Where to Find Free Moving Boxes in NYC (and Other Cheap Supplies)

Boxes are the sneaky cost of every move. Buy them new and a full apartment’s worth can run well over $100 — money better spent elsewhere. The good news: in New York City, free moving boxes are everywhere if you know where to look. Here’s where to find them, plus other cheap packing supplies, from OneTwoThreeGuysAndATruck.

Where to Get Free Moving Boxes in NYC

• Liquor and wine stores: the best free boxes in the city — small, sturdy, often with dividers ideal for glasses.
• Grocery and drug stores: ask the night crew when they restock.
• Bookstores: small, heavy-duty boxes perfect for books and records.
• Buy Nothing groups & Facebook Marketplace: people who just moved give boxes away constantly.
• Your office or building: copy-paper boxes with lids are excellent and free.
• Craigslist & Freecycle: search “free moving boxes” the week before your move.

Cheap (or Free) Packing Materials

• Towels, linens, and blankets to wrap fragile dishes and electronics
• Socks and t-shirts to cushion glasses and stemware
• Suitcases and duffel bags for heavy books and shoes
• Newspaper or old paper for filling voids

Check Before You Grab Free Boxes

• Dry and clean — wet cardboard collapses
• No pests — skip boxes stored near food waste
• Sturdy corners and seams
• Consistent sizes so they stack tight and load fast

When It’s Worth Buying a Few

Free boxes work for most items, but a few specialty boxes are worth the small cost: dish packs for fragile kitchenware, wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes, and TV/picture boxes for screens and art. Mixing free everyday boxes with a handful of specialty ones is the cheapest safe way to pack for an NYC move.