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Moving tote guide

How many moving totes do I need?

Most people guess low, then make a panic run for boxes the night before. Here is how to size it right the first time.

Published September 24, 20265 min read

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The short version

  • Ten totes suits a dorm, studio, office, or a single packed room.
  • Twenty fits many one-bedroom moves.
  • Thirty gives a two- to three-bedroom move more breathing room.
  • Kitchens, books, garages and kids' rooms fill totes faster than you expect.

Start with the package that matches your home

These are the same starting points we give on the phone. They assume you are moving furniture separately and packing the loose stuff into totes.

Starting tote counts by home size
HomeSuggested packageTotesPrice
Dorm, studio, office, or a focused room-by-room moveQuick Move10$55
One-bedroom home or apartmentHome Move20$89
Two- to three-bedroom moveFull Move30$119
A larger move or a slower unpackFull Move Plus30$149

Rooms that eat totes

Some rooms need more than their square footage suggests. Plan a few extra for these:

  • Kitchen: dishes, pantry, small appliances. Pack heavy items low and add a packing kit for glassware.
  • Books and records: fill a tote halfway with books and top it off with linens so it stays liftable.
  • Garage and shop: tools and hardware are heavy. Spread them across several totes.
  • Kids' rooms: toys, crafts and clothes add up fast.

Use small totes for the loose stuff

Cables, spices, office supplies and craft bins disappear inside a big tote. Our Small Sort Set is 40 clear 6.5-quart latching totes for 14 days, so the little things stay sorted and easy to find on unpacking day.

Packing tips that save loading time

  • Label every tote with the room it goes to at the new place, not the room it came from.
  • Zip tie lids on anything you will not need for a few days.
  • Keep one open tote for first-night items: chargers, towels, coffee, meds.
  • Roll full stacks on the Tote Taxi cart instead of carrying them one at a time.

Next step

Pick your tote package

Send us your date and your yard measurement. We answer the same day.

Questions we get on this

How many moving totes do I need for a one-bedroom apartment?
Twenty is a good starting point for many one-bedroom moves. Add more if you have a full kitchen, lots of books, or a packed closet.
What if I run out of totes?
Call or text us. If inventory allows, we can bring more or move you up a package before your pickup date.

Keep reading

All planning guides