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Home > Moving
By Kurt Manwaring
Dec 27, 2022
5 min read
At a glance
Rental trucks appeal to people looking for a DIY, affordable moving experience. It costs only about $130 to use a rental truck for a local move, while long-distance moves cost about $1,780. Of course, there are many other options to choose from like moving containers and full-service movers. It all depends on the type of move.
We’ll break down some of the average costs if you decide to use one of our best rental truck companies.
What is the average cost of a truck rental?
The average cost of a truck rental is approximately $1,550. Costs range from $130 for a small local trip to $3,250 for a sizable long-distance move. The specific amount depends on rental truck size and distance.
Average truck rental costs
50 miles | 450 miles | 1,750 miles | |
| 1-room apartment | $130 | $710 | $1,640 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-room apartment | $130 | $750 | $1,690 |
| 3-room home | $140 | $800 | $1,790 |
| 5-room home | $190 | $1,030 | $2,140 |
Data current as of 6/19/20. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Average cost calculated by comparing rental costs plus fuel for four home sizes across three distances.
How much does it cost to move locally vs. one way?
It’s cheaper to use a rental truck for a local move than it is a one-way trip. Local rentals average $150, while one-way trips cost an average of $1,780. In general, it costs more to travel farther.
Local vs. one-way truck rental cost
Local | One-way | |
| 1-room apartment | $130 | $1,570 |
|---|---|---|
| 2-room apartment | $130 | $1,610 |
| 3-room home | $140 | $1,740 |
| 5-room home | $190 | $2,210 |
Data current as of 6/19/20. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Average cost calculated by comparing rental costs plus fuel for four home sizes across seven distances.
How does moving truck size affect cost?
The size of your moving truck impacts the total cost. In general, the bigger a truck is, the more it costs. However, not all companies have the same truck sizes—we like to look at home size.
We contacted the three biggest rental truck companies and asked what size truck they recommend for several different home sizes. U-Haul’s 10-foot rental truck is the smallest on the market, while the 26-foot version offered by both U-Haul and Budget Truck Rental is the largest truck you can find.
Recommended moving truck sizes by company
Budget Truck Rental | Penske Truck Rental | U-Haul | |
| 1-room apartment | 12 ft. truck | 12 ft. truck | 10 ft. truck |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-room apartment | 12 ft. truck | 16 ft. truck | 15 ft. truck |
| 3-room home | 16 ft. truck | 16 ft. truck | 20 ft. truck |
| 5-room home | 26 ft. truck | 22 ft. truck | 26 ft. truck |
How much are moving truck fees?
Moving truck fees often add up to hundreds of dollars. The prices vary by rental truck company, but everyone pays them. The only thing more certain than death and taxes is spending more on your truck rental than your quote suggests.
The most common costs not included in your quote are pretty basic—but they add up:
- Gas. It’s never part of your quote, and rental trucks don’t get good gas mileage.
- Insurance. The average cost to protect against damage is over $100.
- Mileage. You often have to pay a mileage fee for local moves (long-distance moves typically have unlimited mileage).
- Supplies. Expect to pay more if you need boxes, furniture pads, or tie down straps.
- Taxes. You must pay taxes, but they’re not always part of your quote.
- Towing equipment. It costs extra to rent a car trailer or tow dolly.
Which moving truck company is the cheapest?
Budget Truck Rental has the lowest rates for moving trucks. Its average cost of $1,520 is about $30 cheaper than the average. But the cost is about more than just the overall lowest option. Each of the biggest truck rental companies is the least expensive in certain situations.
We break this down in our list of the cheapest rental truck companies, but we’ll go over some of the highlights here.
How to find the cheapest moving truck
Budget Truck Rental | Penske Truck Rental | U-Haul | |
| Best for | Customers moving locally | Customers moving long distances or who have big homes | Customers who want low-cost insurance |
|---|
When should I use Budget Truck Rental?
You should use Budget Truck Rental if you’re moving across town or don’t have the time to compare prices (it’s the overall cheapest company). Budget Truck Rental’s average cost of $1,520 is $30 less expensive than the other guys, but its prices for in-town moves are even better: $70 less than the average.
Truck rental cost comparison
Budget Truck Rental | Penske Truck Rental | U-Haul | |
| Average cost | $80 | $110 | $260 |
|---|
Data current as of 6/19/20. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Average cost calculated by comparing rental costs plus fuel for a local move of 50 miles in which the moving truck is returned to the same location.
It’s also important to note that Budget Truck Rental is the king of discounts. While some companies offer only a few discounts, the leading truck rental company offers several significant price cuts for:
- AARP members
- Bar Association members
- Military personnel
- Motor Club members
- Online orders
- Police, firefighters, and EMT
- Students
So, which moving truck rental is the cheapest? Budget Truck Rental.
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Home Depot Truck Rental
Did you know you can get a rented truck at Home Depot? The company has a partnership with Penske.
When should I use Penske Truck Rental?
You should use Penske Truck Rental if:
- You have a big home.
- You’re traveling across the country.
- You don’t want to mess with hidden fees.
It has the lowest prices for both large home sizes and long-distance moves.
Penske Truck Rental’s estimates are also nearly 100% accurate (they include everything except gas). That’s a big deal because not all rental truck companies are as straightforward about pricing. For example, U-Haul typically has the lowest overall quotes—but your actual price is about 60% higher. We love the way Penske Truck Rental takes the mystery out of its prices.
Penske truck rental quotes vs. final prices
Initial quote | Final cost | Amount above quote | |
| Penske Truck Rental | $1,360 | $1,540 | $180 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Truck Rental | $1,170 | $1,520 | $350 |
| U-Haul | $1,180 | $1,580 | $400 |
Data current as of 6/19/20. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Average cost calculated by comparing initial quotes and final prices (including fuel costs) for four home sizes across seven distances.
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When should I use a U-Haul truck?
You should use U-Haul truck if you want low-cost insurance or can’t find a Budget Truck Rental or Penske Truck Rental near you. The U-Haul price of $70 for insurance is almost twice as low as other rental truck companies.
U-Haul insurance costs
U-Haul | Our top truck rental companies | |
| Average cost | $70 | $130 |
|---|
Data current as of 6/19/20. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Average cost calculated by comparing initial quotes and final prices (including fuel costs) for four home sizes across seven distances.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to find a cheap truck rental near you is to contact U-Haul. As the nation’s largest truck rental company, U-Haul claims to have more than 20,000 locations. Other options include Budget Truck Rental and Penske Truck Rental. Learn more about the differences in Move.org’s guide to thecheapest moving truck companies. You can also use ourfree moving conciergeto locate the best discounts on truck rentals.
You can get a small moving truck rental by contacting a major truck rental company like U-Haul, Penske Truck Rental, or Budget Truck Rental. Not every company has the same sizes, but U-Haul’s 10-foot truck is the smallest option.
What moving truck companies can I choose from?
The three biggest moving truck companies you can choose from are U-Haul, Budget Truck Rental, and Penske Truck Rental. Enterprise Truck Rental and Home Depot also offer cheap truck rentals.
Is Budget Truck Rental similar to companies like U-Haul?
Yes, Budget Truck Rental is similar to companies like U-Haul. Budget Truck Rental is known for being the cheapest place to rent a truck. Its average price of $1,520 is about $30 cheaper than other moving truck companies.
What are the best budget truck rental companies?
The best budget truck rental companies are Budget Truck Rental, Penske Truck Rental, and U-Haul. Each company has wide availability and competitive pricing.
Is a DIY move better than a professional mover?
It depends on what matters most to you. A DIY move is cheaper than a professional mover, but a professional mover is more convenient.
Do rental companies offer other vehicles aside from moving trucks?
Yes, most truck rental companies offer other vehicles aside from moving trucks. Companies like U-Haul, Enterprise Truck Rental and Budget Truck Rental have smaller truck options like a cargo van, pickup truck, or van rental. However, in most cases, a cargo van, pickup truck, or van won’t be large enough to move all your belongings.
How do I move cross country?
A cross-country move involves moving all your belongings from one side of the country to the other. Your most convenient option is to use one of Move.org’s Best Interstate Moving Companies.
Recommended resources
Is a rental truck not quite what you’re looking for? See if one of these options is a better fit:
- Best Moving Companies
- Best Long-Distance Moving Companies
- Best Moving Container Companies
- Best Moving Labor Companies
- Best Car Shipping Companies
People also asked
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- How to Pack a Moving Truck like the Pros
Written by
Kurt Manwaring
Kurt Manwaring brings nearly a decade’s worth of research experience as a business consultant to the Move.org team. He specializes in taking complicated issues (like moving) and presenting them in a way that everyone can understand. His writing has been featured in hundreds of publications, including USA Today, Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Heavy, Slate, and Yahoo! Lifestyle. He brings a BS in sociology and an MPA (masters of public administration) to the Move team. He would love to hear about your moving experiences and questions at kurt@move.org.
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