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Best Moving Truck Rental Companies 2024 | U.S. News
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Moving can be a hassle, and there are a lot of pieces to coordinate no matter if you’re hopping across town or relocating across the country. However, finding the right rental truck for your situation doesn’t have to be difficult. That’s why we’ve done the research for you and put together a list of the best moving truck rental companies.
To find this list, we compared the top names in DIY moving. We looked at what matters most to the millions of Americans who move each year. This includes truck availability, pickup locations, and hours of operation. The top companies offer a range of trucks, moving supplies, and flexible hours that can meet your moving schedule.
We also considered how easy it is to reserve a truck online or in person at the counter. Additionally, we checked the costs of extras like towing dollies or car carriers for private vehicles. Sometimes these extras couldn’t be reserved online, and not all companies were upfront about their prices. Finally, we compared prices for local moves, moves across state lines, and cross-country moves to see which company offered the best prices.
U-Haul is a well-known choice for moving truck rentals. With more than 20,000 locations, it’s easy to find a U-Haul dealer, and most operate seven days a week, providing options for vehicle pickup and drop-off outside of regular business hours.
The range of vehicles for rent is unsurpassed. The company provides pickup trucks, cargo vans, box trucks in five sizes, plus trailers and tow-hitch installations. U-Haul’s reach, versatility, and flexibility make it our top pick.
Downsides do exist, though. A large fleet can mean delayed maintenance on vehicles. U-Haul is also unique for applying additional mileage fees to even one-way long-haul trips, and this can lead to surprising extra costs if movers aren’t careful about the miles driven.
Specs
Truck sizes:
Pickup trucks; cargo vans; and 10-, 15-, 17-, 20-, and 26-foot trucks
Rental rates:
$19.95 for pickup trucks, cargo vans, and 10-foot trucks; $29.95 for 15-foot trucks; and $39.95 for larger sizes
Additional charges:
From $0.59 per mile for pickups and vans and from $0.79 per mile for box trucks, also applying to one-way moves
Bookings:
Comprehensive online reservation system also allowing for supply purchases and hiring moving help at departure and arrival points
Budget Truck Rental lives up to its name by offering the most affordable moving truck rentals when its frequent promotional discounts are applied. For local moves, daily rentals start at $19.99 for a cargo van, $29.99 for either a 12- or 16-foot box truck, and $39.99 for a 26-foot box truck. Budget often runs promotions, however, like 20% off, which would make these prices $15.99, $23.99, and $31.99, respectively. Additional costs per mile ranged from $0.55 to $0.79.
For interstate moves, Budget continues to be the value option. For example, the estimated cost for a move from Orlando, Florida, to Seattle, Washington, comes in at a little more than $2,000 for the two mid-range box trucks and around $3,000 for the 26-footer.
This value pricing comes with some limitations, though. Availability for the company’s 26-foot trucks is limited, and calls to confirm pricing revealed a large number of defunct Budget Truck Rental locations with disconnected and out-of-service numbers.
Specs
Truck sizes:
Pickup trucks; cargo vans; and 12-, 16-, and 26-foot box trucks
Rental rates:
$19.99 for cargo vans, $29.99 for mid-range box trucks, and $39.99 for 26-foot box trucks
Additional charges:
Extra days or mileage charges of $100 per day and $1 per mile for any time and mileage not included in the reservation at pickup for one-way rentals
Bookings:
Requires payment of a deposit at pickup, with cancellation due within 48 hours of pickup to avoid a $75 charge
Enterprise Truck Rental offers the widest vehicle variety – including heavy-duty utility trucks and stakebed trucks (the type used to move produce) – among the companies we reviewed. This may be why a representative of the California Moving & Storage Association identified Enterprise Truck Rental as the place professional movers go to buy their vehicles, recommending the company for its newer vehicles and well-maintained fleet of trucks.
Enterprise is unique for supplying specialized commercial vehicles for people like electricians and farmers alongside four-wheel-drive cargo vans and trucks. These distinct options make Enterprise the top pick for specialized or commercial moves. However, limited availability and the round-trip-only rental policy make Enterprise a nonviable option for out-of-state and cross-country moves.
Specs
Truck sizes:
Vary from standard pickups to cargo vans to 26-foot box trucks and stakebed trucks
Rental rates:
Start at $45 for a 15-foot box truck and increase to $102 for a 26-foot box truck
Additional charges:
$0.29 and $0.39 per mile rates (starting upon departure for box trucks), with 150 free miles for cargo vans and pickups, and a possible $25 per day towing charge for pickups
Bookings:
Online reservations with no prepayment required and no fee for canceling on short notice
Home Depot offers its Load ’N Go light trucks nationwide on a first-come, first-served basis. The company does provide an online booking option, but due to limited availability, reserving your preferred vehicle at a location near you – even well in advance – could be challenging. Plus, a $150 deposit is required to make a reservation. Despite a 75-minute rental costing more than a full-day rental from some competitors, Home Depot’s lack of mileage charges does make it a compelling option.
Selection-wise, its branded vehicles are restricted to two flatbed pickups, cargo vans, and a 12-foot box truck suitable for moving small spaces. For larger trucks, Home Depot has partnered with Penske, expanding options for customers, but they must book these large vehicles through Penske’s website.
Specs
Truck sizes:
F250 and T250 flatbed trucks, cargo vans, and 12-foot box trucks
Rental rates:
$19 per 75 minutes, $129 per day, and $903 per week for pickup trucks and cargo vans; and $29 per 75 minutes, $139 per day, and $973 per week for box trucks
Additional charges:
Unlimited mileage with no per-mile fees, but an environmental fee may apply
Bookings:
Available through Home Depot’s website; $150 deposit or credit card hold required
Penske, often perceived as the priciest in the moving truck rental market due to its newer fuel-efficient trucks, surprised us during research. Despite single-day rates ranging from $152 to $199, including unlimited free mileage, a long-distance move from Orlando to Seattle in Penske’s 26-foot box truck totaled only $2,975 – almost $1,000 less than U-Haul’s estimate for the same move. Although round-trip mileage costs of $0.99 per mile are steep, opting to make your move a one-way trip eliminated this expense, even if both pickup and drop-off points were in the same city.
While Penske’s vehicle selection is narrower than U-Haul’s, it aligns with low-cost competitors like Budget but with better availability. This value combined with a clear online booking process, guaranteed reservations, and no cancellation fees makes Penske the best choice for long-distance moves. In addition, its newer vehicle fleet and options for electric vehicles in select areas make it the most environmentally friendly moving truck rental company.
Specs
Truck sizes:
High-roof cargo vans and 12-, 16-, 22-, and 26-foot box trucks
Rental rates:
Starting at $152 for cargo vans and 12-foot box trucks, $162 for 16-foot box trucks, and $199 for 22- and 26-foot box trucks
Additional charges:
$0.99 per mile rates, but waived for all one-way trips
Bookings:
No deposit to book, but a credit card is required to secure the reservation. The selected or a larger vehicle is guaranteed for reservations booked more than 24 hours in advance, while reservations made within 24 hours may require an alternate pickup location.
For people seeking moving truck rentals, U-Haul stands out as our top choice due to its availability, diverse options, and overall value. U-Haul also offers convenient access to additional moving supplies, whether the customer considers them during booking or realizes they need them at their U-Haul location upon pickup. However, for long-distance moves, both Budget and Penske tend to offer lower prices than U-Haul.
While Budget offers the lowest prices, issues with customer satisfaction and operations make it the best option only for the most price-conscious consumers. Penske, although more expensive than Budget, excels in vehicle efficiency and customer satisfaction, making it the better option for those seeking a hassle-free move. Enterprise and Home Depot’s Load ’N Go trucks are best reserved for local commercial moves.
Available Truck Sizes and Capacities
All major moving truck rental companies provide estimates of the home sizes their vehicles can comfortably move. The accuracy of these estimates can vary, though. The rule of thumb is to go to the next largest size when in doubt. This will ensure enough volume to make a single trip for a long-distance move and cut the number of trips and resulting mileage fees for short-distance moves.
Rental Rates and Terms
Rental rates are rarely just the quoted price for a daily rental. Additional mileage charges often apply. While they may be waived for long-distance moves, this is not guaranteed. When these mileage fees apply, they can dramatically increase the price of your move. It’s often worth calling your local rental location to make sure you know all the rates that will apply and to see if you can take advantage of any promotions or other discounts.
Booking and Reservation Process
While most companies offer online bookings, they differ in the details they provide. Budget and Penske offer towing equipment, car carrier trailers, and other supplies for their trucks. However, these are not always priced online or available to add to your reservation online. If your move requires additional equipment, then you should call in advance of your pickup date to ensure that it will be on-site, has been added to your reservation, and is added to the price so you can avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Truck Condition and Maintenance Standards
One of the most common customer complaints is being charged for damage to the rental moving truck that the customers didn’t cause. Walking around the exterior of the rental truck looking for dents and bent fenders, thoroughly inspecting the interior of the cab and cargo areas – including out-of-the-way places like behind the seats – and checking basic maintenance like tires and fluid levels can save you money if you catch them ahead of time. Some companies, such as U-Haul, require you to inspect the exterior and interior of your rental upon pickup and drop-off.
Customer Support and Assistance
It’s worth noting that no vehicle is 100% reliable all of the time. Fully loaded moving trucks can and do break down, so it’s worth looking into what sort of customer support and roadside assistance a company provides with your rental contract. This knowledge can help you decide if you want to purchase additional insurance coverage or other add-ons.
Our U.S. News 360 Reviews contributor explored all of the widely available DIY moving truck rental company options for consumers, taking the time to explore online booking options and consulting rental agents working for all of the companies reviewed. The takeaway? Call your local rental location to verify available options and prices at the locations you choose. Certain equipment may need to be requested in advance, and special pricing on rental rates and mileage may be available that are not reflected online.
We also consulted professional movers and moving associations for their input. While many had used moving truck rental companies and been satisfied with their experience, some suggested considering a professional moving service as a cost-effective alternative. Ted Edwards, of Mover’s Supply House, specifically cited tolls, fuel, insurance for the vehicle, packing materials, equipment rental, and the cost of one’s own time and labor as reasons that professional movers can be cost-competitive compared to DIY moves.
We then narrowed down the available options and selected the best examples in categories on the basis of ease of contact with our local rental agent, transparency in online booking systems, vehicle and add-on availability, vehicle reliability and maintenance, and price.
WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST US?
Our contributors and editors have years of experience researching, testing, and having hands-on experience reviewing products. Jeffrey Crawford is a contributor for 360 Reviews and is a frequent mover both of his own household and others. In addition to renting trucks for home moving from Home Depot and Penske, he has rented Home Depot’s Load ’N Go trucks as well as an engine lift to swap out the engine of a 1966 Ford truck and to collect used tires for refurbishment or disposal. According to Crawford, waiving the additional per-mile fees with a Home Depot or Penske truck rental is often worth the additional upfront costs compared to a U-Haul daily rental.
The general approximation most moving truck rental companies use is 150 to 300 cubic feet of space per room on the moving truck. Whether the moving company is estimating on the basis of 150 cubic feet, 300 cubic feet, or a figure in between for each room can result in a large difference between the estimated rooms the truck can hold.
Fortunately, you can do your own estimating by finding out the height, length, and width of the truck. You’ll then need to multiply these numbers and then divide the resulting number by a figure you choose. We suggest using 300 cubic feet per room because it’s generally better to rent a larger truck than needed rather than one that may be too small.
While an overly large truck can allow the movement of items and risk damage to your possessions, this can be mitigated through the use of ties and straps. Renting a truck that’s too small means making multiple trips or having the hassle of returning to the rental location to rent a larger truck.
Before leaving the rental location, you should thoroughly inspect the vehicle's exterior, cab interior, and cargo bay interior for any visible damage. If any damage is found, it should be brought to the attention of an employee and documented as part of the rental agreement. This includes any cosmetic or surface damage like scratches or noticeable chips in the paint.
This frees you from any responsibility and liability for any preexisting damage to the vehicle. Damage that is not documented at the time of rental can be attributed to you if it was not previously documented. You should conduct this inspection before signing the contract and leaving the lot.
At a minimum, moving truck rental companies require a valid U.S. or Canadian driver’s license. Penske Truck Rental requires a second form of identification for drivers. This can be another form of official identification like a passport or Social Security card, but it can also be a phone bill, vehicle registration, or credit card. A rental agent may also ask to see proof of insurance, even though most personal insurance plans don’t cover the rental of large moving trucks.
Moving truck rental companies and the U.S. Department of Transportation expressly forbid the transport of flammable, explosive, hazardous, and corrosive materials. This includes obvious items like ammunition and pepper spray, but also these items:
Aerosol cleaning products
Charcoal and other flammable fuels
Bleach or ammonia cleaners
Fertilizers
Lighter fluid or nail polish remover
Oil, gasoline, propane, and other petroleum products
Paint cans
Pesticides and poisons
Items to be mindful of when moving are propane and gas grills, as well as equipment like lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and weed whackers that may contain leftover fuel. The back of a rental vehicle is not a ventilated environment. This can allow explosive fumes to build up, and a spark could ignite the fumes. Take the time to drain and ventilate equipment gas tanks and remove and return propane tanks to the appropriate location before making your move.
You can purchase additional insurance during the moving truck rental period. At the most basic level is the damage waiver, and there are two types:
Limited Damage Waiver: The renter is responsible for covering any damage to the vehicle up to a certain amount, such as $500, while the rental company will cover any damages exceeding that amount.
Personal Damage Waiver: This frees the renter from any liability if the truck is damaged or stolen.
Since these damage waivers are relatively inexpensive (U-Haul’s is $15 for a day) and they protect you against covering the cost of damage to a vehicle of several thousand dollars, it’s recommended you at least purchase a damage waiver for your rental. Additional supplemental insurance can also be purchased. This includes:
Roadside Assistance: Surprisingly, moving trucks are not always covered against breakdowns. Many rental companies do offer roadside assistance as an option that covers jump-starts, being locked out, getting stuck somewhere, or trailer-hookup issues.
Supplemental Liability Insurance: This insurance that protects you against claims in the case of an accident or collision can be purchased through your moving truck rental company. However, exceptions can apply, so review the terms closely.
Personal Accident and Cargo Insurance: This coverage covers you and your belongings in the truck in the case of injury or accident, but it doesn’t typically cover belongings against damage due to them shifting during transport.
Auto Tow Protection: This type of plan covers damage to your personal vehicle during transit when it’s being pulled in a tow dolly or car carrier behind your rental truck. There are multiple levels of tow protection, with the most basic being a damage waiver for the towing device but not your vehicle. Be sure you’re signing off on the level of protection you want when requesting tow protection.
Additional insurance is not strictly necessary for most moves, as the majority happen without damage to the truck or other vehicles on the road. Additional insurance can, however, provide some much needed peace of mind for moving truck renters who may be inexperienced driving a larger vehicle and have concerns about that.
Jeffrey has more than 20 years of experience working in industry – first as a welder on the shop floor, then for over a decade applying that experience to write blog posts, articles, and white papers for firms in material supply, logistics, and manufacturing.
U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.
