Best one-way truck rentals

More details about our top one-way truck rental picks

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.

What to consider when booking a one-way truck rental

A move of any distance — even if you’re loading and driving the truck yourself — can be an investment. Before deciding on the one-way truck rental you’re going to use, there are a few things you need to consider to make sure your move goes smoothly and you stick to your moving budget.

• Pickup and drop-off locations: Arguably the most important thing to consider is availability in the area you’re moving from and relocating to. After a long day of moving, the last thing you’re going to want to do is drive a considerable distance to drop off the truck. Research pickup and drop-off locations before deciding on the best truck rental.

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.

• Truck size: U-Haul, Penske and Budget all have three or more truck sizes to choose from. Information on their sites will give you a good idea of what size truck you need based on how big your home is or how many items you have. Note that only Penske and UHaul have guaranteed pickups, meaning that you’re guaranteed to get the truck size you booked on the day of your pickup.
• Availability: Truck rentals can book up fast during peak moving season (beginning of summer, fall and on weekends). If you plan to move during a busy time, check availability before deciding on a company, and book as early as you can.

How much does a 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. As you increase the size of the truck and the distance you’re traveling, the overall price will also increase.

How to load a moving truck

Packing a moving truck can be labor-intensive, but we have some packing tips to simplify the process. Most importantly, make sure you get a truck that’s big enough for all your stuff.

1. Prepare your supplies: Before you start, gather all necessary moving supplies like moving blankets, straps, plastic wrap and packing tape.
2. Disassemble furniture: Take apart any large furniture items that can be disassembled. This will make them easier to pack and prevent damage.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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. 

It’s also smart to empty dresser drawers before loading, especially if the dresser is flimsy or unstable.

According to Mike Glanz, the moving division general manager for Porch Group: “The taller the item, the more interesting the packing becomes. We've seen people wrap these items — such as a tall vase or grandfather clock — in a rug, or buffer them with a combination of blankets and duct tape. A better solution is to take two boxes and create one suitably sized and easily packed carton.”

To do this, he says: “Simply tape together (a) a dish pack and a 3.0 carton or (b) two 3.0 cartons — one on top of the other, like a clamshell. Place the breakable item within the clamshell and fill it with paper stuffing. Remember to pad the bottom and top of your shell well and pack it so everything inside sits firmly.”

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?

Bottom line

Whether you choose U-Haul for its low cost, Penske for its reliability or Budget for its discounts, make sure you understand the quote in its entirety.

Some people aren’t happy with the cost of renting a one-way moving truck — prices are often higher than you might expect for a do-it-yourself move. If that’s the case and you can afford other options, consider hiring a full-service moving company or using a moving container service.

» NEXT: Best cheap moving companies