Three different jobs
These three brands compete in DIY moving but they're not really doing the same thing. Truck rental gives you control of every variable except your time. Containers give you time and convenience but cost more. Freight services sit between the two — you load, they handle long-haul, and the schedule is faster than container services on most lanes.
U-Haul — truck rental
You rent the truck, you drive it, you return it. Local moves are billed at a base rate plus per-mile charges. One-way long-distance rentals carry a flat rate for the truck plus mileage allowance. Cheapest option on small local moves; can be surprisingly expensive on long one-way rentals due to high one-way pricing on popular lanes.
PODS — portable container
PODS delivers a 7-, 12-, or 16-foot container. You load on your schedule (often over a week), they pick up, transport, and redeliver. Built-in local storage period. Strong fit for moves with timeline uncertainty.
U-Pack — freight relocation
U-Pack uses ABF Freight's terminal network. Two formats: a 28-foot trailer parked at your home for a 3-day load window, or smaller ReloCubes if you can't accommodate a trailer. They charge by the linear feet you use inside the trailer. Faster long-distance delivery than PODS on most lanes — usually 2–5 business days.
| U-Haul | PODS | U-Pack | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who drives | You | Provider | Provider (freight) |
| Loading window | Pickup day | 3+ days at home | 3 days at home |
| Long-distance speed | As fast as you drive | 5–14 days | 2–5 business days |
| Storage included | No | Yes — local period free | Limited (origin/destination terminal) |
| Local move cost (50 mi) | $80 – $250 | $400 – $900 | Generally not cost-competitive |
| Long-distance cost (1,500 mi, 2BR) | $1,500 – $2,800 | $2,500 – $4,500 | $2,200 – $3,800 |
| Best for | Local DIY moves | Flexible long-distance with storage | Fast long-distance freight loads |
| Worst fit | Long one-way moves | Rural destinations | Single-day local moves |
Local moves under 100 miles
U-Haul wins on price almost every time. A 15-foot truck rental can come in under $200 for a local move including mileage, fuel, and one day's rental. Container providers add delivery and pickup fees that don't make sense on short hauls.
Long-distance moves with flexible timing
PODS earns its premium by removing the worst parts of a DIY move: driving cross-country and managing the truck. Storage flexibility (load this week, deliver in three) is the deciding factor for many users.
Long-distance moves on a tight schedule
U-Pack's freight network typically delivers faster than PODS — 2–5 business days vs 7–14. The trade-off is less timeline padding for storage. Best fit for someone with a clear move-in date who wants to skip the cross-country drive.
How they each charge
- U-Haul: base day rate + per mile + fuel + insurance options
- PODS: flat container rate + delivery and pickup fees + monthly storage if needed + content protection
- U-Pack: linear feet used inside trailer (you only pay for the space you fill)
When none of them is the right answer
If your inventory is heavy (3-4 bedrooms) and the lane is over 1,000 miles, full-service van line quotes are worth getting. The labor savings alone often close the gap with DIY options once you price loading help, fuel, lodging, and the value of two cross-country driving days.