Who Are The Best Moving Truck Rental Agencies
Are you considering renting a truck to move? Seeking the best moving truck rental is a wise move.
You are not alone, as many folks decide to make a DIY move rather than hire a moving company.
Moving truck rentals have become a booming business.
If you tend to go the cheapest DIY route, rental trucks are often your best bet because you do most of the work independently.
The person looking back at you in the mirror will most likely be the one who is doing the packing, loading, and driving.
That’s what you give up when you forgo using a professional mover.
It might be easy to assume that all the companies offer the same service when renting a moving truck. However, your choice of moving truck rentals can make a massive difference to your costs, among other things.
Rental trucks come in many shapes, sizes, and prices. You’ll have plenty of choices with truck rental agencies.
The key is choosing the right one.
Let’s look at the best moving rental truck companies to make it easier for you to determine which is suitable for your move.
How to Find a Moving Truck Rental?
There are a few ways you can go about finding truck rentals. The first would be speaking to friends, family, and your real estate agent for recommendations.
First-hand experiences are a great place to start when looking for rental trucks.
The other that works well is going a Google search. An excellent search term would be truck rentals near me, moving truck rentals near me, or moving truck rental near me.
You’re likely to see many of the best moving truck agencies that will be discussed.
Top Moving Truck Rental Companies
Given their status as moving truck industry leaders, we will feature these truck rental agencies.
- U-Haul
- Budget
- Penske
- Home Depot
- Enterprise
When you need a moving truck, these are the guys you want to call.
U-Haul Truck Rentals
When you are looking at renting a truck to move, U-Haul might be the first name that springs to mind. This shouldn’t be a surprise as they are the most popular moving truck rental business and operate from over 21,000 locations.
It is doubtful you won’t be able to find a U-Haul truck rental somewhere nearby your location. You can Google U-Haul near me to find the closest agency nearby.
U-Haul rentals have become the gold standard as they are the most recognizable truck rental companies in the united states.
You can Google U-Haul near me to find the closest location.
The Benefits of Using U-Haul Moving Trucks
Since U-Haul operates from so many locations, most people will have easy access to their service. They work in every state, and if you live in a large urban area, you may be able to choose from more than one U-Haul location.
You could try somewhere else if you didn’t find the desired truck size at a particular location.
U-Haul’s Moving Truck Fleet is Vast
U-Haul offers seven different rental truck types to meet your requirements. These are divided between pickup trucks, cargo vans, and box trucks.
Their smallest vehicle, the pickup truck, gives you just under 8 feet of space and is only an option for a single-room move. Their cargo van offers up to 9 and a half feet for slightly larger requirements.
They offer five sizes of box trucks, including; 10 ft, 15 ft, 17 ft, 20 ft, and 26 ft.
Besides these truck rental options, they also offered trailer rental. This gives you even more room if you need it, or you could have a trailer for your car.
The variety in their moving trucks’ size is what sets U-Haul apart from other rental truck companies.
In addition to the standard, small, medium, and large moving trucks other companies offer with U-Haul, they offer different sizes in between.
U-Haul has tons of options whether you are renting a truck or some of their many moving accessories!Click To TweetReasons Why U-Haul Truck Rentals Might Not Be for You
Just because U-Haul is a big name doesn’t mean it’s necessarily right for everyone.
They don’t offer unlimited mileage with their truck rentals. If you are moving locally, you will pay for each mile you drive their truck.
For long-distance moves, where you will return the truck to a different location, they charge by the day and estimated mileage. The mileage fee you will pay is 40 cents per mile.
You must pay a greater per-mile rate for the excess if you exceed the estimated mileage. U-Haul’s pricing is a bit misleading, as well. You likely have seen the $19.95 pricing plastered all over their moving trucks.
Unfortunately, that is rarely the price for a truck rental. Look at the comprehensive guide on U-Haul prices to see what you will pay for a truck rental.
U-Haul is known for having the lowest insurance costs for its rental trucks. Many people ask if U-Haul provides a senior discount, and the answer is no. They do not.
U-Haul does offer discount codes and coupons, however.
Video: U-Haul Truck Rentals
You can rent a truck to move via your cell phone to bypass the lines you may find at one of their locations. See what you need to know in this helpful U-Haul video.
Budget Truck Rental
Another good option when renting a truck to move is Budget truck rental. They are outstanding when it comes to local moves.
When renting a truck from them, they offer low upfront costs and discounts to reduce overall rental expenses. When it comes to rental trucks, they are one of the cheapest.
So, if you are searching for the cheapest moving truck rental, try Budget first.
The Cheap Moving Truck Rental Option Locally
Budget will probably be the best option if you are only moving across town. Their costs are, on average less than their competition for local moves. They are, in fact, the cheapest truck rental for moving short distances.
However, you won’t notice such a saving if you’re moving long-distance. There could still be a more modest saving over their main rivals in moving truck rentals.
With a name like Budget, you would expect their prices to be low; part of the way they do this is through discounts. If you are a member of the military, police, fire department, or a student, among other groups, you will qualify for a truck rental discount.
Select discounts may also be available if you move to a specific location. Budget operates from many places, and sometimes a one-way move could qualify for an additional reduction in truck rental prices.
Budget Offers Truck Rental Discounts
One of the perks of renting a moving truck with Budget is offering special discounts to specific groups. You will get a truck rental discount if you fall into one of these categories:
- Policeman, fireman, or emergency medical personal
- Member of the military
- College student
- AARP members
- Bar Association members
- Motor Club members
To find a Budget nearby, do a Google search for Budget truck rentals near me.
Penske Truck Rentals
Though not operating from as many locations as U-Haul or Budget, Penske could offer you something extra if you are near one of their depots.
Penske is the 3rd largest truck rental company, so that they will have many moving truck options.
Regarding a moving truck to rent, Penske is a quality agency to explore.
Penske offers Rental Truck Guarantees.
To be as profitable as possible for a truck rental company, they try to avoid their fleet sitting around unused. Though as a customer, this can cause you problems when renting a truck to move.
It is all too common a problem for the truck size you have reserved not to be available when you want it.
This could be because the previous rental hasn’t returned the vehicle at the expected time, but whatever the cause, this won’t be very pleasant.
Penske is different by guaranteeing that this won’t happen.
Not having the vehicle you want is not uncommon in the truck rental industry. Lack of guaranteed reservations is one of the most prevalent customer complaints when renting a truck.
With many truck rental agencies, you must take a moving truck you didn’t order.
Penske accomplishes keeping the truck you ordered on hand by having drivers shuttle trucks from location to location based on orders made.
Penske Rental Truck Sizes
Penske offers four types of rental trucks; 12 ft, 16 ft, 22 ft, and 26 ft. Whichever option you choose, you can be confident that Penske will have it waiting for you when you rent a moving truck.
Penske Also Has Discount Offers With Their Rental Trucks
Penske could be your best option for a one-way truck rental. They give customers unlimited mileage anywhere in the US for a one-way journey and offer other discounts.
If you are a student in the military, a member of AAA, or simply a new customer, you could be eligible for a discount on your rental. So if you are making a one-way move, Penske will be your best choice.
You can search online for Penske truck rental near me.
Home Depot – Load-n-Go Truck Rentals
You can rent trucks as well as all the other things you can buy from Home Depot. Though the service is designed primarily to help customers get their purchases home, you can also use their trucks for moving.
You can access their website to rent a truck from Home Depot. Renting a moving truck works well with Home Depot, especially when you make significant purchases from the store for your new place.
With over 22oo locations, Home Depot is a company to have on your shortlist for moving truck rentals. Finding a truck to rent is never that challenging, given the many stores.
The Benefits of Home Depot Truck Rentals
Going with Home Depot could be ideal if you only need to move a short distance and your nearest Home Depot is nearby.
They offer unlimited mileage for their local rentals with an hourly rate charged. This allows you to make as many journeys as you like in the time you have.
Though Home Depot only offers trucks for local moves, they have partnered with Penske if you need the vehicle for a long journey.
Home Depot has a reputation for being the best for hourly moves.
As mentioned, they operate from more than 2,200 locations, and you don’t need to reserve a truck beforehand. They have an excellent variety of moving trucks available and no hidden fees, but there are some downsides to this truck rental option.
Why Home Depot Might Not Be a Good Choice
While the lack of needing to reserve a truck is a benefit, it is also a negative. You could find that no suitable trucks are available when you need to move. This could leave you in a stressful situation without the vehicle you need.
You could arrive early to ensure you get the truck you want. However, if you are more flexible about the time you need to move, this won’t matter.
While they charge by the hour without any hidden fees, if you have the truck for longer than you should, there will be expensive fees to pay. It would be best to fill up the fuel tank before returning the vehicle, which could delay your return.
To find the nearest Home Depot for a rental truck, do an online search for Home Depot near me. You can also learn about Home Depot hours here.
Enterprise Truck Rental
The fifth on the list of moving truck rental companies is Enterprise. They are another excellent choice when renting a truck to move.
Enterprise could be the best option if you would like to choose from a large range of vehicles.
With 14 different types and sizes of trucks, you should find precisely what you’re looking for. Enterprise is well-known for its excellent rental truck selection.
You can choose from pickup trucks, cargo vans, parcel vans, box trucks, cabover trucks, and stake bed trucks.
These vary in size from half-ton pickup trucks to 26 ft box trucks.
A commonly asked question about moving trucks for rent at Enterprise is whether they have vans to rent. The answer is yes.
Mileage Costs With Enterprise Moving Trucks
Enterprise’s mileage expenses are relatively low, and you may not even get charged extra miles. This is because they include 300 miles in your rental.
While some companies will include free miles for long-distance moves, Enterprise also has it for local moves.
If your move’s total distance is under 300 miles, you might find that Enterprise is a great choice.
Enterprise is an outstanding choice when looking for a moving truck for rent to make a local move.
The Problems With Choosing Enterprise Moving Trucks
While hiring a truck from Enterprise is available across the United States and Canada, they don’t have as many locations as other truck rental companies on this list.
Most of the time, you must return your truck to the place you rented it from.
A long-distance move isn’t an option with this company, as they don’t do out-of-state moving truck rentals.
Searching for Enterprise truck rentals near me should help you find a nearby company.
The Cheapest Rental Truck Companies
When truck rental costs are your top priority, these are the best companies.
- Budget Truck Rental— Budget has the best prices for local moves.
- Penske Truck Rental— Penske has the best prices for one-way moves.
- U-Haul Truck Rentals— U-Haul has the cheapest truck rental companies insurance.
Remember, these are general rules, but location, specials, and demand can affect which moving truck company will be the cheapest.
How to Save When you Rent a Truck
Choosing the right truck rental company is one way to save. Some companies like Penske and Budget offer discounts to particular groups, but you might be able to find a coupon even if this doesn’t apply to you.
A quick check online should help you find any available coupons available.
The time of year you choose to rent also affects your costs. Most people want to move home in the summer months, so your rental truck will be cheaper if you can avoid that.
It would be best if you also remembered that the larger the size truck you rent, the more it will cost you in fuel. Larger trucks get less gas mileage, adding to your costs on a long move.
If you can reduce the number of possessions you have before the move, you might be able to rent a smaller truck, saving on the rental and the fuel.
Lots of folks who are moving like to donate to charity. Doing so kills two birds with one stone. You get rid of things you no longer need or want and, in the process, help someone in need.
Having fewer things will keep your time and bill down.
What Factors Make For a Best Moving Truck Rental Company?
Accurate Truck Rental Pricing
Accurate Truck Rental PricingNobody likes bait and switch. When renting a truck, nobody likes pricing surprises. Moving is expensive enough as it is, so shocks can be upsetting.
Outstanding Customer Service
Like any other industry, customers want to feel appreciated when renting a truck. People can tell when you are going the extra mile.
Availability of Truck Rentals
Whether you rent a car or a truck, it can be unpleasant when a rental company does not have its advertised vehicles available.
Having Truck Size Options
Whether you are moving from a small apartment or a large home, having truck rental choices is an expectation, not a luxury.
Unlimited Mileage
If you are making a long-distance move, the cost can add up quickly when unlimited mileage is not an option.
Common Questions About Moving Truck Rentals
1. Who is the cheapest truck rental company when moving?
Penske has the lowest pricing schedule if you are making a one-way move. It is always best to get quotes because pricing can vary from location to location.
The time of year and specials companies run will also play a factor.
2. Is it cheaper to get a moving truck to rent for a one-way or round trip?
Generally, one-way trips are less expensive than making round trips.
3. What is the cheapest way to move across the country?
The cheapest way to move across the US is to get a moving truck to rent and do it yourself. By making a DIY move, you will save thousands of dollars compared to professional moving companies.
4. What months are the cheapest to move?
Usually, a moving truck for rent is usually cheapest from mid-September until April. Demand for moving trucks slows at this time and for driving in general.
5. What companies make moving truck rentals cheap?
As explained here, it depends on what kind of move you are making for the best price. Check with multiple moving companies to get the best deal possible.
6. How can you save money renting a moving truck?
Look for discounts. Many truck rental companies offer discounts at specific points in the year, often based on demand.
If you are a senior citizen, student, or a few other select industries, you may also be able to get a reduction in your rental fee. It always pays to shop around when looking for rental trucks.
7. Does Ryder rent moving trucks?
No, not unless it is for a commercial move. Ryder does not rent moving trucks for residential moves.
8. What’s the easiest way to find a truck rental when you are not from the area?
An online search for truck rentals near me is the quickest way to find moving trucks in your area. You can also try cheap truck rentals near me to find the lowest rate.
Other Moving Resources Worth a Look
Look at these additional moving articles to help you make the best decisions for your next move.
- Finding storage near me – One of the more popular options for those who have a significant amount of things cluttering their home is a storage unit. Self-storage facilities have become a booming business filling the needs of those buying, selling, or renting homes.
- Where to get moving boxes – when you are moving, one of the top tasks will be to find boxes for moving. You can’t start the moving process without getting your boxes. See some of the best places to get moving boxes, both for free and paid.
- Moving with PODS – Another storage option for convenience is renting a POD. The advantage of moving with PODS is that you can have 24-hour access to all your possessions right from your yard. It doesn’t get any easier than that.
- How much to tip movers – One of the questions when buying or selling a house is how much is appropriate to tip a mover. Get some helpful guidance from this tipping guide. When doing a moving truck rental, this will be one of the expenses you avoid.
- Comparing PODS to storage facilities – The two top storage choices are a storage facility and a POD. No right or wrong answer exists, but you can compare PODS vs. self-storage facilities here. There are pros and cons to both, depending on your situation.
Final Thoughts on Moving Truck Rentals
Going for the cheapest choice might not always be the best rental truck option. Transparent pricing might be more valuable to you.
No one likes being surprised by an unexpected bill, so a company that gives you a price that doesn’t hide any additional costs might be preferable.
Penske has unlimited mileage for one-way journeys, and this should prevent unexpected costs when you return the vehicle.
Some companies operate a mileage cap on long-distance moves. If you go beyond your allowance, you can expect to pay an increased fee per mile for each one above your cap.
If you don’t mind the lack of flexibility a mileage cap brings, unlimited deals won’t be much of a draw to you. It would help to determine your priorities before choosing which company is right for your move.
Which moving truck company will be best depends on many factors. Hopefully, you have found this information helpful in finding the best moving truck to rent.
About the author: Bill Gassett, a nationally recognized leader in his field, provided the above Real Estate information about the best moving truck rental companies. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-625-0191. Bill has helped people move in and out of Metrowest towns for 37+ years.
Are you thinking of selling your home? I am passionate about Real Estate and love sharing my marketing expertise!
I service Real Estate Sales in the following Metrowest MA towns: Ashland, Bellingham, Douglas, Framingham, Franklin, Grafton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Natick, Northborough, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sutton, Wayland, Westborough, Whitinsville, Worcester, Upton, and Uxbridge MA.
