide will give you the info you need.

Using Moving Containers for Long-Distance Moving (Step-by-Step)

Moving containers are a flexible, cost-effective option for long-distance moves. Here’s a step-by-step guide to using moving containers for long-distance moves with PODS.

1. Choose Your Moving Container Size

The first step is deciding the size of the moving container you need. This will depend on factors like the square footage of your home, the volume of belongings you’re moving, and whether or not you want to put some of your things in storage.

PODS offers two container sizes for long-distance moves:

• 8-foot-long PODS container: This can fit the contents of a studio or a 500-square-foot apartment. The total dimensions are 8’ x 7’ x 8’, which is perfect for a small move or as an extra container if all your things don’t fit in a larger one.
• 16-foot-long PODS container: This can fit the contents of a 3- to 4-bedroom home, or about 1,200 square feet. The total dimensions are 16’ x 8’ x 8’.

PODS can refer you to local packing and loading assistance to handle the heavy lifting when you move with long-distance moving containers.

2. Hire Packing and Loading Assistance (or Not)

Moves are stressful, no doubt about it. And the stress level can be even greater for a long-distance move, when you consider the time you spend packing, loading, and organizing, only to turn around and unload, unpack, and organize once you get to your new home. If that sounds like a less-than-good time, you might want to consider hiring a professional packing and loading service.  

There are many benefits to getting help from packing and loading professionals for your storage containers for moving long distance, including:

• They’re trained and experienced, which means it’s less likely your fragile items will be damaged in the packing, loading, or unpacking process.
• They can disassemble and reassemble furniture — like beds.
• Professional services are required to carry insurance, so you have recourse to repair or replace your item if something gets damaged along the way.

PODS can refer you to local packing and loading assistance to lend a hand with the heavy lifting. Since they’re trained professionals, they know how to pack and organize your PODS storage container in the most efficient way possible. Say goodbye to that sore back, and hello to a huge weight off your shoulders!

3. Pack What You Can in Advance

Whether you’re relocating across town or long-distance moving, PODS includes one month of storage in the cost of your container. And just like with most things in life, it’s helpful to plan ahead. Here are a few things you can do even before your container is delivered:

• Sketch out a complete moving timeline to help you stay on track.
• Declutter and purge, particularly if the move involves downsizing your home.
• Sort and pack as much as possible before the container arrives.
• Prepare what to pack first. Bulky coats and jackets are a good start. Save space by packing them into vacuum-sealed bags, which shrink down to help you save space in your boxes. Other moving tips and hacks include packing your seasonal clothing as far in advance as possible.
• Label boxes of fragile items clearly and prominently. Make sure anyone helping with your move knows how to handle the boxes properly.

 PODZILLA, the PODS hydraulic lift system, allows drivers to easily place long-distance moving containers in customers’ driveways and pick them up when they’re full.

4. Have Your Moving Container Delivered to Your Driveway

The PODS hydraulic lift system known as PODZILLA allows drivers to park long-distance moving containers in customers’ driveways and pick them up when they’re full. Its exceptional maneuverability means drivers can keep the PODS storage containers relatively level while allowing them to move your stuff around with ease.

Here are a few tips to make it easier for your driver to get PODZILLA into your driveway:

• Clearance needs to be about 12 feet wide and 15 feet high.
• Vertical obstacles, like utility lines and tree branches, should be out of the way of the hydraulic lift.
• Parked cars and any other items need to be out of the driveway (and tell the kids to move their basketball hoop, too).

5. Load Up Your Long-Distance Moving Container

A little preparation on the front end can make moving containers long-distance and unloading proceed more quickly and with less chaos.

Two important first steps:

• Create an inventory of everything you’re packing. It’ll verify that you’ve chosen the right container size and will also help make sure you don’t accidentally forget something in that back storage closet.
• Label your boxes with two things: The contents of the box and the room in your new home where each box belongs. This creates a visual guide for everyone to follow, which is especially great if you have friends, family, kids, or professional movers helping out.

When you’re all packed up, it's time to load up. If you’re not quite proficient in how to load a moving truck container, there are a few things to know — and these steps are especially important for moving containers long-distance, when there’s potential for jostling on the road.

• Place big boxes first so that your heavy, sturdy, and bulky items create a solid base for other boxes.
• Stack lighter items on top as you move along.
• Pack a first-night bag with all the essentials you’ll need for your first night in your new home, and keep it with you on the plane, train, or automobile you’re taking to your new city. Think: Comfort, hygiene, sleep, and things you’ll need for the early morning. With those must-haves easily accessible, you won’t have to unload the entire container at 6 a.m. to find your coffee maker.

6. Schedule Moving Container Pickup and Delivery

Once you’re all set and ready to roll, PODS will pick up your moving container and deliver it to your new home. If you need extra time before the move-in date, you have the option to store the container in a secure PODS Storage Center for one month, which is included in the cost of every PODS move.

When you use PODS portable storage containers for moving long-distance, you’ll have plenty of time to load it up, have it transported, and unload it at your new home.

7. Unload Your Moving Container

Your 30-day billing cycle begins the day your container arrives, which gives you plenty of time to pack, transport, and unload everything at your new home. The container will remain on-site until you’re ready, so you can unload at your own pace — or hire a professional packing and loading service if you opt for a helping hand.

8. Have Your Container Picked Up

Finally, it’s time to schedule the final pickup for your container. And remember: When you’re moving containers long-distance, it’s smart to have the container picked up a few days before the end of your 30-day billing period.

Prior to the scheduled pick-up, make sure that the container is completely clean and empty, and remove the lock. Also, make sure the container is placed in a location that's easy to access. Follow the same clearance rules you followed for your initial drop-off.

PODS does not require customers to be present when the container is picked up. So if you’re busy wrapping up work or running errands with the kids, no worries.

If you’re not quite ready to have your long-distance moving containers delivered to your new home, you can keep them at a secure PODS Storage Center for as long as you need.

Pros and Cons of Using Moving Containers for Long-Distance Moves

Moving containers for long-distance moves offer a lot of flexibility, with the ability to store your belongings in a secure space and the option for longer-term storage. However, the process isn’t completely perfect — everything has its flaws.

Pros of Using Moving Containers for Long-Distance Moves

• Cost-effectiveness: Moving containers for long-distance moves are generally more economical than hiring a full-service mover.
• Flexibility: With a monthly rental period from companies like PODS, there’s no immediate rush to unload your belongings right away.
• Transportation: No need to worry about driving long distances, as PODS handles the driving for you.
• Storage: If you’re not ready to move into your home right away, you can keep your loaded container at a secure PODS Storage Center. One month’s storage is included in the cost of every move.

Cons of Using Moving Containers for Long-Distance Moves

• Labor: Unless you have enlisted packing and loading assistance with PODS, using a moving container can be labor-intensive during the packing, loading, and unloading process.
• Limited space: Moving containers don’t have infinite space, obviously. You can rent as many as you need, of course, but that means your cost will go up.
• Space for delivery: Placing the container requires space and clearance that some people simply don’t have, especially in urban areas. Even with PODS City Service for city moving, you may face difficulty compared with people moving to or from the suburbs.

FAQs: Moving Containers Long-Distance

Q: Who should use long-distance moving containers?
A: Overall, those who desire flexibility and customization within their move are the best candidates for long-distance moving containers. Whether you have to accommodate your new job’s start date, need some time to find housing in your new city, or just have a complicated move to figure out, PODS is a great option.

Q: What is considered a long-distance move for a moving container?
A: Most moving container companies consider moves over 100 to 150 miles to be long-distance, though that can vary. Moves that cross state lines are also typically classified as long-distance, regardless of distance. Ultimately, each provider has its own definition based on service areas and pricing.

Q: How do moving containers work for long-distance moves?
A: Moving containers long-distance begins with delivery to your home, where you load the container at your convenience. The company then transports the container to your new location or into a secure PODS Storage Center if needed. After it arrives, you unload on your own schedule.

Q: Are moving containers cheaper than full-service movers?
A: Moving containers are typically less expensive than full-service movers, while renting a truck and doing everything yourself is the least expensive method. Pricing for any of those options depends on how much stuff you have, the time of year, and the distance to your new home. But in general, for a family with a two-bedroom home moving from New York City to Los Angeles, for instance, moving containers range from $2,888 to $5,380. Full-service movers range from $4,229 to $7,148. And going fully DIY with a rental truck will cost from $1,907 to $3,812. A moving container can be a good value if you’re comfortable handling the loading and unloading. If you’re not interested in any kind of DIY participation, full service is likely worth the extra cost.

Moving Containers Long-Distance with PODS Makes Your Move Flexible

Make your long-distance move flexible with PODS. Your container is delivered right to your driveway, where you can pack and load on your own time. Once you’re ready to go, PODS will pick up your container and deliver it to your new home. If you need a little extra time, don’t sweat it. One of the perks of using PODS storage containers for moving long-distance is that one month’s storage is included in the cost of every move, but you can also extend your rental as needed. And if you’d like a hand with the heavy lifting, PODS can refer you to local packing and loading services to help out.

Call PODS at 877-350-7637 for a free long-distance moving quote.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}