Storage guide

Portable storage containers

A portable storage container is a weather-resistant steel or wood-and-steel box that a local company drops off at your home, business or job site. You load it at your own pace, lock it, and either keep it on site or have it picked up and stored at the company's warehouse or yard.

When a portable storage container makes sense

Many companies will also haul a loaded container to a new address, so it doubles as a moving service: pack once, unload at the other end. Rent is usually monthly, with separate one-time fees for delivery, pickup and moves. Each company sets its own prices and terms.

Best for

  • Moving: load at the old home, unload at the new one
  • Home renovations and flooring jobs: keep furniture in the driveway
  • Construction and job sites: lockable tool and material storage
  • Businesses that need extra space on site for months or years
  • Staging a home for sale or decluttering before a move

What to look for

Questions worth asking before you choose a portable storage container.

Delivery area & fees

Ask whether your address is inside the company's service area and what drop-off, pickup and relocation cost. Fees are usually separate from monthly rent.

Placement & surface

Containers need a level, firm spot with clearance for the delivery truck: driveway, lot or a prepared pad. Ask how much space and overhead clearance the truck needs.

Permits & HOA rules

Placing a container on the street often needs a city permit, and some HOAs limit how long one can sit in a driveway. Check before delivery day.

Security & weather

Ask about locking hardware, whether you supply the lock, and how the container keeps out rain and pests. Use pallets or a moisture barrier for sensitive items.

Common sizes

8 ftA few rooms of boxes, seasonal items or a dorm room
16 ftAbout one to two bedrooms of furniture and boxes
20 ftAbout two to three bedrooms, or job-site tools and materials
40 ftLarge job sites, inventory and long-term business storage

Find portable storage containers near you

Search by city or ZIP above, or start from a state below. Unclaimed listings don't list their features yet, so ask in your free request whether they offer what you need.

Texas 1,375California 1,010Washington 872Florida 583Georgia 495Pennsylvania 489Arizona 488Virginia 447Illinois 443Colorado 421Ohio 384New York 383North Carolina 383Oregon 341Michigan 300South Carolina 266Montana 235Wisconsin 234Oklahoma 228Tennessee 223Maryland 222New Jersey 220Minnesota 200Alabama 197Utah 182Idaho 182Indiana 179Missouri 178Massachusetts 172Nevada 155New Mexico 141Louisiana 129New Hampshire 118Kansas 112Arkansas 106Connecticut 91Kentucky 90Iowa 83Mississippi 83Maine 76Nebraska 76South Dakota 64West Virginia 57Wyoming 41Delaware 37Alaska 36Vermont 30Hawaii 25Rhode Island 21North Dakota 20District of Columbia 15

Tips from the pros

  • Measure the spot and the path the truck will take. Low branches, wires and tight turns matter.
  • Load heavy items first and spread the weight evenly. Tie off loads you plan to have moved.
  • Fill gaps with blankets or boxes so things don't shift if the container is relocated.
  • Ask whether the container can stay on site, go to the company's warehouse, or both, and what changes in price.
  • Check your homeowner's or business insurance for stored-goods coverage, or ask the company about protection.

Portable storage containers: common questions

How do portable storage containers work?
A local company delivers an empty container to your address. You load it and lock it. Then it stays on site, goes to the company's warehouse, or is moved to a new address. When you're finished, the company picks it up.
Do I need a permit for a storage container?
On your own driveway usually not, but rules vary. Street placement often needs a city permit, and HOAs may limit placement. Ask your city or HOA before delivery.
Can the container be moved with my things inside?
Many companies relocate loaded containers to a second address, locally or long distance. Each company sets the fee and how far it will go, so ask when you request a quote.
Is requesting a quote free?
Yes. Sending a request through Storage Reservations is free and doesn't need a card. The container company contacts you with its own price and terms.
Self storage unitsMoving between homes or leasesBusiness storageE-commerce and retail inventoryOutdoor yard & lay-down storageContractor equipment and trailers

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