Moving can be expensive, whether you’re relocating across the country or just a short distance—but saving on moving supplies can make a big difference in your moving budget. Our guide can help you find cheap or free moving boxes in San Diego to keep costs low!
Should You Buy or Get Free Moving Boxes?
As you plan your move, you’ll need to decide if you’d like to buy moving boxes new or find used moving boxes for free. Both of these options have benefits and drawbacks.
Buying new moving boxes is more convenient, and you’ll have more control over the moving box sizes, types, and quality. You’ll also likely get more uniform box sizes that stack better.
However, finding free moving boxes costs no money, helping you stick to your budget. It’s also the more sustainable option, as you’re reusing and recycling materials.
Where to Get Free Moving Boxes in San Diego
You can find free moving boxes in San Diego at local grocery and liquor stores, at cardboard recycling centers, or through online exchanges. Here are some examples of where to get free moving boxes in San Diego!
Online Exchanges in San Diego
Online exchanges are a great option for finding cheap or free moving boxes and moving supplies in San Diego. In addition to asking friends and family on social media if they have any moving boxes available, try looking for free moving boxes on Craigslist San Diego and Nextdoor San Diego. You can also check Facebook Marketplace San Diego‘s free page, or join groups like Buy Nothing San Diego and Buy Nothing No Rules San Diego. Another option for finding cheap or free boxes in your area is to take advantage of the U-Haul Box Exchange. When organizing meetups for online exchanges, make sure to follow safety tips like meeting in a public place, bringing a friend, and completing the transaction during daylight hours.
Liquor Stores in San Diego
Liquor store boxes are designed to transport glass bottles safely, so they’re a great choice if you need moving boxes for glass and other fragile items. They’re usually heavy-duty and may even come with dividers. San Diego liquor stores like Bubbles Market & Spirits, Keg N Bottle, and the Mission Valley location of Total Wine & More near Downtown San Diego may have free boxes available, but you’ll want to call ahead and ask first.
Grocery Stores in San Diego
Grocery store boxes are designed to transport produce and other food products, so they’re likely sturdy and resistant to minor impacts. However, be sure to inspect any free moving boxes from grocery stores for food remnants, stains, and pests before using them. Additionally, some product boxes—like banana boxes—have holes in the bottom or sides, making them unsuitable for packing smaller items. Grocery stores in San Diego like Vons and Costco have been known to give out boxes. You can also try other San Diego grocery stores like your local Ralphs or Sprouts. Call your preferred location to ask if they have boxes to give away, as well as the best day and time to pick up free moving boxes.
Recycling Centers & Dumpsters in San Diego
Though many recycling centers in San Diego and the state of California buy back recyclables, cardboard is not eligible for buyback—only donations. Because of this, some San Diego recycling centers like Miramar Recycling Center, Allan Company, and EDCO may let you come and take donated cardboard boxes off their hands. However, you’ll need to call first to make sure the facility allows this and has cardboard boxes available for pickup. Many of these moving boxes are likely to be broken down, so you’ll need to check for wear and damage, stains, pests, and structural integrity. You’ll also likely need to tape up moving boxes from recycling centers for extra reinforcement.
Other Stores & Retailers in San Diego
San Diego residents may be able to find free boxes at local stores like Pet Kingdom or major outlets like Barnes & Noble, as stores like these have an abundance of shipments coming in sturdy boxes. They also likely have a wide variety of product boxes that come in multiple shapes and sizes. Make sure to call in advance to ask if and when they would be willing to set boxes aside for pickup, and check them for cleanliness and damage before using them to move.
Where to Buy Cheap Moving Boxes in San Diego
You can buy cheap moving boxes in San Diego from a variety of businesses, including specialty box stores, hardware stores, and self storage facilities. Prices typically range from $1.28 to $8.99 per box, depending on the retailer, as well as the size and type of box.
Please note that listed dimensions for boxes with precise measurements are rounded to the nearest tenth.
Home Depot
You’ll find moving box sizes ranging from 15x10x12 at $1.28 to 24x20x21 at $6.98 at Home Depot in San Diego. There are nine Home Depot locations in San Diego where you can buy moving boxes and other moving supplies—like bubble wrap, mattress bags, packing tape, moving blankets, and dollies.
Office Depot
Purchase standard moving boxes ranging from 6x6x6 at $1.89 to 20x20x24 at $8.99 at Office Depot in San Diego. There is one Office Depot location in San Diego that sells moving boxes. Office Depot locations also sell other moving supplies like bubble wrap, tape, packing paper, furniture covers, and packing peanuts.
Walmart
Moving boxes ranging from 17x11x13 at $1.98 to 24x16x19 at $4.12 can be found at Walmart locations in San Diego. There are six Walmart locations in San Diego that sell moving boxes. Walmart also sells other moving supplies like tape, bubble wrap, mattress bags, packing paper, and stretch film.
Extra Space Storage
Buy affordable moving boxes ranging from 16.6x12.5x12.5 at $2.69 to 24x18x24 at $5.99 at Extra Space Storage in San Diego. There are seven Extra Space Storage locations in San Diego that sell moving boxes and other moving supplies—including bubble wrap, mattress bags, furniture covers, packing tape, stretch wrap, and tie downs.
We Like To Move It
Moving boxes are available to purchase in several sizes at We Like To Move It in San Diego—ranging from as small as 16.4x12.6x12.6 at $1.30 to as large as 18x18x24 at $2.57. There is one We Like To Move It location in San Diego, which sells moving boxes and moving supplies like bubble wrap, packing tape, carpet film, moving blankets, and packing tape.
Where to Recycle Moving Boxes in San Diego
When you’re finished moving in San Diego, recycling your boxes or giving them away is an eco-friendly way to clear out clutter! San Diego has recycling facilities like Miramar Recycling Center and Allan Company that accept cardboard. You can also resell or donate your moving boxes to someone else who needs them through online platforms like Craigslist or NextDoor.
Miramar Recycling Center
Miramar Recycling Center is operated by the Allan Company. It accepts cardboard moving boxes, plus other moving supplies like packing paper, newspaper, and other mixed paper products. Miramar does not charge a fee for cardboard recycling, nor do they pay to buy cardboard recycling from residents. When you arrive, you’ll pull up to the recycling bins, and staff will help you with directions. Their hours are typically Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with some holiday exceptions. Find Miramar Recycling Center at 5165 Convoy St.
Allan Company
Allan Company accepts cardboard moving boxes, plus other moving supplies like packing paper—staff will help you with sorting at drop-off. This organization doesn’t charge a fee for cardboard recycling or pay residents for cardboard. In addition to running the Miramar Recycling Center on Convoy St, Allan Company also has a location at 6733 Consolidated Way. Here are the hours for the Consolidated Way location:
- Monday & Tuesday: 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- Wednesday: 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
- Thursday & Friday: 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday: 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- Sunday: Closed
EDCO
EDCO accepts cardboard moving boxes, plus other moving supplies like styrofoam and packing paper. They do not charge a fee and also don’t pay residents for cardboard or paper recycling. The hours for the 8184 Commercial St location are typically Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 for. At the 6700 Federal Blvd location, hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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Moving to San Diego? Extra Space Storage offers a variety of moving boxes and supplies available for in-store pickup at storage facilities in San Diego!
