4 Cheapest Rental Truck Companies
Rental truck companies make it easy for customers to DIY their moving process at affordable prices, but all companies aren’t equal. if you’re looking for the best rental trucks, you need to do some research.
|
|
|
|
When you’re shopping for a moving truck rental service, you’ll need to consider the overall value of the service, size options, availability on your moving date, and additional fees you may not see in the advertised price.
While full-service moving companies handle everything from packing and furniture disassembly to transport and unloading, truck rental is usually do-it-yourself unless you hire professional movers from a third party.
Inexpensive doesn’t always equal better, but it pays to find a good deal if you’re on a budget. That’s why we pulled together our picks for the cheapest moving truck rental. Let’s dive into our favorite cost-conscious truck rentals so you can choose a provider that meets your needs.
The cheapest moving truck rentals
After hours of research, we’ve determined four moving truck rentals stand out for their affordability.
- Best for various moving truck sizes: U-Haul
- Best for local moves: Penske Truck Rental
- Best for promotions and discounts: Budget Truck Rental
- Best for small moves: Home Depot Truck Rental
Comparing the cheap moving trucks
Compare the variety of trucks and their starting prices for the cheapest moving truck rentals in the table below.
| Company | Cargo van | Pickup trucks | Box trucks | Starting price |
| U-Haul | ✔ | ✔ (8 feet) | ✔ (10, 15, 20, and 26 feet) | $19.95 |
| Penske | ✔ | – | ✔ (12, 16, 22, 26 feet) | $29.99 |
| Budget | ✔ | ✔* | ✔ (12, 16, 26 feet) | $27.60 |
| Home Depot | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ (12 feet) | $19 |
*Offers pickup trucks for odd jobs and local moves, but not long-distance moves
Our reviews of the cheapest moving truck companies
We’ve dug deep into customer reviews, rental offers, truck sizes, and more to help you make an informed decision about the cheapest moving truck companies.
Best for various moving truck sizes: U-Haul
rating
4.15 / 5
89% of users select this mover
U-Haul’s nationwide availability and presence in 10 Canadian provinces make it one of the most convenient self-service moving solutions in North America. The company offers an impressive range of truck sizes, from the compact cargo van and pick-up truck for small moves to a 26-foot box truck for large homes.
U-Haul has a historically negative reputation for customer service and reservation reliability, but you can minimize these concerns by looking at reviews for your pick-up location and communicating with them directly ahead of your reservation.
While U-Haul’s daily rental prices are competitive for the industry, we caution you against hidden fees, such as the $1–$5 environmental charge that U-Haul uses to offset improvements to its fleet.
Overall, U-Haul’s variety of trucks combined with its affordability and flexible reservation structure, make it one of our favorite cheap moving truck rentals.
- More than 22,000 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada
- More truck sizes than Budget or Penske
- Offers same-day rentals
- Customer complaints about the reservation process
- Hidden fees, such as environmental charges
Read our full U-Haul review
- More than 20,000 locations with prominent pricing
- Rental options include everything from pick-up trucks to 26-foot moving trucks
- Gentle-Ride Suspension add protection to avoid damaging your items during transit
- U-Box moving containers available if you don't want to drive
93% of users select this mover
Best for updated trucks: Penske
rating
4 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Penske stands out for its environmentally-conscious fleet of trucks and its convenient truck size estimating tool, Truck Wizard. It’s also a great truck rental company for one-way moves because it will include unlimited mileage at no additional cost. However, round-trip moves will include a $0.99 per mile charge.
Penske also stands out for its impressive range of add-on options, such as automobile towing equipment, but it’s important to note that you can only use equipment provided by the company if you intend to do this.
- Trucks have environmental improvements such as LED lights and recycled materials
- Penske Truck Wizard tool calculates needed truck size
- Non-slip floors in cargo area
- $100 security deposit
- Locations may substitute truck sizes based on availability
- Fewer truck sizes than U-Haul
Read our full Penske review
- Limits environmental impact as part of the EPA's SmartWay Program
- Non-slip flooring makes loading and unloading easier
- Easily choose truck size with their Truck Wizard Tool
93% of users select this mover
Best for promotions and discounts: Budget Truck Rental
rating
4.3 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Budget Truck Rental lives up to its name. It offers competitive pricing at face value for an array of moving needs, but it goes a step further by continuously offering compelling discounts and coupons.
For example, Budget offers up to 35% off your total cost when you pay upfront. It also offers special discounts for AARP members, military, current students, Motor Club members, and more.
With that said, Budget’s add-on prices — including moving supplies — are more expensive than its competitors, so we recommend using your own to keep costs down.
- Long-distance moves come with unlimited mileage
- Discounts for students, AAA members, and veterans
- Offers third-party moving help (via a HireAHelper partnership)
- Expensive add-ons
- Only three truck sizes
- Pickup trucks can’t be used for long-distance moves
Read our full Budget review
- Competitive base prices with specialized discounts
- Round-trip and one-way moves available
- User-friendly website makes it easy to book the right truck
93% of users select this mover
Best for small moves: Home Depot Truck Rental
Home Depot’s Truck Rental services can be confusing because they sometimes overlap with Penske’s trucks due to their ongoing partnership. However, we recommend Home Depot’s in-house line of trucks for anyone looking for affordable hourly rentals, Load ‘N Go services, and extra space for small moving projects.
We love that Home Depot offers Load ‘N Go —a unique product that allows you to rent a vehicle of your choice for up to 75 minutes to complete an odd job, transport secondhand furniture, or move a friend.
Home Depot is ideal for one-day rentals, but you may pay more than competitors for multi-day moving projects.
- Unlimited mileage for in-house trucks
- 75-minute rentals for Load ‘N Go trucks
- Partners with Penske to provide more pick-up locations and a wider variety of options
- Robust educational resources with tips for your move
- Doesn’t offer tow dollies
- Higher rates than competitors
Read our full Home Depot Truck Rental review
Factors to consider when renting an affordable moving truck
Because all rental truck companies structure their prices differently, you’ll need to consider a few factors to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money. Arming yourself with good information helps you zero in on a company that meets your needs at a price you love.
Price
Some moving companies charge a flat fee plus mileage, whereas other companies have a more nuanced approach to pricing based on the size of the truck, distance traveled, and any add-on features.
Flat fees are more predictable, but may not include taxes or hidden fees. You’re also more likely to see flat fees for long-distance or one-way moves with unlimited mileage.
Ask moving truck rental companies how they structure their prices and make sure you’re comparing apples to apples to get the best rate.
Size of the truck
Most rental truck companies offer several options for various moving needs. The variety of trucks you choose can impact not only your costs but also the ease with which you move into your new home.
Before renting a truck, consider the limitations of your origin and destination locations. Larger trucks aren’t always the right choice.
You may not want the largest box truck if you move to or from a large city with a complicated parking situation.
Consider the following recommendations when selecting a moving truck for your move.
| Truck Size | Capacity |
| 10–16 feet | Studio apartment or one-bedroom apartment |
| 12–22 feet | 1–2 bedroom home |
| 16–22 feet | 2–3 bedroom home |
| 22–26 feet | 3+ bedroom home |
Roadside assistance
U-Haul, Penske, Budget, and Home Depot Truck Rental partner with local organizations to provide roadside assistance if any trucks get into accidents or malfunction in transit.
Read customer reviews thoroughly and look for keywords that indicate the quality of roadside assistance. Knowing the company has your back if something goes wrong can give you significant peace of mind throughout the moving process.
Insurance
When you rent a moving truck, you’ll be liable for any damage while you have the vehicle. Adding an insurance policy can protect you from unexpected costs inflating your budget.
U-Haul offers a damage waiver that covers common bumps and defects that can occur during the moving process. While insurance can add a few bucks to your total costs, it can dramatically reduce your liability if you get into an accident or damage the vehicle in some way while in your care.
Customer service
Customer service is another area you’ll want to consult customer reviews. Any moving truck company can claim the best customer service, but you’ll want to know how real-life customers fared.
Customer service is not just important for answering questions and confirming your reservation, but you’ll need to know who to contact if you have issues or need to process a cancellation request.
Competent customer service can go a long way in ensuring your move goes off without a hitch.
Add-on moving services and moving supplies
Because budget moving companies don’t have the same depth of service as full-service moving companies, you’ll likely have a lot of additional needs throughout the process.
Many rental moving truck companies allow you to add third-party services through their partners or arrange your own help. Moving supply rentals, such as wardrobe boxes and furniture pads, can also be a cost-effective and sustainable tool for coordinating your move.
You don’t have to elect any add-on moving services, but knowing the company offers them can reduce the time you spend finalizing your move’s logistics with multiple vendors.
How Much do Movers Cost?
Get instant ballpark pricing. No email or phone required. It's fast, free, and easy.
How much do moving rental trucks cost?
Moving rental truck costs can vary tremendously depending on the size of the truck, distance, mileage, requested services and add-ons, and insurance.
Our research indicates that the average rental truck costs about $50 per day once you factor in taxes, fees, fuel costs, and insurance, but you may find even more affordable prices for local moves that utilize small trucks or cargo vans.
You should expect to pay a deposit upfront to reserve your spot when you book your rental truck. This deposit is usually applied to your final bill, which is great because it can spread out the total costs you pay on moving day. You may not need to pay a deposit for same-day rentals.
Compare the companies’ costs featured on this list in the table below. We’ve compared each provider’s costs for long-distance moves around 2,000 miles and local moves around 50 miles.
| Company | Long-distance move cost | Local move cost |
| U-Haul | $71-$5,727 | $39-$153 |
| Penske | $76-$5,689 | $45-$164 |
| Budget | $69-$5,456 | $36-$149 |
| The Home Depot | $82-$5,923 | $45-$162 |
Cheap rental truck FAQs
Where do I return the moving truck?
Return locations will depend on your move type. For example, if you rent a moving truck for a long-distance move, you’ll likely have to return it to a different location. However, local moves usually allow you to return it to the original rental location.
Which company offers the least expensive one-way truck rental?
Penske offers the least expensive one-way truck rental, but rental prices will ultimately come down to the vehicle you select and the distance you intend to travel. All one-way truck rentals include unlimited mileage, whereas U-Haul will tack on additional mileage fees if you exceed the allotted amount.
Which moving truck rental is best for long distance?
Penske’s affordable rates and unlimited mileage make it our favorite for long-distance and cross-country moves, but renters may prefer the convenience of U-Haul’s central locations across the country.
We recommend requesting quotes from all our best moving truck rental companies and comparing the rental offers, protection plans, included services, and any available add-ons.
How can I save money when renting a moving truck?
You can save money when renting a moving truck in a variety of ways:
- Make a DIY move: Pack, load, and unload yourself
- Compare quotes: Request quotes from all your truck rental options
- Inventory your household goods: Calculate the right truck size for your size home and belongings
- Declutter: Get rid of stuff you won’t need in your new home; large trucks cost more
- Minimize damage protection: Choose a minimal insurance policy if the cost difference between protection plans is significant
- Inquire about discounts: Some moving companies offer special rates for AAA and AARP members and veterans
- Consider unlimited mileage: Choose a company with unlimited miles if you’re traveling a long distance or anticipate a lot of stops
- Bring your own packing supplies: You can save packing supplies from previous deliveries, get free boxes from retail stores to save money on moving supplies, and supply your own tow dollies
We also recommend you check with your credit card company to find out if they have any special offers for moving services.
Do I have to pay for gas when renting a moving truck?
Yes, you’ll have to pay for gas when renting a moving truck. Rental rates rarely include the cost of fuel. Fuel costs can vary. Most truck rental companies require you to fill up the truck to the same amount it was when you rented or you’ll be subject to additional charges.
Before you return your truck, you can shop around for your chosen gas station. Different varieties of trucks have different gas mileage, which can further affect your truck rental costs if you’re not mindful.
Not what you were looking for?
Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!
