Moving Boxes Near Me: Where to Buy in Philadelphia Suburbs
Where to source boxes in the Philadelphia suburbs, which sizes matter, and how many a typical home actually needs.
You can buy moving boxes from a dozen places. Some are great. Some will collapse halfway through your kitchen pack. Here is where to get good boxes in the Philadelphia suburbs and which sizes you actually need.
Where to get moving boxes
Your moving company
LiteMovers provides boxes as part of packing service and sells them separately. We carry every size and specialty box you need, all rated for stacking in a truck and storage. We can deliver before your move so you can pack at your own pace.
Big-box hardware stores
Home Depot, Lowe’s. Decent quality, standard sizes, predictable supply. Reasonable for partial packs.
U-Haul and Penske locations
Plenty of locations across the suburbs. They sell moving-specific boxes including specialty options (wardrobe, dish-pack, mirror). Usually have everything in stock.
Amazon
Convenient but unpredictable on quality. Read reviews for the specific box you are buying. Avoid extremely thin single-walled options.
Free sources
- Facebook Marketplace / Buy Nothing groups: people unloading boxes after their own move; can be excellent if clean
- Liquor stores: small, sturdy, divided boxes for stemware
- Grocery stores: mid-sized boxes (avoid produce boxes; food residue)
- Office buildings: ream-sized boxes for books and files
Inspect free boxes carefully. Skip anything with food residue, water damage, or weak corners.
The box sizes you actually need
Small box (book box) — 1.5 cubic feet
For dense, heavy items. Books, files, canned goods, hand tools. Never use larger boxes for books — they get too heavy to lift safely.
Medium box — 3.0 cubic feet
The workhorse. Kitchen non-fragiles, decor, toys, small appliances, most miscellaneous items.
Large box — 4.5 cubic feet
For light, bulky items: linens, pillows, comforters, lampshades, stuffed animals. Never load heavy items in large boxes.
Extra-large box — 6.0 cubic feet
Comforters, large pillows, lampshades, soft toys. Same rule: light items only.
Dish-pack (double-wall) box
Thicker walls for china and stemware. Use with dividers or wrap each piece in paper. The single most important specialty box.
Wardrobe box
Tall with a built-in hanging bar. Clothes go straight from your closet to the box on hangers. Saves hours of folding and unfolding.
Mirror / picture box
Adjustable cardboard for framed art, mirrors, and flat TVs. Two telescoping pieces fit around the item.
Mattress bag
Thin plastic sleeve that keeps the mattress clean in transit and storage. One per mattress.
How many of each do I need?
Studio: 15-25 boxes total
1 bedroom: 30-45 boxes
2 bedroom: 50-75 boxes
3 bedroom: 80-110 boxes
4+ bedroom: 120-180 boxes
For details on quantities by room, see our box quantity guide.
Other packing supplies you will need
- Packing paper (newsprint or unprinted) — for wrapping dishes, glassware, and filling empty space
- Bubble wrap — for fragile items, electronics, decorative pieces
- Packing tape — 2-inch wide, multiple rolls; cheap tape splits at the worst moment
- Tape gun — saves your fingers and speeds packing
- Permanent markers — for labeling
- Stretch wrap — for pad-wrapped furniture
- Moving blankets — for furniture protection (mover-supplied for full-service moves)
Picking up vs delivery
For 30 boxes or fewer, picking them up yourself is usually easiest. For larger orders, delivery is much faster and saves you the truck space. We can deliver in advance, and we pick up unused boxes after the move if you bought too many.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get moving boxes in the Philadelphia suburbs?
Several options: your moving company (LiteMovers provides boxes as part of packing service or sells them separately), big-box stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart), U-Haul or Penske locations, Amazon, or free sources (Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing groups, grocery stores). For a full home pack, mover-supplied boxes are usually the most reliable choice; they are sized for moving and rated for stacking.
Does LiteMovers sell or provide moving boxes?
Yes. We provide boxes and packing materials as part of our packing service, and we sell them separately if you prefer to pack yourself. Our boxes are double-walled where it matters, sized standard, and rated for stacking. We carry small, medium, large, dish-pack, wardrobe, and mirror boxes.
What sizes of moving boxes do I actually need?
Small boxes (book boxes) for books, files, and dense items. Medium boxes for most household items, kitchen non-fragiles, and decor. Large boxes for light bulky items like linens, pillows, and lampshades. Dish-pack boxes for china and stemware. Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes. Mirror boxes for framed art and TVs.
Are free boxes from stores or Facebook safe to use for moving?
Sometimes. Free boxes from liquor stores and grocery stores can work for non-fragile items if the boxes are clean, dry, and structurally sound. Avoid boxes that have held food (pest risk), have soft sides, or have lost their integrity. For mover-loaded trucks, mover-supplied boxes are usually required because they need to stack and survive the trip.
Can you deliver boxes before my move day?
Yes. We can deliver boxes and packing materials in advance so you can pack at your own pace before moving day. This is especially helpful when you are packing yourself but want professional-quality boxes. Order what you need a few weeks before the move; we will deliver and pick up unused boxes afterward.
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LiteMovers · PA PUC A-8916211 · USDOT 2173383 · MC-888055 · Serving Greater Philadelphia since 2007.
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