Shipping Moving Boxes and the Cheapest Ways to Ship Boxes

Let’s face it, shipping a gigantic box that weighs more than your cousin’s Great Dane is going to cost more than a neat little package of seasonal clothes. That’s why it helps to break your items down into several medium-sized boxes instead of one enormous box you can hardly lift. Large boxes often land you in higher price brackets for most carriers.

On top of that, heavier boxes might incur additional fees. My sister Megan once tried shipping an entire family’s worth of winter coats in a single jumbo box, and she gasped at the shipping quote. Splitting it into two or three boxes would have saved her money. Keep in mind that some carriers have dimensional weight pricing, which means the size of the box matters almost as much as the actual weight.

I’ll never forget when we moved from Savannah to Chicago. We sent a few boxes of clothes ahead, and it cost a small fortune because we had to get them there fast. If you have wiggle room on timing, slower ground shipping can cut your costs in half. But if speed is essential – say, you’re moving for a new job and can’t wait – then overnight or two-day shipping might be worth the premium.

The bottom line: How far the box needs to travel and how quickly you need it to arrive will shape your shipping strategy. Those quick-turnaround services come at a steeper price, so be sure you really need that speed before choosing it.

There’s a certain comfort in watching your box make its way to your new home, especially if it’s filled with precious keepsakes. That’s where tracking and insurance step in. Most carriers offer tracking automatically these days, but insurance coverage can vary. It often depends on the declared value of the box’s contents.

If you’re sending something like your grandmother’s china set or your prized vinyl collection, paying a bit extra for coverage can save you heartache later. A lost or damaged parcel can be more than just an inconvenience – it can be a real emotional blow if those items are irreplaceable. On the bright side, many shipping companies allow you to add insurance at checkout, so you can decide how much you’re comfortable spending for peace of mind.

USPS is a classic choice, especially for smaller or lighter boxes. Their Flat Rate boxes can be a solid deal, provided your items fit inside those specific dimensions. I’ve found USPS most helpful when shipping personal effects under 20 pounds. Plus, they include free tracking on most shipments, so you can see if your package stopped for coffee along the way.

One thing to keep in mind is that if your box is large or heavy, USPS rates can jump quickly. So, if you plan on sending a 50-pound box halfway across the country, you might want to look at another option. But for everyday items or moderate weights, USPS keeps things easy and convenient.

UPS is synonymous with reliability. They excel at handling bigger packages and bulk shipments, and they’ve got multiple service levels – Ground, 2nd Day Air, Next Day Air. If you’re shipping a few heavier boxes, UPS Ground often strikes a reasonable balance between cost and delivery time.

I once shipped my collection of books (probably too many for my own good) with UPS Ground, and it turned out more budget-friendly than I feared. The tracking updates were detailed, which eased my mind since I’m kind of sentimental about those books.

FedEx is in the same league as UPS when it comes to shipping heavier items. They’re known for their speed and have a bunch of delivery options, including Home Delivery, which can be cheaper if you’re not in a rush. FedEx also has a user-friendly online interface where you can compare rates and timing before you commit.

One cautionary note: FedEx pricing can surprise you if your box dimensions are big, so do your measurements beforehand. For mid-range weights, though, FedEx can be a sweet spot in terms of cost versus delivery speed.

This might sound a bit unusual if you’ve never heard of it, but Amtrak offers shipping services between certain stations. I used Amtrak Express once when I was in college, moving some dorm room essentials from Austin back home to Georgia. The cost was quite low compared to parcel services, especially for heavier boxes.

The biggest downside is that your route has to match Amtrak’s network, and you’ll probably need to drop off and pick up boxes at the station. Still, if you live near a major Amtrak hub, it can be a surprising way to save money on shipping larger items.

Yes, Greyhound buses aren’t just for passengers. They also transport freight and packages. This is a quirky but cost-effective approach if you’re shipping to someone willing to collect the boxes from a Greyhound terminal. The downside is that door-to-door service is limited or non-existent. You’ll likely have to lug your boxes to the station and make sure someone is available to pick them up at the destination.

Despite these extra steps, Greyhound can handle large items and typically charges less than standard parcel carriers for bulky packages. It won’t be lightning fast, but if your timeline is flexible, you can shave off a good chunk of cost.

When I helped my sister Megan move halfway across the country, she considered using U-Haul U-Box and PODS containers to move not just boxes but also a few furniture pieces. These containers offer a more all-in-one approach. A driver drops off the container, you load your boxes, and they handle the transport to your new place.

It’s not always the cheapest if you have only a handful of boxes, but if you need to move bigger items – or you have a large volume – containers can be convenient and sometimes cheaper than renting a full truck. Just be sure to compare quotes with more conventional shipping carriers to see if the container route is worth the price tag for your situation.