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Ship Your Belongings Across the Country in Boxes: USPS, UPS, FedEx, and Greyhound
Shipping a small apartment in 20-30 boxes via UPS Ground or USPS costs $500-$1,500. USPS Media Mail at $3-$8 per box is the cheapest option for books. No truck required.
The Four Shipping Options Compared
Books, CDs, DVDs, printed materials only
$3 - $8 per box
8-14 days
By far the cheapest option for books. USPS can open and inspect packages to verify they contain eligible media only. Do not mix clothing or other items in Media Mail packages.
Max weight: 70 lbs per package
Dense, heavy items in provided flat-rate boxes
$18 - $23 per box
1-3 days
Large flat-rate box: $23.50, up to 70 lbs. Medium: $18.40. Best for dense items like kitchen hardware, books (if not eligible for Media Mail), or anything under 70 lbs that fits. Beats UPS/FedEx for heavy, compact items.
Max weight: 70 lbs per package
Most regular boxes, clothes, kitchen items
$25 - $55 per box (cross-country)
4-7 business days
The most practical option for most moving boxes. Price varies by weight and dimensions. A standard 18x18x24 box packed with 30 lbs of clothing ships for about $28-$35 cross-country. Good tracking and delivery reliability.
Max weight: 150 lbs per package
Alternative to UPS, often comparable pricing
$25 - $60 per box (cross-country)
1-5 business days
Comparable to UPS Ground in most markets. Sometimes cheaper for residential deliveries in rural areas. FedEx discount via Costco Executive membership can reduce rates 25-30%. Strong tracking.
Max weight: 150 lbs per package
Oversized or heavy items (50-100 lbs)
$30 - $80 per package
1-5 days (terminal to terminal)
Often-overlooked option for large packages. Terminal-to-terminal pickup and delivery (not home delivery). You drop off at a Greyhound bus terminal and the recipient picks up. Cheaper than UPS/FedEx for 50-100 lb packages on long routes.
Max weight: 100 lbs per package
Real Cost Examples
Studio Move: Boston to Austin (25 boxes)
1BR Move: NYC to Denver (30 boxes)
Where to Get Free Moving Boxes
- Liquor stores (Monday-Wednesday mornings, after weekend delivery restocking)
- Office Depot, Staples (Tuesday-Thursday after delivery days)
- Large apartment buildings (dumpster areas after the 1st-of-month move-out wave)
- Facebook Marketplace (search "free moving boxes" in your city)
- U-Haul Box Exchange (uhaul.com/free-moving-boxes) - customers post used boxes