---
title: "Where to Get Free Moving Boxes"
description: "Save a pretty penny on cardboard boxes. Here are the most reliable places to acquire these moving musts in your local area, usually for free."
date: "2015-09-21"
modified: "2023-02-09"
authors:
  - name: "Lucy Congress"
    link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/lucy-congress/"
url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/where-to-get-free-boxes/"
categories:
  - "DIY"
  - "Interior"
  - "Real Estate"
  - "Repurposing"
  - "Storage"
tags:
  - "How To"
---

# Where to Get Free Moving Boxes

![free boxes - cardboard boxes](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/free-boxes-cardboard-boxes.jpg>)
*Photo: fotosearch.com*

Once the excitement of closing on a new house or locking down a great apartment wears off, reality sets in: Time to pack. Few tasks feel more overwhelming than boxing up your belongings in an organized fashion only to begin unpacking them a few days later.

That’s where cardboard boxes come in. There isn’t anything quite as easy to fill, label, and transport as these moving staples. The downside is, [they don’t come cheap](<https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-place-to-buy-moving-boxes/>)–especially if you’re packing up an entire house. Rather than blowing your moving budget on boxes, try hitting up a few places around town for free boxes instead.

![free boxes - moving](<https://www.bobvila.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/free-boxes-moving.jpg>)
*Photo: fotosearch.com*

## Your local grocery store

Start here. Most grocery stores break down and recycle their boxes after they unload them, so give the manager a call to see if you can swing by and pick up the extras. Give them as much notice as possible: The manager may be able to time your request around the delivery schedule, which means more box inventory to choose from.

## Liquor stores and bookstores

Both receive their products in large, durable boxes that are perfect for packing.

## Coffee shops

Your local Starbucks has also been known to have extras from their shipments and may share the wealth with you if you ask the staff.

## Online classifieds

Before you throw in the towel, scroll through websites with public, peer-to-peer listings. You may get lucky.

- [Craigslist](<https://www.craigslist.org>)
- [Freecycle](<https://www.freecycle.com>)
- [U-Haul Box Exchange](<https://www.uhaul.com/Exchange/>)

One or more of these methods is bound to scare up some freebies for you, making your moving day not only easier, but cheaper as well. Happy packing!