Budget Truck Rental Review 2026: Pricing & Services
Here’s the bottom line: Budget Truck Rental is one of the cheapest DIY moving options, with local rentals starting around $20 a day plus mileage at 1,600+ locations across the continental U.S. You pack, load, drive, and unload yourself, which is why Budget made our list of the best rental trucks for movers on a tight budget. This Budget Truck Rental review covers pricing, truck sizes, services, and how Budget compares to U-Haul and Penske.
rating
4.3 / 5
Pros & cons of Budget Truck Rental
- Low base rates on local & one-way rentals
- Discounts for military, students & AARP members
- Route miles included in one-way quotes
- 1,600+ locations nationwide
- Moving supplies & towing gear available
- No guaranteed reservations
- Fewer truck sizes than U-Haul
- Protection plans & add-ons add up fast
- No service in Alaska or Hawaii
- $150 fee for late cancellations
Key takeaways:
- Best for tight budgets: Budget Truck Rental (USDOT 1092543) offers some of the lowest truck rental rates, plus discounts for military members, students, AARP members, and more.
- No reservation guarantee: Budget guarantees only your rate, so the truck size or pickup location you booked can change on moving day.
- Extras raise the price: Protection plans, extra miles, late returns, and fuel can push your final bill well above the base rate.
Jump to the Budget Truck Rental info you’re looking for:
How much does Budget Truck Rental cost?
Budget Truck Rental costs about $20 – $40 a day plus mileage for a local move and roughly $1,000 – $3,300 for a one-way, long-distance move, based on sample quotes moveBuddha pulled from Budget’s website. A cross-country move in Budget’s largest truck ran close to $6,000.
Here’s what Budget quoted for three sample moves. Rates change by date and location, so treat these as a starting point.
| Move | 12-foot | 16-foot | 26-foot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local (<50 miles) | $19.99/day + $0.99/mile | $29.99/day + $0.99/mile | $39.99/day + $0.99/mile |
| ~250 miles* | $996 | $1,106 | $2,990 |
| Cross-country** | $2,976 | $3,289 | $5,927 |
*Phoenix to Page, AZ, one-way with route miles included. **Los Angeles to Trenton, NJ, one-way with route miles included.
Here’s how Budget’s 16-foot truck compares to the same size truck from Penske and U-Haul on the same sample moves.
| Move | Budget | Penske | U-Haul |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local (<50 miles) | $29.99/day + $0.99/mile | $180.84 with unlimited miles | $39.99/day + $0.99/mile |
| ~250 miles* | $1,106 | $645.49 (4 days) | $829.56 + $0.59 – $0.99/mile |
| Cross-country** | $3,289 | $4,417.25 (10 days) | $3,032.49 + $0.59 – $0.99/mile |
Budget doesn’t offer unlimited mileage. One-way quotes include the miles for your route, and extra miles cost $0.70 each if you add them before pickup or $0.85 each at or after pickup. Local rentals charge for every mile you drive, so confirm your mileage terms before you book.
Fees in your rental agreement can also raise your total. Late returns, low fuel at drop-off, and optional coverage like supplemental liability insurance all add to the base rate.
Pro tip: Ask Budget about discounts for military members, students, AARP members, motor club members, and first responders before you book, and check our roundup of moving discounts for more ways to save.
A rental truck isn’t always the cheapest way to move once you add fuel, days, and coverage. moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so you can see what full-service movers would charge for your exact move next to your Budget quote.
What truck sizes does Budget offer?
Budget Truck Rental offers 12-, 16-, 24-, and 26-foot moving trucks, according to Budget’s fact sheet. The 26-foot truck is the largest and carries up to 12,000 pounds, which Budget says fits five to eight rooms of furniture.
Here’s how much each Budget truck holds and the gas mileage you can expect.
| Truck | Fits | Avg. mpg |
|---|---|---|
| 12-foot | Studio or small apartment | 8 – 14 |
| 16-foot | 1 – 2 bedrooms | 6 – 10 |
| 24-foot | 3 – 4 bedrooms | Not listed |
| 26-foot | 3 – 4 bedrooms | 8 – 10 (diesel) |
Every Budget moving truck comes with air conditioning and an automatic transmission, and most models have a loading ramp or lift gate. Not sure which size you need? moveBuddha’s moving truck size calculator matches your home size and inventory to a truck, so you don’t pay for space you won’t use.
What do customers say about Budget Truck Rental?
Budget customers praise its low prices, but the most common complaint is a reserved truck that isn’t there on moving day. Chandra J., who shared her move with moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project, got the lowest quote from Budget and then had to scramble for a last-minute rental.
“I was moving from Georgia to New York, and as a student and a single mother, I needed to do so as cheaply as possible. I received quotes from Two Men and a Truck, American Van Lines, and Budget Truck Rental, but the only one I really felt in my price range was Budget, with a quote of $868. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to use Budget in the end because when I arrived on moving day, my truck wasn’t available. While this really messed up my moving plans, I was able to get a last-minute rental with another company.”
—Chandra J., Better Moves Project
What services does Budget Truck Rental offer?
Budget Truck Rental offers one-way and local truck rentals, towing equipment, moving supplies, and protection plans across the continental U.S. Here’s what you can add to your rental.
- Local & one-way moves: Budget rents trucks for local and long-distance moves throughout the continental U.S. It doesn’t serve Alaska or Hawaii, and its rental terms bar driving into Canada or Mexico.
- Vehicle towing: You can add a car carrier or tow dolly to haul your car behind the truck. Towing gear is only available with a Budget truck rental and works with standard 16- and 24-foot trucks, not trucks with lift gates.
- Cargo vans: Many Budget locations rent cargo vans for small local moves. Check availability when you get your quote.
- Moving supplies: Budget sells boxes, tape, packing paper, mattress bags, and bubble wrap. It also rents furniture pads and hand trucks to protect your belongings on the road.
- Protection plans: Budget offers a physical damage waiver, supplemental liability insurance up to $750,000, personal accident and cargo coverage, auto tow protection, and extended roadside assistance. All of these are optional.
- Loading help: Budget doesn’t load or unload trucks. You can book a local loading crew through HireAHelper if you don’t want to do the heavy lifting.
How does Budget compare to U-Haul & Penske?
Budget Truck Rental is usually the cheapest of the three on local moves, Penske is the safest pick if you need a guaranteed reservation, and U-Haul is the best choice if you need storage. Here’s how the three companies compare.
| Company | Locations | One-way miles | Guaranteed reservations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | 1,600+ | Route miles included | No |
| U-Haul | 25,000+ | Per-mile rate | Most, with $50 guarantee |
| Penske | 2,500+ | Unlimited | Yes |
Budget Truck Rental vs. U-Haul
U-Haul has more than 25,000 locations in all 50 states and Canada, about 15 times as many as Budget’s 1,600+ locations in the continental U.S. Both companies rent towing equipment and sell moving supplies.
U-Haul also offers more truck sizes, six from 10 to 29 feet compared to Budget’s four. If you need storage with your move, U-Haul’s U-Box containers can go straight into a U-Haul storage facility.
Budget usually wins on price for local moves. In moveBuddha’s sample quotes, Budget’s 16-foot truck started at $29.99 a day vs. $39.99 for U-Haul, and U-Haul added a per-mile charge on longer one-way moves.
rating
4.15 / 5
Budget Truck Rental vs. Penske
Penske Truck Rental stands out for customer satisfaction among moveBuddha’s Better Moves Project participants. Penske guarantees your truck or a larger one, while Budget guarantees only your rate.
That gap matters on moving day. Chandra’s reserved Budget truck wasn’t available when she arrived, which wouldn’t have happened with a guaranteed reservation.
Penske includes unlimited miles on one-way rentals but tends to cost more on long-distance moves. In moveBuddha’s sample quotes, Penske’s 16-foot truck ran $4,417.25 cross-country vs. $3,289 with Budget.
rating
4 / 5
How does renting a Budget truck work?
Renting a Budget truck takes three steps: get a quote online, pay a refundable deposit, and pick up your truck on moving day. You can do the whole booking on Budget’s website without a phone call.
How to get a quote & book
Enter your pickup location, drop-off location, and pickup date on Budget’s website to see available trucks and your total quote. Your quote shows the included miles and covers the truck, loading ramp, and cab seating. You can add extras like car carriers and furniture pads before you check out.
Budget charges a refundable deposit when you book, about $150 on one-way rentals. Local rentals take the greater of $150 or 1.5 times your estimated charges. Canceling less than 48 hours before pickup, or not showing up, costs a $150 fee.
What happens on moving day
Pick up your truck at the Budget location you chose, show your driver’s license, and sign the rental agreement. You load, drive, and unload the truck yourself.
Return the truck to your drop-off location when you’re done. Budget inspects it for damage, charges for any repairs, and refunds your deposit.
Pro tip: Call your pickup location a day or two before moving day to confirm your truck is ready, and line up a backup quote from a company like Penske in case it isn’t.
Should you rent from Budget Truck Rental?
Budget Truck Rental is a smart pick if saving money matters more than convenience. It isn’t the right fit for every move, so weigh your timeline and how much work you can handle.
Use Budget Truck Rental if:
- Your budget comes first. Budget’s low base rates and discount programs make it one of the cheapest ways to move.
- You’re comfortable driving a big truck. You’ll drive the truck yourself and tow your car if you bring one.
- You can do the heavy lifting. Budget doesn’t pack, load, or unload, so plan to do it yourself or hire a loading crew.
Skip Budget Truck Rental if:
- Your timeline is tight. Budget doesn’t guarantee reservations, so a missing truck could derail your move.
- You want someone else to do the work. A full-service mover packs, loads, drives, and unloads for you.
If you’d rather hand off the work, start with our picks for the best interstate moving companies. moveBuddha’s pricing tools run on 1,000+ live price points collected every month and research on 4,500+ movers, so you can check whether a mover’s quote is fair before you book.
FAQ
Is Budget Truck Rental cheaper than U-Haul?
Budget is often cheaper than U-Haul for local moves. In moveBuddha’s sample quotes, Budget’s 16-foot truck started at $29.99 a day vs. $39.99 for U-Haul, both plus $0.99 a mile. Get quotes from both before you book, since rates change by date and location.
What is the largest Budget rental truck?
Budget’s largest rental truck is the 26-foot truck. Budget says it carries up to 12,000 pounds and fits a three- to four-bedroom home. For smaller moves, Budget also rents 12-, 16-, and 24-foot trucks.
What is the gas mileage on a Budget truck?
Budget trucks get about 6 – 14 mpg, depending on truck size and how full it is. The 12-foot truck averages 8 – 14 mpg, the 16-foot gets 6 – 10 mpg, and the diesel 26-foot gets 8 – 10 mpg. Budget for fuel separately, since you return the truck with the same fuel level you picked it up with.
Does Budget Truck Rental offer unlimited mileage?
No, Budget doesn’t offer unlimited mileage. One-way quotes include the miles for your route, and extra miles cost $0.70 each before pickup or $0.85 each at or after pickup. Local rentals charge for every mile you drive.
Does Budget guarantee truck reservations?
No, Budget guarantees only your rate once you pay the deposit. Your truck size, pickup location, and pickup time are treated as preferences, so Budget may offer alternatives. If a guaranteed truck matters, Penske guarantees your truck or a larger one.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough moving methodology evaluates each moving company’s services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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