Moving Truck Rental Compared: U-Haul vs. Penske vs. Budget for a Long-Distance Move

On this page

1. U-Haul vs. Penske vs. Budget at a glance
2. U-Haul: the most locations and the most variable trucks
3. Penske: newer trucks, fewer locations
4. Budget Truck Rental: the discount-driven middle option
5. What about Enterprise, Ryder and Home Depot?
6. How much does it cost to rent a moving truck one way?
7. What size moving truck do you need?
8. How to get the cheapest moving truck rental
9. Step by step: renting and driving a moving truck
10. Common moving truck mistakes
11. Alternatives to renting a moving truck
12. The bottom line
13. FAQ

A rental truck is usually the cheapest way to move a whole apartment across the country, often by thousands of dollars compared with full-service movers. It's also where people get caught by small things: the wrong size, a mileage allowance that runs out in Nebraska, a fuel gauge photographed by nobody, or a drop-off location that doesn't actually have your truck size available.

Here's how the main companies compare in practice, what a realistic budget looks like, and how to avoid the fees that blow it up. Rates change daily, so treat every number here as a ballpark and get live quotes before you book.

U-Haul vs. Penske vs. Budget at a glance

Sizes, policies and fleets change. Check each company's site for current truck sizes and inclusions on your route.

U-Haul: the most locations and the most variable trucks

Choose it if you're moving from or to a small town, need a truck at short notice, or want to pick up boxes, dollies and furniture pads in the same place.

• Strengths: unmatched network, so one-way drop-off is rarely a problem; a wide range of sizes including the small 10-footer; lots of add-ons (hand trucks, pads, trailers, car carriers); easy online booking.
• Weaknesses: truck quality and service vary sharply by location, since many are independent dealers. Some customers report reservations being moved to a different pickup location close to the date.
• How to use it well: call the specific pickup location the day before to confirm, and arrive early on pickup day so you have time to inspect the truck or ask for another.

Penske: newer trucks, fewer locations

Choose it if you're driving a long way and care most about a reliable, comfortable truck, and there's a location near both ends.

• Strengths: a reputation for newer, well-maintained trucks; generally good fuel economy for the size class; 24/7 roadside assistance; often competitive on long one-way routes. Penske has long offered discounts to AAA members.
• Weaknesses: fewer locations, so rural pickup or drop-off can mean a long drive; larger trucks may run on diesel, which costs more per gallon in many areas.
• How to use it well: ask whether your quote includes unlimited or capped miles, and confirm the fuel type.

Budget Truck Rental: the discount-driven middle option

Choose it if the quote is lowest after discounts and there's a location near both ends.

• Strengths: frequent online promo codes and discounts (for example for military or members of certain organizations); simple size range; decent trucks.
• Weaknesses: fewer locations; availability gets tight in peak season; service depends on the dealer.
• How to use it well: search for a current promo code before booking, and screenshot the final price with all fees.

What about Enterprise, Ryder and Home Depot?

• Enterprise Truck Rental: good service and well-kept trucks, but mostly geared to local and round-trip rentals and business customers. Worth checking for in-town moves or if a one-way option exists on your route.
• Ryder: focuses on commercial rental and leasing, so it's rarely a practical option for a household one-way move.
• Home Depot (and similar store rentals): short, hourly rentals of pickups, vans and sometimes box trucks for local hauling. Great for moving a couch across town; not for leaving the state.

How much does it cost to rent a moving truck one way?

There's no fixed price; quotes depend on route direction (trucks are cheaper heading where fewer people move), season, day of the week and how far in advance you book. As very rough 2026 ballparks for the truck itself, before fuel, protection and taxes:

These are hedged estimates to help you sanity-check a quote, not prices you'll be offered. Live quotes for your dates are the only reliable number.

The real total: what to add to the base rate

• Fuel. Often the second-biggest cost. Very roughly: miles ÷ 8–10 mpg × local fuel price. For 1,000 miles, that's often several hundred dollars.
• Extra miles and days beyond the allowance in a one-way quote.
• Protection plans for the truck and, optionally, your cargo. See moving insurance explained.
• Equipment: dolly, furniture pads, straps.
• Taxes and fees: environmental fees, local taxes.
• Refueling charges if you return it below the starting level, usually at a premium rate.
• Cleaning and late-return fees.
• Lodging and food on a multi-day drive.
• Towing your car on a trailer or dolly, if you're not driving it separately.

What size moving truck do you need?

Each company publishes its own size guide; use it as a starting point. If you're between sizes, sizing up usually costs less than a second trip or leaving things behind. But if you're selling much of your stuff before merging households, recount after the sale; you may need much less truck than you think.

How to get the cheapest moving truck rental

1. Quote all three for the same dates and size. The gap between companies on the same route can be large, and the cheapest one changes by route.
2. Move mid-week and mid-month. Weekends and the last days of the month are busiest.
3. Avoid peak summer (roughly May through September) if you can.
4. Try nearby pickup locations. A location in the next town over can quote differently.
5. Check discounts: AAA, military, student, employer programs and current promo codes.
6. Book early, ideally four to six weeks out, longer in summer.
7. Check your own coverage before buying protection, but don't decline everything assuming your car insurance covers a box truck; many policies don't.
8. Return it full and clean, and get a closed-out receipt.

Step by step: renting and driving a moving truck

Before pickup

• Confirm the reservation, the pickup address and the truck size the day before.
• Bring your driver's license, the card you booked with, and proof of any insurance you plan to rely on.
• Know the truck's height (it's on the cab) and plan around low bridges, drive-throughs and parking garages.

At the lot

• Walk around the truck and photograph every panel, the cargo area, the odometer and the fuel gauge.
• Make sure any existing damage is written on the contract.
• Test lights, signals, wipers, horn, AC and brakes; adjust all mirrors.
• Learn how the ramp or liftgate and the roll-up door lock work.

Driving tips

• Practice in the lot: turns, reversing with a spotter, and braking distance.
• Stay well under the speed limit on highways; a loaded truck takes much longer to stop.
• Swing wide on right turns and watch your huge blind spots.
• Plan fuel stops at stations with easy truck access.
• Add roughly 20–30% to your normal driving time, and don't drive tired.
• Park in well-lit spots overnight and lock the cargo door with a disc or padlock.

Common moving truck mistakes

• Comparing base rates only. Compare the full total including fuel and protection.
• Not measuring. Big furniture versus doorways, stairwells and elevators at both ends.
• Loading badly. Heavy items first against the front wall, weight balanced side to side, tiers strapped. See our packing and loading tips.
• Skipping the inspection photos. You'll struggle to dispute a damage charge without them.
• Returning late or on empty. Both are expensive and avoidable.
• Driving solo cross-country in a 26-footer. If you can, bring a second driver, or choose a container and fly.

Alternatives to renting a moving truck

Container and freight pricing varies widely by route; get quotes the same way you would for trucks. For more, see cheaper ways to ship your belongings cross-country and, for overseas moves, the international moving companies comparison.

The bottom line

If you live somewhere with options at both ends, get quotes from U-Haul, Penske and Budget for the same truck size and dates, then compare the total, including fuel. Penske is often the pick when truck condition matters most on a long drive; U-Haul wins on availability; Budget can win on price after discounts. Whichever you choose, get the quote in writing, photograph the truck at pickup, and confirm the drop-off location the week before. Most horror stories come from skipping those three steps.

Building the rest of the move plan? Use the 6-month moving checklist, and see how to save money on a cross-country move and how to build a moving budget.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a special license to drive a moving truck?

In the US, no. The rental trucks offered to consumers, up to 26 feet, are designed to be driven with an ordinary driver's license for personal moves. You'll usually need to be at least 18 (some locations or vehicles may set a higher age) and show a valid license and a credit or debit card. Check the specific company's rules when you book.

Does Ryder rent moving trucks for one-way moves?

Ryder focuses on commercial and business rentals and leasing, so most people moving house won't find it a practical option for a one-way move. For household one-way moves, U-Haul, Penske and Budget are the main consumer choices, with Enterprise Truck Rental mostly useful for local or round-trip rentals.

Is it cheaper to rent a truck or hire movers for a long-distance move?

Renting a truck is usually the cheapest way to move a whole apartment long distance, often by a large margin, once you add fuel, lodging and your time. Full-service movers cost much more but do the lifting, driving and liability. Moving containers and freight services sit in between: you pack and load, they drive.

How many miles per gallon does a moving truck get?

Expect low fuel economy: very roughly 8–12 mpg for mid-size box trucks and less for a fully loaded 26-footer, with mountains, wind and speed making it worse. Larger trucks from some companies run on diesel. Ask for the truck's fuel type and the company's estimate when you book, and budget fuel as its own line item.

Which moving truck is most comfortable to drive?

Comfort mostly tracks the age of the truck. Newer cabs tend to have better seats, quieter rides and more modern features, which is why Penske and Budget often get credit for comfort. Smaller trucks (10–16 feet) are much easier to drive and park than 26-footers, so don't size up more than you need for a long drive.