Shipping Household Goods to Alaska

The ins and outs of shipping to Alaska 

When you want to send a letter or a small box to Alaska, it’s as easy as visiting a local post office or parcel service. But when you’re relocating to the state, getting everything there takes a bit more planning. If you don’t have all the information, the process might take longer (and cost more) than you expect. Luckily, there’s a service like U-Pack®. We make transporting your belongings quick and easy, so you can focus on getting ready for life in Alaska. Learn how U-Pack works and how we can ship things cheaper and faster than other services.  

Still on the fence about your move? Read this comprehensive guide on moving to Alaska for more info about life in the state, travel and FAQs.  

5 reasons you should ship to Alaska with U-Pack 

U-Pack makes sending household goods stress-free and affordable, with options to fit every size home.

The process is simple

U-Pack handles shipping your things, so you can travel to Alaska however you want — by boat, plane or car.  We’ll deliver ReloCube® containers to your home, and then: 

• You have up to three business days to load (in most locations) 
• We drive your shipment to Tacoma, WA, where it sets sail to Anchorage 
• We deliver to your new location in Central Alaska and give you up to three business days to unload (or one day for service center deliveries in Anchorage) 

Our equipment works for homes of all sizes

Whether you’re living in a studio apartment or a large house, ReloCube containers are a great shipping solution. The metal containers are 6’ x 7’ x 8’ (external dimensions) and sit flat on the ground for easy loading and unloading. You can reserve as many as you’d like and only pay for the ones you use. 

Note: Moving trailers are not currently available for shipping to Alaska.

It’s an affordable option

Moving containers are one of the best ways to ship your belongings to Alaska, and U-Pack is often the most affordable option to use. For example, see how the price for a U-Pack ReloCube compares to the cost of using a U-Haul® U-Box® for a studio apartment move from Boise, ID, to Anchorage, AK, in November 2022: 

• U-Pack ReloCube: $4,259  
  The price included one ReloCube moving container, delivery, transportation and standard liability coverage. 
• U-Haul U-Box: $4,670.90 
  The price included one U-Box moving container, delivery, transportation, and U-Haul’s most popular insurance coverage. 

Note: Prices were accurate at the time of posting. Actual costs will vary based on the specifics of your move.  

Wondering if you can save more by renting a truck? While truck rental may seem like the cheapest moving option,  many people find that U-Pack is a better and cheaper alternative for relocating to Alaska. This is because the initial rental truck quote  won’t include fuel, and some trucks only get 10 MPG or less when fully loaded. Factor in the terrain on the way to Alaska, and you could spend more on fuel than you anticipate. Here’s what a truck would cost for the same move above: 

• U-Haul 10’ rental truck: $4,650.85 
  The cost included $3,646 for the truck rental up to 3,190 miles, the required environmental fee, and the recommended liability coverage. The cost for fuel was estimated at $1,004.85 for 266 gallons (based on 12 MPG for 10’ trucks as listed on U-Haul’s website) using AAA’s Average Gas Price in the U.S. of $3.78 at the time of posting. 

Transit times are faster than other companies

U-Pack ReloCubes arrive in Alaska sooner than most other moving companies — just 10-17 business days on average from origin to destination. Using the above example, U-Pack’s delivery was estimated 13-15 days, while U-Haul’s U-Box would take 40 days (almost seven weeks). Choosing U-Pack for the shipment would be five weeks faster (and less expensive) than U-Haul. 

You can customize the service 

Not sure yet where to live in Alaska? It’s not a problem with U-Pack! Just store the ReloCubes at our service center in Tacoma, WA, for a monthly fee (comparable to storage unit rental) until you’re ready for delivery in Alaska. And if you need help loading or unloading, we can refer you to local moving crews at a cost significantly less than full-service movers. Give us a call at 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to discuss adding storage or labor to your move. 

Alaska shipping-related FAQs 

Here are some other questions our customers have asked while preparing to send their belongings to Alaska. 

Can I transport my car to Alaska with U-Pack?

While U-Pack equipment can hold lawnmowers, motorcycles and ATVs, we’re unable to ship cars. We refer customers to Mr. Car Shipper® for auto transport. Call them at 877-421-1284 for a quote.

Does U-Pack ship firearms and ammunition to Alaska?

Guns and ammunition are included on the U-Pack Do Not Ship List, so they cannot be packed with household goods. We recommend asking your local gun shop for referrals for a parcel shipper or if you’re flying to Alaska, checking with the TSA on their rules for transporting firearms.

Questions about shipping to Alaska? 

We can help! Call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak with a moving consultant or leave a comment below.