Moving to Alaska Category: Alaska Moves
 
Posted By:
Derek
3/17/2008
09:42 AM

Moving to Alaska

Besides buying a whole new wardrobe for the freezing cold temperatures, what else do you need to think about if you’re moving to Alaska? You may be wondering - What options do I have for moving my stuff? Do I have to drive a truck through the sometimes treacherous terrain? Can’t I just fly and not have to worry about anything?

You do have options other than driving a rental truck through snow, ice and mountains.

The most affordabld option for moving to Alaska is the “You pack, they drive” option that ABF U-Pack Moving offers. You’ll usually find this to be significantly less expensive than the full-service moving option (even if you hire loaders). You can move to Alaska with U-Pack using a moving trailer, moving containers (ReloCube) or an ocean container. 

If you need to find out how much moving to Alaska costs, you can get a FREE, no-obligation moving quote from ABF U-Pack.

Another option for moving to Alaska is hiring a full service mover - you’ll find that most will place your items in an ocean container, possibly mingled with other people’s items that are also moving to Alaska, then the container is placed on a ship. You’ll usually find that moving to Alaska using a full service mover is pretty expensive.

Small Alaskan Move
If your move is small – such as one room or studio apartment - U-Pack's moving container (the ReloCube) is a good option. You’ll notice a significant cost savings with this option because service is limited to delivery at our Anchorage ABF service center. You just unload your items at the Anchorage service center then move them to your ultimate destination either in your personal vehicle or a rental truck.

Large Alaskan Move
If you have a larger move, or need delivery to your door, the moving trailer option is probably a good fit for you. With this option, we can deliver your trailer to most of the major cities (as well as some small ones) and military bases if you're doing a military relocation.

Other Moving to Alaska options
If you happen to be moving to a location where we do not offer door delivery, you also have the option of using a 20ft, 40ft or 45ft ocean container. These containers can hold anywhere from a 3 bedroom home to about a 6 bedroom home, depending on the size of the container. With this option, you pay for the entire container regardless of how much of it you use…this is because your items are never co-mingled with other people’s stuff.  

How long does moving to Alaska take?

Whatever option you choose for moving to Alaska, it's a good idea to consider how long it will take your items to get there. When you speak with moving companies, be sure to ask how long it takes. Most moving companies can't guarantee the arrival date since it travels by ship, but there can be a huge difference in transit times from company to company. When you move to Alaska with ABF U-Pack, typcially, once your shipment reaches Tacoma, WA to be placed on the ship, it takes around 5 to 7 days to get to Anchorage.

If you're looking for an affordable way to move to Alaska, feel free to give me a little information about your move (where you're moving from, an estimated move date, and how much you're moving) and I'll gladly email you a free moving quote - or just get a quick online moving quote - whatever works best.

 

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Comments
Name: emily
Date: 4-7-2008
What about going the other way...moving out of Alaska? Same process? Is is cheaper if I pick up my stuff in Tacoma without delivery to a location?
Name: Derek
Date: 4-8-2008
Emily, when moving out of Alaska, we have the same services. Depending on the size of your move, we can provide a trailer, ReloCube or ocean container for you. If you are close to Anchorage and are looking for the cheapest option, loading a ReloCube at our terminal is going to be the best way to go. And, you are correct in that if you pick up your items in Tacoma, it would save you some money. Thanks for the questions.
Name: Jeanne
Date: 4-16-2008
We will be moving from North Pole AK. to a small town about 50 miles west of Shreveport LA. within the next 6 months. Would it be more economical to move a 20ft container or multiple cubes that hold about the same amount?
Name: Derek
Date: 4-16-2008
Jeanne, the ReloCubes are actually not available in North Pole AK. We do have either the 20ft container, or you can also use one of our 28ft commercial trailers where you pay for just the space that you use. Economically, there should not be much difference in prices between the two options, except for the fact that with the trailer, you can pay for less than 28ft. So, if you have only a 2 bedroom home, the trailer would probably be more economical. Thanks for the questions.
Name: Rick
Date: 4-27-2008
I am interested in the 20ft ocean container option but what I am not sure what would be cheaper for me in the long run. The Relo cubes seem nice but I am concerned not having having more than enough stuff for one cube but not enough for two cubes. How does the billing work then. Also I want to know if I can move my care in one of the ocean container.
Name: Derek
Date: 4-28-2008
Rick, if you are concerned that you might have more than enough for one cube but not enough for two, you might look at our trailer option. This would probably be the best option as you can pay for just the space you use. Whether you decide on the cubes, trailer or ocean container, ABF does not ship cars. However, you can check with Dependable Auto Shippers at 888-231-4948 to obtain a quote for shipping your car. Thanks.
Name: Michael
Date: 6-11-2008
We’re moving from Ohio to Kotzebue, AK, in July, a 2 bedroom house or about 3,000 pounds. Any idea on the best company/service to get it there? Any help appreciated!
Name: Derek
Date: 6-12-2008
Michael, unfortunately, I do not have any suggestions for Kotzebue. We do not have service there even with our ocean containers. I tried to do a little research online but was unable to find anything useful pertaining to moving. It seems everything is either flown in or barged in. You might contact some moving companies in Anchorage or Fairbanks to see what options they might have. Sorry I was not much help on this one.
Name: Deb
Date: 2-1-2009
I am moving out of the Fairbanks/North Pole area of Alaska to Texas. When I researched, "no service" came up for my area. Is service anticipated in the Fairbanks North Star Borough any time in the near future?
Name: Derek
Date: 2-2-2009
Deb, we can provide service currently to Fairbanks and North Pole via our trailer option. I would be happy to provide you a quote from one of those to cities to Texas. Can you provide me with your city in Texas and size of home? Thanks
Name: Reece
Date: 2-13-2009
I am from Florida single parent of 8.I was told if a job hires you they have to relocate you.
Name: Derek
Date: 2-16-2009
Reece, an employer can pay for some or all of your relocation expenses. However, it is at the discretion of the employer. There are no requirements that say they must pay to relocate you. Many people will work this expense in with salary negotiations before they accept the position. I hope this helps.
Name: Nathanael
Date: 2-22-2009
I am considering a move to Alaska from Georgia but can not seem to afford any quotes given me so far. I have 3 bedrooms, a den, a dining room, and living room to move. I have had the total weight estimated at about 8,000 lbs. I am uncertain if this weight is accurate. With my last move, I packed everything into a 6x12 enclosed utility trailer and used about 14 ft of a 17 ft moving van (UHAUL) for everything else. I have not added very much to this and what I have added to it, is minimal in weight. I want to pack it myself and have it shipped to either Fairbanks or North Pole. The move would likely be this summer - any ideas?
Name: Derek
Date: 2-23-2009
Nathanael, moving to Alaska can be costly. I believe that you’ll find that U-Pack can be very competitive when you consider the fuel and time it would take to drive there or even the expense of a an ocean container to ship your items. I will send you a quote shortly for your move. Based on the info you gave, I would say that you are probably looking at about 18ft of one of our trailers. Let me know if you have any questions once you receive your quote. Thanks.
Name: sara
Date: 3-7-2009
how does one get a horse hauled to homer ak? Hundreds of villages in the lower have ordinanced horses out but Homer is horse friendly. sara
Name: Derek
Date: 3-9-2009
Sara, I have been able to find a couple of websites of what seem to be reputable horse transport companies. One is Pure Pleasure Horse Transport: http://purepleasurehorsefarm.com/transport.htm. They are licensed by the US Dept of Transportation and ICC. I also found a directory of horse transport companies; however, some of them only ship within the continental 48 states. Here’s the link: http://www.i-announce.net/IAN/load.phtml?id=ehshaulers. I hope this info helps with your search.
Name: Lora
Date: 3-30-2009
We used your services before and really appreciated them. We are moving from Indiana to Ketchikan. Do you have service to Ketchikan?
Name: Derek
Date: 3-30-2009
Lora, thanks for the comments and thanks again for considering U-Pack. I can tell you that the only option that we have for door service to Ketchikan will be an ocean container. Do you have a larger size move? If so, this should work out great for you. If you are only taking a room or two, we could look at shipping your items to the Seattle area for you to pick up there. I would be happy to provide a quote for you for either option.
Name: moving to anchorage alaska
Date: 4-3-2009
Perhaps nowhere else combines the conveniences of the modern age with the freedom and adventure of living on the edge of a vast, unspoiled wilderness as do Anchorage and Alaska. Alaska’s a young state. Our major cities of Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau offer career and professional growth opportunities unlike many places in the Lower 48.
moving to anchorage alaska
Name: Jennine
Date: 4-19-2009
I’ll be moving to Manley Hot Springs AK from Rutland VT. The nearest city, 160 miles away, is Fairbanks. I was wondering, if I went with the trailer option, could I get door service to this location; or would I have to hire/rent additional transportation from Fairbanks down the Elliott Hwy?
Name: Derek
Date: 4-20-2009
Jennine, unfortunately, we do not service Manley Hot Springs direct. We may be able to provide an ocean container for you to deliver to your home. The smallest container would be the 20ft which typically holds a 3 bedroom home. I see that you had submitted a quote online which was for a much smaller space. I will go ahead and get you a quote to Fairbanks, but if you would like to know the price of the ocean container, just let me know. Thanks for the questions.
Name: ZACK
Date: 5-17-2009
I live in Chattanooga Tennessee and will be moving to Anchorage by August 1. I have a friend my family and I will stay with until we find a place to rent. I don’t have to much I’m taking with and will probably try to find new furniture there. Things i do wish to take with are fragile electronics TV, computer, etc.. any advice on the necessities I do need to take and how to get them there?
Name: Derek
Date: 5-18-2009
Zack, the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of moving to Alaska is warm clothes! No-brainer, right?! Seriously though, I would make sure to talk to people that live there year round. My guess is there are a lot of things that I would not consider. You might even talk to the Chamber of Commerce for Anchorage. They usually have a great deal of information on living and traveling in Alaska. The Chamber's website is http://www.anchoragechamber.org. ABF U-Pack has a couple of options even if you are moving just a small amount of items. I'll send you a quote for our minimum space so you can get an idea of the cost. Let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks again, Derek.
Name: Stephen Ambruzs
Date: 8-30-2009
I just tried to get a quote for a relocube from Reno to Anchorage and was told it’s not available. What’s that about?
Name: Derek
Date: 8-31-2009
Stephen, we can certainly move a ReloCube from Reno to Anchorage. However, we do not have door delivery service Anchorage which would mean that you would need to unload the ReloCube at our Anchorage terminal. I am sure that is why the message was given about availability. I will send you a quote for the ReloCube to the terminal in Anchorage so you can get a feel for the price. I am sorry for the confusion on the message you received. Thanks for your post!
Name: joe
Date: 10-17-2009
Can U Pak provide either a 20’ container or trailer to the Denali Park area on Highway 3 about 120 miles south of Fairbanks on the way to anchorage.

Can we ship our 2 snowmobiles in the container or trailer if all fluids are drained.

Move would be to Grand Junction area Colorado
Name: Derek
Date: 10-19-2009
Joe, we should be able to do a 20' container from Denali Park. As long as you drain the fluids, you can take the snowmobiles. I will get a quote worked up for you and send it to you via email. Thanks!
Name: angie
Date: 10-30-2009
Derek, we have a 3 bedroom home. we are moving from Soldotna, AK to Longview, Texas. What would be our cheapest option and how far in advance do we have to schedule the move? Thank you!
Name: Becky (for Derek)
Date: 10-30-2009
Angie,
Derek is out this afternoon, so I'll try to answer your questions. We will email a quote for moving from Soldonta, AK to Longview, TX with a couple of different options, so you can compare prices. Moving out of Alaska, I would try to reserve at least a month in advance if you can. However, when there is availability, we can set up "last-minute" Alaska moves.
Let us know if you have other questions.

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