Affordable PODS Moving Alternative: American National Movers

Happy customer after choosing American National Movers instead of PODS Moving.

PODS' annual marketing budget is estimated at over $10 million, which is why they are one of the first brands you see when seeking an affordable moving option. But this doesn’t mean they are the best affordable option for long distance moving. As of 2026, data shows their services are way too expensive for what they offer, and their reviews cite constant reliability issues that make people wonder if PODS is worth it.

As an alternative to PODS Moving and storage, people are choosing American National Movers because our costs are either similar or cheaper, and guess what? You don’t have to do any labor. We are a cost-effective, licensed, and insured full-service long-distance moving company, making us PODS' biggest competitor.

Are There Cheaper Options Than PODS?

Yes, there are cheaper options than PODS — especially for 3+ bedroom homes that need to transport items from one state to another. Even for small, long-distance moves, there are relocation companies like American National Movers that can haul small shipments for almost the same price as PODS, with full-service moving included.

The chart below provides a side-by-side breakdown to help you understand the key reasons why American National Movers is a smarter PODS alternative for long distance relocations.

Compared with major relocation brands, PODS is a cheaper long distance moving option, but in many cases it isn’t the cheapest or most cost-effective. You can read more about this on a popular article here:

PODS Struggle To Be Cheaper Than Hiring Movers In 2026.

Labor & Materials Included

With us, you get affordable long distance movers with materials and full-service moving included. You don't have to lift a finger.

Dedicated Project Manager

Unlike PODS, we don't hand your load off to a random customer service representative who has little to no knowledge of your move's scope. When you agree to a quote, your salesperson becomes your point of contact until your items are delivered.

30 Days Free Storage

Some people use PODS as temporary storage while they prep for their long-distance move, but the storage containers are not climate-controlled or waterproof. As an alternative, American National Movers offers 30 days of free storage in a climate-controlled facility. If you need more than 30 days, your storage costs after the first free month range from $150 to $350 (storage costs based on the size of your shipment).

Transit Security

POD users have reported that PODS employees have lost their containers because they are placed in a holding facility and then loaded onto a combined shipment. This frequently leads to delays, lost POD containers, and poor communication. As a better alternative, American National Movers keeps your items in one truck from start to finish. This results in better communication, faster delivery, and a better logistical experience.

We Offer A Better Value For Your Money Than PODS

With American National Movers, you can get a 20-26 truck for prices ranging from $3,500 to $6,000. Your total costs are based on the size of your shipment and the mileage of your relocation. Smaller long distance moves are heavily discounted; hauls exceeding 1,000 miles are generally more expensive.

Cost comparison: Two PODS® containers ($6,000–$10,000+) vs One American National Movers truck ($4,000–$6,500). Shows why full-service moving is cheaper than renting multiple containers.

People who go with PODS moving spend hours packing and hundreds of dollars on materials, only to save $400-$800 on a small, long distance move. (if that). When 3+ bedrooms come into play, going with PODS doesn’t even make logistical sense, since their largest container has a 4,500-pound weight limit. In this case, you’d spend close to $10,000 with PODS and still have to do a lot of the work yourself — at that point, it’s not worth it.

Our Moving Costs & Service Inclusion's Make Us A Big Competitor

With American National Movers, you can get a 20-26 truck for prices ranging from $3,500 to $6,000. Your total costs are based on the size of your shipment and the mileage of your relocation. Smaller moves are heavily discounted; hauls exceeding 1,000 miles are generally more expensive.

For small long distance moves, our costs are about the same as PODS, and for 3+ bedrooms, we are generally cheaper. But, it’s not just about the price, which makes people choose American National Movers as a PODS alternative; it's the service inclusions:

PODS Not Worth It For 3+ Bedroom Homes

Most consumers don’t realize that a single 16-foot PODS container has a capacity of only 4,500 pounds of cargo and about 864 cubic feet. This is about half of a 26-foot truck (not much space). A typical 3-bedroom home weighs between 7,000 and 9,500 pounds and requires roughly 22 to 23 feet of space.

You can read more about this topic here:

16 Foot POD Containers Does Not Fit A lot Of Furniture.

The PODS Problem

Because their largest container is capped at 4,500 lbs, you are forced to pay for two containers, two delivery fees, and two monthly storage rentals.

The Labor Gap

With PODS, you will be responsible for packing and loading roughly 10,000 lbs of furniture. To offset this, people generally hire labor, which is another added expense; at that point, you’re better off hiring full-service movers.

The ANM Solution:

A single 26-foot American National Movers has a 10,000-12,000-pound capacity. We can fit your entire 3-bedroom home into one truck for a flat rate, about $3,000 cheaper than renting multiple containers.

Why We Are A Smarter PODS Competitor in 2026

Because of American National Movers affordable relocation options, PODS cheaper moving services is out-dated and at times inefficient. It doesn’t make logistical sense to spend an average of $4,000-$8,000 on a PODS service when there are full-service alternatives offering the same or lower prices.