9 Best Places to Get Free & Cheap Moving Boxes in Chattanooga, TN

Moving in or out of Chattanooga? Whether you're moving a short distance or across the country, you have the option to save on moving costs by finding free or affordable moving boxes in Chattanooga from grocery stores, liquor stores, recycling centers, online marketplaces, and more. Use our guide to find low-cost moving boxes near you!

Should You Buy or Get Free Moving Boxes?

As you plan your move, you'll need to consider whether to buy new moving boxes or finding free used ones—each of these options has pros and cons.

Buying boxes new is more convenient and allows you to pick specific box types and sizes that work for your move. New boxes are higher quality, making them easier to pack and stack, and you can also buy other moving supplies at the same time when you purchase them.

Finding free boxes in Chattanooga is ideal for moving on a budget—and it's an eco-friendly alternative to buying new.

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Wondering how many moving boxes you need? Get a quick, free estimate using our moving box calculator for box size and quantity recommendations, as well as packing supplies suggestions!

Where to Get Free Moving Boxes in Chattanooga

From local online exchanges and neighborhood apps to liquor stores, grocery stores, and recycling centers, there are plenty of places where you can score free moving boxes in Chattanooga.

Online Exchanges in Chattanooga

Find moving boxes in Chattanooga by going online and searching through local exchanges and marketplaces. Facebook Marketplace and groups like Buy Sell and Trade Chattanooga are active communities where locals may post listings for free boxes after a move. You can also find listings on Nextdoor, Craigslist, and OfferUp, or post your own requests for locals to respond to. You can even post to your own private social media to ask friends and family if they have spare boxes from a recent delivery or move. When arranging a pickup from an online stranger, meet in a public space and bring a friend for your own safety.

Liquor Stores in Chattanooga

Liquor store boxes are great for moving, since they're designed to carry heavy glass items, and some even have built-in dividers—making them ideal for packing wine glasses and other fragile items. Call ahead to local Chattanooga liquor stores like Riverside Wine & Spirits, Northshore Liquor & Wine, and Imbibe Chattanooga to ask if they can set aside boxes for you to pick up.

Grocery Stores in Chattanooga

Grocery stores receive regular shipments and deliveries, meaning they often have boxes left over. Grocery store boxes are great for moving because they tend to be sturdy and impact-resistant. Contact local grocery stores like Publix, The Fresh Market, Trader Joe's, and Food City after shipments for a fresh supply of quality boxes. Before taking used boxes home, check them for food residue, signs of pests, and damage to ensure they're good for moving. Boxes with holes, like banana boxes, may be sturdy, but aren't ideal for packing small items.

Recycling Centers & Dumpsters in Chattanooga

Recycling centers and drop-off sites can be a good source of moving boxes as well. The City of Chattanooga has five recycling centers where residents can drop off boxes—it may be possible to take some for yourself, though it's a good idea to contact the city to see if it's okay first. Before using any boxes found at a recycling drop-off, inspect them for structural damage, stains, and signs of pests. You may also need to reinforce used boxes with packing tape before placing anything in them.

Other Stores & Retailers in Chattanooga

You can also find quality cardboard boxes at other Chattanooga businesses, including bookstores, auto repair shops, restaurants, and home decor stores. Retailers like McKay's, Discount Tire, Zaxbys, and Homegoods may have boxes on hand for you to take, though it's best to call ahead to make sure before showing up to ask.

Where to Buy Cheap Moving Boxes in Chattanooga

You can purchase affordable moving boxes in Chattanooga at businesses like home goods stores, department stores, and self storage facilities. Moving box prices in Chattanooga range from $1.24 to $5.99, depending on the size and type of boxes you choose.

Please note that listed dimensions for boxes with precise measurements are rounded to the nearest tenth.

Walmart Supercenter

You can find moving boxes at Walmart Supercenters in Chattanooga that range in size from 15x12x10 at $1.24 to 27x15x17 at $2.26. There are four Walmart Supercenter locations in Chattanooga that sell cardboard moving boxes—as well as other moving supplies like packing tape, stretch wrap, bubble wrap, and more.

Lowe's

Purchase moving boxes ranging from 15x10x12 at $1.98 to 22x21.5x22 at $3.85 at the Lowe's in Chattanooga. Lowe's also sells other moving supplies like moving blankets, hand trucks, moving kits, and more.

Target

At the Target location in Chattanooga, you can buy moving boxes ranging from 16x12x12 at $1.99 to 24x16x19 at $3.99. You can also purchase other moving supplies at Target, including bubble wrap, packing tape, glass packing kits, and more.

Extra Space Storage

Extra Space Storage facilities in Chattanooga provide affordable moving boxes that range from 16.6x12.5x12.5 at $2.69 to 24x28x24 at $5.19. There are seven Extra Space Storage locations in Chattanooga that sell moving boxes and other moving supplies such as furniture covers, packing paper, tie-downs, and more.

Where to Recycle Moving Boxes in Chattanooga

Once you've finished moving into your new home, you can resell or donate used boxes online through sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, or recycle them through Chattanooga recycling programs and drop-off centers as an eco-friendly alternative to throwing them out.

Chattanooga Recycling Drop-Off Sites

Chattanooga recycling drop-off centers are free and open to all Hamilton County residents. They accept cardboard moving boxes and other materials like glass and mixed paper. These drop-off locations are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Chattanooga recycling drop-off sites can be found at the following locations:

• 5955 Brainerd Road

• 1250 E 3rd Street

• 3189 Cummings Hwy

• 8004 Batters Place Road

• 4504 N Access Road

Hamilton County Drop-Off Sites

There are two Hamilton County recycling drop-off sites in Chattanooga. They accept corrugated cardboard, mixed paper, newspaper, and more from Hamilton County residents for no charge. Find the Hwy 58 Recycling Center at 5414 Hwy 58, open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Standifer Gap Recycling Center is located at 7625 Standifer Gap Road and is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

City of Chattanooga Curbside Recycling

The City of Chattanooga curbside recycling program accepts cardboard moving boxes, plus other recyclable materials like packing paper, newspaper, aluminum cans, and more. The curbside program is free to enrolled Chattanooga residents, and recycling is collected every other week. Cardboard boxes must be broken down flat and placed inside the cart. It's recommended to have your recycling cart on the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time and day to get free boxes from stores?

In Chattanooga, the best time to ask businesses for free boxes is typically in the mornings after employees are finished unpacking shipments or late evenings when boxes are being broken down. The middle of the week is usually the best time to try since stores often restock over the weekends. Call ahead to businesses to confirm when is best to stop by and grab spare boxes.

Can I legally retrieve boxes from store dumpsters or the recycling bin?

Taking boxes from store dumpsters and recycling bins isn't recommended, since they're usually on private property. Instead, call ahead or ask store staff directly if they can save some boxes for you, or seek them out through online exchanges or groups where residents share listings for their used boxes.

Does Extra Space Storage sell moving boxes and supplies in Chattanooga, TN?

Yes! Extra Space Storage facilities in Chattanooga provide a variety of moving supplies, including moving boxes, labels, bubble wrap, and more. Buying supplies from Extra Space Storage means you'll get quality moving materials that can help protect your items in transit.

What moving box sizes are available at Extra Space Storage in Chattanooga?

Extra Space Storage in Chattanooga offers a variety of box sizes for your next relocation:

• Small Boxes (1.5 cu ft): Great for heavy or compact items like books, small appliances, or tools.

• Medium Boxes (3 cu ft): Good for office supplies, electronics, consoles, and cookware.

• Large Boxes (4.5–6 cu ft: Best for lightweight belongings such as linens, bedding, artwork, computers, etc.

• Wardrobe Boxes: Include a hanging bar for transporting clothes without wrinkling them.

• File Boxes: Help keep your important papers, documents, and records safe and organized.

These box sizes help to make packing and moving easier to manage and organize.

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Getting ready to move? Extra Space Storage offers a variety of moving boxes and supplies available for in-store pickup at storage facilities in Chattanooga, TN. And find more moving resources on our moving hub!