
- Sample 500-mile move quote
- $927
- Guaranteed pickup
- Yes
- Good for
- Flexible moves, low costs and wide availability
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
Company | Customer rating | Sample local move cost | Sample 500-mile move cost | Availability | Truck options | Guaranteed pickup | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1.8 | $91 | $927 | 50 states | 5 sizes | Yes | Learn more |
![]() | 1.7 | $138 | $1,090 | 49 states | 4 sizes | Yes | Learn more |
![]() | 1.0 | $145 | $1,424 | 48 states | 3 sizes | No | Learn more |
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.
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.
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.
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 cost | Sample 500-mile move cost | |
---|---|---|
U-Haul | $91 | $927 |
Penske Truck Rental | $138 | $1,090 |
Budget Truck Rental | $145 | $1,424 |
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.
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.
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.
» READ MORE: How much do movers cost?
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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