Moving boxes are one of the most underrated costs of a DIY pack. A full home usually needs 30 to 60 boxes, and buying them new can easily run $200 to $500. For people who are already stretched thin on moving costs, that number is hard to swallow.
The good news is you can find most of the boxes you need for free if you know where to look. Here is the complete guide to free moving boxes in Connecticut.
1. Liquor stores (the best source)
Liquor stores are the single best source of free boxes. The boxes they receive are:
- Uniform in size (great for stacking on a truck) - Sturdy (they were designed to hold glass bottles) - Double-walled in many cases - Clean (not used for food)
Call ahead. Ask when they break down their incoming shipments. Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are often the best because most stores restock over the weekend. Ask for wine or beer boxes with the dividers still inside. Those are perfect for glasses and stemware.
Most owners are happy to give them away. They save a trip to the recycling dumpster and you get free supplies.
2. Grocery stores
Grocery stores get boxes by the truckload. Early morning is the best time. Most stores break down stock in the 5 to 7 AM window, and the boxes are at their cleanest before they go to the recycling compactor.
Ask at the customer service desk. Avoid produce boxes (they often have been wet), meat boxes (obvious reason), and fish boxes. Cereal, pasta, and household goods boxes are good. Check for bugs or pests before taking anything home.
3. Facebook Marketplace and Buy Nothing groups
Free moving boxes are one of the most common listings on both. People who just finished a move almost always have a garage full of boxes they want gone fast. Check the Free section of Facebook Marketplace regularly. Join your local Buy Nothing group and post a request.
In Hartford County, the Buy Nothing groups for Enfield, West Hartford, Glastonbury, and Manchester are all active. Somebody is usually posting free boxes.
4. Craigslist free section
Similar to Facebook but often a little faster because there are fewer people checking. The Hartford Craigslist free stuff section is worth a quick scan. Boxes show up regularly.
5. U-Haul Box Exchange
U-Haul runs a free box exchange program on their website. You list boxes you want to give away or search for what you need in your area. It is a legitimate program and it works if somebody in your area is using it.
6. Local bookstores
Book boxes are incredibly sturdy. They are designed to hold heavy books, which makes them perfect for packing other heavy items like dishes, canned goods, or tools. Independent bookstores and used book shops are usually happy to give them away on the day their shipment arrives.
7. Office buildings
Copy paper boxes are an underrated option. Paper comes in heavy boxes with tight-fitting lids, which means they stack well and hold heavy items without crushing. Ask at any office building, school, or library near you. Somebody is throwing these out every week.
8. Ask your friends, family, and neighbors
Somebody you know has moved in the last year. They probably still have boxes in the garage. Ask around. It is free, it is easy, and it saves everybody a trip to the dump.
Tips for finding good boxes
- Go Tuesday or Wednesday mornings. Stores are restocking after the weekend. - Bring your own vehicle. Most stores will not hold boxes for later pickup. - Inspect every box. Check for water damage, oil stains, bugs, and broken corners. A box that looks fine but has a soft bottom will fail on move day. - Avoid anything that held food. Pests follow food. - Ask for tape if they have it. Some stores will throw in a roll of packing tape.
When free is not enough
Free boxes work for clothes, books, linens, kitchen items, and most household goods. But for certain things, you actually want to buy the right packing materials:
- Dish packs: Double-walled boxes designed for plates and glasses. Worth $4 to $8 each if you have a lot of dishes. - Wardrobe boxes: Tall boxes with a hanging bar built in. You transfer clothes from the closet straight to the box. Huge time-saver and protects your clothes. About $15 to $25 each. - Mirror boxes: Flat, tall boxes designed specifically for framed art and mirrors. A regular box will not protect these.
A reasonable middle ground is to get most of your boxes free and buy specialty packing materials for the fragile stuff.
When it is worth skipping boxes entirely
If finding and packing 40 or more boxes sounds miserable, consider whether it is worth letting a pro pack instead. Our Princess Packing white-glove service handles the boxes, materials, and labor as part of the package. Our crew shows up with everything and packs your whole home in a day.
For more on handling the kitchen specifically, see how to pack a kitchen for moving day. For general packing advice, our packing tips from the crew post has more detail.
And if you want a professional to handle the whole pack, our full-service packing team covers Hartford County and Western Massachusetts every day.
- Joe Caronna, Owner, Castle Express Moving & Storage