Where to get moving boxes near you for cheap (or possibly free).

1. In your home.

The best place to find free moving boxes is in your own home. Before you spend any money on new moving boxes, take inventory of the boxes you already have inside your home. Perhaps you save a few boxes that came with your appliances or furniture, such as your TV or dining room table. Or, maybe you’re using a few boxes to store junk 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 your items. 

Once you know how much stuff 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 in a gated community, it doesn’t hurt to ask your neighbors if they have any boxes they want to get rid of. Did they leave a few boxes outside their front door or on their curb? If the boxes aren’t dirty or damaged, ask if you can take them off your neighbors’ hands. 

And as you’re planning and preparing for your move, keep an eye out for any new neighbors moving in. Take advantage of the perfect timing. Introduce yourself, and politely ask them if it’s OK if you take their moving boxes when they’re done. You never know — they may be thrilled to help you out.

3. Online marketplaces, neighborhood apps and social media.

Online marketplaces are a gem for moving boxes. For example, Craigslist can be a dumping ground for many free things, including moving boxes and other packing supplies. People leave posts informing others in their city if they have free boxes available for pickup. Although it’s a great source for all kinds of boxes, the quality varies greatly, so please exercise your best judgment.

You should also log into your social media accounts to find free or cheap moving supplies. Jump onto Facebook Marketplace to search for moving boxes, or you can make a post or tweet requesting anyone with boxes lying around to give them to you. You’ll be shocked how many people have spare boxes or know someone who has.

Some apartment buildings have community forums you can access online or through an app. Search there to request packing boxes or see if anyone in your building needs help getting rid of their moving supplies. You can also check community apps (like Nextdoor) to look for free boxes.

4. Your work office.

If you work in an office, find out if you can grab empty file boxes stacked away in a corner or conference room. File boxes are relatively sturdy and uniform in size, making them perfect for moving. And the fact that they have slots for handles makes them easier to load and unload.

5. Recycle centers.

A lot of cardboard boxes used commercially are recycled at local recycling centers. If you aren’t lucky at other sources, your local recycling center might have some boxes you can use.

Generally, recycle bins aren’t as messy as regular garbage bins, so you may find some cardboard boxes in acceptable conditions. 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? Remember that 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 the campus to see if there are any free boxes laying around that you can take. 

But first, contact the college and talk to the authorities to see if that’s allowed. Some colleges usually have drop-off points, and they may be willing to let you pick up the boxes so that you’ll save them the hassle of disposing of them.

7. Local stores and businesses.

Some local stores near you may sell cheap moving boxes — or, they may have cardboard boxes that they’re willing to give to you for free so they don’t have to worry about recycling them. 

If you have the time, it doesn’t hurt to visit a few local stores and ask if you can take their unused boxes off their hands. 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 are a great place to source free moving boxes. Unfortunately, they aren’t always the best quality (think: boxes with mango stains) and some may be too thin to meet your moving 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; they are built to be sturdy, perfect quality for moving boxes. Some might even have dividers, making them ideal for packing kitchenware and plates.
• Pharmacy and drug stores. The next time you pick up your medication, take a quick look around. If you see a bunch of boxes that seem unused, you can always ask if they’re available for free. Just make sure the boxes are completely empty before you take them home.
• Shoe and clothing stores. At clothing stores, you may be able to find small or medium moving boxes that you can stack into larger boxes — the kind that’s perfect for your moving needs. And if you need a few small moving boxes, the shoe store may have leftover shoeboxes that you can use for your move.

8. Local libraries and bookstores.

If you’re looking for small moving boxes to stash your books, shoes and other smaller items, your local library and bookstores can be a great place to look. Usually, these spots 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, making 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 in the cost of moving boxes in their quotation.

Generally, hiring a moving company from Thumbtack lightens the burden involved in moving, including not having to find moving kits all by yourself. Even better, your moving company might request to know the type and number of items you need to move to determine the type of boxes to bring.

Getting the right type of moving boxes improves safety, helps with better 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, always get quotes from at least three different professionals to determine 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 (packing and unpacking, storage units, etc.)

Related: How much do movers near you cost?

10. Restaurants.

Restaurants, especially fast-food restaurants, receive a lot of perishable shipments. This means that 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 the food products that leaked in the box. Not to mention, food stains and remnants may also attract pests. 

11. Copy centers.

Oftentimes, you can find quality, uniform-size boxes at local copy centers. These places are constantly ordering a large number of copier, laser, and inkjet papers. As a result, they are bound to have many copier paper boxes on site. Visit several copy centers close to you, and ask if they have any old boxes you can get for free.

12. Yard sales.

Someone who is hosting a yard sale is probably decluttering their garage or attic — which means they might have some empty cardboard moving boxes you can snag. 

You could find boxes available in various sizes and quality. However, chasing down yard sales can take up a lot of your time, so it might be best to call ahead of time to check if the sale includes old boxes. Bear in mind that many of these old boxes have been in basements, attics, or garages for ages and might not be in the best condition to support heavy and 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 ton of moving supplies, including boxes for (from wardrobe and TV mounting boxes to picture and frame boxes), packing tape, bubble wrap and cushioning, and much more. Just be prepared to pay — these moving boxes and supplies won’t be for free.

14. Office supply stores.

Office supply stores are great places to get all of your school and business items. Whenever you’re shopping here, take a look at their collection of moving, storage and shipping boxes. They often have moving kits and boxes of different sizes and shapes, including:

• Heavy duty boxes
• Tall boxes
• Side loading boxes
• Flat boxes
• Dish packing boxes

Not to mention, these stores 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 at these stores 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, find out if moving boxes and packing supplies are included in the promotion.

15. Home improvement stores.

Last but certainly not least, don’t forget to visit your local home improvement stores. Although you won’t find free moving boxes at home improvement stores, they can be insanely cheap (especially during a sale). Even better, home improvement 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 in size, with starting costs ranging from $1 to $2 or $3 per box. Moreover, you can 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, acquiring these boxes requires substantial effort, which may or may not pay off. To avoid the stresses of moving, consider hiring a moving company that can provide all of the moving boxes and supplies you’ll need.

Use Thumbtack to hire a top-rated moving company today.

FAQ

How do I ask for free boxes?

Companies and establishments constantly have 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 trying 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 from. Generally, you’ll get them for $1-$2 or $3 per box.