PODS vs. Moving Truck: The Flexible Move Face-Off

Moving is no easy task. No matter how many times you’ve done it or how local it might be, it can easily become overwhelming. You might think turning to professional movers is the way to go. After all, they handle moves of any size and have all the necessary skills to deal with the complications — but you’re going to end up paying for the convenience. Taking a hands-on approach is a lot more attainable, but which is better: A complete DIY move with a moving truck or a hybrid approach with a moving container from PODS? Our guide to PODS vs. a moving truck rental is here to help you answer that exact question.

PODS vs. Moving Trucks

Although renting a truck is typically the cheapest option when it comes to moving, using a portable moving container from PODS is a great alternative. It offers additional benefits and flexibility that you wouldn't get from a traditional truck — all on a flexible timeline.

Before you start the process, it's important to understand your options. That’s where our comprehensive comparison between PODS vs. moving trucks comes to the rescue. Read on to learn more, or click one of the links below to skip ahead to a specific section.

Table of Contents

1. How Moving Truck Rentals Work
2. How PODS Works
3. PODS vs. Moving Truck: Truck and Storage Container Sizes
4. PODS vs. Moving Truck: Packing and Loading
5. PODS vs. Moving Truck: Transporting Your Car
6. PODS vs. Moving Truck: Storage Options
7. PODS vs. Moving Truck: Solutions for Moving to a Big City
8. PODS vs. Moving Truck: Flexible Moving Options
9. PODS vs. Moving Trucks: Why PODS is the Better Deal

It’s important to get the right size truck so you can complete your local move in as few trips as possible — or just one trip for long-distance moves.

How Moving Truck Rentals Work

• The first thing you will need to figure out is the truck size you need. Are there any add-ons you need, such as dollies, blankets, or any other moving supplies?
• Once you’re finalizing the reservation for the truck, specify the date and time you’d like to pick it up.
• After the truck is picked up, it’s time to load everything using the pull-out ramp. (Double-check that everything is secured before you head off!)
• After everything’s secured, it’s time to head off to your new city. You can either tow your car behind the truck itself or have a second person drive it.
• Unload the truck once you have arrived at your new residence.
• Be sure to fill the gas tank up before you return the truck.
• Return the truck before the rental period expires, and be sure to pay any additional fees you incurred along the way, like total mileage, tolls, etc.

How PODS Works

• Select a size for your moving container and set a delivery date. With Priority Scheduling, you can set a specific time window for your pickup or delivery, and you can also control how much time you want to spend packing and unloading your container.
• Need help with the heavy lifting? PODS can connect you to local packing and loading assistance.
• One month of storage is built into the cost of every PODS container rental, so you can take your time packing and loading once the container is delivered to your driveway.
• Once you’re all packed, schedule your container pick up and have it delivered to your new home or to a secure PODS Storage Center. Either option allows you access to your items whenever you need them (you’ll just have to call ahead of time and book an appointment with the Storage Center your container is at).
• Need your car delivered? PODS can refer you to one of their preferred car shipping companies, Mr. Car Shipper, or ACERTUS.

PODS moving containers come in three different sizes: 8-ft, 12-ft, and 16-ft.

PODS vs. Moving Truck: Truck and Storage Container Sizes

PODS container sizes are going to differ from moving truck sizes. Here’s what you need to know.

PODS Container Sizes

The moving and storage units PODS offers come in three different sizes: 8-ft, 12-ft, and 16-ft.

An 8-foot container is ideal for a studio apartment or small 1-bedroom apartment, a 12-foot container is best used for either a 1-bedroom or small 2-bedroom apartment, depending on space, and a 16-foot container is best for a 3 to 4 bedroom apartment or home. No matter how big your new home is, the ability to choose multiple containers with PODS allows you to have as much space as you need! Need more than one container? You can easily add onto your rental, stagger the deliveries so there’s never more than one container on your property, and then cancel what you don’t end up using.

Moving Truck Sizes

The right size for a moving truck depends on your home's size, as well as the number of rooms and the number of items you have.

Before you rent a moving truck, make sure that you have an inventory of all of your items. You should start by counting the boxes and noting the sizes of the items. For smaller apartments (think college student moving out of a dorm), you can use a small truck or even a cargo van. For a larger home, a 20 to 26-foot truck will usually suffice. For something in the middle — like a one- or two-bedroom apartment — a 10- to 12-foot moving truck works best.

PODS vs. Moving Truck: Packing and Loading

Packing and loading a PODS container is quite different from loading up a moving truck. If you need any additional packing and loading help, PODS and certain moving truck companies can connect you with a provider to help with the heavy lifting.

Packing and Loading a PODS Container

• One month of storage is built into the cost of every PODS move, so you can pack and load at your own pace.
• A ramp isn’t required when you rent a PODS container, so you can easily pack and load your belongings at street level right in your own driveway.
• The door on the PODS containers slides up and back into the container, making for easy loading without having to worry about extra clearance in your driveway.

Packing and Loading a Moving Truck

• Depending on the size of your truck rental, it can take up a lot of space on your property — more than a PODS container does.
• You’ll have to navigate a narrow ramp, sometimes with large boxes or carts filled with heavy items.
• Rental trucks come with a tight time crunch, so you’ll have to load relatively quickly and get on the road.

PODS can refer you to a trusted car shipping provider to transport your vehicle during your move.

PODS vs. Moving Truck: Transporting Your Car

One of the most important things to consider when it comes to the moving process is how your car will be transported. Shipping your car can ensure a safe and effective delivery, while avoiding the risks that come with towing your car during a long-distance move.

Shipping Your Car When You Move With PODS

If you need help with transporting your car, don’t worry. PODS can refer you to a trusted car shipping provider within its network. You’ll be able to choose between Mr. Car Shipper and ACERTUS.

Mr. Car Shipper is a family-owned business that provides comprehensive vehicle care services at a fair price. They don’t require a down payment, and you can feel confident that your vehicle will be safely transported — the company has had less than 1 percent of vehicles damaged over 14 years.

ACERTUS is a team of experienced and dedicated car shipping experts that helps minimize unnecessary mileage and time spent traveling through their services in Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US. Their 99.5 percent damage-free rate is quite the draw!

Towing Your Car Behind a Moving Truck

While towing your car behind a moving truck can definitely be cost-effective, it’s still important to consider the drawbacks. You’ll get lower costs and complete control of your arrival time, but that comes with increased fuel consumption, potential for damage when driving long distances, and limited driving maneuverability.

PODS vs. Moving Truck: Storage Options

Built-in storage is one of the best benefits you can have, as it means you can easily access your items whenever you need them. Whether your new home isn’t ready to move into, there’s a delay in home closing, or you’re just not ready to get rid of everything, there are lots of instances where storage comes in handy. 

PODS Storage Options

PODS offers flexible storage options, and you can choose between built-in storage right on your property or leaving your moving container at a secure PODS Storage Center. The average PODS storage cost ranges from $139–$239, depending on the size of the container and whether the unit is in your driveway or at a PODS Storage Center.

Moving Truck Storage Options

When taking a look at a moving truck vs. PODS, storage is a bit more complicated. You have to rent a separate storage unit, and then transport and unload everything yourself. Once you’re ready to leave the storage unit, you’ll have to rent another truck, load everything up, and transport it again — double the work of renting a PODS container.

With PODS City Service, the driver stays with your container while you take care of the loading and unloading.

PODS vs. Moving Truck: Solutions for Moving to a Big City

Figuring out the moving process is challenging, no matter how far or how much you’re moving, but moving into a big city and having to navigate busy streets can be intimidating. Opting for a PODS move with PODS City Service can help alleviate a lot of that stress, though.

PODS City Service

With PODS City Service, the driver stays with your container while you take care of the loading and unloading. No driveway is required, and drivers also have knowledge of local parking laws and regulations, so you won’t have to worry about studying up before your move. They can also move the truck whenever needed to help prevent tickets and other logistical issues

Moving to a Big City With a Moving Truck

Unlike with PODS City Service, moving to the city with a moving truck means navigating the entire process on your own. Navigating tight city streets in a big moving truck, plus potential permits, and keeping up with parking regulations, is no easy feat.

PODS vs. Moving Truck: Flexible Moving Options

Having flexibility when it comes to your move makes the process simpler and cuts down on overall stress, and both PODS and a moving truck come with it. But which is better?

PODS: Flexible Moving Options

One month of storage comes built into the cost of every PODS move, so you’ll have more than enough time to pack and load your items on your own schedule. If you need more space than one container has to offer, you can always add extra to your reservation. Stagger container deliveries so there’s never more than one container on your property, and have the freedom to cancel any containers you don’t end up needing.

Moving Truck: Flexible Moving Options

There is some flexibility that comes with a moving truck, such as one-way rentals. These are perfect for long-distance moves, since they typically include several days in the reservation. For a local move, though, the default rental period is usually 24 hours. 

PODS is a great option for those who want to take their time while moving — and have lots of flexibility while they do it.

PODS vs. Moving Trucks: Why PODS Is a Great Choice

Although moving trucks are cheaper, PODS portable moving and storage containers are ideal for those who want to take their time while moving — and have lots of flexibility while they do it. With one month of storage built into the cost of every move, it’s easy to move without feeling rushed. Need more time? You can always add to your reservation.

When you choose PODS, you’ll have a portable moving and storage container delivered right to your driveway. Need help with the heavy lifting? PODS can refer you to local packing and loading assistance to help make an efficient move.

Visit PODS online for a free local moving quote or call PODS at 877-350-7637 for long-distance moving.