Best one-way truck rentals

U-Haul, Budget and Penske are our top picks

Move confidently with the right team.

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    Whether you’re renting a truck for a local, interstate or cross-country move, you want a reliable vehicle from a company with a solid history and good customer reviews. We compiled a list of well-known one-way truck companies, including only those that focus solely on moving truck rentals. Of these, we chose the companies with the lowest rates, highest availability and good reviews on ConsumerAffairs.com as our favorites.

    Our picks

    Moving costs come directly from company quotes and include full coverage, a moving dolly and one dozen furniture pads for a move in June. Additional costs like fuel, taxes and extra mileage vary.

    Top picks for one-way truck rentals

    Our top picks for one-way truck rentals are U-Haul, Budget Truck Rental and Penske Truck Rental. Though U-Haul is our top pick overall, Penske might be the best choice for long-distance moves, and Budget is known for its frequent discounts.

    Our top pick overall
    U-Haul
    Sample 500-mile move quote
    $927
    Guaranteed pickup
    Yes
    Good for
    Flexible moves, low costs and wide availability

    U-Haul wins in many of the categories we compared. It has the most truck sizes and is available nationwide. The company has five different moving truck sizes available for rent. You can rent a 10-foot, 15-foot, 17-foot, 20-foot or 26-foot truck. The 10-foot trucks work well for studios, and the 26-foot truck is suitable for four-bedroom homes.

    The company offered the cheapest quotes for each of the three types of moves we compared. You can rent trucks for $19.95 a day if you’re moving locally. Don’t forget to factor in additional costs, though.

    U-Haul has its fair share of fees, so make sure you fully understand your quote before signing up.

    Many reviewers on our site who’ve rated U-Haul highly mention the quality of customer service — like Courtney of Oregon, who said, “I have had to rent a few hauls over the past two months for work, and each representative I've spoken with has been wonderful. They've helped me move drop-off locations and pickup times, easily changed from one to two trucks, and every time it's been quick and seamless.”

    Our pick for long-distance moves
    Penske Truck Rental
    Sample 500-mile move quote
    $1,090
    Guaranteed pickup
    Yes
    Good for
    Reliable trucks, guaranteed reservations and clear quotes

    Penske Truck Rental is a good option for those with higher budgets looking for reliable trucks and a guaranteed reservation. Unlike Budget, Penske guarantees the type of truck you pick up on moving day. This alone makes Penske worth considering.

    Penske Truck Rental generally has newer 12-foot, 16-foot, 22-foot and 26-foot trucks, so they’re less likely to break down on cross-country trips and may offer more modern features than older moving trucks. The 22-foot and 26-foot trucks have a weight limit of 10,000 pounds. Penske is also upfront with its prices, and it’s easy to secure a quote online that includes all charges.

    Penske sometimes requires a deposit, and its long-distance rental costs can be hefty. It does require personal information before offering a quote. Its local and 500-mile move costs were slightly more expensive than U-Haul’s but cheaper than Budget’s, and its long-distance truck rental was the most expensive of the three.

    Happy reviewers on ConsumerAffairs mention the quality of Penske’s trucks and employees. Steve of Florida had this to say about a rental experience: “Penske trucks are clean, have cruise control, power windows and mirrors. The tank was full when I picked it up. It is actually 16 feet of floor space. ... Penske employees and customer service were great, unlike the other company.”

    Our pick for discounts
    Budget Truck Rental
    Sample 500-mile move quote
    $1,424
    Guaranteed pickup
    No
    Good for
    Discounts and long-distance moves

    Budget Truck Rental isn’t the cheapest truck rental company, but its discounts help some customers slash costs significantly. The company doesn’t have as many pickup and drop-off locations as U-Haul — if you’re having trouble finding a location, you might try U-Haul instead.

    Budget has 12-foot, 16-foot and 26-foot trucks. The 12-foot trucks work well for studios or one-bedroom apartments, and the 26-foot truck can fit many larger homes. The company has discounts for students, military members and first responders. It also offers discounts to members of AARP, the Motor Club of America and the American Bar Association.

    Budget wasn’t the cheapest or most reliable truck rental company we found. It also has fewer truck options than our other top choices. There’s no guaranteed pickup with Budget, which means the truck promised on the reservation might not be the truck that’s available on moving day.

    Customers who’ve given Budget high ratings on ConsumerAffairs mention the ease of working with the company. Pat of Pennsylvania wrote:  “It was almost $1,000 cheaper than another company so I took a chance. Picking up the truck was no problem. The truck only had like 7,000 miles so there were no issues.”

    How to choose a one-way truck rental company

    A move of any distance — even if you’re loading and driving the truck yourself — can be an investment. Before choosing a one-way truck rental, consider these key factors to keep your move on track and within budget:

    Not all moving companies guarantee that the truck size you book will be available on the day you pick up. If that’s important to you, book with a company that has guaranteed pickup.
    • Pickup and drop-off locations: Where you pick up and return your rental truck can have a big impact on your move. Not all companies have drop-off locations near your new home, and choosing the wrong one could mean an extra long drive after a long day of moving. Before booking, check if the company has convenient locations near both your current and future home.
    • Truck size: U-Haul, Penske and Budget all have three or more truck sizes to choose from.  Most moving companies provide online tools or written guidelines to help you choose the right truck size based on your home’s size and the number of items you’re moving. You can usually find this information on their websites.

      Note that only Penske and U-Haul have guaranteed pickups, meaning that you’re guaranteed to get the truck size you booked on the day of your pickup.

    • Availability: Truck rentals fill up quickly during peak moving seasons — early summer, fall and weekends. If you’re moving during a busy time, check availability before choosing a company and book as early as possible.

    One-way truck rental cost

    The cost of a one-way truck rental will vary depending on the number of miles you drive it. When thinking about overall cost, don’t forget to factor in gas, insurance, fees and additional moving supplies you may need.

    If you’re just moving across town, a truck rental could cost you as little as $20 per day plus mileage or any additional fees from the moving company. As you increase the size of the truck and the distance you’re traveling, the overall price will also increase.

    Sample local move costSample 500-mile move cost
    U-Haul$91$927
    Penske Truck Rental$138$1,090
    Budget Truck Rental$145$1,424

    How to load a moving truck

    Loading a moving truck can be labor-intensive, but there are packing tips that can simplify the process. Most importantly, make sure you get a truck that’s big enough for all your stuff.

    • Get the right truck size: Make sure you rent a truck that fits everything you need to move. Many rental companies offer online tools or video assessments to help you find the right size. If you're debating between two sizes, it’s safer to go bigger.
    • Prepare your supplies: Before you start, gather all necessary moving supplies like moving blankets, straps, plastic wrap and packing tape.
    • Disassemble furniture: Take apart any large furniture items that can be disassembled. This will prevent damage and make them easier to pack.
    • Load heavy items first: Begin by loading the heaviest items, such as appliances and large furniture, at the front of the truck near the cab. This helps distribute the weight evenly.
    • Stack boxes by weight and fill in the gaps: Place the heaviest boxes on the bottom and the lighter boxes on top. This will prevent fragile items from getting crushed. Use soft items like pillows, blankets or small boxes to fill in gaps between larger items. This helps prevent shifting while driving.
    • Pack fragile and important items last: Load items that are fragile or that you may need immediate access to at the very back of the truck for easy retrieval.
    Empty dresser drawers before loading, especially if the dresser is flimsy or unstable.

    For tall, fragile items like grandfather clocks or vases, Mike Glanz, moving division general manager for Porch Group, suggests making a custom-sized box instead of just wrapping them in blankets or tape. “A better solution is to take two boxes and tape them together to create a properly sized and easily packed carton,” he says. To do this, use either a dish pack box and a 3.0 carton or two 3.0 cartons stacked like a clamshell. Then place the item inside, fill any empty space with packing paper and pad the top and bottom to keep it secure.

    Move confidently with the right team.

      Moving truck rental alternatives

      Renting a moving truck instead of hiring movers is one way to save money and have more control over a move. Sometimes, though, it’s not as cheap as expected or worth the effort — there are benefits to working with professional movers.

      • Full-service movers: Professional moving companies can handle the difficult parts of moving, including packing and unpacking, and household chores like cleaning, furniture assembly and appliance installation.
      • Moving containers: For those who still want to do some of the work of moving but not the driving, moving containers are a viable option. Moving containers can be loaded at your own pace, and the company will handle transportation to your new location.

      » READ MORE: How much do movers cost?

      Are one-way truck rentals worth it?

      One-way truck rentals can be worth it if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option and don’t mind driving the truck yourself. However, they aren’t always the lowest-cost or most convenient choice. Make sure you understand the full quote, including mileage fees and additional charges, before deciding whether U-Haul, Penske or Budget is right for you.

      Some people aren’t happy with the cost of renting a one-way moving truck — prices are often higher than expected for a do-it-yourself move. If a rental truck estimate ends up being more expensive than anticipated, a full-service moving company or moving container service might be a better value.

      » NEXT: Best cheap moving companies

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