How To Ship a Mattress

Having to transport a big, heavy mattress, especially over long distances, seems troublesome. But it doesn’t have to be!

There are a couple of ways to get your mattress from point A to point B, and one of them is shipping. 

But is shipping even worth it? And how much will it cost you? If you’re wondering how to ship a mattress, we’ve got you covered.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship a Mattress?

Obviously, the bigger something is, the higher the shipping cost. That’s why, in general, it costs a lot to ship a mattress.

The shipping costs mostly depend on delivery information, like:

• The distance between pickup and drop-off location;
• The mattress dimensions and weight;
• How quickly you need the mattress to be at your doorstep. 

Prices can vary based on the provider, but if you’re looking to move mattresses, expect to spend around $300. 

Luckily, most shipping providers offer you a free quote based on the information you give them, so check the websites of companies like USPS, FedEx, and UPS. 

Although, keep in mind that some of these have package limitations that won’t let you ship a big mattress. 

And shipping costs aren’t just what you need to pay the company. You’ll need to buy the right packing materials, like boxes, packing foam, or shrink wrap, and you might even run into additional fees.

Guide to Shipping a Mattress

There are a couple of steps you need to take to ship the mattress safely and in a way that suits you best. Here are the steps you need to take. 

Measure Your Mattress

You need information if you want to ship mattresses. 

Because shipping prices depend on weight, dimensions, and distance, you should measure your mattress and supply the shipping service with the numbers. 

So pull out that measuring tape and check the mattress size before getting to the next step. Obviously, the cost to ship a Queen size mattress will be higher than for a Twin one.

When it comes to mattress weight, you can’t really measure it unless you know the data from the manufacturer. But we have a table that could help you determine how much your mattress weighs. 

Mattress size	Dimensions	Average weight
Twin	38” x 75”	40 to 45 lbs
Twin XL	38” x 80”	43 to 48 lbs
Full	56” x 75”	50 to 60 lbs
Queen	60” x 80”	120 to 160 lbs
King	76” x 80”	130 to 180 lbs
California King	72” x 84”	130 to 180 lbs

The weight of a mattress mostly depends on its size, thickness, and material. Innerspring and memory foam mattresses are usually on the lighter side, while hybrid and latex mattresses can get very heavy. 

And also, do you have a box spring that’ll need shipping? If so, you need to measure it and take it into account. Most box springs weigh around 50 to 75 pounds. 

Know the Shipping Quotes

As mentioned before, a lot of shipping companies will give you a free quote on their website, and their prices can vary a lot when it comes to shipping mattresses. 

So don’t be impatient! Take your time if you want to make this cost-effective, especially when it can get so expensive. 

Give them information about the locations, delivery dates, what you need shipped, and the dimensions, and they’ll send you an offer. Try this on a couple of different websites to see which one has the best quotes for shipping mattresses. 

Some companies even let you name your price if their prices don’t suit you, so look for this option on their website. They might agree to ship a mattress at that cost; you have nothing to lose. 

Once you choose the offer that suits you best, it’s time to get any special packaging information from the delivery company and get ready for mattress shipping.

Get the Mattress Ready

Now that you know all of the shipping quotes and dimensions, it’s time to get ready for packing. 

You can’t just put your mattress in a box; there are a couple of things you need to do first. 

Remove bedding and other bed accessories before you begin packing up the mattress. Disassemble the bed frame, put all of the parts together, and use a zip-lock bag for any screws and other small parts. Move all the other bedroom furniture to create more space for mattress packing.

Are you shipping the bed frame along with the mattress? Then measure it and get ready to pack it up nicely. 

Now let’s get to the mattress. 

Package Your Bed

Before you begin, check whether the shipping company has any exact packaging regulations you’ll need to follow for a mattress. 

There are usually three steps you need to take to pack your mattress properly. 

Mattress Bag

The first thing you need to do is pack your mattress in a mattress bag or even a full mattress encasement that can protect it from the elements. 

If you can’t get your hands on one of these, you can always use bubble wrap or plastic wrap. Tightly wrap the mattress with bubble wrap and packing tape to keep it safe. 

Pick a Proper Shipping Box

The next step is to put the mattress in a good, sturdy cardboard box. 

This step can depend on the shipping company, but you’ll definitely need to spend some time and money to get a box that can snugly fit your mattress and get it ready for moving. 

Don’t forget to package the box spring the same way!

Fill In Any Extra Space

Once you put the mattress in the box, you should fill any extra space surrounding it with packing materials. This will further cushion the mattress and ensure that it’s kept safe and whole.

Shipping mattresses can get bumpy, so you’ll need bubble wrap and other packing materials to keep the mattress safe. Try using packing peanuts or other similar things. 

Once you fill it with packing peanuts, make sure to tape the cardboard box shut.

Schedule the Pickup

Finally, it’s time to send your packaged mattress on its way. 

Most shipping companies give you two options. It’s either a curbside pickup, where they go to your address, get the package, and take it to the destination address. 

Another option is for you to get your packaged mattress to a certain location by yourself, after which they take over. 

Less commonly, service providers will offer white-glove delivery for this. White-glove delivery means that the company representatives will come to your home, pack the mattress, and take it off your hands. 

This is a good option for those who can’t handle the packaging for whatever reason. However, keep in mind that it comes at a premium. 

Extra Things To Keep in Mind

Now that we’ve covered the basics, we should warn you about some other things you should keep in mind if you want to ship your mattress. 

Additional Shipping Fees

Shipping something as big and cumbersome as a mattress comes at a high price, and there could also be some additional costs involved.  

The exact price depends on the shipping provider, but most companies charge additional fees for oversized packages. And a mattress can get pretty oversized. 

If you’re planning to transport a large mattress, like a King sized mattress, expect the total cost to be high.

Additionally, keep in mind that you’ll need to pay for the box and other packing materials. 

Shipping Insurance

Most mattresses are safe during shipping, but in case something happens, you want to be protected. 

Large packages, particularly mattresses, can be damaged, stolen, or even lost during the shipping process. 

Luckily, a lot of companies offer shipping insurance to keep your mattress safe, but the price of this can vary. 

Still, you should consider getting shipping insurance.

Alternatives to Shipping a Mattress

Does shipping seem too much for you? If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to ship your mattress, there are a couple of routes you can take. 

Buy a New Mattress

Sometimes it’s just not worth it to spend a few hundred dollars to move your current mattress, and it’s just better to get an entirely new one. 

There are a couple of reasons why. For example, if the cost of shipping outweighs the cost of buying a completely new mattress. Think about how much you originally bought it for and what it would cost now. 

Next, it might just be time for you to get a new mattress. How old is your mattress? Since most of them last 7 to 10 years, shipping a 5-year-old mattress might not be the best idea.  

And is it really that urgent and important to ship it instead of getting a new one? 

A new mattress could cost you anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a couple of thousands, depending on your preferences. Keep all of these things in mind and base your choice on them.

Rent a Truck

The biggest problem with moving a mattress by yourself is that it almost definitely can’t fit into your car. 

One of the solutions for this is to rent a moving truck and use it for transportation. This way, you can use the truck to ship a mattress and your other furniture.

One thing you should keep in mind with this delivery method are truck bed dimensions. Most truck beds are big enough to put a mattress inside, but measure it first.  

You’ll still need to package your mattress well so it doesn’t get damaged, and you’ll be the one to load, drive, and unload. Make sure to keep the mattress flat, especially if it’s a foam mattress. Memory foam mattresses can get damaged if put upright, so they need to lay flat.

Renting a pickup truck, along with paying for gas, could cost you a couple hundred dollars. It mostly depends on the distance you’ll have to cover. 

However, this is the most affordable choice if you’re doing local moves and transporting more than just your mattress. 

Hire Professional Movers

If you are unable to move your belongings on your own or are moving a long distance, you could hire professional movers. 

Professional movers will load all of your stuff, drive it to the location, and unload it. But they won’t pack your mattress unless they offer that option for an additional fee. 

It might sound perfect to have somebody else do the heavy lifting, but hiring a professional moving company will cost you a couple thousand dollars. It depends on how much stuff you have and how far it needs to be taken. 

This option definitely pays off only when you’re moving your entire house and not just a single mattress. 

Ridesharing

This less common option involves shipping your mattress by giving it to someone who is traveling to the destination you’re looking to ship to and has extra space in their vehicle. Ridesharing is also known as peer-to-peer shipping. 

Ridesharing is done by companies and individuals alike, so you should take care of who you choose. 

The biggest problems are the lack of available dates when you could send the mattress, usually not working with professionals, and no shipping insurance. 

Consolidated Freight

Consolidated freight might seem like ridesharing at first, but it’s always done by professionals. 

Your mattress will be packaged with other cargo in the vehicle, but it comes with more benefits than peer-to-peer shipping. 

You can get stuff like shipping insurance and professional help with loading and maybe even packaging, and it’s good for long-distance moves. Although it can be costly and take your mattress a long time to arrive. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Fold a Mattress?

It might seem like it would help with transportation, but it’s a bad idea. 

Folding a mattress can damage the layers, whether they’re springs or foam. If you really want to save space, you could use a plastic bag and a vacuum cleaner to vacuum-seal it at home. 

Keep in mind that it’s still going to weigh the same and that you can’t vacuum seal it as much as mattress manufacturers can. 

So if your idea was to get it to be the size of a bed in a box, scrap that. They have professional tools for these. 

Is Shipping a Mattress Worth It?

A lot of things come into play when shipping a mattress, so you might end up wondering, is it even really worth it? 

Well, only sometimes. And other times, it’s better to just get a whole new mattress. 

Take a look at the shipping quote and determine whether the cost to ship a mattress is higher than buying a new one. If your old mattress is already older than 5 years or has visible signs of wear and tear, it might be better to let it go. 

Today, there are a lot of budget-friendly mattresses you could find, so do your research before making the final decision. 

Can You Strap a Mattress to the Top of Your Car?

Even if your car allows it, strapping a mattress to the top of the car is not a good idea. 

First, no matter how well you package it, it will be hard to keep your mattress clean. It could also get damaged from the car and moving straps. And what if it gets detached? 

Finally, it could block your vision if it flops on the car because it’s too bumpy, and you could get pulled over. 

Final Thoughts

Shipping a mattress might seem difficult, but the tips we’ve listed here are definitely going to help you. Just go step by step, and everything will be fine!

Although there are times when shipping a mattress is simply not worth it, it may be better for you to simply purchase a new one. 

Whatever you choose, we hope this guide helped you learn how to ship a mattress! Good luck with mattress shipping!