Renting a moving truck is one of the most affordable ways to move. Commonly referred to as a do-it-yourself (DIY) move, a rental truck is a great option for both local and long distance moves. Although rental truck pricing is relatively simple to understand, there are also a lot of misconceptions as to how much a truck rental will cost. We've created a simple breakdown that will tell you everything you need to know about the cost of renting a moving truck.
Renting A Truck for A Local Move
A rental truck being used for a local move (defined as being picked up and returned to the same location) is incredibly affordable. There are two rates that apply to local truck rentals:
Day Rate: This is a set amount you are paying for the truck itself and is most commonly what you see on advertisements. Rates will likely be higher during peak season, but you should expect to pay between $19.99-$29.99 per day for a 10'-17' truck and $29.99-$39.99 per day for a 20'-26' truck.
Mileage: In addition to the day rate you will also be responsible for the mileage. These rates also differ in peak season, but the typical mileage rate is $0.49-$0.99 per mile during the week and $0.99-$1.99 per mile on the weekends.
Renting A Truck for A Long Distance Move
One-way truck rental rates will vary based on a variety of factors: Distance of the trip, truck size, customer demand, route popularity, time of year (e.g. peak season), etc. You can obtain a one-way rental quote online from any major truck rental company.
Unlike renting a truck for a local move, a one-way price quote will include a set number of miles and days. Both Budget Truck and Penske Truck include unlimited miles for most one-way trips. Truck rental companies automatically include these based on the distance being traveled. In most cases, the miles and days calculated in your quote will be more than sufficient for your trip. However, you can usually add extra days and miles for an additional fee.
Additional Costs to Consider
In addition to the rates we've discussed so far you should also be aware of additional options, such as insurance and furniture blanket rental, that may add to your total price.
Truck Rental Insurance
You are not required to purchase insurance for your truck rental but it's worth the consideration. It's very important to note that most auto insurance policies do not cover rented moving trucks. Just like with a rental car, there are commonly four different insurance options available for your rental truck, the most important being physical damage and liability. These rates also vary but you should expect to pay between $30-$40 per day for both of these coverages.
Moving Blankets
Having adequate padding to protect your furniture during a move is very important. Luckily, most rental truck locations will offer you the ability to rent furniture pads with your truck. The typical cost is between $15-$25/per dozen. Check out our moving blanket guide for help estimating how many furniture pads you will need for your move.
Load and Unload Help
When renting a moving truck it is important to know that truck rental companies do not provide moving help. So it's up to you and your friends to do the heavy lifting yourselves. You can save both time and money by hiring movers by the hour to load and unload for you. The cost of hiring movers will vary depending on the size of your truck, access conditions, location and how much help you actually need (see our mover estimating guide for help). On average, expect to pay between $25 and $35 an hour for each moving helper. Trust us, it's worth it.
Moving Dolly
You can usually rent a moving dolly with your rental truck for $10-$15. If you decide to hire move help, many movers will provide a moving dolly for free.
Fuel
Your fuel expense should be minimal for a local move but can be a major expense for a one-way move (long distance). Check out our rental truck fuel calculator for help budgeting your fuel expense.
Towing Equipment
If you need to tow a vehicle behind your truck rental you're in luck- each of the major rental truck companies offers car towing equipment. Of course, renting this equipment is an additional cost. In most cases you will have two options:
- Tow Dolly: The cheaper of the two options, a tow dolly tows your car with its rear wheels on the ground and the front two wheels on the dolly. A tow dolly is cheaper because your car is not completely on the trailer, leaving the car (notably the rear wheels) susceptible to wear and tear
- Car Carrier: Also sometimes referred to as a car trailer or auto transport, a car carrier is more expensive because it keeps your entire vehicle off the ground. Unlike a tow dolly, your car is completely on top of the trailer. This means your vehicle shouldn't experience any wear and tear during your move
Moving Truck Rental Companies
For both local and one-way rentals there are three major rental truck companies: Penske, Budget, and U-Haul. Rates will vary from company to company, especially for one-way rentals, so it's important to shop around. Be sure to do your research and not to blindly select the lowest price. Take a moment to read our comparison of truck rental companies for additional resources.