10 Best Places to Get Free & Cheap Moving Boxes in St Petersburg

Preparing for a move in St Petersburg? Whether you're just moving across town to a new St Pete neighborhood or making a cross-country move, moving can come with unexpected costs. One place you can save money is when deciding whether to buy moving boxes or track down gently used boxes. Check out this useful guide to learn where you can get free or cheap moving boxes in St Petersburg!

Should You Buy or Get Free Moving Boxes?

As you plan your move in St Pete, you'll have to decide whether you're going to buy new moving boxes or search for free ones. Each choice has pros and cons depending on key factors like your moving timeline and moving budget.

New moving boxes have are in good condition and have consistent sizing, which is a huge advantage when packing during your move, labeling boxes, and loading your moving truck. Buying new boxes is also a great option for people who may be moving on short notice, since you won't have to spend time tracking down free boxes, and you'll often find supplies like packing tape you can stock up on at moving box retailers.

However, repurposing boxes is a great way to move on a budget—the money you save can be used for other moving supplies and expenses. Opting to find used cardboard boxes in St Petersburg is also beneficial for the environment by supporting sustainability through waste reduction.

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It can be difficult to know exactly how many moving boxes you’ll need. Our free moving supplies calculator does the math for you, giving you recommendations for box sizes, quantities, and packing supplies based on your home and belongings.

Where to Get Free Moving Boxes in St Petersburg

St Petersburg has tons of places where you can find quality moving boxes for free! Online exchanges, recycling centers, liquor stores, book stores, and other local businesses often have boxes that you can use. Here are some places to start looking for free moving boxes in St Pete!

Online Exchanges in St Petersburg

One of the easiest places to find moving boxes in St Petersburg is on various online platforms. You can always ask friends and family on your personal social media accounts if they have any free moving boxes, but are lots of other options too. Check out the free page on the St Petersburg Facebook Marketplace, or request to join pages like Free Stuff St Petersburg or St Petersburg Buy, Sell and Trade to see if anyone is offering used moving boxes for free or at a discount. The free page on Craigslist St Petersburg is another great place to find free moving boxes. When you go to pick up boxes from any online exchange, ensure that safety is a top priority by meeting in a well-lit public space or going with a friend.

Liquor Stores in St Petersburg

Liquor stores are great for finding sturdy moving boxes for free. These boxes are built to be strong enough to hold heavy bottles and often come with dividers, which can be great for extra protection for packing wine glasses and other fragile items like china or dishes. Call liquor stores in St Petersburg like Detroit Liquors, Pic Pac Liquors, Tonic Liquor Wine Smoke & More, Total Wine & More, or 1st Ave Liquors in advance to see if they have any boxes they'd be willing to give you for your move.

Grocery Stores in St Petersburg

In your search for free boxes, consider looking at grocery stores. Contact stores like Publix, Mair's Grocery, Mazzaro's Italian Market, Trader Joe's, or The Fresh Market to see if they have any extra cardboard boxes. When you get the used boxes, examine them for stains, debris, food residue, or pests to make sure that they're clean and safe for use. Be cautious with banana boxes, as they typically have holes in them that could allow for smaller items to fall through the openings.

Recycling Centers & Dumpsters in St Petersburg

Try contacting one of the five St Petersburg Brush Collection and Recycling Centers to see if you can pick up some recycled cardboard boxes. Remember that boxes from recycling centers may require additional reinforcement with packing tape since they've most likely been flattened during collection. Make sure to also check for pests, stains, and other debris that may be on the boxes before using them to move your items.

Other Stores & Retailers in St Petersburg

There are many stores in St Petersburg that discard perfectly usable boxes, making them an ideal place to find free moving boxes in the area. Well-known national retailers, local stores, and pharmacies like At Home and CVS receive regular product shipments, so it's likely they may have boxes that are perfect for moving. You can also check with local bookstores like Tombolo Books and Wilsons Book World to see if they have any boxes you could take off of their hands.

Where to Buy Cheap Moving Boxes in St Petersburg

Sometimes, the convenience and reliability of new boxes outweigh the effort of finding free ones. Fortunately, St Petersburg offers several options for purchasing budget-friendly moving boxes. Buy a variety of moving boxes in St Pete, with small boxes starting as low as $1.00 and large boxes selling for $5.99 or less.

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

Walmart

Shop for moving boxes in a variety of sizes from 17x11x13 at $1.00 to 27x15x17.5 at $2.10 at Walmart Supercenter locations in St Petersburg. There are three Walmart Supercenter locations in St Petersburg that sell moving boxes. Walmart locations also sell other moving supplies like tape dispensers, furniture covers, and more.

Lowe's

Buy quality moving boxes in sizes from 16x12x12 at $1.85 to 22x21.5x22 at $3.85 at Lowe's locations in St Petersburg. There is one Lowe's location in St Petersburg that sells moving boxes. Lowe's locations also sell other moving supplies like packing tape, bubble wrap, and moving blankets.

Ace Hardware

You can find boxes ranging from 10x12x12 at $1.99 to 18x24x24 at $5.59 at Ace Hardware locations in St Petersburg. There is one Ace Hardware location in St Petersburg that sells moving boxes. Ace Hardware locations also sell other moving supplies like shoulder dolly lifting straps, stretch film, and pallet covers.

Let's Get Moving

Choose cardboard boxes from 16.4x12.5x12.5 at $2.00 to 18x18x24 at $4.00 at Let's Get Moving locations in St Petersburg. There is one Let's Get Moving location in St Petersburg that sells moving boxes. Let's Get Moving also sells other moving supplies like mattress bags, bubble wrap, packing paper, and more.

Extra Space Storage

Purchase sturdy moving boxes ranging in size from 16.6x12.5x12.5 at $2.69 to 24x18x24 at $5.99 at Extra Space Storage locations in St Petersburg. There are 14 Extra Space Storage locations in St Petersburg that sell moving boxes. Extra Space Storage locations also sell other moving supplies like protective covers, bubble wrap, and tie down rope.

Where to Recycle Moving Boxes in St Petersburg

After moving into your new home and settling into your new space, you'll need to get rid of your old moving boxes. You can discard your cardboard boxes in a way that is also beneficial to the environment. One way is recycling boxes at a St Petersburg recycling center, but you can also sell or donate moving boxes online on platforms like Craigslist, Nextdoor, and more.

Pinellas County Disposal Complex

Pinellas County Disposal Complex accepts cardboard moving boxes, plus other moving supplies like plastic, newspaper, and more. Their hours are typically Monday through Friday 6 a.m to 6 p.m, and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find Pinellas County Disposal Complex at 2855 109th Ave N.

Pinellas County Recycling Drop-Off Sites

Pinellas County accepts cardboard moving boxes, plus other moving supplies like packing paper. This service is free for residents of Pinellas County. Though their hours vary, you can find two drop-off sites near you in St Petersburg at:

• Crescent Lake Park: 1320 5th St N

• St Petersburg Municipal Marina: 300 2nd Ave SE

St Petersburg Brush Collection & Recycling Centers

St Petersburg Brush Collection and Recycling Centers accept cardboard moving boxes, plus other moving supplies like packing paper and newspaper. Be sure to fill out the Brush Site consent form and proof of residence, and when dropping off the used cardboard, place them in their designated bins. While closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day, all five brush site locations are open Sunday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Find the brush site locations at:

• 1000 62nd Ave NE

• 7750 26th Ave N

• 2500 26th Ave S

• 4015 Dr. M.L.K. Jr St S

• 2453 20th Ave N

Frequently Asked Questions

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

In St. Petersburg, FL, mornings are the most effective time to find free moving boxes, especially right after stores open. Midweek mornings are ideal, as boxes are more likely to be available and in good condition.

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

Taking boxes from dumpsters without permission isn’t advised in St. Petersburg since dumpsters are usually private property. Instead, ask staff members or explore community exchange boards where residents list free moving boxes.

Does Extra Space Storage sell moving boxes and supplies in St. Petersburg, FL?

Yes! Extra Space Storage locations in St. Petersburg sell moving boxes, tape, and packing supplies to make your move easier. These products are strong, reliable, and built to protect your items.

What moving box sizes are available at Extra Space Storage in St. Petersburg?

Extra Space Storage in St. Petersburg provides several box sizes:

• Small Boxes (1.5 cu ft): For dense items like books, fragile keepsakes, or kitchen goods.

• Medium Boxes (3 cu ft): For clothing, dishes, or toys.

• Large Boxes (4.5-6 cu ft): For lightweight items like blankets, pillows, and plastic food containers.

• Wardrobe Boxes: For hanging clothing and outerwear.

• File Boxes: Designed to keep paperwork, records, and important documents organized and secure.

These box options help keep your items safe and organized during your St. Petersburg move.

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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 St Petersburg!