There are a lot of moving parts to a move and one of those elements is where to find moving boxes! Below is a list of the best places to find the boxes you’ll need for your move.
Neighbors: Ask your neighbors if they have boxes they no longer need. If you know them well you can ask in person, if not ask by posting on your local Nextdoor site. If you aren’t a member of Nextdoor, click here to sign up.
Online: Check online! People are always giving away items they no longer need, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find free moving boxes. Click here to search for free boxes on Craigslist in the Washington, DC area.
Grocery Stores: Check out your local grocery store. We’d recommend swinging by the customer service desk to let them know you’re moving and to see if they have boxes you can take. Grocery stores get shipments throughout the week so there might be one day that’s better for pick-up than another. Plus, if you ask ahead of time, they might put a few boxes aside for you.
Liquor Stores: Drop by your local liquor store to see if they have boxes they can provide. Typically, they have empty boxes in the back and are happy to pass them along!
Beltway Movers: Purchase boxes from us! While they may not be free, they’re much sturdier than used boxes. The boxes you’d pick up from a local store have already been used and, it’s likely, they’ve been broken down. If you need to restructure the boxes, they won’t be as sturdy as they once were and there’s a greater chance of your belongings following out of the bottom of the box. Tip: Our movers keep boxes on the trucks. That way, if you run out of boxes or have a few extra items to pack up the morning of your move, we have you covered.
Home Depot, Staples, etc.: Home improvement and office supply stores sell moving and storage boxes. Be sure to buy packing tape so you can safely secure the bottom of the boxes when assembling them!
A word of caution about used boxes: Roaches and bed bugs can hole up in them so be sure you’re getting them from a clean, reputable location. The added benefit of buying boxes from Beltway is you know they’ll be clean and bug free!
Now that you know where to find boxes, you’re probably wondering how many you’ll need. Below is a handy chart that provides a breakdown of how many boxes are needed per type of residence.
| Type of Residence | Number of Boxes |
| Apartment | 30 – 40 |
| Town House | 50 – 75 |
| Single Family Home | 100 – 150 |
Are you planning a move soon? If so, call Beltway Movers today at (877) 959-7727. We look forward to moving with you!
