Best place to rent a box truck

A moving truck rental acts as a cheaper alternative to traditional full-service movers. Many moving truck rental companies provide additional perks that help you save money, such as unlimited mileage deals or ongoing discounts. As long as you are comfortable with a DIY move—packing, loading and driving a moving truck—you may be able to save some serious cash.

With so many truck rental options, it might be difficult to know which one provides the best rates. Luckily, we at the This Old House Review Team have conducted in-depth research of the best moving truck rental companies in the United States. This guide will rank and explain the cheapest moving truck rentals available across the country.

Best Full-Service Mover

Best place to rent a box truck

4.8/5

Best OverallFull-Service MoverWorldwide Availability

888-375-6309 VISIT SITE

Get 10% Off! (Code: MOVE3)

Most Experienced Mover

Best place to rent a box truck

4.5/5

Flat-Rate PricingPrice-Matching PolicyBinding Estimates

877-960-3186 VISIT SITE

Book my move today!

Most Efficient

Best place to rent a box truck

4.3/5

Best for Long-Distance Affordable RatesVehicle Shipping

866-209-1298 VISIT SITE

Book my move today!

 


 

5 Cheapest Moving Truck Rental Companies

We found the following truck rental options to be the cheapest providers:

  • U-Haul
  • Enterprise
  • Penske
  • Home Depot
  • Budget

 


 

U-Haul

U-Haul offers competitive pricing on a wide selection of moving trucks, additional services, and packing supplies. U-Haul provides flexibility in your cost, allowing you to pick and choose additional services during the booking process. This includes options for moving labor.

Pros and Cons

Below are some of the benefits and drawbacks of using U-Haul:

✔ Offers assistance with packing, unpacking, loading, and unloading
✔ Available in all 50 states
✔ Provides a wide selection of coverage plans at affordable prices

✘ Customer reviews mention reservations being changed to a different location on short notice
✘ No unlimited mileage for one-way moves

Services

U-Haul offers many add-ons for your moving truck rental. Add-ons include storage services, packing supplies, and assistance for packing and loading services through U-Haul’s own online platform called Moving Help. The company asks which of these add-ons you would like as you go through the online reservation process.

U-Haul provides a variety of moving protection plans. Its basic plan, called Safemove eliminates your financial liability for any damages that occur to your rented equipment.

More comprehensive options, like the Safemove Plus plan, offer coverage on your cargo, while the Safetrip plan provides roadside assistance for jump starts, lock-out service, lost keys, fuel service, stuck vehicles, and trailer hook-up problems.

U-Haul Services:
  • Truck and van rentals
  • Car trailers
  • Trailer hitches
  • Moving supplies
  • Storage services
  • U-Box portable moving and storage containers
  • Packing and unpacking services (via third party)
  • Loading and unloading services (via third party)
  • Mobile app
  • Moving checklist
  • Damage protection coverage plans
  • Roadside assistance
U-Haul Moving Truck Sizes:
  • 8-foot pickup truck
  • 9-foot cargo van
  • 10-foot box truck
  • 15-foot box truck
  • 17-foot box truck
  • 20-foot box truck
  • 26-foot box truck

Cost

We simulated the booking process to rent a 20-foot box truck (enough for a three-bedroom home) from U-Haul. To go from Boston to Miami, we received a quote for $4,747. This price includes up to six days of use, 1,770 miles, and $98 for a Safemove plan.

U-Haul accepts payment in the form of credit cards, debit cards, and cash. You may either pay in advance on your truck rental reservation, or you may pay for it upon pickup. The company also includes a $50 reservation guarantee. If U-Haul through its own fault fails to meet your selected time, place, and equipment size, you receive $50 back.

For a local U-Haul truck rental in Boston, a 20-foot box truck would cost $40 per day, plus $1.59 per mile.

State Availability

U-Haul provides its services in all 50 states.

Why We Chose U-Haul

U-Haul offers competitive rates on a nationwide customer service network. The company provides a streamlined booking process that offers multiple locations, and you can also arrange pick-up 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through U-Haul’s mobile app. U-Haul features a large collection of truck sizes, and it offers one of the largest selections of add-ons on this list.

 


Enterprise

Known for its car rental services, Enterprise has branched off into moving truck rentals with one of the most extensive lists of truck sizes, affordable rates, and 24/7 roadside support. However, Enterprise only offers its services for local moves, and the company offers fewer add-ons than other providers on this list.

Pros and Cons

Below are the pros and cons of Enterprise:

✔ Offers 14 different truck sizes
✔ Provides add-ons for towing cars
✔ Includes 24/7 roadside assistance

✘ Provides its service for only local moves
✘ Does not offer moving labor assistance

Services

Enterprise offers equipment for towing a vehicle behind your moving truck, but few other offerings for additional services.

Enterprise offers four truck rental protection plans for covering damages and emergencies. Its Damage Waiver (DW) option, the cheapest plan, covers liability for any damage that occurs to your rental.

Enterprise also provides more comprehensive plans, such as its Roadside Assistance Protection (RAP) and Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), for a higher cost. The RAP plan provides services such as the replacement of lost keys, flat tire service, and jump-starts. Its PAI plan provides coverage for accident-related medical expenses, accidental death, and ambulance expense benefits.

Enterprise Services:
  • Moving vehicle rental
  • Car towing equipment
  • Moving and packing supplies
Enterprise Moving Truck Sizes:
  • ½-ton pickup truck (6-foot and 8-foot beds available)
  • ¾-ton pickup truck (6-foot and 8-foot beds available)
  • 1-ton pickup truck (6.5-foot and 8-foot beds available)
  • 7-foot compact cargo van
  • 10.5-foot cargo van
  • 10.5-foot heavy-duty cargo van
  • 12-foot heavy-duty XL cargo van
  • 12-foot high-roof cargo van
  • 15-foot van parcel van
  • 16-foot cab-over truck
  • 16-foot stake-bed truck
  • 24-foot stake-bed truck
  • 24-foot box truck
  • 26-foot box truck

Cost

We calculated that it would cost $250 per day, plus $0.49 per mile to use one of Enterprise’s 16-foot cab-over trucks for a local move in Boston. However, Enterprise’s website crashed multiple times when we tried to obtain a quote, making the process rather frustrating and confusing.

Enterprise’s payment options vary according to pick-up location. Most of its locations require you to pay with a credit card in your name, and it may require a deposit. Deposit amounts also vary by location. Some locations accept a debit card, but it might feature restrictions.

State Availability

Enterprise is available in every state, as well as Puerto Rico.

Why We Chose Enterprise

Though it only helps with local moves, Enterprise offers a large selection of truck sizes and types of vehicles, allowing you to rent the right truck for the size of your move. Enterprise also offers fair rental rates with low mileage costs and comprehensive contents coverage plans.

 


Penske

Penske truck rentals cost slightly more than some competitors, but it provides some of the highest quality trucks on the market by changing out its low-emission trucks more often than companies like U-Haul. Penske also provides a variety of moving protection plans, and it helps you save money on long-distance moves due to its unlimited mileage option. You can save more by checking out its ongoing deals and discounts online.

Pros and Cons

Below are the pros and cons of Penske:

✔ Provides unlimited miles on long-distance moves
✔ Offers a variety of discounts for military members, students, AAA members, and more
✔ Offers discounted moving assistance through Simple Moving Labor

✘ Not available in Alaska
✘ Might be more expensive than some competitors

Services

Penske offers a variety of add-ons to its truck rental options. This includes assistance with moving labor, car towing options, and storage services. Penske also has a roadside assistance plan for any unexpected emergencies during transit.

Penske offers four insurance coverage plans, including the roadside assistance plan. Its Basic plan is a Limited Damage Waiver (LDW), so you are not held responsible for any damages that occur to your rented equipment. More extensive coverage plans with Penske include coverage for cargo damage and personal injuries.

Penske Services:
  • Moving vehicle rental
  • Car trailers/towing equipment
  • Moving supplies
  • Moving checklist
  • Storage services
  • Roadside assistance
  • Insurance coverage plans
  • Packing and unpacking services (via third party)
  • Loading and unloading services (via third party)
Penske Moving Truck Sizes:
  • 11-foot high-roof cargo van
  • 12-foot box truck
  • 16-foot box truck
  • 22-foot box truck
  • 26-foot box truck

Cost

We obtained a quote from Penske to use a 22-foot box truck (enough for a three-bedroom home) to move from Boston to Miami for a total of $6,188. This quote includes unlimited mileage, a $9 environmental fee, and $343 for the basic coverage plan. It does not include taxes or the $100 security deposit.

To use a 16-foot box truck for a local move (22-footers were not available for local moves) in Boston would cost $80 per day and $0.79 per mile. It would also require a $2.50 vehicle licensing recovery fee and a $2 environment fee.

State Availability

Penske is available in every state except for Alaska.

Why We Chose Penske

Penske features new, high-quality, low-emission trucks for its rentals. This makes Penske one of the more expensive options for moving truck rentals, but the company does provide more add-ons than many competitors to add convenience to your move. Its inclusion of unlimited mileage is a great perk for interstate moves.

 


Home Depot

Home Depot acts as a great option for local moves due to its Load ‘N Go pickup trucks and cargo vans. These vehicles have lower rates, starting at $19 per hour, and they pair with unlimited mileage and a large selection of equipment and tool rentals.

Home Depot also works with Penske to provide the same services with a larger network that uses Home Depot stores as pickup and drop-off locations.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of Home Depot’s perks and downsides:

✔ Offers unlimited mileage on its in-house vehicles
✔ Offers a large selection of tool and equipment rentals
✔ Partners with Penske to offer more availability for its high-quality trucks

✘ Larger box trucks are only offered through Penske
✘ Rates for long-distance moves stay the same as Penske

Services

Home Depot’s Load N’ Go service makes flatbed trucks, cargo vans, and 14-foot box trucks available for local moves. The smaller trucks are an especially good value if you have a studio or one-bedroom apartment. Home Depot requires that you use your own car insurance in conjunction with one of its Load ‘N Go vehicles.

To fulfill long-distance moving truck rentals, Home Depot relies on its Penske partnership. Insurance coverage plans for these moving trucks (12-foot, 16-foot, 22-foot, and 26-foot) are available through Penske.

Home Depot Services:
  • Load N’ Go vehicle rental
  • Home Depot tool and equipment rental
  • Packing supplies
  • Moving checklist
Home Depot Moving Truck Sizes:
  • 6 ¾-foot F250 flatbed truck
  • 10-foot T250 flatbed truck
  • 9-foot cargo van
  • 14-foot moving box truck
  • 12-foot Penske box truck
  • 16-foot Penske box truck
  • 22-foot Penske box truck
  • 26-foot Penske box truck

Cost

When we tried to rent a 22-foot box truck from Home Depot, the company routed us to Penske, and we received a quote to move from Boston to Miami for $6,188. Again, this quote includes unlimited mileage, a $9 environmental fee, and $343 for Penske’s Basic coverage plan.

To rent one of Home Depot’s Moving Box Trucks for a local move in Boston costs $139 per day. If you used the truck for 79 minutes it would only cost $29. You can also rent this vehicle for $973 per week. All of these options come with unlimited mileage and require a $150 refundable deposit.

State Availability

Home Depot offers its services in all 50 states.

Why We Chose Home Depot

Home Depot offers cheap rates for smaller, local moves. Its Load N’ Go vehicles average about $130 per day of use with unlimited mileage. You might be able to receive Penske’s services for a long-distance move in areas it does not serve on its own if you use Home Depot’s rental locations instead.

 


Budget

Budget is a reputable moving truck rental company that offers competitive prices. The company provides four different truck sizes, and it also offers ongoing discounts and deals on its website. You can potentially save more money if you are a student, senior, military member, AARP member, police, firefighter, or involved in other groups to which Budget offers discounts.

Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and cons of using Budget for your truck rental:

✔ Includes unlimited mileage on long-distance moves
✔ Provides PlatePass, an automated toll payment solution, for an additional cost
✔ Offers a wide variety of deals and discounts on its website

✘ Offers only four rental options
✘ Not available in Alaska and Hawaii

Services

Budget offers loading, unloading, and packing services through HireAHelper. Budget also offers a unique add-on called PlatePass, an automated toll payment solution that enables you to use toll-gated lanes and cashless toll collection lanes with one of Budget’s trucks.

Budget provides three insurance coverage plan options. The Value Protection Package includes both a damage liability waiver and roadside assistance. Its Complete Protection Package provides both cargo and personal injury coverage.

Budget Services:
  • Moving vehicle rental
  • Moving and packing supplies
  • Car carriers and tow dollies
  • Insurance coverage plans
  • PlatePass
  • Packing services (via third party)
  • Loading and unloading services (via third party)
Budget Moving Truck Sizes:
  • 11-foot cargo van
  • 12-foot box truck
  • 16-foot box truck
  • 26-foot box truck

Cost

We simulated the booking process with Budget for a 26-foot truck going from Boston to Miami and received a quote for $6,276. This includes seven days of use, unlimited mileage, and $362 for the Value Protection Package.

Using the same 26-foot box truck for a local move in Boston would cost $100 per day plus $1.59 per mile.

Budget requires a deposit of $150 that is put on hold until your truck rental is paid off. Budget takes payment in the form of credit cards and debit cards.

State Availability

Budget is located in every continental state. It is not in Hawaii or Alaska.

Why We Chose Budget

Budget truck rentals provide competitive rates for local moves. Though its prices are fairly standard for cross-country moves, Budget includes roadside assistance in its basic coverage plan, while other companies charge an additional fee for this service. It also offers ongoing discounts and deals and features a user-friendly rental process through its simple website.

 


Alternative Moving Companies

If you do not want the stress of handling your move on your own, you can reach out to a full service moving company.

International Van Lines

Many of the companies on this list offer some moving labor via third-party companies for loading and unloading, but if you want an all-inclusive moving experience, we recommend International Van Lines (IVL). IVL can handle practically every part of your move for you, including furniture disassembly and reassembly, packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, and transportation.

IVL offers multiple contents protection plans that cover your personal belongings. It also offers vehicle relocation services and can provide specialty services for handling unique and difficult items like pianos and antiques.

We received an estimate to move a two-bedroom home from Chicago to Houston within a month’s time for $2,015–$3,445 with International Van Lines. This includes the company providing loading and driving services and requires a 25% deposit to reserve your moving date.

Our Rating:

Best Full-Service Mover

4.8/5

Best place to rent a box truck

Best place to rent a box truck

GET MY QUOTE 888-375-6309

Get 10% Off! (Code: MOVE3)

Learn More: International Van Lines Review

 


 

U-Pack

U-Pack is an inexpensive alternative that allows someone else to handle the driving for you. A self-service portable storage container company, U-Pack delivers your choice of either its ReloCube (70” x 82” x 93”) or a 27-foot moving trailer to your home.

You then have up to three days to load all your belongings and notify U-Pack when to pick up and deliver your items to your new home. You’ll have another three-day window to unload your belongings.

U-Pack only provides its services for moves more than 150 miles, but its pay-for-what-you-use policy for its moving trailers allows you to make a budget-friendly move with some driving assistance.

We received an estimate from U-Pack for two ReloCubes going from Philadelphia to Tampa, Florida, in roughly a month for $2,713. This quote is all-inclusive and features no hidden fees.

Our Rating:

Most Affordable

3.8/5

Best place to rent a box truck

Best place to rent a box truck

GET MY QUOTE

Book my move today!

Learn More: U-Pack Review

 


 

Compare the Top Moving Companies

SuperlativeStar RatingBBB RatingInternational Van LinesBest Full-Service Mover

4.8/5

BAmerican Van LinesMost Experienced Mover

4.5/5

B-Moving APTBest Customer Service

4.2/5

BJK Moving ServicesMost Customizable

4.6/5

A+North American Van LinesBest for Claims

4.6/5

A+Allied Van LinesBest for Vehicle Relocation

4.7/5

A+Safeway Moving Inc.Most Customer-Oriented

4.4/5

A+Coleman Worldwide MovingBest for International Moves

4.1/5

A+

IVL

American Van Lines

Moving APT

JK Moving

North American

Allied Van Lines

Safeway

Coleman

International Van LinesSuperlativeBest Full-Service MoverStar Rating

4.8/5

BBB RatingBGet My Quote

American Van LinesSuperlativeMost Experienced MoverStar Rating

4.5/5

BBB RatingB-Get My Quote

Moving APTSuperlativeBest Customer ServiceStar Rating

4.2/5

BBB RatingBGet My Quote

JK Moving ServicesSuperlativeMost CustomizableStar Rating

4.6/5

BBB RatingA+Get My Quote

North American Van LinesSuperlativeBest for ClaimsStar Rating

4.6/5

BBB RatingA+Get My Quote

Allied Van LinesSuperlativeBest for Vehicle RelocationStar Rating

4.7/5

BBB RatingA+Get My Quote

Safeway Moving Inc.SuperlativeMost Customer-OrientedStar Rating

4.4/5

BBB RatingA+Get My Quote

Coleman Worldwide MovingSuperlativeBest for International MovesStar Rating

4.1/5

BBB RatingA+Get My Quote

 


 

Things to Consider When Renting an Affordable Moving Truck

Renting a moving truck is no small task. A lot of responsibility comes with tackling this DIY approach to relocation. In fact, there might be some important factors that may slip past you. To help with this, we have listed out some of the most important aspects to keep in mind when considering a moving truck rental.

1. What Kind of Truck You Need

There is a wide variety of moving trucks and vehicles you may be able to rent. Think about how much space you need to fit all your belongings. Having too much space is better than too little as you can tie down your belongings.

If you are planning a local move, you might be able to save money by renting a cargo van or pickup truck and making multiple trips back and forth. Long-distance moves will probably require larger trucks.

Also, consider what size truck you are comfortable with driving. If you are not comfortable behind the wheel of a bigger vehicle, you may want to consider hiring a moving company that provides a truck driver.

2. Insurance Coverage Plans

One of the most unexpected costs with moving truck rentals can be insurance coverage plans. You will, at least, want to get a damage waiver of some kind. This way, you are not responsible for any damages that may occur to the company’s vehicle while in your possession.

If you have valuable belongings or are concerned about personal safety, you may want to consider more comprehensive coverage plans that include cargo insurance and personal injury coverage.

3. Roadside Assistance

Another important factor to look out for when reviewing coverage options is roadside assistance. You never know what might happen on the road, so it’s best to opt for a moving truck rental company that provides roadside assistance for flat tires, fluid leakage, and other mechanical problems.

4. Customer Service Reviews

Though moving truck rentals are a DIY service, you still want good customer support. An effective way to gauge the quality of the customer support of a moving truck rental company is to read through some online customer reviews. Popular online review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Yelp all help provide a window into how a company’s customer service operates.

 


Other Moving Resources

We’ve done in-depth research on the best moving companies in the United States and have compiled these easy-to-digest comparisons:

  • Best Cheap Moving Companies
  • Best Moving Companies for Small Moves
  • Best Moving Companies for Military Moves
  • Best Moving Companies for Apartments
  • Best Moving Companies for Antiques
  • Best Moving Companies for Seniors Discounts

 


 

Cheapest Moving Truck Rental FAQs

Is Budget cheaper than U-Haul?

Based on our research, U-Haul offers more competitive base pricing for moving truck rentals. However, if you need to do a lot of driving, Budget might be a better choice, as it provides unlimited mileage and U-Haul doesn’t.

What do I need to drive a truck rental?

In order to drive a rental truck, you need a valid driver’s license or military ID. The age to rent a moving truck varies by company, though. For example, you may rent a U-Haul when you are 18, but Enterprise Truck Rental requires you to be at least 21.

These are the standard requirements for a moving truck rental, so be sure to check with the truck rental company you are considering to make sure you present all required documentation upon pickup.

How can I save money on my truck rental?

There are a few steps you can take to try to save on your moving truck rental. Typically, the earlier you book, the cheaper the rate you’ll receive, so be sure to book a moving truck rental as soon as you know you need one.

Also, be sure to check if the company offers any special deals or discounts. Moving truck rental companies may offer standard ongoing promotions, but many also include discounts for students, seniors, military members, emergency responders, and more.

 


 

Our Rating Methodology

The This Old House Reviews team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for moving service providers is on a 100-point scale based on seven factors:

  • Moving Services (30): Does the company offer its services for local, long-distance, and/or international moves?
  • Additional Services (29): What additional services does the company provide, such as packing and unpacking or loading and unloading?
  • Coverage (10): Does the company offer any additional insurance plans, such as full-value coverage?
  • Scheduling (7): Are customers able to schedule online, over the phone, or on both platforms?
  • Trailers/Containers (7): How many trailer or container sizes does the company offer?
  • Additional Benefits (12): What additional benefits does the company provide, such as storage options, moving truck rentals, and financing?
  • Reputation (5): What rating does the company feature on popular review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB)?

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at [email protected].

Where is the cheapest place to rent a truck?

5 Cheapest Moving Truck Rental Companies.
U-Haul..
Enterprise..
Penske..
Home Depot..
Budget..

Is uhaul or penske cheaper?

When it comes to the overall cost of moving, you will typically find that Penske is slightly more expensive than U-Haul. This is because the company maintains a higher quality of trucks. Penske also tends to add its unlimited mileage option to its quotes.

Is Penske better than budget?

Like Penske, Budget has locations all over the country and offers every service a moving truck company should. Unfortunately, Budget is slightly outclassed by Penske in terms of truck rental sizes, customer satisfaction, and long-distance prices.

What can I use instead of a U

U-Haul is a truck and trailer rental company specializing in moving and storage services..
Penske..
Rush Enterprises..
Budget Truck Rental..
Home Depot Truck Rental..
Hertz..
Ryder Truck Rental..
Alamo..
Avis Budget Group Inc..