5 Best Moving Truck Rental Companies (2024)
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If you’ve already researched the best moving companies in your area and decided a budget-friendly move is more your speed, then booking a truck rental should be at the top of your to-do list. Below, we’ve compiled the top moving truck rental companies for DIY movers. As you sift through, consider truck size options, local versus long-distance move availability, and moving labor options.
The Best Truck Rental Companies
Here, we’ve listed our top five moving truck rental providers. These companies offer a range of truck size options, and some can connect you with third-party moving labor to help with the heavy lifting.
- Most Widely Available: U-Haul
- Best Discounts: Penske Truck Rental
- Best for Local Moves: Budget Truck Rental
- Most Truck Sizes: Enterprise Truck Rental
- Best for Small Moves: The Home Depot Truck Rental
Most Widely-Available: U-Haul
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Rental truck provider
- Specialty services: Yes
- State availability: 50
What We Like
U-Haul offers a range of truck size options, from pickup trucks and moving vans to 26-foot trucks. It has more than 21,000 locations throughout the United States and Canada and is the premier name in the DIY moving space.
This truck rental provider offers fairly clear pricing for its trucks. It can also facilitate moving labor assistance through its partnership with HireAHelper. Further, U-Haul has a mobile app that offers order tracking, mobile check-in, and after-hours truck returns to enhance the customer experience.
Cost
U-Haul charges a per-day base fee, which is the rate the provider advertises. This rate ranges from $19.99 to $39.99, depending on truck size. Beyond that, you’ll have to pay a per-mile rate, which ranges from 99 cents to $1.29 in most cases.
We got a preliminary quote for a 26-foot truck for a move between Austin and Chicago. Our total of $2,105 included daily rental fees, mileage rates, and SafeMove insurance for $84. As is the case with any rental, you’ll have to put down a credit card and submit your driver’s license to book. You will also have to pay for all fuel during your move.
Services Offered
Aside from being a truck rental company, U-Haul serves as a one-stop shop for DIY or semi-DIY moving needs. You can book add-ons such as moving labor and purchase moving supplies when booking your truck rental. Online reservation is available at all rental locations and one-way truck rental is available at most.
Best Discounts: Penske Truck Rental
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Truck rental company
- Specialty services: No
- State availability: 49 (all but Alaska)
What We Like
Penske Truck Rental offers low-emission trucks for local and long-distance moves. Its long-distance rentals come with unlimited mileage, which is a huge incentive for those moving on tighter budgets.
Once you’ve reserved your truck at a given location, Penske guarantees your rental. Local moves come with per-mile rates, while long-distance rentals have larger flat rates with mileage included. Its trucks also offer towing capabilities for clients with extra cars.
Cost
Mileage, drop-off location (for one-way rentals), truck availability, and selected insurance coverage will determine your Penske pricing. Our quote for a 26-foot rental for a move between Austin and Chicago totaled $1,864.50. This included unlimited miles and a basic coverage plan. Without the coverage plan, you could save $330, although this isn’t recommended for longer moves. This provider also offers frequent seasonal discounts and a AAA discount.
Services Offered
Penske Truck Rental offers truck rentals for the following sizes:
- High-roof cargo van (11 feet)
- 12-foot truck
- 16-foot truck
- 22-foot truck
- 26-foot truck
Should you need supplies, Penske offers premade supply packs for homes of various sizes. You can also purchase boxes, tape, and other packing materials individually. Much like its competitors, it also offers moving labor through a third-party service, Simple Moving Labor.
Best for Local Moves: Budget Truck Rental
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Truck rental company
- Specialty services: Yes
- State availability: 48 (excluding Alaska and Hawaii)
What We Like
Budget Truck Rental is another widely available truck rental option with more than 2,800 truck rental locations throughout the continental United States. While its rental truck options are more limited than other providers, it offers competitive rates and discounts that make local moving more affordable.
Aside from its frequent discounts listed online, this rental truck agency offers discounts for AARP members, senior citizens, military families, and more.
Cost
We got a quote for a move from Austin to Chicago. Our bottom-line price came to $2,195, which included drop-off in Chicago. Budget mileage rates for local moves are around 50 cents per mile, while long-distance moves include unlimited mileage. No money is due until you pick up your truck at your given Budget location.
Services Offered
Budget Truck Rental offers rental services for a 26-foot truck and a few smaller trucks. It can also offer moving services via HireAHelper, tow trailers for family vehicles, hand dollies for moving, and more upon request. However, its packing supply offerings are somewhat limited, aside from furniture pads.
Most Truck Sizes: Enterprise Truck Rental
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Truck rental company
- Specialty services: No
- State availability: 50
What We Like
Enterprise is one of the best car rental companies in business today. It also operates more than 500 truck rental locations across the United States. Though it only services local moves, its many truck size options make it perfect for a range of moving needs, from single-item moves to large relocations.
Cost
Enterprise Truck Rental rates will depend on the size of the truck you rent and the miles you end up traveling. A 24-foot box truck from Enterprise has a daily rental price of $150, with mileage rates of 29 cents per mile. As is the case with any variety of trucks that you rent, you’re responsible for filling your truck with fuel as needed and will be charged a fee if you return the truck under-fueled.
Services Offered
Since Enterprise doesn’t allow for one-way rentals, it’s more ideally suited for short-distance trips. Its numerous truck and van sizes range from cargo vans to stake-bed trucks to full-size moving vans. The different sizes it offers enable you to handle the transportation of nearly any size of shipment you may have.
Best for Small Moves: The Home Depot Truck Rental
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Truck rental company
- Specialty services: No
- State availability: 50
What We Like
The Home Depot Truck Rental is a viable option for clients in almost any location. Though it is typically used to haul supplies and debris for home renovations, this provider’s rental offerings make it a quality option for short-distance moves.
Home Depot partners with Penske for long-distance moves and offers inexpensive Load ‘N Go Truck & Van Rentals for short-term use with same-day returns.
Cost
The Home Depot’s Load ‘N Go option costs $19 for the first 75 minutes. This makes routine supply- or debris-moving tasks extremely affordable. The same pickup truck will cost $129 for a full day. All large moving vans for any local or long-distance move needs are routed through Penske.
Services Offered
The Home Depot’s trucks are available for a range of moving and transportation needs. Beyond this, The Home Depot offers a variety of moving supplies, including boxes, tape, tie-down straps, bubble wrap, and more. For any kind of moving labor assistance, you should book through a third party, such as HireAHelper.
How to Pick a Truck Rental Company
Most truck rental companies have basic rates listed on their websites along with box truck sizes and recommended capacities for your move size. Determining the right truck size is of primary importance when deciding which company to go with, as box trucks from different rental agencies or retailers have slightly different capacities. Generally, the following truck sizes can contain the following home sizes:
- 26 feet: Three- or four-bedroom home
- 22 feet: Most three-bedroom homes
- 16 feet: Lightly-furnished two-bedroom home
- 12 feet: Large one-bedroom apartments
- 10 feet: Small one-bedroom homes or studio apartments
- Cargo van: Studio apartments or single rooms
When choosing a company, first compare your home size to the recommended truck capacity. Then, see which companies offer the necessary truck size. You can then compare each company’s rates and supplementary offerings to choose the one that best suits your needs.
What Factors Influence Your DIY Move’s Cost?
Generally, moving clients who rent trucks for their moves fall into two categories: full-scale DIYers and those who hire moving labor. Both options give you more control over your moving budget than hiring full-service movers would.
When you hire moving labor, you’ll usually pay a set minimum charge. This fee typically equals two hours at the movers’ set hourly rate. The following factors will also influence your truck rental move cost:
- Move distance
- Moving date
- Move size
- Truck size
- Moving labor needs
- Packing supply needs
- Insurance needs
Our Recommendation
We recommend getting quotes from at least three rental truck providers before choosing one for your DIY move. Keep in mind that handling your own local or long-distance move is a huge undertaking. If you decide you’d prefer a full- or partial-service experience, International Van Lines, American Van Lines, and Interstate Moving & Relocation Group are all great starting points for relocations of all sizes and types. Once you’ve taken the different price points into account, you can make a decision based on the truck rental information we’ve provided.
Truck Rental Company FAQ
Should I rent a truck or book a moving container?
If you want the most possible control over your moving process, then a moving truck is the best way to go. However, if you don’t feel comfortable driving a moving truck, a moving container is a more convenient (but more costly) option.
How much does moving labor cost?
Typically, moving labor will cost $50 per hour per mover. Most moving labor work orders come with a two-hour minimum fee. This means that you’ll be on the hook for two hours of labor at whatever hourly rate you book, no matter how little work you need your movers to do.
What can’t I take in a moving truck?
You shouldn’t take the following in any closed container traveling on the road:BatteriesFertilizer or live plantsFuel sourcesHarsh cleanersLive animalsOilToxic chemicals
How We Chose the Top Truck Rental Companies
We researched and analyzed dozens of full- and self-service moving companies and formulated a moving review methodology based on a number of factors, including package options, pricing, and reputation. We also identified customer pain points based on customer-review analysis, proprietary consumer surveys, and interviews with former and current moving professionals.
Speaking directly to a representative at each company, we determined the number of package options available, the coverage provided, the types of moves available (long-distance, local, and international), and any extra perks offered, such as mobile apps, moving checklists, and 24/7 customer service.
We also gathered pricing data from each of the companies and determined whether they provide ballpark estimates or binding quotes. To determine reputation, we evaluated companies based on their rating with the Better Business Bureau as well as their overall score on Yelp.