PODS Not Always The Best Option For Cross Country Moving.
- American National Movers
- May 9
- 4 min read
Moving with PODS is typically a good option for small loads moving between states. However, cross-country hauls with PODS are not as good as other options. Reviews from forums, yelp, and other sources indicate that PODS is not the cheapest cross-country moving option, and they have service quality issues with longer hauls exceeding 1500 miles.
PODS Isn't Great For Moving Cross Country.
Moving in a portable container is the perfect middle ground between renting a truck and hiring state to state movers. In many cases, it is, but for hauls transporting across the country, things get a bit risky, and here is why:
Two- to Three-Week Delivery Windows.
PODS markets a 7- to 10-day transit time, yet customer data shows 14–21 days is far more common once the route tops 1,500 miles. Containers often stop at multiple warehouses before a truck can carry them to the next leg, turning a "direct" shipment into a multi-hub relay.
Costs Often Rival Full-Service Movers.
Driver pay, fuel surcharges, and container availability push the average cross-country PODS bill to $4,000–$6,000—whether it's buying boxes or hiring day labor to load. At that price, economy-priced movers like American National Movers typically come within a few hundred dollars while handling all the heavy lifting and offering higher liability coverage.
Higher Risk of Damage.
For hauls over 1,500 miles, vibration, climate swings, and repeated handling multiply the chances of bent table legs and shattered glassware. Unless you (or paid helpers) know professional padding and tie-down methods, a DIY-packed container carries.
Moving Cross Country With PODS? Watch Out For These Hidden Fees.
Even if the base quote looks reasonable, several add-ons can push a PODS move into a little bit less than the cost of movers. Below are the four most common "surprise" charges, explained in plain language so you can factor them into your real budget.
A Second Container Can Double the Bill.
One 16-foot container holds roughly a modest two-bedroom apartment. A furnished three-bedroom—or any home with bulky pieces—usually spills into a second unit. Each extra container piles on $2,000 or more in line-haul and fuel fees, wiping out the savings people expect from DIY loading.
Storage Overage Ticks Up by the Day.
The monthly rental clock starts when PODS drops the unit in your driveway. You missed your scheduled pickup because closing got delayed or friends bailed on loading, and you'll pay daily or weekly overage charges. A two-week slip can add $300–$500 before the box leaves town.
Out-of-Network" Routes Cost Extra.
PODS relies on regional hubs. If your destination is hours from the nearest facility, they may charge you an out-of-network surcharge to cover a subcontracted hauler's dead-head miles. Rural relocations and small towns are especially prone to this fee.
Third-Party Labor Isn't Cheap.
Unless you and a few strong friends can handle sofas and appliances, you'll hire day labor found on moving apps. Professional loaders run $500–$800 in most cities per crew. Add that to packing-supply costs, and the "cheap container move" looks like a full-service price tag.
What PODS Moving Is Recommended For.
PODS is still a good long distance moving option, but it is not for every shipment. Here is when hiring PODS makes sense for your long haul:
Small Long Distance Moves.
Studio apartments with 1-2 bedrooms only requiring one storage container are the most economical and easiest with PODS. Larger loads get more complicated and pricey, causing consumers to seek other alternatives.
No Rush For Delivery.
PODS is not a bad option if you're okay with waiting 7-21 business days for your belongings to arrive.
Strong DIY Skills & Helping Hands.
If you have the patience, time, and skills to pack and load furniture effectively to minimize the risk of damage, consider PODS for moving across the country.
Driveway Space.
Ensure you have enough space to fit a large storage container in a driveway. The city you reside in often will not let you leave the container on the street, even if it's in front of your house.
Hiring An Affordable Long Distance Mover May Be Best For Cross Country Moves.
While PODS can serve as a middle-ground alternative to the sky-high quotes of some van-line giants, "cheaper than a major brand" doesn't automatically equal best value. A growing tier of affordable long-distance movers now ships a three-bedroom household coast-to-coast for about $4,500—and that number already covers:
Full-service labor (disassembly, padding, loading, unloading)
Quicker, date-certain delivery—often in 5 to 7 days, not two to three weeks
Built-in liability coverage with an option to upgrade to full-value protection
Direct, single-carrier communication instead of multiple subcontracted drivers
When you total up PODS' hidden extras—second container fees, daily storage overages, and paid loading crews, those container savings shrink fast. In many real-world comparisons, the all-inclusive quote from an economy-priced mover equals or even less than the final PODS invoice, sparing you every ounce of heavy lifting.
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