We are moving soon and the question of where to get free moving boxes always becomes a number one concern as you need moving boxes in order to pack up your home or apartment.
Four years ago, my husband went to U-Haul to buy moving boxes, and I tried to hide my shock that he was spending money on cardboard moving boxes especially when I knew that we could find free moving boxes!
But, since we packed quickly, and for a move across the country, the uniform moving boxes were nice as well as the boxes and other professional moving supplies that were specially designed for things like our dishes.
We have kept these cheap cardboard U-Haul boxes through a few more moves. We gave a few away, but stored the collapsed moving boxes under our queen bed for years now, as we move often. Because we paid for them, and know we’ll move again, we don’t want to give them away just yet!
But, many people (and stores) are not so attached to their cardboard moving boxes (thank goodness)! The following is a list of places where you can find free moving boxes.
Photo Credit: sunshinecity and everystockphoto.
Where to Get Free Moving Boxes
If you want to get free moving boxes from a store or place of business, it is recommended that you call ahead instead of just dumpster dive or loiter. You can go in store and ask for a manager who can better tell you when shipments come in and if they are willing to hold some larger cardboard boxes for you. Many are very accommodating.
One of the downsides of accumulating free moving boxes from a variety of sources is the variety of box sizes you’ll receive, which can make stacking boxes in your moving truck, trunk, or car a little more tricky. But, some of these random sized boxes may be perfect for certain objects in your home which won’t fit in more standard-sized cardboard boxes.
- Freecyle.org
- Craigslist.org
- U-Haul Box Exchange
- Facebook Community Groups
- Friends
- Family Members
- Department Stores like Walmart or Target
- Liquor Stores
- Fast Food Restaurants (frozen goods, like McDonald’s fries, come in plastic bags inside the boxes so they’re clean, and a great size)
- Grocery Stores
- Office Supply Stores
- Bookstores
- Banks or Offices (usually boxes with lids, like for reams of paper)
- Electronic Stores
- Near (or in) dumpsters in apartment complexes
- College Dorms
- Dollar Stores
How to Save Even More on Moving Costs and Have the Best Move Ever
Moving is expensive (especially if moving 1000+ miles away like we’ll be doing soon!) and free boxes can help cut down moving costs. See my post for my Top 5 Tips for Saving Money on Moving Costs.
If you want a less stressful, more organized move, subscribe below for three handy moving printables! They’ll help you find the perfect apartment, streamline the moving process, and get your full rental deposit back.
And if you need help staying organized, I highly suggest The Dating Diva’s Moving Organization Kit!
Also, be sure to check out Top Moving Tips and Tricks, and Tips for Apartment Hunting – Finding the Perfect New Apartment!
And if you are moving far away with your young kids in tow, read my post Simple Tips for Taking Road Trips with Kids.
Plus, here are 50+ Deep Cleaning Tips and Tricks in case your new home (or current home) needs a little cleaning TLC.
Where have you gotten free moving boxes from before? Where is your favorite place to get moving boxes from?
FREE Moving Checklists!
Organize your move with 3 FREE moving checklists when you subscribe that will help you:
- Find the perfect new apartment
- Keep your entire rental deposit
- Streamline the moving process
Great post! We love the ones at the grocery store. Really sturdy and have lids!
Be very careful about getting boxes from people you do not know. Bed bugs are at epidemic level now. It would be terrible to get boxes that have bed bugs. Getting rid of them is very expensive.
If you have any Regis salons in your area, or Regis owned salons like Mastercuts, Smartstyle, etc, give them a call. They get shipment every two weeks in very nice, sturdy boxes, and most would gladly give them to you if you are available to pick them up on the same day!
Ask at your Doctor’s office too! They have tons of boxes!!
Bike shops, and automobile repair shops. You’d be amazed how well framed art fits into a bike box or radiator box. Plus car repair places usually have super sturdy boxes, ask for wheel boxes, they are super strong!
I always went to the Florist to get my free cardboard boxes
These are great suggestions! I decided not to pay for moving boxes this time and following your advises asked some friends and relatives if they know people who moved recently and have boxes left. The result was that a week later a Had enough free moving boxes fo all our stuff and few extra for the kids to play with. Thanks for the ideas!
Boxes are crazy expensive! This is a great list of resources. I’ll be sharing it with my clients for sure (I’m a Realtor) on a round up of favorite moving tips.
I manage a movie theater and I can attest to the fact that they always have tons of boxes of all sizes. Big ones from cups, small ones from candy, sturdy ones from heavier bottled items like cleaners and butter plus every size in between! Go to the busier bigger theater since they go through more supplies.
I’ll add St Paul Moving Boxes to this list, They are very affordable. And You can Avail Free shipping on moving boxes and supplies.
Great post!!! Its really ultimate tips given by you for all of us.This is a great list of resources. I’ll be sharing it with my colleagues for sure on a round up of favorite moving tips.Thanks for these resources.
Moving is not a easy task and moving packing is very stressful task. Moving packing is important to the packing things. Box is very useful for packing this is easy way to the packing. Your blog gives a lot of information regarding moving boxes. Thanks for such post and please keep it up.
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a couple other great idea for boxes — if you work in an office, start asking people to give you empty copier paper boxes and craft stores like Michael’s for large flat boxes for framed pictures.
I found a big box to fill my need, at a shoe store. That’s right, all those little boxes that contain two shoes, came in a much bigger box. Also, places that print lots of tee shirts. Like for sports teams, or events that need shirts that say “staff” or “security”.