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Updated Mar 8, 2023
Updated Mar 8, 2023
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Long-distance moves can be expensive. If you’re looking for the most affordable way to move from one place to another, renting a moving truck will usually be your cheapest option. Truck rental services are significantly more affordable than working with a team of full-service movers, saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a one-way move. But with so many companies offering rental truck services, how can you be sure you’re working with the best service for your needs?
We’ve created a comprehensive guide to the best moving truck rental companies in the country. Read on to learn everything you need to know about:
We’ll also answer a few of the most common questions that homeowners have when they move themselves with a rental truck service.
Our top recommended moving truck rental companies for 2023:
Company | Website | Our Take | One-Way Moves? | BBB Rating | Cost |
U-Haul | Click here | Most Widely Available | Yes | A+ | $559 to $2,170 |
Budget Truck Rental | Click here | Most Discounts | Yes | A- | $500 to $5,000 |
Home Depot Truck Rental | Click here | Best for Small Moves | Yes | A+ | $129 to $3,239 |
Enterprise Truck Rental | Click here | Best for International Moves | No | D- | $49.99 to $135 per hour |
U-Pack | Click here | Most Widely-Available Container Service | Yes | A+ | $1,200 to $2,200 |
Perhaps the most well-known name in truck and trailer rentals, U-Haul is available throughout the country — the company currently operates a rental location in more than 21,000 individual towns and cities. This makes U-Haul a strong choice if you’re looking for one-way moves from a very rural area that isn’t currently under the service area of many other professional movers.
In addition to providing a wealth of rental locations, U-Haul also offers one of the widest varieties of truck rental sizes on the market. While U-Haul moving provides the standard range of 10- to 26-foot truck rentals, the company also allows you to rent pickup trucks for smaller jobs or moving individual items. Though you cannot currently access unlimited miles on your U-Haul truck rental like some competitors, this wide selection of availability and representatives standing by to help you choose the right truck make it a solid option for nearly any type of homeowner.
Pros
Cons
U-Haul currently offers the following truck sizes and vehicle options throughout the country.
Truck sizes | Pickup truck | Cargo van | 10-ft. | 15-ft. | 17-ft. | 20-ft. |
Internal dimensions | 7 ft. 10 in. x 5 ft. 2 in. x 1 ft. 9 in. | 9 ft. 6 in. x 5 ft. 7 in. x 4 ft. 8 in. | 9 ft. 11. In. x 6 ft. 4 in. x 6 ft. 2 in. | 15 ft. x 7 ft. 8 in. x 7 ft. 2 in. | 16 ft. 9 in. x 7 ft. 8 in. x 7 ft. 2 in. | 19 ft. 6 in. x 7 ft. 8 in. x 7 ft. 2 in. |
Weight limit | 1,897 lbs | 3,880 lbs | 2,850 lbs | 6,385 lbs | 6,160 lbs | 5,700 lbs |
Interior space | N/A | 245 cubic ft. | 402 cubic ft. | 764 cubic ft. | 865 cubic ft. | 1,016 cubic ft. |
Recommended use | Moving small individual items | Studio apartment | One-bedroom apartment | One-bedroom home | Two-bedroom home | Two-bedroom home |
26-foot trucks are also available at multiple locations nationwide.
In order to help you get an idea of what you might pay for U-Haul moving, we requested a few sample estimates for various moves online. View pricing information on various moves below.
Origin | Destination | Distance | Truck size | Use and milage | Quoted price |
New York City, NY | Boston, MA | 215 miles | 10-ft. | Three days of use; 480 miles | $607.00 |
New York City, NY | Boston, MA | 215 miles | 20-ft. | Three days of use; 480 miles | $1,139.00 |
Richmond, VA | Detroit, MI | 622 miles | 10-ft. | Four days of use; 738 miles | $483.00 |
Richmond, VA | Detroit, MI | 622 miles | 20-ft. | Four days of use; 738 miles | $559.00 |
Portland, OR | Denver, CO | 945 miles | 10-ft. | Five days of use; 1,487 miles | $1,033.00 |
Portland, OR | Denver, CO | 945 miles | 20-ft. | Five days of use; 1,487 miles | $2,174.00 |
State Availability: 50 States
As you compare moving truck options to help you make your way to your new home, you might be surprised to learn that these types of services can be more expensive than you originally thought. If you’re finding that even a DIY move might be a strain on your household budget, you might want to consider moving to your new home with Budget Truck Rental. Budget Truck Rental is notable for its affordable local moving services as well as its variety of available discounts. You can currently claim a discount if you qualify as any of the following:
When working in combination with Budget’s low rates, these discounts can take your move from stressful to affordable and efficient.
Pros
Cons
Budget Truck Rental offers trucks in multiple different sizes as well as a variety of pick-up and drop-off locations to support one-way moving services. Budget currently offers the following truck and vehicle options across the country.
Truck sizes | Cargo van | 12-ft. | 16-ft. | 26-ft. |
Internal dimensions | 11 ft. x 4 ft. 5 in. x 6 ft. | 10 ft. x 6 ft. 3 in. x 6 ft. | 16 ft. x 6 ft. 3 in. x 6 ft. 7 in. | 26 ft. x 8 ft. 1 in. x 8 ft. 1 in. |
Weight limit | 3,400 lbs | 3,610 lbs | 4,460 lbs | 10,000 lbs |
Interior space | 357 cubic ft. | 380 cubic ft. | 658 cubic ft. | 1,698 cubic ft. |
Recommended use | Studio apartment or one-bedroom space | One-bedroom or two-bedroom home or apartment | Three-bedroom or four-bedroom home | Five- to eight-bedroom home |
As is the case with U-Haul, the price that you’ll pay for service with Budget might vary depending on the size of the truck you choose, your pick-up location, when your move is scheduled for, and many additional factors. We requested a few quotes for a variety of moving services to help you estimate what you’re likely to pay for your rental truck services. Browse the table below to see what we’ve found.
Origin | Destination | Distance | Truck size | Use and milage | Quoted price |
New York City, NY | Boston, MA | 215 miles | 12-ft. | Two days of use; unlimited mileage | $719.10 |
New York City, NY | Boston, MA | 215 miles | 26-ft. | Two days of use; unlimited mileage | $4,999.00 |
Richmond, VA | Detroit, MI | 622 miles | 12-ft. | Four days of use; unlimited mileage | $503.10 |
Richmond, VA | Detroit, MI | 622 miles | 26-ft. | Four days of use; unlimited mileage | $2,999.00 |
Portland, OR | Denver, CO | 945 miles | 12-ft. | Six days of use; unlimited mileage | $1,143.90 |
Portland, OR | Denver, CO | 945 miles | 26-ft. | Six days of use; unlimited mileage | $3,924.00 |
State Availability: 50 States
A cross-country name in home improvement, Home Depot has recently begun offering truck rental services as well. Home Depot’s primary moving offering is its Load ‘N Go rental trucks, which are designed for use on a single moving date for local moves. This means that you’ll need to pick up and drop off your truck at the same location to get the best rates, which is not ideal for cross-country moves. However, if you’re looking for a quick way to get a last-minute moving truck without exorbitant fees, a Load ‘N Go rental truck can be a cheap option for you.
In addition to offering quick and convenient truck rental options, Home Depot also allows you to rent some of the most common additional loading tools and supplies movers need to safely prepare their shipment. For example, you can rent a tow dolly, hand truck, or set of lifting straps the same day you book your online reservation for a truck. These additional safety tools are available for just a few dollars more than the price of your truck rental but can make your move in process much easier.
Pros
Cons
Home Depot offers two types of moving vehicles through its online reservation system.
We recommend Home Depot Truck Rental for small local moves, as long-distance moving truck rentals tend to be more expensive when booked through Home Depot’s website. In addition to scheduling your truck rental, you can also purchase moving supplies like furniture pads, boxes, and loading straps online.
Home Depot currently offers the following vehicle selections as part of its in-house Load ‘N Go program.
Truck sizes | F250 flatbed truck | T250 flatbed truck | Cargo van | HD box truck |
Weight limit | 3,000 lbs | 3,000 lbs | 3,000 lbs | 3,850 lbs |
Interior space | N/A | N/A | 277 cubic ft. | 515 cubic ft. |
Recommended use | Individual item or small move | Individual item or small move | Individual item or small move | One- to Two-bedroom space |
To help you get a better idea of what you might expect to pay for your truck rental, we’ve collected a few quotes for some sample moving processes. Explore the table below to learn more about small and large moving truck rental expenses from this company.
Origin | Destination | Distance | Truck size | Use and milage | Quoted price |
New York City, NY | Boston, MA | 215 miles | T250 flatbed truck | Available for daily or weekly rentals; unlimited mileage | $129.00 per day; $903.00 per week |
New York City, NY | Boston, MA | 215 miles | 22-ft. | Two days of use; unlimited mileage | $1,399.00 |
Richmond, VA | Detroit, MI | 622 miles | T250 flatbed truck | Available for daily or weekly rentals; unlimited mileage | $129.00 per day; $903.00 per week |
Richmond, VA | Detroit, MI | 622 miles | 22-ft. | Five days of use; unlimited mileage | $1,799.00 |
Portland, OR | Denver, CO | 945 miles | T250 flatbed truck | Available for daily or weekly rentals; unlimited mileage | $129.00 per day; $903.00 per week |
Portland, OR | Denver, CO | 945 miles | 22-ft. | Five days of use; unlimited mileage | $3,939.00 |
State Availability: 50 States
If you’re moving outside of the United States, you might have a more difficult time finding the right moving company. Enterprise Rental Trucks offers locations in both Canada and Puerto Rico, making international moves possible. You can rent your truck from Enterprise for as little as a single day to as long as a month. This flexible scheduling policy allows you to customize your move, taking as much or as little time as you need for loading and transportation.
Enterprise Rental Trucks also offers a wide variety of vehicle options beyond what you’ll find with most other rental truck services. For example, in addition to standard cargo vans, Enterprise also offers compact cargo vans (that fit in more easily in urban areas) as well as heavy-duty cargo vans capable of carrying nearly 4,000 pounds. So long as you’re making a local move, Enterprise will likely have a van, truck, or other moving vehicle that fits your needs.
Pros
Cons
Enterprise currently offers the following rental vehicles for local moving services. Note that your vehicle must be picked up and dropped off at the same Enterprise location.
Truck sizes | Pickup truck | Cargo van | 15-ft. | 16-ft. | 24-ft. | 26-ft. |
Internal dimensions | Up to 8 ft. long truck bed | 10 ft. 6 in. x 5 ft. 5 in. x 4 ft. 7 in. | 15 ft. x 8 ft. x 7 ft. | 16 ft. x 8 ft. x 7 ft. 6 in. | 24 ft. x 8 ft. 6 in. x 8 ft. 6 in. | 26 ft. x 8 ft. 6 in. x 8 ft. 6 in. |
Weight limit | 2,000 lbs. | 3,700 lbs. | 5,000 lbs. | 7,500 lbs. | 10,000 lbs. | 10,000 lbs. |
Interior space | N/A | 260 cubic ft. | 810 cubic ft. | 960 cubic ft. | 1,500 cubic ft. | 1,800 cubic ft. |
Recommended use | Individual item or small move | Individual item or small move | One- to three-bedroom home | Four- to Five-bedroom home | More than five bedrooms | More than five bedrooms |
Explore the table below to estimate what you might pay for your Enterprise Truck Rental based on previous customer quotes. You can book each option for as little as one day to as long as one year. In addition to your quoted price, you may also pay a per-mile fee based on the vehicle you select.
Origin | Truck size | Cost per mile | Price per day |
New York City, NY | Cargo van | $0.20 | $49.99 |
New York City, NY | 16-ft. box truck | $0.29 | $129.00 |
Richmond, VA | Cargo van | 450 free miles included; $0.25 per additional mile | $89.99 |
Richmond, VA | 16-ft. box truck | $0.59 | $135.00 |
Portland, OR | Cargo van | 450 free miles included; $0.18 per additional mile | $65.00 |
Portland, OR | 16-ft. box truck | Not available | N/A |
State Availability: 50 States
U-Pack is not a moving truck rental company. Instead, it operates as a moving container service, providing you with a unique balance of affordability and convenience. After booking your U-Pack reservation online, a representative will deliver a storage container or moving trailer to your property. From here, you’ll have three days to load your container, after which U-Pack will return to pick it up and drop it off at your new home. This means that you don’t need to worry about toll charges, gas expenses, and other on-the-road necessities you will need to cover when you move on your own — the price you see is all inclusive.
Pros
Cons
U-Pack currently offers moving container and trailer services in all 50 states, as well as storage services. All of U-Pack’s ReloCube moving containers measure 6′ x 7′ x 8′, which is about the size of a parking space. You can also rent between five to 26 feet of moving trailer space, and you’ll only pay for the space you use. Like ReloCube moving, U-Pack’s service price includes the cost of shipment transportation.
Keep in mind that U-Pack only offers service on moves of at least 150 miles. If you’re moving locally, you may want to consider a competing container service like PODS.
We requested a few quotes from U-Pack to help you get an idea of what you might pay for moving services. Explore the table below to learn more.
Origin | Destination | Distance | Container option | Time in transit | Quoted price |
New York City, NY | Boston, MA | 215 miles | 10’ trailer | Four to six business days | $2,250 |
New York City, NY | Boston, MA | 215 miles | Full trailer | Four to six business days | $2,811 |
Richmond, VA | Detroit, MI | 622 miles | 10’ trailer | Five to seven business days | $1,702 |
Richmond, VA | Detroit, MI | 622 miles | Full trailer | Five to seven business days | $2,569 |
Portland, OR | Denver, CO | 945 miles | 10’ trailer | Five to seven business days | $3,659 |
Portland, OR | Denver, CO | 945 miles | Full trailer | Five to seven business days | $4,781 |
State Availability: 50 States
Get a quote from U-Pack here.
Why Trust House Method
House Method’s Experts collected and analyzed 25 critical data points across multiple companies to identify what makes a great moving company in the eye of the consumer. Our reviews team used this data to assess over 40 moving providers for services provided, relocation costs, and national availability to provide unbiased reviews so homeowners can confidently navigate key decisions about their next move.
Choosing the best rental truck service can be a challenge if there are multiple competitors in your area. Be sure to look for the following characteristics before you book your moving date.
While DIY moving services provide you with a more affordable alternative to full-service moving processes, there may be more expenses you’ll need to think about beyond the cost of your rental. Be sure you budget the following extra expenses before you decide how much money you can afford to spend on your move in total.
Remember that every moving truck rental company has its own busy months and slower months. It’s entirely possible to find the exact same rental vehicle at three different price points with three different rental companies. We recommend getting a quote from at least one moving truck rental company as well as U-Pack using the link above to be sure that you’re getting the best price on your moving services.
The price that you’ll pay to rent a moving truck will vary depending on the size trailer you rent. As a general rule, most homeowners can expect to pay between $500 and $2,000 for their moving truck services depending on their truck size and the distance they’re traveling.
It’s best to place your reservation for your moving truck as soon as you’ve settled on a moving date. Try not to book any later than one month before the day you want to be on the road.
The best way to save on your moving truck is to rent a smaller vehicle. You can do this by downsizing your home as much as possible before your moving date. You should also be sure to book your moving company in advance to secure the best rates.
There are many U-Haul competitors providing truck rental services, including Enterprise Truck Rental, Budget, and Home Depot Truck Rental. You can also explore different transportation options for a DIY move (like a moving container service).
Penske Truck Rental is owned by Roger Penske, the founder and chairman of the company.
At House Method, our primary goals are to be a reliable source of information and to be totally transparent to our readers. With that in mind, we’ve developed the following formula to render objective ratings – on a scale of 10 points – for the moving companies we review.
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