11 Best Places to Get Free & Cheap Moving Boxes in Detroit, MI

Planning a relocation in Detroit? Whether you’re moving across town or preparing for a cross-country relocation, moving costs can add up quickly. A great way to save is by finding low-cost or free moving boxes near you. Use this guide to discover the best places to look for free or cheap moving boxes in Detroit, MI!

Should You Buy or Get Free Moving Boxes?

As you prepare to move, you’ll need to decide whether you want to search for free moving boxes or purchase new ones. Each option comes with benefits and drawbacks depending on your timeline, budget, and needs.

New moving boxes are clean, sturdy, and more uniform—which can make them easier to pack, stack, and load onto your moving truck. Buying new also allows you to choose the sizes and types of boxes that best fit your belongings. Plus, it's typically quicker to find new boxes than it is to hunt down free ones—which can be important if you're moving on short notice!

That said, if you’re moving on a budget, finding used moving boxes may be the better choice. Not only is this option better for the environment, but it also allows you to keep more money in your pockets or allocate it to other parts of your move—such as renting a moving truck or hiring movers.

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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!

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Where to Get Free Moving Boxes in Detroit

There are a variety of places in Detroit where you can find moving boxes for free, including online exchanges, grocery stores, recycling centers, and more. These are some great spots to check for free cardboard boxes near you!

Online Exchanges in Detroit

One of the best ways to find free moving boxes in Detroit is by looking through online marketplaces. Craigslist, TrashNothing, Nextdoor, and Freecycle are good places to search for listings of free or low-cost moving boxes. You can also browse through Facebook Marketplace Detroit, or request to join local groups like Buy Nothing Midtown, Detroit, MI and Buy Nothing - Northwest Detroit, where local residents often list used moving supplies for free. Always remember to exercise caution when arranging meet-ups with strangers through online platforms—it's best to meet in well-lit, public spaces and bring a friend along, if possible.

Liquor Stores in Detroit

Liquor stores typically receive their shipments in sturdy cardboard boxes, making them a great resource for finding free moving boxes in Detroit. Liquor store boxes may also come with built-in dividers, which can help you safely pack wine glasses, dishes, and other fragile items. Call ahead to Detroit liquor stores near you like Athens Liquor, Royal Liquor, and Foxtown Liquor to see if they’d be willing to save any boxes for your move.

Grocery Stores in Detroit

When searching for free Detroit moving boxes, grocery stores are another fantastic place to check. Grocery store boxes tend to be durable and able to withstand minor impacts, making them ideal options for your upcoming move. Contact grocery stores like Meijer Rivertown Market, City Market, and Whole Foods Market to see if they can set aside some boxes for you to pick up. Before taking any boxes home, be sure to check them for food debris, stains, and evidence of pests. Additionally, be careful if you decide to use banana boxes, as they have large ventilation holes that may allow small items to slip out.

Recycling Centers & Dumpsters in Detroit

You may be able to find cardboard boxes at Detroit-area recycling centers and dumpsters—like Recycle Here! in Detroit and the RRRASOC Materials Recovery Facility in Southfield—but it's best to call ahead to verify you're allowed to take boxes from these sites. Since recycling centers often require boxes to be broken down, note that you may need to use packing tape for added reinforcement. Be sure to also check that these boxes are structurally sound and free of stains or any signs of pests before using them.

Other Stores & Retailers in Detroit

For more ideas on where to find free moving boxes in Detroit, consider other stores and retailers near you that receive regular deliveries—like bookstores, pharmacies, and pet supply stores. Some Detroit area businesses that may be willing to give you empty boxes include Pages Bookshop, Source Booksellers, CVS, and Petco. For the best chance of success, call ahead to see if they can set aside some boxes for you to pick up.

Where to Buy Cheap Moving Boxes in Detroit

Some of the best places to buy moving boxes near you include hardware stores, office supply chains, storage facilities, and more. Find small moving boxes in Detroit starting as low as $1.28 and large boxes typically selling for $7.25 or less.

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

Home Depot

At Home Depot in Detroit, find boxes in sizes ranging from 10x8x10 at $1.28 to 20x24x20 at $3.98. The city's single Home Depot location also sells dollies, furniture sliders, label makers, and other moving materials.

True Value

True Value has moving boxes in a variety of sizes, from 12x12x12 at $1.99 to 20x20x20 at $5.99. There are seven True Value locations in Detroit where you can purchase moving boxes, as well as moving supplies like dish dividers, moving blankets, and mattress bags.

Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware has three locations in Detroit to help with your moving needs. They offer moving box sizes ranging from 10.5x12x12 at $2.39 to 15x16x16 at $4.59. Ace Hardware also sells stretch film, moving straps, packing paper, and other packing supplies.

Extra Space Storage

Buy affordable moving boxes in sizes from 16.6x12.5x12.5 for $2.69 to 24x18x24 for $5.99 at Extra Space Storage facilities near Detroit. There are over 15 Extra Space Storage locations throughout the entire Detroit metro area, carrying moving boxes and high-quality moving supplies—like bubble wrap, dish protection kits, tie-down ropes, and more.

FedEx

FedEx has three Ship Center locations in Detroit that sell moving boxes. The sizes that are typically available range from 8x8x8 for $2.00 to 22x22x22 for $7.25. FedEx also sells supplies like packing tape, cushioning material, packing peanuts, and more.

Where to Recycle Moving Boxes in Detroit

Once you've finished unpacking after your move, be sure to get rid of your moving boxes in an eco-friendly manner. Consider selling or giving away gently-used boxes via online marketplaces like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Or take advantage of one of these Detroit recycling options!

Recycle Here! Detroit

Recycle Here! is a drop-off center that accepts cardboard boxes, paper packing material, and more. It's free to all Detroit residents. Cardboard must be broken down and flattened—and make sure that the inside is brown paper material, since some boxes are lined with wax, foil, or plastic and can't be recycled as cardboard. The Recycle Here! center's drop-off hours are Monday and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find them located at 5960 Lincoln St.

RRRASOC Materials Recovery Facility Recycling Drop-Off Site

The RRRASOC Materials Recovery Facility near Detroit accepts cardboard—just make sure to remove any packaging material and flatten the boxes. At the facility, you can pull your vehicle up to a collection bin to easily drop off your recyclables. They're open during the day, seven days a week. Find the facility at 20000 W Eight Mile Rd in Southfield.

City of Detroit Recycling

The City of Detroit offers free curbside recycling to all single-family homes and multifamily buildings with one to four units. You can "opt in" to the program by requesting a recycling cart online or by calling (313) 871-4000 ext. 3. Make sure to flatten cardboard before putting it into your recycling cart.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

In Detroit, mid-week mornings tend to be the best time to get free boxes from local stores. At this time, many stores are restocking following the weekend rush, meaning they may have empty boxes they'd be willing to give you. It's best to call ahead before stopping by to confirm boxes are available.

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

Taking boxes from dumpsters or recycling bins in Detroit is generally not recommended, as this could be considered trespassing on private property. Instead, ask staff members if they can set aside some boxes for you to pick up, or try to connect with locals giving away used boxes via online marketplaces.

Does Extra Space Storage sell moving boxes and supplies in Detroit, MI?

Extra Space Storage locations in Detroit sell moving boxes, along with tape, mattress covers, bubble wrap, tie-down ropes, and other helpful packing supplies. Purchasing directly from your local facility helps ensure durable materials for your upcoming relocation.

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

To accommodate your unique packing needs, Extra Space Storage in Detroit provides multiple box sizes, including:

• Small Boxes (1.5 cu ft): Best for heavy, compact items like tools, books, and canned goods.

• Medium Boxes (3 cu ft): Great for kitchen supplies, toys, and decorative items.

• Large Boxes (4.5–6 cu ft): Perfect for bedding, pillows, and other lightweight, bulky belongings.

• Wardrobe Boxes: Come with a built-in rod for hanging clothes to help prevent wrinkles during transit.

• File Boxes: Designed for organizing and securing paperwork, records, photos, and other important documents.

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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 throughout the Detroit metro—including in Ferndale, Lincoln Park, Southgate, and other nearby areas! And find more moving resources on our moving hub!