The Cheapest Moving Truck Rental Companies

By: Thomas Curry Last Updated: Mar 28, 2023

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While hiring a full-service moving company has its advantages, there is no doubt renting a moving truck rental is affordable for every type of move.

BEST OVERALL

4.9


U-Haul

  • Professionalism
  • Great customer service
  • Affordable rates
Get a Quote 800-468-4285 Read review

BEST CUSTOMER REVIEWS

4.8


Budget Truck Rental

  • Highly Professional
  • No hidden fees
  • Budget-friendly pricing
Get a Quote 760-754-5256 Read review

BEST PREMIUM SERVICES

4.7


Penske Truck Rental

  • Binding Prices
  • Customized services
  • Well-trained staff
Get a Quote 610-775-6000 Read review

Moving from one place to another (whether a local or international move) is not a task that one can just jump into without proper planning and adequate budget.

In the course of planning your move, you can judiciously manage your budget and get a great deal for your move. There are different options available to maximize your budget and get the cheapest deal for your move. While it is difficult to decide whether to hire a moving company or using a moving truck rental, there is still the cheapest deal somewhere you are yet to discover.

Apart from being more affordable than hiring a professional mover, the rental truck has been reviewed to be more flexible for people with arduous timelines. In this article, we will focus on renting a moving truck and hiring the cheapest rental truck company for your move. When you think of renting a moving rental truck for your move, there is a number of moving truck rental service providers you can select from.

The first step to get the cheapest deal for your move is to understand how each option works. Don’t just call a service without first analyzing what you start to gain or the advantage of each.

Firstly, decide the actual truck rental service you will need for your move. While most service providers offer one-way rentals, some provide round-trip rental services. There are differences between the two services; hence, it may not be easy to switch between the two once you had gotten one.

This is one of the reasons you must understand how it works so that you can enjoy deals from the cheapest truck rental services. There are many other factors to consider when it comes to using a rental truck and getting a great deal for your moving need. We will discuss all you need to know about this subject matter in this post. Read on as we unveil them one after the other.


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Top 5 Cheapest Moving Truck Rental Companies

Whether you are moving to another state or within the state, you can get the exact truck you need at a budget-friendly price.

The operation of each company is a bit different from another, so we’ve checked the most common rental providers to assist you to choose the right moving truck rental company.

1

BEST OVERALL

4.9

U-Haul

  • Affordable rates
  • Professionalism
  • Great customer service

Licenses

Type: Cheap Truck Rentals

First on our list is U-Haul. This company has been on the top spot in solving consumers’ do-it-yourself move problems by providing top-notch moving truck rental services to them.

They are equipped with different sizes of trucks with amazing features to make your move enjoyable and stress-free.

Apart from the 8-foot pickups and 9-foot cargo vans, tabulated below are U-Haul truck sizes and their features

Features/ Truck Sizes Internal dimensions (feet-inch) Interior space (cu. ft.) Weight limit (lbs.) Capacity Base Rate
10 foot 9′11″ x 6′4″ x 6′2″ 402 2,810 Studio to one-bedroom apartment $19.95
15 foot 15′ x 7′8″ x 7′2″ 763 6,385 One-bedroom to two-bedroom home $29.95
17 foot 16′9″ x 7′8″ x 7′2″ 865 5,930 Upto two-bedroom apartment $29.95
20 foot 19′6″ x 7′8″ x 7′2″ 1,015 5,630 Two-bedroom to three-bedroom home $39.95
24 foot 24′1″ x 7′7″ x 8′1″ 1,418 6,500 Three-bedroom to four-bedroom home $39.95
26 foot 26′5″ x 7′8″ x 8′3″ 1,611 9,010 Four-bedroom home and above $39.95

  • Services over 20,000 locations
  • Makes online reservation easy
  • Offers several different truck sizes
  • Have moving trucks with low decks as well as “EZ-Load” ramps
  • Rents out moving trailers in different sizes
  • Changes bookings when truck availability is low

You can obtain rental from any of U-Haul’s locations in all 50 states, and cities and large suburbs usually have many locations to rent from. No matter your home address, you can always get a rental truck from U-Haul.

If the U-Haul location closer to you doesn’t have the perfect truck size you need, it is possible you can get it from another close-by U-Haul. U-Haul offers 7 moving truck and van sizes for rental. Even though its number of truck sizes for a rental is not the largest in the industry as well as on our list, we believe it’s a truck, and van choices can move any type of home.

2

BEST CUSTOMER REVIEWS

4.8

Budget Truck Rental

  • Highly Professional
  • No hidden fees
  • Budget-friendly pricing

Licenses

MC#: N/A

Type: Cheap Truck Rentals

Budget Truck Rental is one of the top truck rental options with the cheapest offers and quality assurance. When it comes to giving discounts and deals that help you to save on your moving cost, Budget is the first rental company to consider after U-Haul.

It gives consumers low up-front pricing templates that help you decide the most affordable option to go for. Believe me; the cost you will save on their discounts can go a long way in attending to other areas of your moving.

Budget is available in every continent of the United States. However, they have a limited number of trucks compared to U-Haul.

Features/ Truck Sizes Internal dimensions (feet-inch) Interior space (cu. ft.) Weight limit (lbs.) Capacity Base Rate
12 foot 10′ x 6′3″ x 6′ 380 3,610 Studio to one- to two-bedroom apartment $29.99
16 foot 16′ x 6′3″ x 6′7″ 830 5,524 One-bedroom to three-to four rooms $29.95
26 foot 26′ x 8′1″ x 8′1″ 1,698 9,180 Upto Five- to eight rooms or two- to three-bedroom apartment $39.95

  • Available across the entire United States
  • Maintains lower costs for long-distance moves
  • Provides quick online quotes
  • Offers discounts for categories like military members, students, and others
  • Charges more for extras than U-Haul
  • Has only three-truck sizes

The Budget is in fact, the most affordable moving truck rental provider for short-distance moves. According to our research, a local move with Budget Truck Rental costs an average of just $80, and its total average price of $1,520 is cheaper than other companies at $30.

The company is known for providing affordable moves; however, the Budget also offers many discounts to further lower the yet affordable rental costs.

To move long-distance with Budget, a certain amount of miles will be allotted to you, although you can always buy an extra as required. That traveling long-distance may not notice a wide gap in their discount. Budget’s rates are generally cheaper, yet, you may pay a bit lesser or about the same with Budget as with other companies when moving cross-country.

Budget trucks have higher loading heights compared to U-Haul

3

BEST PREMIUM SERVICES

4.7

Penske Truck Rental

  • Binding Prices
  • Customized services
  • Well-trained staff

Licenses

MC#: N/A

Type: Cheap Truck Rentals

Penske Truck Rental is one of the newest truck rentals in the industry and also one of the largest in the United States. With their numerous available moving trucks, you tend to enjoy their newest trucks for your move.

Penske has locations across the US continent and Canada, making them readily available for consumers in different locations.

The company has 4 different truck sizes and usually offers multiple discounts to their customers at their various branches.

With Penske, you will enjoy multiple insurance options to cover your belonging during usage. However, its local moves are more expensive than Budget and U-Haul.

Tabulated Below are Penske Truck Rental truck Sizes and Their Features

Features/ Truck Sizes Internal dimensions (feet-inch) Interior space (cu. ft.) Weight limit (lbs.) Capacity Price per day
12 foot 12′ x 6′6″ x 6′.1′′ 450 3,100 One- to two-rooms $20–$35
16 foot 16′ x 7′7″ x 6′6″ 800 4,300 Two- to three-rooms $40–$80
22 foot 22′11′′ x 8′1″ x 8′1″ 1,200 10,000 Three- to Five-rooms $80–$100
26 foot 25′11′′ x 8′1″ x 8′1″ 1,700 10,000 Five- to Seven-rooms $80–$100

  • Available in all the continental United States and Canada
  • Offers four different truck sizes
  • Offers several discounts
  • Provides several coverage options
  • More costly than U-Haul and Budget for local moves

Penske offers more truck size options, making it worth considering if you need various sizes of moving trucks and are ready to spend more for your rental. Your booking with Penske is assured, which implies that you get rented what you booked for, where, and when you requested it.

When you book a certain size of truck at a certain pick-up point for a certain date and time, you can be sure that the moving truck will be there when you get there. One particular way Penske helps you save huge money is with its unlimited mileage offer. It is the only national moving truck rental company to offer 1-way unlimited mileage in the United States.

4

MOST AFFORDABLE

4.6

Enterprise Truck Rental

  • Affordable prices
  • Licensed and insured
  • Flexible cancellation policy

Licenses

DOT#: N/A

MC#: N/A

Type:

Enterprise Truck Rental is a division of Enterprise which was founded to offer truck rental services. The company has over 270 locations across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, and all these locations are mounted by local experts who are specialized in commercial truck rentals.

Enterprise is popular for offering exceptional services and a wide range of vehicle selections to meet the demand of your move.

Their employees can help you select the right truck size for your move to save you cost on your move.

However, Enterprise Truck Rental can only cover round-trip rentals except for some special cases.

Tabulated Below are Enterprise Truck Rental Truck Sizes and Their Features

Features/ Truck Sizes Internal dimensions (feet-inch) Interior space (cu. ft.) Weight limit (lbs.) Capacity Base Rate
15-foot Parcel Van 15′ x 8′ x 7′ 810 5,000 One- to Three -rooms $75/day
16-foot Cabover Truck 16′ x 8′ x 7′6″ 920 7,500 Three- to Four-rooms $85/day
24-foot 24′ x 8′6″ x 1,700 10,000 Over Five $95/day
Box Truck 8′6″ rooms
26-foot Box Truck 26′ x 8′6″ x 8′6″ 1,800 10,000 Over Five rooms 105/day

Enterprise does not charge consumers based on mileage for under 300 miles moves.


  • Offers largest types of vehicle on our list
  • Present across the US and Canada
  • No one-way rentals
  • Has unstable online pricing

This company’s inventory starts with pickup trucks and cargo vans up to 26’ft moving trucks, which implies that you can get a vehicle to complete all your moves from Enterprise regardless of the size and type. Reducing expenses is one major part of any do-it-yourself move.

That is why we take advantage of the 300 free miles offered by Enterprise with your rental, though not as awesome as unlimited miles, but still an excellent perk. The company’s mileage fee is one of the cheapest on our list. Get a mileage waiver for the first 300 miles from Enterprise.

5

BEST FOR CUSTOMIZING

4.5

Ryder Truck Rental

  • Book online
  • Flexible payment options
  • Binding quotes

With over 500 locations and over 37,000 vehicles in its fleet across the United States, Ryder Truck Rental has always remained one of the best truck rentals in the industry.

The company has been serving the need of moving truck consumers across North America and its environs.

They have a wide range of available moving trucks for every size of the move. You can reserve Ryder moving trucks with easy access to 24/7 online booking, billing, and payments to make the process easier for you.

Apart from trucks, the company also has other late-model tractors, vans, and trailers for commercial services.

Tabulated Below are Ryder Truck Rental Truck Sizes and Their Features

Features/ Truck Sizes Internal dimensions (feet-inch) Interior space (cu. ft.) Weight limit (lbs.) Capacity Price per day
16- foot Box Truck 16 ft 960 6,000 One- to Three -rooms $39
16-24 foot Stake 16 ft. – 24 ft. 920 7,600 – 14,500 One- to Four $89.95

Ryder also has other commercial trucks for refrigerated items.


  • Offers varieties of weather-resistant moving trucks
  • Affordable pricing
  • Flexible booking and cancelation
  • Great customer support service
  • Long-distance moves not usually available
  • Different services across the locations

Ryder Truck Rental is one of the leaders in the moving truck rental industry. It is widely known across the globe, especially for moving special items like weather-resistant or temperature-sensitive objects.

The company also rents out several moving truck options to serve its ever-growing consumers all over the country. With a presence in more than 500 locations in North America, Ryder locations can be easily located for moving truck rentals.

You can also get a moving truck rental at the actual time you need it with no stress if you are not ready by a specific time since the company doesn’t mandate reservations.


Different Sizes of Moving Truck Rental

“What is the right size of truck for my move?” this and many other questions have become common questions for potential consumers who are ready to rent a moving truck for their moves. It is indisputable that choosing the right size is one of the ways to get the cheapest deal for your move.

While we are here to help you find the most affordable moving truck rental companies, understanding the different available sizes can help your decision-making. You should know what is right for you. Renting a smaller truck size for a larger move entails that the truck needs to go on more than one trip to convey your entire belongings.

This will be costly for you considering the cost of fueling and other related costs of renting a moving truck to cover a particular mileage twice. Besides, if your move is a long-distance one, you would regret your chose wrongly. Hence, opting for the right size is a significant factor in getting the cheapest deal for your DIY move.

Considering the wide range of trucks, vans, and pick-ups offered by different companies, you are free to match your moving needs (in terms of the volume of your belongings) with the available sizes of trucks or vans.

The truth is that, over- or underestimating the size of the truck you need for your move could be a costly mistake and jeopardize your chance of getting the cheapest offers from companies.

This is because if you get the cheapest deal from a company and you had already short-charged yourself by choosing the wrong truck size, it is no more a deal. It is advisable to give allowance by making a 30% safe evaluation more than the actual volume of what to move.

Cargo or pick-up van rentals range from 8′ to 9’and they are suitable for small moves such as college dorm moves. Trucks, on the other hand, range from 10′ to 26′ in size and they are suitable for different sizes of apartment moves.

The bigger the size, the higher the price of renting one. For more understanding, let’s briefly look at the different sizes of truck rental and their purposes:

8 ft. Pickup Vans

Just as it was mentioned above, this size of vehicle is commonly used for a college student or studio apartment moves. It is the best match for consumers’ moving boxes, a twin bed, and other things needed in the dorm room. The typical features of 8 ft. Pickup vans include:

  • Volume: 76 cu. ft.
  • Empty weight: 4,689 pounds
  • Gross vehicle weight: 6,700 pounds maximum
  • Max load: 1,980 pounds
  • Inside dimensions (L x W x H): 7’10” x 5’2″ x 1’9″
  • Miles per gallon: 19 mpg
  • Towing capacity: Up to 6,000 pounds
  • Seats for 3 adults
  • Automatic transmission with Air conditioning

8 ft. Cargo Vans

These types of moving vehicles are also the best fit for college students and small studio apartment moves. They can accommodate a queen bed set and they are also known for their fuel economy for local moves. A typical cargo van is equipped with the following amazing features:

  • Volume: 245 cu. ft.
  • Empty weight: 4,950 pounds
  • Gross vehicle weight: 9,000 pounds maximum
  • Max load: 4,000 pounds.
  • Inside dimensions (L x W x H): 9’6″ x 5’7″ x 4’7″
  • Miles per gallon: 20 mpg
  • V-6 Fuel-efficient
  • Gentle-Ride suspension and cruise control
  • Seats for 2 adults
  • Automatic transmission with air conditioning.

10 ft. Truck

The 10 ft. moving trucks are also suitable for singles, and college students and they are one of their most popular options for students, singles, or couples relocating to a room or 2-room apartment.

They are equipped with a low loading dock which makes loading furniture and other related heavy items easier and more comfortable for the loaders. A typical 10 ft. truck is equipped with the following amazing features:

  • Volume: 402 cu. ft.
  • Empty weight: 5,790 pounds
  • Gross vehicle weight: 8,600 pounds maximum
  • Max load: 2,810 pounds
  • Inside dimensions (L x W x H): 9’11” x 6’4″ x 6’2″
  • Towing capacity: Up to 6,000 pounds.
  • Miles per gallon: 12 mpg
  • Gentle-Ride suspension and fuel economy gauge
  • Driver’s side air bag
  • Seats for 2 adults
  • Automatic transmission and air conditioning.

12 ft. Truck

The smallest size of a rental moving truck should be enough if you are moving a studio or small apartment. Currently, U-Haul is the only sizeable rental moving truck rental company that offers a 10ft truck; however, Penske and Budget have a 12 ft truck of the same size.

All rental companies suggested that these vehicles are perfect for one to two rooms or a studio apartment. Not all items will fit inside the moving trucks due to their compact size.

The longest wall of a U-Haul 10ft truck measures 9’11’’, which means that any furniture piece must be shorter than that. The truck will hold a king/queen mattress, but they may need to be angled during loading because the door opening measures 71 by 67 while the king-size mattress measures 76 by 80.

Find out more about truck rental if you need smaller equipment. If your home is heavily furnished, it will be nice to consider a larger truck size.

The following capacities, mileage, and dimensions are just approximated and may change by each manufacturer. MPG may change based on shipment, terrain, and factors related to driving. 12 ft. moving truck features include:

  • Internal dimensions measure up to 12 feet long by 6 feet width by 6 feet in height
  • About 78sq-ft of floor space
  • About 450 cubic-foot of loading space
  • About 3,100 lb. of shipment capacity
  • About 33 gallons of the gasoline fuel tank at about 12 mpg
  • Not towing compatible
  • V-8 engine and gasoline
  • Automatic transmission
  • Air conditioning
  • AUX or USB input, AM/FM radio
  • 2-person bucket seating
  • Shipment tie rails/rear roll-up door
  • Translucent roof and internal lighting

15 ft. Truck

This size of the truck is usually referred to as the company’s second-smallest box vehicle in the category of truck rental. It is widely used for consumers moving to one or two-bedroom apartments.

In addition, it offers seating spaces for three people as against two persons offered by a 10 ft. truck. A typical 15 ft. truck offers the following features:

  • Volume: 763 cu. ft.
  • Empty weight: 8,115 pounds
  • Gross vehicle weight: 14,500 pounds maximum
  • Max load: 6,385 lbs.
  • Inside dimensions (L x W x H): 15′ x 7’8″ x 7’2″
  • Towing capacity: Up to 10,000 pounds
  • Fuel Gentle-Ride suspension and fuel economy gauge
  • Air bags
  • 2’10” Low Deck and disc brakes
  • AM/FM
  • Seats 3 for adults
  • Automatic transmission with air conditioning

16 ft. TRuck

The 16-ft moving truck is ideal for those relocating large furniture and home appliances. It can also be used to move smaller houses, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, smaller offices, and condos.

A 16ft moving truck is one of the commonly used sizes with improved capacity, which can hold more than twice the capacity of the smallest available moving truck.

These rental moving trucks are generally used to move households with 2-3 bedrooms as their space measure 800 cu-ft.

The following capacities, mileage, and dimensions are just approximated and may change by each manufacturer. MPG may change based on shipment, terrain, and factors related to driving.

Features:

  • Internal dimensions measure up to 16 feet long by 7-foot wide by 6 feet in height
  • About 120sq-ft of floor space
  • About 800 cubic-foot of loading space
  • About 4,300 lb. of shipment capacity
  • About 33 gallons of the gasoline fuel tank at about 12 mpg
  • Towing compatible
  • The loading ramp capacity is 1,000 lb.
  • V-8 engine and gasoline
  • Automatic transmission
  • Air conditioning
  • AUX or USB input, AM/FM radio
  • 2-person bucket seating
  • Shipment tie rails/rear roll-up door

17 ft. Truck

The 17 ft. moving truck is capable of moving 2- to 3-bedroom homes with amazing space for associated household items in such a size apartment. It can be used for both local and long-distance moves with astonishing features not limited to the following:

  • Volume: 865 cu. ft.
  • Empty weight: 8,120 pounds
  • Gross vehicle weight: 14,050 pounds. maximum
  • Max load: 5,930 pounds
  • Inside dimensions (L x W x H): 16’9″ x 7’8″ x 7’2″
  • Towing capacity: Up to 10,000 pounds
  • Gentle-Ride suspension
  • Disc brakes
  • Fuel economy gauge
  • Air bags and seats for 3 adults
  • Widest and shortest ramp and AM/FM radio
  • Automatic transmission and air conditioning

20 ft. Truck

The 20 ft. truck is among the largest moving trucks in the moving industry. It has a large capacity that resembles that of a cab and can move items found in a 2-to 3-bedroom home conveniently.

It is also suitable for both long-distance one-way and local moves. Its seats can comfortably accommodate three persons that may want to accompany the truck. The features of a 20 ft. truck include:

  • Volume: 1015 cu. ft.
  • Empty weight: 8,895 pounds
  • Gross vehicle weight: 14,500 pounds
  • Max load: 5,605 pounds
  • Inside dimensions (L x W x H):19’6″ x 7’8″ x 7’2″
  • Towing capacity: Up to 7,500 pounds
  • Gentle-Ride suspension and disc brakes
  • Miles per gallon: 10 mpg with fuel economy gauge
  • Air bags and seats for 3 adults
  • Widest and shortest ramp and AM/FM radio
  • Automatic transmission and air conditioning

22 ft. Truck

The 22ft moving truck rental can move 3-5 rooms and is the perfect size for relocating a 1-3 bedroom home. Of some of the latest vehicles in the moving truck rental industry, rental trucks from Penske gets regular arrangement for preventive maintenance and are thoroughly cleaned and inspected before pickup. Penske’s unlimited response gave you peace of mind when you traveled with it.

The following capacities, mileage, and dimensions are just approximated and may change by each manufacturer. MPG may change based on shipment, terrain, and factors related to driving.

  • Internal dimensions measure up to 21 feet at 11ft long by 8 feet wide by 8 feet in height
  • About 164sq-ft of floor space
  • About 1,200 cubic-foot of loading space
  • About 10,000 lb. of shipment capacity
  • About 50 gallons of the diesel fuel tank at about 10 mpg
  • Towing compatible
  • The loading ramp capacity is 1,000 lb.
  • Powered by diesel to ensure fuel efficiency
  • Automatic transmission
  • Air conditioning
  • AUX or USB input, AM/FM radio
  • 3-person bucket seating
  • Shipment tie rails/rear roll-up door

24 ft. Truck

This rental truck size relocates 5-7 rooms and is the perfect size for relocating a 3-5 bedroom home. Of some of the latest vehicles in the moving truck rental industry, rental trucks from Penske gets regular arrangement for preventive maintenance and are thoroughly cleaned and inspected before pickup.

The following capacities, mileage, and dimensions are just approximated and may change by each manufacturer. MPG may change based on shipment, terrain, and factors related to driving.

Features

  • The payload capacity is 1,000 lb.
  • Three-person seating
  • CDL not required
  • Dimensions: 26’ by 102’ by 102’
  • Tuck-under liftgate
  • Wood tie-slats, rear roll-up door, and E-track to keep your shipment safe
  • Diesel engine which is economical requires lesser refueling stops, but EPA complaint
  • Higher dock with enhanced body
  • Air conditioning
  • Automatic transmission
  • Power steering and power brakes
  • AM/FM Radio

26 ft. Truck

The 26 ft. truck is the largest moving truck rental option in the industry so far. One of the features that make this truck unique among others is its capability to tow other vehicles e.g. trailers.

It is suitable for larger apartments such as over 4-bedroom homes. The seats can accommodate three people. Here’s a list of noteworthy features of a 26 ft. truck:

  • Volume: 1,611 cu. ft.
  • Empty weight: 12,600 pounds
  • Gross vehicle weight: 20,000 pounds maximum
  • Max load: 7,400 pounds
  • Inside dimensions (L x W x H): 26’5″ x 7’8″ x 8’3″
  • Floor space: 208 sq. ft.
  • Towing capacity: Up to 7,500 pounds
  • Miles per gallon: 10 mpg and great fuel economy gauge
  • Hitch with 2″ ball to tow your trailer or other means
  • Patented dual mirrors for high vision
  • Power steering
  • Airbags and seats for 3 adults
  • Gentle Ride suspension and disc brakes
  • Automatic transmission and air conditioning
  • AM/FM radio
  • Widest and shortest ramp and much more.

How to Get the Best Deals on Moving Truck

Although it sounds like an easy task, just pick the needed truck size, make a payment, and embark on the move. Well, there is more to it; you have to watch out for a lot more.

The truth is that you can those trucks cheaper than you think. How do you go about this? Let’s dive into it.

1. Understand the Details of your Move

Some basic information will be required by your DIY rental truck companies before you can get the most accurate rental quote. The following details are to be addressed before you begin your search:

  • Timeline and flexibility of the move:

Your travel timeline is one of the first things you need to determine. The time you will be picking up the moving truck as well as returning it is very essential. Keep the two dates as you request a rental quote.

Also, focus on your flexibility. Can you move before or a few days later? You may stand a chance to get a better deal with your flexibility, so make a decision on how flexible your moving date could be.

  • Distance:

How far will your trip take you? You have to be specific to get a better deal, so type in your current and new locations into Google Maps and keep a note of the mileage.

This information will be needed by your rental company to get an accurate rental quote, while you will also be able to figure out any mileage price while researching as well as plan the budget for gas and other things.

  • Budget:

The cost of renting a moving truck varies based on the duration and distance of your move, including the size of the truck required.

The moving truck alone could cost you between $20 and $3,000, so you have to determine how much you are ready to spend before you search for a rental truck.

  • Inventory:

With the help of technology, you can easily take inventory of your entire household. It is very essential when renting a moving truck to determine the perfect size of the truck for the move.

You are sure to know the amount of space you need without paying more for additional truck space you don’t need when you know the number of items you are moving.

  • Your car:

You need a plan regardless of how you are moving your car, whether through shipping, driving, or towing it.

Penske offers a car carrier that gives additional space between your car and the road in order to protect it from obstacles such as rocks or other objects in case you need adequate protection for your vehicle without shipping.

2. The Right Size of Truck will be needed

Renting an undersized moving truck will throw a lot of disappointment and challenges your way because your items won’t fit into it. Also, you don’t want to rent an oversized moving truck as you will end up paying for much space you won’t use.

Furthermore, driving larger moving trucks is trickier and requires a lot of maneuvering. This implies that the right side of the truck that matches your requirements is what you need for an easy transition.

Try and Google search truck size estimator, or check our research for each company above to find many sizes that belong to different movers, which will help you determine the right size of the truck before you rent.

3. Moving Truck Insurance

It may be nice to acquire some sort of additional moving truck insurance if you plan to haul the moving truck over a long distance. The additional insurance will serve as an addition to any available homeowner’s insurance, which will cover potential damage.

The various types of moving insurance are Supplemental Liability Insurance, Auto Tow Protection, Damage Waivers, and Cargo and Personal Accident Insurance.

The following are the Budget Truck Rental offered by do-it-yourself moving truck rental providers:

  • Limited Damage Waiver (LDW): This provides coverage for any damage or loss to the rental truck or any onboard towing equipment. You won’t be liable for financing repairs if you use the rental truck and equipment in accordance with the terms in your rental agreement.
  • Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): PAI provides coverage for you and your passenger against any injury within the rental truck in the event of an accident.
  • Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI): SLI covers coverage on any claims made by a third party. This insurance is exceptionally needed in case the rental truck injured someone else or their belongings while driving the rental truck.
  • Cargo Insurance (CAI): This insurance provides coverage for you and your possessions against damage caused by accidents while in transit or natural disasters as well as when parked. However, damage during the loading and unloading of the rental truck is not covered by CAI, so you would be liable for any repair or replacement as such.
  • Towing Insurance (TWI): Are you towing your vehicle behind the rental truck? With TWI, your vehicle is protected against collision damage while it is being towed. Note that this guide is general, and thus, make sure you go through the details of each insurance plan with your DIY truck rental company before you purchase any plan to make sure you get the best deal.

4. Advance Booking is a Nice Idea

Don’t wait until the move is close by before you book a rental truck. Booking earlier could guarantee the availability of the exact needed truck size. We advise you to do this a month or a week in advance of your move.

Truck rental is more difficult in certain months, such as the summer period because more people relocate. You will make your move a breeze when you reserve your rental in advance.


Top 5 Factors to Consider When Renting a Moving Truck

Don’t just rent a moving truck without considering the nature of your move. The size, distance, and comfort required by your move should point you in the right direction. While many are ignorant of some of these factors, others simply overlook their importance.

Discussed below are the top factors to consider when renting a moving truck to get the cheapest truck rental services:

1. The Size of your Move

Moving size indicates the volume of your belongings to be moved. There is no doubt the more stuff involved in the move, the bigger the truck rental that will be required.

The type of apartment whether a one-, two- or three-bedroom apartment can also determine the size of the move.

If you are moving into a single room or a 1-bedroom apartment or a studio, a pickup van or small or medium size box truck can be suitable for you.

However, if you are moving above a two-bedroom apartment, you should be thinking about hiring a bigger truck as discussed above.

2. The Distance of your Move

How far you travel to get to your new home plays a significant role in renting a moving truck. For example, if you are going over a long distance, you would need a truck that offers a comfortable seating feature you would need throughout the journey. Also, it is worth of note that the farther you go, the more gas to budget for.

In addition, considering the cost of fueling the truck twice, if your move is a long-distance one, you would need a truck that is big enough to convey your belongings at once. Another point is returning your truck.

If you are moving one way, it requires that you will have to return to a different location from the location the truck was picked up; hence, you will spend more compared to local moves.

3. The Cost of Gas

While there is a new vehicle technology that is equipped with a fuel economy gauge, there is still much other heavy-duty moving trucks out there that are gas guzzlers.

So, if your move entails renting a moving truck to transport your belongings interstate, planning for steep gas prices may come along with such a move.

4. The Size of your Truck

Choosing the wrong moving truck size for your move can be disheartening sometimes. Imagine renting a 17 ft. truck and after you load it, you discovered your belongings couldn’t occupy more than half-space of the bucket or are too small for your move, this is not a good deal at your end.

Consider the size of your move when choosing the size of your truck to ensure you are paying for value.

5. Additional Truck Rental Costs

While the rental truck is cheaper than hiring a professional mover, there are other additional costs associated with the rental trucks apart from the cost of renting a moving truck.

You should ensure you plan for such additional costs which may include costs of moving equipment add-ons, cost of fuel, extra mileage, an extra day spent during moving, associated cost of not returning the moving truck to its base, insurance, and much more.


Factors That Determine A Good Moving Truck Rental Company

When there are numerous options of truck rental companies to choose from, many get confused about which company to consider for the job. Sometimes, one can go straight to choose one once the company has what you are looking for.

However, it is not a good idea to accept the first quote that comes your way. It is good to compare different quotes even if you have seen what you are looking for. Requesting quotes from various moving truck rental is free and easy.

When you are comparing companies’ quotes, below are some of the things you should consider when making your final decision:

1. Availability

The availability of the moving truck rental company’s location for your need plays a significant role in making your final decision. The higher the number of locations of the company, the better for you.

If the company’s locations are far away from your locality, it may subject you to unnecessary stress. You have an opportunity to reserve the right moving truck at the right time if their locations are available in your locality.

2. Company’s Credentials

Does the company have the required credentials to operate in the country? Check if the company is licensed and insured to have a commercial fleet in the country. This is essential if you don’t want to be scammed, as there are many of them in the moving industry nowadays.

3. Truck Size Options

The availability of the actual size that fits your move is also important. This is one of the ways to get the best deal from truck rental companies. There is no sense in wasting money renting a 20-foot truck for a one-bedroom apartment when you can use 10 foot or 12-foot truck serving the same purpose. Some companies are limited in terms of truck size – ensure you opt for the one that has what you need.

4. Affordability

The aim of using a moving truck is to save the cost of moving; hence, pricing is part of the determinant factors for choosing a truck rental company.

While it is not advisable to be tempted to consider the cheap offer, it is also ideal to look for a deal with the best quality service ever. Don’t compromise price with the quality of service you deserve.


Tips for Driving a Rental Truck

Now, you’ve got a good deal of moving truck and it’s time to take charge of the wheel. Driving a rental moving truck can be tricky, especially if this is your first time of driving a large vehicle. These tips will be of help:

  • Endeavor to understand the moving truck and all of its nuts and bolts before you take to the road. Find out the windshield pipers, adjust the side mirrors, and switch on and off the lights. You have to ensure the proper functioning of these components before you get on the highway.
  • Note that the majority of rental trucks don’t come with a back seat, so reduce the number of your passenger to two. Although three people may be perfect for a larger moving truck.
  • Get yourself prepared for much larger turns than you usually do in your car every day when it comes to the rental truck.
  • Avoid driving on a narrow, winding way because of the size of the rental truck. Endeavor to stay on main roads while driving a rental moving truck.
  • Always remember clearance by understanding there are underpasses, bridges, and drive-thrus when driving your moving truck. You definitely want to avoid being stuck under a bridge or any damage to the rental truck.
  • Create and maintain your distance from cars. There is no point in tailgating other vehicles when driving a large rental moving truck.
  • Drive the speed limit permitted by your state and obey other traffic laws. There is no further explanation of this piece of advice.

Finding Help Loading And Unloading Your Rental Truck

You can select from the above-discussed truck rental companies and get the cheapest deal ever. However, we believe you would need help loading and unloading your rented truck.

Yeah, it is one of the features of a do-it-yourself (DIY) move. Disassembling, reassembling and lifting heavy furniture can be challenging tasks for most consumers; hence, you would need some experts to help you in this regard.

What about loading and unloading the truck? It is not an easy task and can also be time-consuming. If you are finding help to assist you with all these tasks, Moving Labor Service is what you need.

Moving labor services have been around in the moving industry for sometimes now. A team of professional packers come to you on moving day or as scheduled and help you handle laborious task involved in the move.

There are various moving labor online marketplaces you can find professional moving laborers for your move.

The platforms will help you find packing specialists in your locality and connect you with them. You only need to enter your zip code and moving date to search for the nearest moving labor services to your home.

These movers are either full-service moving services that usually send employees out on labor-only moving tasks or labor-only moving services that specialize in loading and unloading services.

If you have booked your moving truck and need help getting moving labor closed to you, you can read our post on “Where can I get Moving Labor.”


Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of moving truck rentals do you have?

Truck rental providers always have multiple models to pick from. The trucks can either be as small as a van or as large as a 26-ft. truck. The number of rooms you have in your house and the number of contents in the rooms will determine the size of the truck you will need.

Can a rental moving truck be picked up in one state and returned to a different state?

Yes. Usually, moving truck rental companies have service centers in almost every major city in the state. You can return your rental moving truck to any nearest location to your home.

When in advance, should I reserve a rental moving truck?

Generally, as soon as you determine your moving date, you should contact your rental moving truck for a reservation via the phone or through online chat. An earlier booking could mean you would get the exact truck size you requested for. It is never a wise decision to wait until the moving day.

What happens if a breakdown occurs to the rental moving truck?

Always make sure the rental company’s emergency number is with you whenever you are using a rental moving truck just in case there is a breakdown of the rental truck. Each rental provider provides unique policies regarding this situation, so be sure to ask their agent before you drive the rental truck away from the lot, to know how best to handle any breakdown in transit.

Does my credit card have anything to do with renting a moving truck?

This can be answered by your rental provider. Some will request a personal check, but not all of them provide credit card options.

What happens if I need a cancellation?

This also depends greatly on the rental provider you chose, but many of them request a minimum of two days (48 hours) notice for your cancellation. You may also be asked to pay a certain fee for cancellation by some providers.

Is a refund granted if I return the truck early?

A refund is given if you use the truck for a 1-way move and is returned early. Local round-trip moves (2-way move) will be charged for the number of rental days, so a refund is usually granted for the remaining days.

What is the age bracket for truck rental?

18 years old for most moving truck rental providers, while some have more requirements. So the best idea here is to inquire from the provider of your choice.

Is there an extra fee if I return the rental truck on time?

There shouldn’t be any extra fee if you return the rental truck in the same condition as it was during a pick-up, and the tank filled to the initial level. However, using any onboard equipment like a dolly or moving blankets, as well as exceeding mileage indicated in the agreement, could attract an extra rental contract that will also determine these fees.

How fast can I drive the rental truck?

There is no maximum speed given by rental companies for driving rental trucks unless you are towing a trailer, which in this case they will recommend not driving past 45 MPH.

It is advisable to keep the driving speed at a level that you can manage as the rental moving trucks can be more difficult to stop and maneuver than a personal car. This will ensure safe driving inasmuch as you also follow the speed limits posted on the roadside.

How do I return my rental truck?

Please kindly check your rental agreement. Your rental truck must be returned to the original rental location if your rental contract is in-town. Check for a return location address or phone number on your 1-way rental reservation to schedule for drop-off point.

Are moving trailers available?

This depends on the company. While some rentals have trailers in their fleet, some don’t. However, you can get different sizes of trucks from them all. You can pack all your items in one place with a larger size moving truck. You can also tow your vehicle behind any of the trucks using safe and easy towing equipment.

Is a car carrier or dolly tow available?

You can get tow dollies and car transporters from the Budget. Car transporters (carriers) are available for 4-wheel drive vehicles, the tow dolly is available for front-wheel drive vehicles.

The highest width of the car carrier is 6” 7” and the highest weight of 4,055 lbs. The two types of towing equipment must be used alongside a Budget rental moving truck and are not available for rental separately.

Is a deposit mandatory before I can get a rental truck?

Your mode of payment will determine if you will be required to pay a deposit. If you are paying using a major credit card, then no deposit is needed. You will be paying the following during pickup of your rental equipment if you are going for cash payment:

  • In-town rental truck: $100 or the estimated rental charges (the highest)
  • 1-way rental truck: $100 with rental rate

A credit card is required for the reservation of Cargo Vans and Pickup Trucks. Deposits are not payable by cash.

You will be paying the overall estimated charges during the pickup of your rental equipment no matter the mode of payment. You can pay through cash, credit card, or debit card. Cash is acceptable for van rentals and pickup.

However, you will be required to present a valid debit or credit card with a popular credit card logo.

Is insurance compulsory for my rental at Ryder?

Proof of rental insurance is required to ensure there is coverage on your rental truck. You will be asked to purchase insurance from your rental provider or a third party if you did not provide proof of insurance, or it doesn’t provide full coverage.

Liability coverage and physical damage protection are included in the Ruder Protection Advantage and other service providers in the industry. You get protection from damage or any liability claims in the case of an accident to the rental truck while in transit. Request for further information about the pricing and options from the company of your choice.

This will also be shown in your account profile provided you are a billing customer.

Can I return my rental truck if the rental location is closed?

Sure! A key return drop box can be found at each location for all returns after working hours. However, note that the responsibility of the rental truck is on you until the keys are received, and an official inspection is carried out by an on-site staff during working hours the next day.

How are rental costs determined?

The distance of the move, the type of rental truck, and the duration of rental will be indicated on your rental quote. No supplemental insurance, toll charges, gas costs, or others are included.

What is the cost of a rental truck?

This cost will be evaluated based on the distance driven, the size of the rental truck, the pickup and drop-off points, as well as the moving date. Renting a 10 ft. box truck will cost about $1,600 at U-Haul for a one-way move from Miami to NYC. U-Haul also allows clients to purchase additional days of rental, which goes for $40 daily.

A Penske moving truck of 12 ft. size will cost about $1,000 for a move from Miami to NYC. Extra rental days are available for $100 daily. About $760 will be charged for the Budget Truck Rental of a 12 ft. moving truck for a move from Miami to NYC. Customers can purchase extra rental days or miles for $70 daily and $0.70 per mile from the Budget.


Conclusion

While looking for a way to cut down the cost of moving by renting a moving truck to move your belongings, you can further reduce the cost by getting great deals from the cheapest moving truck rental companies in the industry. Many people are ignorant of these companies and don’t even think some companies are better than others. This post has discussed all you need to know to get amazing offers from cheapest companies as listed above. Stay tuned for more informative posts from this page