Moving isn’t cheap!
Movers can be costly.
In fact, the average cost of a local move is $1,250 and the average cost of a long distance move (distance of 1,000 miles) is $4,890.
One of the things you’ll need if you’re moving is, of course, moving boxes and packing supplies.
And since we already showed you how to get free packing supplies, in this post we’ll focus on how to find free moving boxes.
Cardboard boxes are likely not what you want to spend your hard-earned cash on though. Once you’ve moved, you’re left with boxes you’re likely not going to use again.
You can cut the cost of moving by getting moving boxes for free.
Anyone looking to save money when moving will want to know where to get free moving boxes.
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Where Can I Get Moving Boxes for Free?
Here are 27 places to get free moving boxes.
1. Craigslist
Craigslist can be a treasure trove of freebies. Anyone looking to get free moving boxes should have a peruse of the site. You may be able to find people giving away free moving boxes there.
You can find the free section on Craigslist by going to your city’s Craigslist and then going to the “For Sale” section. Under that, click on “Free.” You’ll then be taken to the “Free” section where you’ll find people giving away a variety of items.
You can filter the results by searching for the item you want. You can do a search for the term “moving boxes,” and then you’ll be able to see if anyone is giving away moving boxes near you.
- Browse Craigslist for free moving boxes here.
2. Walmart
You may be able to get free moving boxes from your local Walmart.
Just contact your local store to ask if they have any moving boxes that they’d be willing to give you.
3. Local pharmacies or chemists
Local pharmacies or chemists may have free moving boxes.
Just get in touch to ask if they have any boxes that they’d be willing to give you.
4. Target
Call your local Target store to see if they have any moving boxes that they’ll give to you.
You may be able to get some free boxes. Just ask the employees to set aside some boxes for you.
5. Garage sales or yard sales
People take their items to garage sales and yard sales in boxes. Then, they sell their stuff and are left with a bunch of empty boxes.
Simply ask sellers for these empty boxes. It’s likely that they’ll be happy for you to take them off their hands.
6. Apartment complexes
Apartment complexes tend to have boxes available as people are always moving in and out. This makes them a good place to get free boxes.
You can ask at the apartment complex office or look for recycling bins or the dumpster on the premises.
If items are in the recycling bin or dumpster, make sure you ask for permission before you go through them.
You could also consider putting up flyers at a few complexes near you asking for moving boxes, and then you don’t have to take anything out of the dumpster.
7. Petco
Petco may have some free moving boxes that they’d be willing to give to you.
Contact your local store to ask if they have any free boxes available.
8. Nextdoor
Nextdoor is a website where people in the same neighborhood can buy and sell items, get local tips, and get stuff for free.
On Nextdoor, you may be able to find some free moving boxes locally.
- Get free moving boxes on Nextdoor here.
9. Dollar Tree
Dollar Tree may set aside boxing boxes for you if you ask.
Get in touch with your local Dollar Tree store to ask if they have any boxes that they’d be willing to give you.
You could get free moving boxes in a variety of sizes.
10. Kroger
Kroger and stores operated by Kroger, like Fred Meyer, sometimes offer boxes.
Just get in touch with your local store to see if they have any free boxes available.
Ask the employees at your local store if they would set aside any boxes for you.
11. Home supply stores
Home supply stores, like Bed, Bath and Beyond, Bath and Body Works, and Ikea, and lesser-known local home supply stores can be a good source for free moving boxes.
Simply call home supply stores near you to ask if they have any boxes that they’d give to you for free.
12. Gas stations/convenience stores
Gas stations/convenience stores sometimes have boxes available.
Get in touch to ask if they have any available.
Gas stations/convenience stores won’t always have free boxes available. It’s worth asking though, even if you only get a few more to add to the boxes that you already have.
13. Friends and family
You could ask friends and family for boxes. Simply ask people in your family and your friends if they have any unwanted boxes you could have.
It’s likely that they’d be happy for you to take any boxes that they don’t want off their hands for free.
14. Office supply stores
Get sturdy, robust boxes that are ideal for packing up your household belongings from office supply stores. Office Depot and other office supply stores can be great places to source boxes at no cost.
Just get in touch with office supply stores near you to ask if they have any boxes that they’d give to you for free.
15. Arts and craft stores
Arts and craft stores, like Jo-Ann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, and Michaels, have a lot of boxes that you could get for your move.
Contact arts and craft stores in your area to see if they have any cardboard boxes that they’d be willing to give to you.
16. Walgreens
You may be able to get some boxes from Walgreens.
You can contact your local store and ask if they have any moving boxes that you could have.
Ask the employees to save some free boxes for you.
17. Auto supply stores
Auto supply stores can be a great place to source boxes, particularly for getting larger boxes.
Contact auto part stores like AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA Auto Parts, and Advance Auto Parts to ask if they have any free boxes that they’d let you take.
18. Liquor stores
Liquor stores get shipments of alcohol meaning they have lots of robust boxes that are perfect for moving available.
Just call local liquor stores to ask if they have any free moving boxes that they’d be willing to give you.
19. Local grocery stores
Local grocery stores are another avenue to consider. They will have boxes in a variety of sizes that you may be able to pick up for free.
Some of them have boxes, like apple boxes, that are perfect for moving fragile items.
20. Local schools
Schools actually get a lot of deliveries. You could call local schools and ask if they have any boxes available that they’d be willing to give you.
21. 5miles
5miles is a site where people can buy and sell stuff locally. There’s actually a section for free stuff on there.
You may be able to get your hands on some free moving boxes on there.
- Browse 5miles here.
22. Bars and restaurants
Since bars and restaurants stock large quantities of liquor, glass bottles, canned goods, and other supplies, they can be a good place to find sturdy moving boxes. And, bars and restaurants are particularly good for finding boxes in a variety of sizes.
Just call local bars and restaurants to ask if they have any boxes available that you can have for free.
23. Whole Foods
Whole Foods may offer some free moving boxes.
Simply get in touch with your local Whole Foods store to ask.
24. Local bookstores
Local bookstores are good for sourcing boxes. Because books are heavy, they require strong boxes for transport. This means that bookstores are a good place to get sturdy boxes for your move.
Contact local bookstores to ask if they have any boxes that they’d be willing to give to you. They may set some aside for you.
25. OfferUp
OfferUp is a website for selling and buying locally. There’s a section on there for free stuff too. The downside is that all of the free stuff on OfferUp is just grouped together, which can make it a little difficult to find the specific item you’re looking for.
You can search the site for moving boxes specifically. Just enter the term “moving boxes” or “boxes” into the search bar and hit search, and this will give you a list of results. This list will include items that you have to pay for.
To make sure you get listings for free moving boxes, if there are any available, filter the results by “Price: Low to High.” You may find people giving away free moving boxes.
- Search for free moving boxes on OfferUp here.
26. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a site for selling and buying items. There’s actually a section for free items on there too.
You can use the search bar on there to find moving boxes. Just enter the term “moving boxes” into the search bar, and you’ll be able to see if anyone is giving away moving boxes.
- Browse Facebook Marketplace here.
27. Haul Box Exchange
You can use the U-Haul Box Exchange to find boxes and moving supplies.
The U-Haul Box Exchange program is a good way to get free moving boxes and even shipping supplies.
- Use the U-Haul Box Exchange here.
Score Your Moving Boxes for Free!
Don’t make moving any more expensive than it needs to be.
Instead of paying for boxes that you likely won’t need again, follow our tips on where to get free moving boxes.
Your wallet will thank you!
