There are a lot of things to worry about when you’re moving. For one, you need to find the manpower necessary to do all the heavy lifting; you need to get a big enough truck for all your belongings; and you need to collect all the mandatory moving supplies. You can also hire a moving company near me.

No matter whether you are moving your self or hiring pros one thing typically sticks out as the most pressing matter for upcoming moves: Boxes. We’ve seen the same problem show up time and time again—Where can you find lots of cheap or free cardboard boxes in Seattle, WA?

Fortunately, there are quite a few options to choose from. We’ve collected a list of the best places to get free or cheap moving boxes in Seattle, WA. Start your search here and we’re sure you’ll find all the boxes you need to get your move done quickly and smoothly.

Here is 41 Places You Can Get Free Moving Boxes

Craigslist

The first place to check is the Free section of Craigslist. It can be hit-or-miss, but if someone else has recently moved, they are likely to put all those perfectly good boxes up on Craigslist for the first lucky mover to take off their hands. Checking this for yourself takes almost no time at all, but if you’re not lucky enough to find a single source for all the boxes you need, you may end up having to travel from place to place, picking up one or two at a time—that could take ages.

Large Retail Stores and Outlets

Big retail companies in the clothing, grocery and home goods industries typically receive one or two weekly shipments of new products. All those products come in fresh cardboard packaging, and many of these companies simply discard the boxes afterwards. Try calling one of these retailers and asking when their next shipment comes in—you’ll find that many are happy to give away their boxes if you show up on time.

• Old Navy: 511 Pine St, Seattle, WA (206) 623-1800
• Old Navy: 401 NE Northgate Way, Seattle, WA (206) 417-4694
• Seattle Premium Outlets: 10600 Quil Ceda Blvd, Tulalip, WA (360) 654-3000
• WinCo Foods: 3947 116th St NE, Marysville, WA (360) 653-9602
• WinCo Foods: 9900 19th Ave SE, Everett, WA (425) 740-2208
• WinCo Foods: 21900 WA-99, Edmonds, WA (425) 697-1052
• Crate and Barrel: 2680 NE 49th St, Seattle, WA (206) 937-9939
• Target: 302 NE Northgate Way, Seattle, WA (206) 494-0897
• T.J. Maxx: 11029 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA (206) 363-9511
• T.J. Maxx: 1419 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA, (206) 262-1736
• Safeway: 1410 E John St, Seattle, WA (206) 323-4988
• Safeway: 2201 E Madison St, Seattle, WA (206) 494-1518
• Safeway: 3020 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA (206) 522-8350
• Safeway: 12318 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA (206) 306-0504
• Macy’s: 300 Pine St, Seattle, WA (206) 506-6000

University of Washington Campus Halls

Every year, thousands of students move into the Seattle area in order to attend the University of Washington, which operates multiple campuses throughout the city. With these students comes thousands of boxes that are used once and then discarded. Most campuses and student housing projects have a box disposal area and are happy to to give away unneeded boxes to anyone who asks. Try calling Student Services at (206) 543-4059 and asking for more information. This is best done in the late summer months right before the faculty semester begins.

Liquor Stores

There are few things better for transporting small items and glassware than the liquor store box. It’s convenient, small, sturdy and well-suited to the task. Liquor stores typically receive weekly shipments, so you’re encouraged to call ahead, ask when the next shipment arrives and then offer to take some of their extra boxes off their hands when it does. Here is a comprehensive list of liquor stores throughout the entire metropolitan area:

• Downtown Spirits: 2300 7th Ave, Seattle, WA (206) 812-6591
• Northwest Liquor and Wine: 1605 12th Ave, Seattle, WA (206) 860-6885
• University Liquor Store: 7500 25th Ave NE, Seattle, WA (206) 525-5303
• Bottleworks: 1710 N 45th St #3, Seattle, WA (206) 633-2437
• Seattle 7th & Bell Liquor: 2300 7th Ave, Seattle, WA (206) 812-6591
• Rainer Beach Liquor & Wine: 9258 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA (206) 725-8684
• Total Wine & More: 525 NE Northgate Way #5, Seattle, WA (206) 365-0572
• Pike and Western Wine Shop: 1934 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA (206) 441-1307
• White Center Liquor: 9822 15th Ave SW, Seattle, WA (206) 457-8931
• Esquin Wine Merchants: 2700 4th Ave S, Seattle, WA (206) 682-7374
• Bob’s Liquors: 9824 Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA (206) 522-5899
• Vine Street Market: 2519 5th Ave, Seattle, WA (206) 441-2519
• Capco Beverages: 4100 SW Alaska St, Seattle, WA (206) 923-5472
• BevMo!: 10700 5th Ave NE, Seattle, WA (206) 367-0911
• Noble Spirits Seattle: 2307 E Union St, Seattle, WA (206) 812-8092

Bookstores

Another useful place to look for Seattle moving boxes is local chain bookstores. As anyone with a book collection can tell you, they weigh a lot. That weight is enough to render normal cardboard boxes unusable, so if you need some particularly heavy duty boxes, try asking the local bookstores when their next shipment is coming in and find out whether they’ll let you take some off their hands.

• Barnes & Noble: 600 Pine St #107, Seattle, WA (206) 264-0156
• Barnes & Noble: 401 NE Northgate Way #1100, Seattle, WA (206) 417-2967
• Barnes & Noble: 2600 SW Barton St E-1, Seattle, WA (206) 932-0328
• Elliott Bay Book Company: 1521 10th Ave, Seattle, WA (206) 624-6600
• Lion Heart Book Store: 1501 Pike Pl #432, Seattle, WA (206) 903-6511
• Left Bank Books: 92 Pike St # B, Seattle, WA (206) 622-0195
• Lamplight Books: 1514 Pike Pl # 14, Seattle, WA (206) 652-5554
• University Book Store: 4326 University Way NE, Seattle, WA (206) 634-3400

Home Depot

If your search for free cardboard boxes in Seattle, WA still doesn’t turn up favorable results, you can always purchase moving boxes at Home Depot. These warehouse hardware stores have a wide selection of boxes for sale, including different sizes, shapes and strengths. A typical box costs one or two dollars, so it’s possible for you to get as many as you need without breaking the bank.

• The Home Depot: 2701 Utah Ave S, Seattle, WA (206) 467-9200
• The Home Depot: 11616 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA (206) 361-9600
• The Home Depot: 7345 Delridge Way SW, Seattle, WA (206) 762-2126
• The Home Depot: 1335 N 205th St, Seattle, WA (206) 546-1900

Find Cheap Seattle Moving Boxes to Make Your Move More Affordable

Whether you choose to scour Craigslist for free boxes or opt to buy them new from the Home Depot, you’re sure to find what you need among the many resources listed above. Be sure to verify boxes that come from grocery stores—they can come with pests that you don’t want to let in your new home. Once you’re finished with your move, do your neighbors a solid and give your boxes away to the next mover in need, they’ll thank you for it!