By Amanda Lutz Updated January 26, 2024
- Best Truck Rental Companies
- How to Choose
- Cost Factors
- Our Recommendation
- FAQ
- How We Chose
All products and services featured are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Renting a truck for your upcoming move is an excellent choice if your goal is to reduce moving costs. Top moving companies are equipped to handle full-service moving needs, but truck rentals suit many small and local moves. Truck rental rates are considerably lower than those of professional movers, and you’ll have more control over the entire process. Plus, many truck rental companies make it easy to book moving labor and purchase moving supplies if needed. Below, we’ve broken down the most affordable truck rental options.
Did You Know?
388 movers requested and received a free no-obligation quote from one of the above companies in the last 30 days.
The Most Affordable Truck Rental Companies
Here are our picks for the most affordable truck rental companies on the market:
- Most Affordable: U-Haul
- Best Discounts: Penske Truck Rental
- Best for Small Moves: The Home Depot Truck Rental
- Best for Local Moves: Budget Truck Rental
- Most Truck Sizes: Enterprise Truck Rental
Most Affordable: U-Haul
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Truck rental company
- Specialty services: Yes
- State availability: 50
What We Like
U-Haul is the preeminent name in the DIY moving industry. It operates more than 21,000 locations throughout all 50 states. U-Haul provides multiple truck sizes, numerous moving supplies, and access to moving labor at many of its outlets.
U-Haul features clear, low pricing. Its many locations make it easy to stage one-way rentals for long-distance relocations. Most locations offer convenient mobile check-in.
Cost
Booking a U-Haul truck is easy to do online or in person at your local U-Haul branch. These rental locations range from full-sized retailers to smaller “neighborhood dealers” whose sole service is truck rental.
You can get an approximate price for your rental when you book online. We researched rates and noted daily rental fees range from $19.99 to $39.99; mileage rates are $0.79 to $1.29 per mile. Your estimated total is calculated based on your total miles to be traveled.
Services Offered
U-Haul’s services range beyond truck rentals. It brokers out moving help via HireAHelper and offers moving and packing supplies in many of its locations. Most U-Haul retail centers offer one-way rentals.
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 is one of U-Haul’s biggest competitors and a prolific truck rental company in its own right. It offers competitive rates and deals for long-distance moves and provides a wide range of discounts for various rentals.
All Penske rentals are guaranteed once you reserve online. It has 2,500 locations compared to U-Haul’s 21,000. This assures customers in every state but Alaska that it can offer convenient truck rental services.
Cost
Total mileage and truck size are the primary determining cost factors when you book with Penske. Local rentals typically cost less—dropping your truck off at the same location has no associated fees. Long-distance rentals come with unlimited mileage, which makes it easy to budget for a Penske rental. It offers seasonal discounts and special rates for AAA members. Visit Penske’s site and input your move size, current location and destination, and dates to receive pricing.
Services Offered
Penske offers rentals in a range of size options, including cargo vans and 12-foot, 16-foot, 22-foot, and 26-foot trucks. It suggests truck sizes based on the scope of your move, whether you’re moving one room or a three- to five-bedroom house. Penske offers moving supplies and coverage bundles for purchase. It offers storage and labor through its network of rental partners.
Best for Small Moves: The Home Depot
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Truck rental service
- Specialty services: No
- State availability: 50
What We Like
The Home Depot is one of the most recognized American brands for its home improvement and DIY offerings. It partners with Penske to provide long-distance truck rental options.
The Home Depot is the least expensive option for small moves, and it’s a good fit if you’re only moving a few items within your local area. Its Load ’N Go offering is priced at a flat fee of $19 for the first 75 minutes. This tight turnaround time makes for an affordable moving truck rental.
Cost
We like The Home Depot for local and small moves on a budget. The $19 flat rate for 75 minutes applies to pickup, flatbed, and small box trucks. Those same vehicles have a base daily rate of $129 for a 24-hour rental. All of The Home Depot’s long-distance move options are provided by Penske, so we recommend booking directly through Penske for larger moves.
Services Offered
You can hire moving help through The Home Depot’s website and purchase moving and packing supplies online and in-store. Its local moving truck options include pickup, flatbed, and small box truck rentals and cargo van rentals. For moves that are larger than a studio apartment and for longer moves, The Home Depot’s partnership with Penske Truck Rental can supply you with the right truck for the job.
Best for Local Moves: Budget Truck Rental
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Truck rental company
- Specialty services: Yes
- State availability: 48 (all but Alaska and Hawaii)
What We Like
Budget Truck Rental is a popular choice for DIY moves. It operates 2,800 locations across the lower 48 states. Budget offers low rates for all of its vehicles and can provide quality help for larger local moves. It offers frequent seasonal discounts and special rates for veterans and senior citizens.
Cost
Budget Truck Rental offers low mileage rates for local moves and unlimited miles for long-distance rentals. You won’t have to pay until you pick your truck up at a Budget location. We received a discount offer for our first rental when we went through the Budget Truck quote process online. Input your pickup and drop-off locations and dates to compare truck pricing.
Services Offered
Budget Truck Rental provides cargo vans, small truck sizes, and a standard 26-foot option for larger moves. It offers a streamlined booking process—similar to U-Haul—that allows you to rent furniture pads, purchase packing supplies, and hire moving labor in a single transaction.
Most Truck Sizes: Enterprise Truck Rental
Fast Facts:
- Service model: Truck and car rental company
- Specialty services: No
- State availability: 50
What We Like
Enterprise Truck Rental is one of the leading names in the vehicle rental space. It has more than 500 locations across all 50 states. While this is relatively few compared to its competitors, you’ll likely have a location near you. Enterprise only offers same-location drop-off for local moves, but it provides more truck sizes than any other outlet of its type.
Cost
We noted that larger Enterprise rental trucks have daily rental fees of $150 with low mileage rates. Mileage rates typically range between 29 cents and 40 cents, depending on location. Customers are responsible for filling trucks to their pre-rental fuel level, as is the case with many truck and car rentals.
Services Offered
Enterprise Truck Rental is a rental company only. It offers cargo vans and small box trucks for smaller moves and 26-foot trucks for all move sizes. You’ll need to book moving labor and purchase packing supplies elsewhere if needed.
How to Pick a Truck Rental Company
Before renting a moving truck, consider factors such as your move size and distance. The primary factor is the truck size you’ll need. Truck rental companies readily list their available truck sizes online, but availability varies depending on location. We recommend contacting your rental company of choice and asking about truck availability before committing. The following home sizes approximately correspond to these truck sizes:
- Single rooms or items: Pickup trucks or cargo vans
- Studio apartments: 10- or 12-foot trucks or cargo vans
- One-bedroom homes: 12- or 15-foot trucks
- Two-bedroom homes: 15- or 17-foot trucks
- Three- or four-bedroom homes: 22- and 26-foot trucks
Online quotes are easily accessible from most truck rental providers. Some websites don’t require you to input any personal information. Requesting multiple quotes can give you an idea of mileage rates (or unlimited mileage availability), the availability of packing supplies, moving labor, and roadside assistance, and more.
What Factors Influence Your Truck Rental Move’s Cost?
Most rental companies are straightforward about their rates for truck rentals and added services. Here are the primary cost factors to consider when booking a truck rental:
- Base rental prices
- Drop-off location
- Fuel costs
- Mileage fees
- Moving date
- Moving service requirements
- Packing supply needs
- Pickup location
- Total miles traveled
- Truck size
Our Recommendation
You can often handle a small or local move by renting a truck. Whether you need a pickup truck, cargo van, or full 26-foot truck, the companies outlined in this guide offer many options, including add-ons such as moving labor in some cases. We recommend requesting quotes from both full-service movers and rental truck companies before making your final decision. Getting free quotes will simplify budgeting and planning for your move.
Rental Truck Company FAQ
Should I purchase additional insurance when I rent a truck?
You should consider purchasing additional insurance when you rent a truck if you’re planning a long-distance or multiday move. However, most insurance policies cover front-end collisions only. They will not protect you if you damage the truck box or your contents. Always ask what protection plans cover and read associated documents before signing a temporary policy.
Why do one-way rentals cost more?
One-way rentals typically cost more because they have increased rates that act as a convenience fee. When you drop off a moving truck at a different site than your pickup location, the rental company must deal with added logistics, such as ensuring your truck can park in its yard.
What do I need to reserve a rental truck?
To reserve a rental truck, you’ll likely need to provide credit card information over the phone or online. Many truck rental companies also require that you supply driver’s license information before you show up to take your rental truck.
Does towing cost extra?
Towing typically costs extra. Many companies offer tow dollies with your truck rental reservation at an added cost. Even if you rent a larger truck with a tow hitch included, you may have to pay extra if you plan on towing a vehicle or extra trailer during your DIY move.
How We Chose the Top Moving 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 company and determined whether they provide ballpark estimates or binding quotes. Finally, to determine reputation, we evaluated companies based on their rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and their overall score on Google Reviews.
