Top 5 Cheapest Moving Truck & Van Rental Companies (Earn up to 8% Cashback)
Moving is a huge undertaking, not to mention expensive.A moving truck rental acts as a cheaper alternative to traditional full-service movers.If you're on a tight budget, though, a moving truck rental is a great way to save money and be in control,and some provide a few more attractive benefits.
Though moving truck companies offer similar services, each company provides a unique experience and price range.With so many truck rental options, it might be difficult to know which one provides the best rates.Before you reserve a moving truck, it’s best to compare companies and moving services so you can find the best and cheapest moving truck rental available.So where is the cheapest place to rent a truck?How to find the best moving truck rental for your needs?Which moving truck companies are the best?
In this article, we will focus on renting a moving truck and hiring the cheapest moving truck & van rental companies for your move(whether a local or international move).Keep reading to learn more about the pros and cons of each company and the additional things you'll want to consider while doing your comparison.
Budget Truck Rental
Budget Truck Rental is the second largest consumer truck rental company in the United States, operating through a network of more than 2,800 corporate owned, dealer and franchised locations throughout the continental United States, serving both the consumer and light commercial sectors.
Budget Truck Rental has the lowest overall prices and is especially affordable for local moves.Although it has high fuel costs and insurance prices, it’s still one of the best budget truck rental companies.Budget is a great truck rental company for frugal movers. They offer discounts for students, military members, first responders, and even members of the Bar Association.
It’s simple to secure a budget rental truck through their easy online reservation system that’s accessible through their website. They maintain great availability on their moving trucks and are present in nearly every state within the continental United States.
Pros | Cons |
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【Service Available】
Moving vehicle rental
Moving and packing supplies
Car carriers and tow dollies
Insurance coverage plans
PlatePass
Packing services (via third party)
Loading and unloading services (via third party)
【Truck Sizes Available】
Budget Truck offers three different sizes of personal moving trucks: 11 feet,12 feet, 16 feet, and 26 feet.The two larger-sized budget rental trucks come with a built-in moving ramp for ease of loading and unloading.
In addition,Budget also has an assortment of full-size pickup trucks that can be used for small, local moves and home improvement projects.
11-foot cargo van
12-foot box truck
16-foot box truck
26-foot box truck
>Click here to view truck size & features
【Cost】
Their base price for both the 12-foot and 16-foot truck start at $29.99/day and their 26-foot has a base price of $39.99/day, plus 79 cents a mile. As you might infer from its name, Budget is considered one of the more cost-effective options when it comes to renting a moving truck, with Budget rental truck prices ranging from about $80 to $1,500 a day depending on what size truck you need to rent and how far you need to take it.
Keep in mind that Budget does have a tendency to tack on additional fees, which means that the quote you receive for your truck isn’t likely going to be the total amount owed. Additional fees to consider when it comes to Budget truck rental prices include:
Mileage ($0.25 per mile after you hit your mileage limit)
Add-ons, such as a dolly rental or towing equipment
Gas
Optional liability coverage
Taxes and fees
$150 deposit
Budget truck rental prices also vary depending on availability and demand, with prices coming in higher on the weekends than they do Sunday through Thursday.
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U-Haul
U-Haul is the largest Do-It-Yourself Mover and Storage Resource with over 21,000 locations in the US and Canada.Wherever you are, there’s probably at least one location near you. You can rent vehicles for one-way hauls or local moves with pick-drop and drop-off in the same location.This is a big deal for two important reasons: pricing and convenience.The company also claims to be the only moving truck company that works directly with truck manufacturers to engineer trucks specifically for household moving instead of commercial freight.
U-Haul offers competitive pricing on a wide selection of moving trucks, additional services, and packing supplies. U-Haul provides flexibility in your cost, allowing you to pick and choose additional services during the booking process. This includes options for moving labor.
U-Haul offers competitive rates on a nationwide customer service network. The company provides a streamlined booking process that offers multiple locations, and you can also arrange pick-up 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through U-Haul’s mobile app.They offer many other services as well. You can get trailers, towing, self-storage, U-box containers, moving supplies, and propane tanks with refills.
Pros | Cons |
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【Service Available】
Truck and van rentals
Car trailers
Trailer hitches
Moving supplies
Moving labor
Storage services
U-Box portable moving and storage containers
Packing and unpacking services (via third party)
Loading and unloading services (via third party)
Moving checklist
Damage protection coverage plans
Roadside assistance
【Truck Sizes Available】
U-Haul has seven different moving truck sizes, giving it the biggest selection of trucks that can be used for long-distance and local moves alike.
8-foot pickup truck
9-foot cargo van
10-foot box truck
15-foot box truck
17-foot box truck
20-foot box truck
26-foot box truck
Click here to view truck size & features
【Cost】
Local move: Truck rates start as low as $19.95/day, plus mileage. Flat rates go up depending on U-Haul truck sizes.
Long-distance moves: U-Haul provides estimated rental rates based on the details of your move. Though you’re still charged by distance, U-Haul incorporates your expected mileage from the start rather than tacking on a $0.99 per mile charge. As you drive, you will also be responsible for fuel costs.
The U-Haul price you actually end up paying could be a lot more than the headline cost. The highest costs are based on the truck size and the length of time you rent it. But there are costs on top of that for your mileage, insurance, gas, environmental fees, and taxes.
The company also includes a $50 reservation guarantee. If U-Haul through its own fault fails to meet your selected time, place, and equipment size, you receive $50 back.
U-Haul has attractive quotes, but your quote does not equal your final price. U-Haul quotes include the cost of a moving truck rental and an environmental fee, but they don’t include other expenses:
Taxes
Fuel costs
Mileage fees on local moves
While U-Haul’s rates were never the lowest we saw, they were pretty close, and they were consistently far below industry averages.
Penske Truck Rental
Penske Truck Rental is one of the largest moving truck providers in the nation with locations all across the US and Canada,with over 2,500+ rental locations and a fleet of more than 50,000 vehicles. Penske Truck Rental comes out on top with the all-around best service and options. With an A rating from the Better Business Bureau, Penske offers many services and options you won’t find with other truck rental companies.
Penske flips the script on what other top competitors offer, charging a per mile fee on local moves and unlimited miles on long distance moves instead of the other way around. This can end up saving you a fair amount of money, and can also help ensure that you have a better idea of whether their truck rental options will fit your budget.While it has high prices for local moves and smaller trucks (for smaller homes), its overall rates are lower than average. Its trucks also get the best gas mileage of any company in the business.
Penske also provides a variety of moving protection plans, and it helps you save money on long-distance moves due to its unlimited mileage option. Penske offers a variety of add-ons to its truck rental options. This includes assistance with moving labor, car towing options, and storage services. Penske also has a roadside assistance plan for any unexpected emergencies during transit.
Pros | Cons |
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【Service Available】
Moving vehicle rental
Car trailers/towing equipment
Moving supplies
Moving checklist
Storage services
Packing and unpacking services (via third party)
Loading and unloading services (via third party)
Roadside assistance
Insurance coverage plans
【Truck Sizes Available】
Penske has a total of five truck sizes and can meet the needs of almost any size move. And because they maintain one of the newer fleet of vehicles, you may end up with a nicer truck than you would with the other guys.
11-foot high-roof cargo van
12-foot box truck
16-foot box truck
22-foot box truck
26-foot box truck
>Click here to view truck size & features
【Cost】
For a same location drop-off rental, their rates start at $99.99/day plus 99 cents a mile depending on what size truck you need to rent and how far you need to take it.Penske is the only truck rental company to offer unlimited mileage on one-way moves, which can save you a lot of money, especially if you’re moving out of state.
For a one-way rental, you have to request a quote that’s specific to your pick-up and drop-off location, but they do offer unlimited mileage. Penske also offers AAA, military, and college student discounts.
Enterprise Truck Rental
Known for its car rental services.Enterprise offers moving truck rentals in addition to its car rentals. The company offers one of the most extensive selections of truck sizes on this list.Enterprise offers fewer additional services than some of its competitors like U-Haul, but it does offer standard moving truck rentals with competitive rates.
With about 350 locations they might not be the biggest moving truck rental company, but they're still widespread enough that it's generally easy to find a convenient location in your area.Enterprise only offers its services for local moves.They are not good for long-distance moves because you have to return the vehicle at the pick-up location.Enterprise Truck Rental doesn’t offer one-way rental like U-Haul and Penske.
Pros | Cons |
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【Service Available】
Moving vehicle rental
Car towing equipment
Moving and packing supplies
【Truck Sizes Available】
With 14 size options, Enterprise has a truck selection that absolutely no one else can match.
½-ton pickup truck (6-foot and 8-foot beds available)
¾-ton pickup truck (6-foot and 8-foot beds available)
1-ton pickup truck (6.5-foot and 8-foot beds available)
7-foot compact cargo van
10.5-foot cargo van
10.5-foot heavy-duty cargo van
12-foot heavy-duty XL cargo van
12-foot high-roof cargo van
15-foot van parcel van
16-foot cab-over truck
16-foot stake-bed truck
24-foot stake-bed truck
24-foot box truck
26-foot box truck
>Click here to view truck size & features
【Cost】
Enterprise offers a variety of trucks for personal moving: the 15-foot parcel van for $85.99/day plus 69 per mile, the 16-foot cabover truck for $129.99/day plus 99 cents per mile, and the 24-foot and 26-foot box trucks for $129.99/day plus 99 cents per mile. Prices vary based on date and availability, so it’s best to get a quote online.
Moving truck rates are based on supply and demand, so they fluctuate daily and can be influenced by a lot of different factors:
Your move date
How long you keep the truck
When you book
Taxes
Mileage
Add-on rentals and services
Moving coverage
Home Depot
Commonly known as a construction and equipment rental place, Home Depot also allows you to rent their vehicles.With 2,200 locations across the country, Home Depot is a convenient place to rent your vehicle.The company’s Load-n-Go rental trucks are great budget options for fast, local moves, especially since they come with unlimited miles,but you will have to return the vehicle to the same location you rented it. If you don’t have a lot of stuff to move and you can do the job in a few hours, you can save a lot of money by renting from Home Depot instead of another company. This makes Home Depot the best option for moving out of a dorm or studio apartment.
Home Depot also works with Penske to provide the same services with a larger network that uses Home Depot stores as pickup and drop-off locations.Their biggest truck is only big enough to fit about one to two rooms worth of furniture and belongings, and they do not offer long-haul moves. You will have to go to the store to rent, but you can check their availability on the website.
Additionally, Home Depot’s largest moving truck is only about as big as the smallest box trucks offered by other rental companies, so if you need to move a lot of bulky furniture, you’re probably better off renting from Budget for your local move.
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【Service Available】
Load N’ Go vehicle rental
Home Depot tool and equipment rental
Packing supplies
Moving checklist
【Truck Sizes Available】
6 ¾-foot F250 flatbed truck
10-foot T250 flatbed truck
9-foot cargo van
14-foot moving box truck
12-foot Penske box truck
16-foot Penske box truck
22-foot Penske box truck
26-foot Penske box truck
【Cost】
These vehicles have lower rates, starting at $19 per hour, and they pair with unlimited mileage and a large selection of equipment and tool rentals.Pricing varies by location and you will have to refuel the truck before you return it.
If you place an order on Home Depot, you can enjoy up to 8% super cash back from Extrabux.
How to Choose a Moving Truck & Van Rental Company?
Renting a moving truck is no small task. A lot of responsibility comes with tackling this DIY approach to relocation. Each company offers different options for their rental trucks, different pricing structures, and even varying levels of customer service.Here are some factors to consider.
1.Truck Size
Size matters when you choose your rental truck. Think about how much space you need to fit all your belongings. If you’re not sure what size truck to rent, consider the size of your home and follow these guidelines based on the number of rooms in your home:
1 – 2 rooms: 10-12ft
2 – 4 rooms: 15-16ft
2 – 3 bedroom home: 17-20ft
5+ bedroom home: 22-26ft
2.Affordability
Rental truck companies charge based on mileage, price per hour, or price per day. Some companies combine them. For example, a long-distance move may cost you per day and per mile.
Unfortunately, some companies charge hidden fees, making that initially low price skyrocket. With transparent pricing, you know what you’re paying for and how much it costs.
3.Mileage Fees
Mileage fees vary between rental truck companies. The company charges you based on how far you drive with your rental truck when you pay per mile.
Some companies offer free mileage up to a certain distance. For example, a long-distance move may cause you to go over the mileage cap, and after that, you have to pay a fee per mile.
Most truck rental companies do not offer unlimited miles. Those that do can save you money on long-distance moves. If you’re moving locally, the mileage fees may not matter as much.
4.Additional Rental Fees
Don't forget about those additional fees. While renting a moving truck is certainly cheaper than hiring a moving company, it can still lead to a few extra fees along the way. These fees may include the cost of fuel, extra days needed, extra mileage, and moving equipment add-ons. Additionally, if you're not returning the rental truck to its original location, you may have to pay an extra fee to the rental company. This is known as a "one way move," and it will almost certainly be more expensive than returning the truck to its original location.
5.Insurance Coverage Plans
One of the most unexpected costs with moving truck rentals can be insurance coverage plans. You will, at least, want to get a damage waiver of some kind. This way, you are not responsible for any damages that may occur to the company’s vehicle while in your possession.
If you have valuable belongings or are concerned about personal safety, you may want to consider more comprehensive coverage plans that include cargo insurance and personal injury coverage.
6.Roadside Assistance
Another important factor to look out for when reviewing coverage options is roadside assistance. You never know what might happen on the road, so it’s best to opt for a moving truck rental company that provides roadside assistance for flat tires, fluid leakage, and other mechanical problems.
7.Customer Reviews
An effective way to gauge the quality of the customer support of a moving truck rental company is to read through some online customer reviews. Popular online review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Yelp all help provide a window into how a company’s customer service operates.
Schedule in advance to ensure you get the right size truck on the day you move.
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