Boxes add up fast. A two-bedroom move can take 40 or more, and buying them all new can cost more than people expect. The good news: Las Vegas has a lot of places that give boxes away, and a few spots that sell them cheap.
Here's where our customers actually find boxes, plus links so you can check stock before you drive over. Store policies change by location and manager, so call ahead before you make a trip.
Where to find free moving boxes
These are the places commonly known for giving boxes away. Ask nicely, ask early in the day and ask when their trucks come in. Many stores break down boxes right after restocking.
- Liquor stores: wine and liquor boxes are small, strong and have dividers that are perfect for glasses and dishes
- Grocery stores: produce and paper-goods boxes are sturdy. Ask the stocking crew or customer service
- Costco and Sam's Club: free empty boxes are usually stacked near the registers for carrying out your purchase
- Big-box and dollar stores: Walmart, Target and dollar stores often have boxes from overnight stocking
- Bookstores: book boxes are small and built for weight, great for books, files and records
- Coffee shops and restaurants: ask for the boxes cups and supplies came in
- Your office or building: mailrooms and front desks get boxes all week
- Friends who just moved: most people are happy to hand off a garage full of flattened boxes
Free boxes from neighbors online
Lots of people around the valley finish a move and just want their boxes gone. Search "moving boxes" on these and you'll usually find someone nearby giving away a whole stack:
- Facebook Marketplace: Free in Las Vegas (opens in a new tab)The fastest way to find free boxes. Search "moving boxes" and sort by distance.https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/lasvegas/free
- Craigslist Las Vegas: Free Stuff (opens in a new tab)People post "free moving boxes, come get them" here every week.https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/search/zip
- Nextdoor (opens in a new tab)Post in your neighborhood asking for boxes. Someone on your street just moved.https://nextdoor.com/
- Buy Nothing Project (opens in a new tab)Hyper-local giving groups. Find the one for your part of town.https://buynothingproject.org/
- Freecycle (opens in a new tab)Free-only listings. Search for your local Las Vegas or Henderson group.https://www.freecycle.org/
- U-Haul Box Exchange (opens in a new tab)A free board where people list used boxes they're giving away, or post that they need some.https://www.uhaul.com/Exchange/
Cheapest places to buy moving boxes
If you want matching sizes that stack well, buying is worth it, at least for some of your boxes. These all have locations around Las Vegas and Henderson, and most let you check stock online or order for pickup:
- Home Depot moving boxes (opens in a new tab)Usually among the cheapest per box. Good for small and medium boxes in bulk.https://www.homedepot.com/s/moving%20boxes
- Lowe's moving boxes (opens in a new tab)Similar pricing to Home Depot. Sells moving kits too.https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=moving%20boxes
- U-Haul moving boxes (opens in a new tab)Wardrobe, dish-pack and TV boxes. Ask your store about buying back unused boxes with a receipt.https://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/Boxes/
- Walmart moving boxes (opens in a new tab)Handy if you're already shopping. Bundles of boxes and tape.https://www.walmart.com/search?q=moving+boxes
- Staples moving boxes (opens in a new tab)Good for file boxes and small heavy-duty boxes.https://www.staples.com/moving+boxes/directory_moving+boxes
- The UPS Store (opens in a new tab)Pricier, but good for odd sizes, picture boxes and bubble wrap.https://www.theupsstore.com/
How many boxes you'll need
Rough counts for a typical home. If you have a lot of books, a full kitchen or a packed garage, plan for more.
| Home size | Small | Medium | Large | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 8 | 6 | 3 | 15 – 20 |
| 1 bedroom | 12 | 10 | 5 | 25 – 30 |
| 2 bedroom | 20 | 15 | 8 | 40 – 50 |
| 3 bedroom | 30 | 25 | 12 | 65 – 75 |
| 4+ bedroom | 40 | 35 | 18 | 90+ |
Typical Las Vegas ranges, for planning only. Your exact price is confirmed upfront, before we start.
Tips for using free boxes
- Skip boxes that are wet, stained or soft at the corners. They'll fail when stacked
- Avoid produce boxes with food residue. They can bring bugs into your new home
- Re-tape the bottom of every used box with an H pattern
- Put heavy things in small boxes and light things in big ones
- Mix in some new boxes the same size so the truck stacks tight and nothing shifts
- Don't forget tape, markers, packing paper and a few heavy-duty boxes for dishes
What to do with the boxes after
Pass them on. List them for free on Marketplace or Nextdoor and they'll usually be gone in a day. Otherwise, break them down flat for your recycling cart. If you have more than fits, our junk removal crew can haul away the whole pile.
