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U-Pack has an A+ BBB rating as an accredited business since 2001 and strong Trustpilot reviews. It is a legitimate long-distance self-move service run by ArcBest, a public freight company in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and registered with the FMCSA as a household goods freight forwarder. It suits people moving across states who will pack and load themselves and want to avoid driving a truck. Watch the basic liability coverage, which is only 10 cents a pound for negligence unless you pay $75 to $175 for more, and the $50 to $250 daily fees if you keep equipment past the 3-business-day windows.
- Company
- ArcBest II, Inc., doing business as U-Pack; 8401 McClure Drive, Fort Smith, Arkansas; an ArcBest brand, with ABF Freight as the main carrier2
- FMCSA registration
- USDOT 2946400, active; freight forwarder FF-17300 and broker MC-997363; authorized as a freight forwarder and broker of household goods. U-Pack says it is not a motor carrier.3
- Equipment
- 28-foot trailer (8 ft wide, 9 ft tall, up to 1,944 cubic feet) priced by linear foot with a 5-foot minimum, or 6 x 7 x 8 ft ReloCube containers priced per Cube; about 6 Cubes equal a full trailer2
- What the quote includes
- Equipment, delivery, transportation, fuel and standard liability; no extra charge for taxes or tolls; no deposit2
- Timing
- Up to 3 business days to load and 3 to unload; transit averages 4 to 6 business days; U-Pack Guaranteed for set dates costs extra2
- Cancellation
- Free more than 7 days before the move; $50 within 7 days; $150 on move day2
- Late fees
- Detention and storage of $50 a day per ReloCube and $250 a day per trailer past the allotted time2
- Liability
- Included: 10 cents a pound for carrier negligence, plus catastrophic coverage at $3 a pound for fire, overturn, collision or total theft; upgrades cost $75, $125 or $1754
Pros
- Fuel, taxes and tolls included in the quote
- Pay only for the trailer space you use
- No deposit, and free cancellation more than 7 days out
- A+ BBB rating, accredited since 2001
- Your goods stay behind a locked bulkhead or in a locked Cube with no transfers
Cons
- You do all packing, loading and unloading
- Default negligence coverage is only 10 cents a pound
- Detention fees of $50 a day per Cube and $250 a day per trailer
- Delivery dates are estimates unless you pay for U-Pack Guaranteed
- Storage isn't climate controlled and isn't accessible until delivery
Best for: Long-distance movers who can pack and load themselves and want a lower price than full-service movers without driving a truck.
Skip it if: You need help with loading, a guaranteed delivery date without paying extra, or a local move.
U-Pack vs. competitors
| Company | Equipment | Pricing basis | Long-distance timing (company figure) | BBB rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U-Pack | 28 ft trailer or 6 x 7 x 8 ft ReloCube | Linear feet used, or per Cube | Most moves 4 to 6 business days | A+, accredited |
| PODS | 8, 12 and 16 ft containers | Quote by container and route | Not published | A+, accredited |
| 1-800-PACK-RAT | 8, 12 and 16 ft steel containers | Quote by container and route | Up to 10 business days under 1,500 miles; 10 to 14 over | A+, accredited |
U-Pack pricing at a glance
U-Pack liability coverage options, as listed October 20264
| Option | Cost | Coverage | Maximum per trailer / per ReloCube |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard carrier negligence | Included | 10 cents a pound per item | Not published |
| Upgrade 1 | $75 | $1.00 a pound per item | $20,000 / $2,500 |
| Upgrade 2 | $125 | $2.00 a pound per item | $40,000 / $5,000 |
| Upgrade 3 | $175 | $3.00 a pound per item | $60,000 / $7,500 |
| Catastrophic (fire, overturn, collision, total theft) | Included | $3.00 a pound per item | $60,000 / $7,500 |
Move prices are quote-only and depend on route, date and space used; U-Pack does not publish a rate table. Coverage must be added before equipment is delivered, and claims must be filed within nine months of delivery.
U-Pack, step by step
Get a quote and reserve
Enter your addresses and home size online or by phone. Reserving is free with a card on file, and nothing is charged until your shipment is picked up.
Equipment is delivered
U-Pack drops a trailer or ReloCubes at your home, or you can load at a service center. Someone 18 or older must sign for it.
Pack and load in 3 business days
You load and lock it. In a trailer, you install the locking bulkhead behind your goods; the rest of the trailer carries commercial freight, never another household.
U-Pack ships it
The driver measures linear feet for your final price. Transit averages 4 to 6 business days, and you can track the shipment.
Unload in 3 business days
Schedule delivery at your new home or a service center, unload and remove your lock. Report any damage right away.
U-Pack legitimacy and licensing
Yes. U-Pack is a brand of ArcBest, a public freight company headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and ABF Freight, another ArcBest company, hauls most U-Pack shipments. FMCSA records list ArcBest II, Inc. (USDOT 2946400) as an active freight forwarder and broker of household goods. U-Pack says it is not a motor carrier and that it has over 240 service centers in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
The BBB has accredited U-Pack since 2001 and rates it A+, with 30 complaints in three years. Trustpilot shows 4.9 out of 5 from about 1,400 reviews.
U-Pack cost
U-Pack prices each move by quote, based on your route, move date and how much space you use. Trailer moves are billed by the linear foot (each foot gives you the full 8-foot width and 9-foot height), with a five-foot minimum; ReloCube moves are billed per Cube. The quote includes equipment, delivery, transportation, fuel, taxes, tolls and standard liability, and no deposit is required.
Your final bill can rise if you use more space than quoted, keep equipment beyond the three business days to load or unload ($50 a day per Cube, $250 a day per trailer), change addresses, need re-delivery, or move to Canada, Hawaii or Puerto Rico, where customs or offshore fees apply. U-Pack offers Affirm and PayPal financing.
Trailer or ReloCube?
The 28-foot trailer holds up to 1,944 cubic feet, about the size of a 26-foot rental truck plus a 10-foot truck. You use what you need and lock a bulkhead behind your goods; the remaining space carries commercial freight. It works best for larger homes and when you have room to park a semi-trailer.
A ReloCube is 6 feet long, 7 feet wide and 8 feet tall, holds roughly one room and fits in a single parking space with ground-level loading. About six Cubes equal a full trailer. Check parking rules and permits before delivery.
What customers say about U-Pack
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Helpful, knowledgeable moving consultants
- Professional drivers and on-time drop-offs
- Upfront pricing that beats truck rentals and full-service movers
- Belongings arriving intact behind the bulkhead
Common complaints
- Missed or delayed pickup dates
- Vague delivery estimates
- Service centers far from some addresses
- Occasional damage, with low default liability
U-Pack complaints
Complaints are relatively few: 30 at the BBB in three years. The recurring issues on Trustpilot are missed pickup dates, vague delivery windows, distant service centers and occasional damage. Since U-Pack is only liable for damage caused by its own negligence, poor packing or loading is on you.
Photograph your items and how you loaded them, tie loads down, buy added coverage if your goods are worth more than 10 cents a pound, and report damage immediately. Claims must be filed within nine months of delivery by emailing [email protected].
Cancellation and changes
Cancel by calling 888-572-7422. There’s no fee more than 7 days before your move date, a $50 fee within 7 days and $150 on the day of the move. You can change your date or destination online or by phone, but some changes affect the price. Payment is charged in full once your shipment is picked up.
Rules that protect you
Interstate household goods brokers and freight forwarders must register with the FMCSA, so you can look up U-Pack’s USDOT number 2946400 on the SAFER website. Your Bill of Lading is your contract; review it before moving day. If a dispute isn’t resolved, you can file a complaint with the FMCSA’s National Consumer Complaint Database. Ask your homeowners or renters insurer about a rider for goods in transit.
Who should look elsewhere
If you can’t do the heavy lifting, you’ll need to hire labor (U-Pack refers customers to HireAHelper) or use a full-service mover. For local moves or long on-site storage, a container company like PODS or 1-800-PACK-RAT may fit better. If you need your furniture on a specific day, budget for U-Pack Guaranteed or choose a mover with a firm delivery window.
Alternatives to U-Pack
- PODS Better if you want a container you can keep at home for weeks or store locally before moving. Read review
- 1-800-PACK-RAT All-steel containers with local storage options and published transit ranges. Read review
- A full-service interstate mover Worth the higher price if you can't pack and load yourself or need a written delivery date.
- Rent a truck and drive it yourself Often cheapest for short or small moves if you're willing to drive and pay for fuel.
U-Pack reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is U-Pack cheaper than a moving company?
Usually, for long-distance moves, because you do the packing and loading. Get a U-Pack quote and at least one full-service quote for the same dates to compare.
How does U-Pack pricing work?
Trailer moves are priced by the linear feet you use, with a five-foot minimum, and ReloCube moves by the number of Cubes. Fuel, taxes, tolls and standard liability are included.
How long does U-Pack take?
U-Pack says transit averages 4 to 6 business days, with longer times outside the continental U.S. You get up to 3 business days to load and 3 to unload.
Who owns U-Pack?
U-Pack is an ArcBest brand. FMCSA lists the registrant as ArcBest II, Inc. in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and ABF Freight is the main carrier.
Is U-Pack the same as ABF?
They are separate ArcBest brands. ABF Freight is U-Pack's primary transportation provider, which is why people sometimes call it ABF Moving.
Does U-Pack have insurance?
U-Pack includes liability of 10 cents a pound for carrier negligence and catastrophic coverage of $3 a pound for fire, overturn, collision or total theft. You can raise negligence coverage to $1, $2 or $3 a pound for $75, $125 or $175.
How big is a ReloCube?
6 feet long, 7 feet wide and 8 feet tall on the outside. U-Pack says one holds about one room, and about six equal a full trailer.
Do I share the trailer with other people's belongings?
Not with other households. The rest of the trailer carries commercial freight, separated from your goods by a locking bulkhead you install.
Can I cancel a U-Pack move?
Yes. It's free more than 7 days before your move, $50 within 7 days and $150 on the move day.
Does U-Pack offer storage?
Yes, at its service centers as part of a long-distance move. Storage isn't climate controlled and you can't access your items until delivery.
Sources (8)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- U-Pack: Home page (accessed October 13, 2026)
- U-Pack: Frequently asked questions (accessed October 13, 2026)
- FMCSA SAFER: ArcBest II, Inc. (USDOT 2946400) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- U-Pack: Liability statement (accessed October 13, 2026)
- U-Pack: Moving trailers (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: U-Pack profile (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Trustpilot: U-Pack reviews (accessed October 13, 2026)
- FMCSA: National Consumer Complaint Database (accessed October 13, 2026)
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