Best one-way truck rentals

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.

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.

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.

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.

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