DIY truck rentals are still the cheapest way to handle a cross-country move, often by thousands of dollars compared to full-service movers. But the rental landscape has very real winners and losers — pick wrong and you'll find yourself in a 26-footer with sketchy brakes, surprise mileage fees, and a customer service line that doesn't pick up on a Saturday.
Here's how U-Haul, Budget, Penske, and Enterprise actually compare as of early 2026, what to expect on price, and the small decisions (truck size, drop-off location, fuel return) that decide whether you come in under budget or 30% over.
Note on pricing: Rental rates fluctuate heavily by season, route, and demand. The numbers in this guide are typical ranges based on recent quotes — always get current quotes from at least two companies before booking.
Top Moving Truck Rental Companies Compared
1. U-Haul
Best for: Budget-conscious movers and wide availability
Fleet sizes: 10', 15', 17', 20', 26'
Pricing structure: Per day rate + mileage for one-way moves. Local moves are typically charged by day + mileage or flat rate packages.
Typical cost (1,000 mile move, 20' truck): $1,200-$1,800
Pros:
- Most locations nationwide (over 21,000)
- Usually cheapest option
- 24/7 roadside assistance
- Extensive equipment rental (dollies, furniture pads, etc.)
- Online reservation system
Cons:
- Truck quality varies significantly by location
- Customer service can be inconsistent
- Hidden fees common
- Trucks often not cleaned between uses
- Fuel efficiency lower than competitors
Customer rating: 3.8/5
2. Budget Truck Rental
Best for: Mid-range option with good truck quality
Fleet sizes: 12', 16', 22', 26'
Pricing structure: Similar to U-Haul with per-day and mileage charges
Typical cost (1,000 mile move, 22' truck): $1,400-$2,000
Pros:
- Generally newer, better-maintained trucks
- Competitive pricing
- Good fuel efficiency
- Price match guarantee
- Affiliate with Avis, so can return to more locations
Cons:
- Fewer locations than U-Haul
- Limited availability during peak season
- Customer service mixed reviews
Customer rating: 4.0/5
3. Penske Truck Rental
Best for: Premium truck quality and reliability
Fleet sizes: 12', 16', 22', 26'
Pricing structure: Per-day + mileage, or all-inclusive packages for long-distance
Typical cost (1,000 mile move, 22' truck): $1,600-$2,200
Pros:
- Newest, best-maintained fleet
- Excellent fuel efficiency (saves money on gas)
- Superior customer service
- Free unlimited mileage on some routes
- All trucks equipped with loading ramps
- Cleaner trucks
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost
- Fewer locations than U-Haul or Budget
- Limited availability in rural areas
Customer rating: 4.5/5
4. Enterprise Truck Rental
Best for: Excellent customer service
Fleet sizes: Cargo vans, 16', 24'
Pricing structure: Daily rate + mileage
Typical cost (1,000 mile move, 16' truck): $1,300-$1,900
Pros:
- Excellent customer service (known from car rental business)
- Well-maintained trucks
- Pick-up and drop-off convenience
- Loyalty rewards if you're an Enterprise car rental member
Cons:
- Smaller fleet selection
- Fewer locations specifically for truck rental
- Not always cheapest option
Customer rating: 4.3/5
5. Home Depot Truck Rental
Best for: Local moves only
Fleet sizes: Cargo van, pickup truck, 26' box truck
Pricing structure: Hourly rental only (75 minutes minimum, billed in 15-minute increments)
Typical cost: $19-$129 for 75 minutes depending on vehicle size
Pros:
- Extremely affordable for local moves
- Convenient Home Depot locations
- No mileage limits
- Great for quick apartment moves within the city
Cons:
- Local moves only (same-day return required)
- Not suitable for long-distance moves
- Must return to same location
- Limited to Home Depot store hours
Customer rating: 4.1/5
How to Choose the Right Truck Size
Choosing the wrong size truck is costly—too small means multiple trips or leaving belongings behind; too large wastes money.
Truck Size Guide
10-12' truck (Cargo van or small truck):
- Studio or small 1-bedroom apartment
- 1-2 rooms of furniture
- Fits: couch, bed, boxes, small appliances
15-16' truck:
- 1-2 bedroom apartment
- 2-3 rooms of furniture
- Fits: multiple beds, couch, dining table, washer/dryer
20-22' truck:
- 2-3 bedroom home
- 3-5 rooms of furniture
- Fits: full household of furniture, appliances, lots of boxes
26' truck:
- 3-5 bedroom home
- 5+ rooms of furniture
- Fits: entire large household, can double-stack items
Pro tip: When in doubt, size up. Running out of space mid-pack is a nightmare, and the price difference between sizes is usually minimal ($50-150).
Understanding Rental Costs
Base Rental Rate
This is the daily or per-move rate for the truck itself. For long-distance one-way moves, this is typically $500-$1,500 depending on distance and truck size.
Mileage Charges
For one-way long-distance moves, you're often allotted a certain number of miles. Going over can cost $0.40-$1.00 per extra mile.
Additional Fees to Watch For
- Environmental fee: $1-5
- Damage waiver (insurance): $14-$40/day
- Equipment rental: Dollies ($10-15), furniture pads ($15-20), hand trucks
- After-hours return fee: $20-50 if returning outside business hours
- Cleaning fee: If truck returned excessively dirty
- Fuel charges: Must return with same fuel level or pay inflated refueling rates
- Taxes: Can add 10-15% to total cost
How to Get the Best Price
1. Book Early
Rental prices increase as availability decreases. Book 2-4 weeks in advance for best rates, longer during peak season (May-September).
2. Be Flexible With Dates
Mid-week and mid-month moves are cheaper than weekends and month-end.
3. Compare Multiple Companies
Get quotes from at least 3 companies. Prices can vary by hundreds of dollars for the same route.
4. Look for Discounts
- AAA membership discounts (10-20% off)
- Student discounts
- Military discounts
- Senior discounts (55+)
- Promo codes (search online before booking)
5. Avoid Peak Season
Summer months (May-September) have highest demand and prices. If possible, move in fall or winter for lower rates.
6. Choose the Right Insurance
Don't automatically buy rental company insurance. Check if your:
- Credit card provides rental truck coverage
- Auto insurance extends to rental trucks
- Homeowner's or renter's insurance covers belongings in transit
One-Way vs. Round-Trip Rentals
One-Way Rentals
How it works: Pick up truck in City A, drop off in City B
Best for: Long-distance permanent moves
Pricing: Usually a flat rate that includes mileage allowance
Pros:
- No need to return to original location
- Save time and gas money
- All-inclusive pricing easier to budget
Cons:
- Can be more expensive than round-trip for some routes
- Limited availability depending on demand
Round-Trip Rentals
How it works: Pick up and return to same location
Best for: Local moves or when you need to make multiple trips
Pricing: Daily rate + mileage
Pros:
- Sometimes cheaper for certain routes
- More flexibility with pickup/drop-off location
Cons:
- Have to drive truck back (time and gas cost)
- Pay for extra days and mileage
Renting a Moving Truck: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Get Quotes Online
Use each company's website to get quotes. Input:
- Pickup and drop-off locations
- Date and time
- Truck size needed
Step 2: Compare Total Cost
Don't just look at base rate. Add up:
- Rental fee
- Estimated fuel cost (check truck's MPG)
- Insurance/damage waiver
- Equipment rentals
- Taxes and fees
Step 3: Read Reviews
Check reviews for the specific rental location, not just the company overall. Quality varies by location.
Step 4: Book Your Reservation
Reserve online or by phone. You'll need:
- Credit or debit card
- Driver's license information
- Contact information
Step 5: Confirm Reservation
A few days before pickup, call to confirm your reservation and truck availability.
Step 6: Pickup Day
Bring:
- Valid driver's license
- Credit card (usually required even if paid online)
- Reservation confirmation
- Proof of insurance if using your own
Step 7: Inspect the Truck
Before leaving the lot:
- Walk around truck and photograph existing damage
- Check fuel level and document it
- Test brakes, lights, turn signals
- Adjust mirrors
- Understand how to operate ramp/lift gate
Step 8: Return
- Fill gas tank to same level as pickup
- Clean out debris
- Return on time to avoid late fees
- Get receipt confirming return
Driving a Moving Truck: Safety Tips
- Practice in parking lot: Get comfortable with truck's size before hitting the road
- Allow extra time: Trucks are slower—add 20% to your usual travel time
- Take it slow: Accelerate and brake gradually
- Wider turns: Swing wide when turning to avoid hitting curbs
- Check mirrors constantly: Trucks have large blind spots
- Avoid low clearances: Know your truck height and watch for low bridges/parking garages
- Secure load: Use tie-downs and distribute weight evenly
- Plan your route: Avoid narrow streets and low bridges
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not measuring furniture/doorways: Know if your furniture fits through doors before moving day
- Underestimating truck size needed: Running out of space mid-move is terrible
- Forgetting to refuel: Rental companies charge 3-4x normal gas prices to refuel for you
- Not reading rental agreement: Know mileage limits, return time, and fees
- Skipping truck inspection: You'll be charged for damage you didn't cause if not documented
- Loading improperly: Heavy items should go in front, secure everything
- Not checking license requirements: Some states require special licenses for trucks over certain weights
Alternatives to Truck Rental
Portable Storage Containers (PODS, U-Pack)
How it works: Container delivered to your home, you pack, they transport it
Cost: $1,500-$5,000 for long-distance moves
Best for: Those who want to pack at their own pace
Freight Trailers (ABF U-Pack)
How it works: You load your belongings into part of a freight trailer
Cost: $1,000-$4,000
Best for: Budget movers comfortable with loading/unloading
Full-Service Movers
Cost: $2,000-$10,000+
Best for: Those who can afford convenience and don't want to drive a truck
Compare options: Comparing the top 5 international moving companies
Bottom Line
If reliability matters more than absolute lowest cost, book Penske. If you're price-sensitive and willing to be patient with customer service, U-Haul is usually the cheapest. Budget and Enterprise are reasonable middle options, especially if Penske is sold out for your dates.
Whichever you pick: get the quote in writing, ask exactly what counts as a fuel surcharge, and confirm one-way drop-off locations have availability for your truck size. Most of the horror stories come from those three things, not the company itself.
And factor gas into your budget honestly — a loaded 26-foot truck across 2,000 miles is a meaningful line item on its own. Plan the route, book the truck, and the rest is just driving carefully.
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