Looking to make your move easier? Renting a moving truck is a simple solution. We’re here with everything you need to know about moving truck rentals. We’ll guide you through the top rental companies, price comparisons, truck options, packing tips, and moving truck alternatives. Whatever you need to know about moving trucks, we’ve got it covered!
Table of Contents
Moving Truck Rental Companies
There are many moving truck companies for you to consider. The key to finding the right company for you is making sure you know what each company offers. Some moving truck companies offer a wide range of sizes from minivans to 26-foot-long box trucks. Certain companies also offer special services such as packing and unpacking, short-term storage, and long-distance moving.
As you plan, keep your specific needs in mind. We’re here to help guide you to the perfect truck size and services for your move!
Affordable Truck Rentals
While there are many moving truck rental companies out there, here are some of the most popular and affordable options.
- U-Haul Truck Rental
- Budget Truck Rental
- Penske Truck Rental
- Enterprise Truck Rental
- Ryder Truck Rental
All of these companies are very well known and have locations nationwide. Hiring one of these companies will not only be cost-efficient, but you will also have a range of moving trucks and services to choose from.
Moving Truck Costs
The cost of renting a moving truck is going to vary depending on many different factors. Here are some of the factors that directly affect your rental cost.
- Truck Size: According to data from This Old House, small trucks cost around $20–$30 per day, medium trucks $40–$80, and large trucks $60–$100.
- Distance of Your Move: Some companies charge a flat one-way fee, while others bill you per mile, or a combination of the two.
- Time of the Year: Prices tend to increase during peak moving seasons like summer and holidays, and weekend rentals may also cost more. Do a price comparison between rental truck companies to find the best deal during these times of the year.
Additional Fees
In addition to the base rental cost, some companies will stick you with additional moving fees. Here are some common fees to look out for when choosing a rental truck company.
- Mileage Fee: On average companies charge between $0.59 and $1.00 for every mile the moving truck is driven.
- Fueling Fee: Many companies add a fee if the gas tank isn’t refilled before return. For example, U-Haul charges $30, plus at least $5 per gallon needed.
- Cleaning Fee: Some truck rental companies will charge a cleaning fee if you leave the truck in a messy condition.
You can look at the price comparison of your top truck rental companies including additional fees they often add to find the best deal.
Types of Moving Trucks
A wide variety of moving trucks are available to suit your needs, from pickups and cargo vans to box trucks and flatbeds. There’s a perfect option for every move.
Moving Truck Options
Here’s a list of moving trucks offered by U-Haul and what you need to know about their size.
| Type of Vehicle | Home Size | Volume (cu. ft). |
| Pickup Truck | Small Loads / Studio Apt | Open Bed |
| Cargo Van | Studio Apt / Deliveries | 245 cu. ft. |
| 10′ Truck | Studio / 1 Bedroom Apt | 402 cu. ft. |
| 15′ Truck | 1 Bedroom Home / 2 Bedroom Apt | 764 cu. ft. |
| 20′ Truck | 2 Bedroom Home / 3 Bedroom Apt | 1,016 cu. ft. |
| 26′ Truck | 3-4 Bedroom Home | 1,682 cu. ft. |
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What Size Truck You Need
The key to getting the most out of your money is by renting the right-sized moving truck.
Start by organizing and packing up all your belongings. Once you have everything packed, you may want to use an online calculator to determine how much cubic space you will need. Penske offers a feature on their website called Penske Truck Wizard. This feature lets you add the different furniture items and boxes you will be bringing with you and calculates which Penske moving truck would best suit your needs.
Packing a Moving Truck
Now that we’ve explored different types of moving trucks, let’s cover packing. Packing a moving truck can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it can be a breeze!
Materials You Will Need
Before you start packing it’s important to make sure you have everything you need. Here are some of the key items you’ll need to pack your moving truck.
- Moving Boxes: Buy durable boxes in various sizes to secure all your items.
- Tie Downs: Ratchet straps are ideal for safely securing items in the truck.
- Blankets & Furniture Pads: These add protection for fragile items and wooden furniture, potentially saving money on repairs.
- Garbage Bags: Use these for miscellaneous or last-minute items; they’re quick and easy to transport.
How to Load a Moving Truck
Packing your moving truck properly is key to a smooth move. Start by loading the heaviest boxes near the back, and stacking lighter boxes on top. Once the boxes are loaded, place your mattress upright against them to create a supportive wall. Afterward, load your non-boxed bulky items, making sure to pack them securely toward the truck’s door.
If your truck has a “mom’s attic” (a small upper section), use it for fragile items only if you’re filling the truck top to bottom, as it keeps delicate items safe.
Following these steps will maximize space and ensure a safe, organized move.
How Quickly Movers Can Load and Unload a Moving Truck
The amount of time it takes to load and unload a moving truck depends on many factors. Some of the biggest factors include:
- Size and Complexity of Items: Having a lot of bigger and heavier items will generally slow down the loading and unloading process.
- Number of Movers Involved: Not having enough movers can slow down the loading and unloading process.
- Expertise of Moving Team: An experienced, organized team can load and unload more efficiently than an inexperienced one.
- Organization of Items: If your items are organized beforehand, loading will be quicker, and a well-organized truck will facilitate smoother unloading.
Average Loading and Unloading Times
Below are UniMovers estimates for how long it would take to load, unload, or both load and unload based on the size of your property.
| Property Size | Loading Only | Unloading Only | Loading & Unloading |
| 400-600 ft2 | 2 movers, 2 hours | 2 movers, 2 hours | 2 movers, 2-4 hours |
| 700-1200 ft2 | 2 movers, 2-3 hours | 2 movers, 2 hours | 2 movers, 4-5 hours |
| 1100-1600 ft2 | 2 movers, 2-3 hours | 3 movers, 2 hours | 3 movers, 5-7 hours |
| 1500-2200 ft2 | 3 movers, 4-5 hours | 3 movers, 3-4 hours | 3 movers, 7-8 hours |
| 2000-3000 ft2 | 4 movers, 4-6 hours | 4 movers, 4 hours | 4 movers, 7-10 hours |
| 3000+ ft2 | 4+ movers, 6+ hours | 4+ movers, 4+ hours | 4-6 movers, 10+ hours |
Moving Truck Alternatives
While renting a moving truck can make your move easier, it isn’t the right option for everyone. Let’s look at moving truck alternative options for your move.
Portable Storage Options
There are many portable storage options if you don’t want to rent a traditional moving truck. Here are some of the popular portable storage companies you could choose from.
PODS Moving Containers
PODS is one of the most popular companies offering portable storage. Their containers are delivered to and from your home, allowing you to pack at your own pace.
PODS pricing can vary depending on factors such as the number of containers you need and which storage facility is near you. It can range from under $500 for a small-scale, local move to over $5,000 for a larger-scale move moving several large PODS across the country.
GoMini Moving Containers
GoMini offers portable storage containers delivered directly to your home, allowing you to pack at your own pace. Once finished, you can schedule a pickup, and GoMini will store the container at your home or at one of their facilities. When you’re ready, they can deliver it to your new location.
U-Haul Moving Containers
U-Haul offers U-Box for portable storage, delivering up to nine containers to your home. You can pack at your own pace and schedule a pickup when ready. U-Haul can store the container or ship it to your new location.
U-Haul also offers U-Pack, which includes ReloCubes at select locations, or 28′ semi-trailers. These are available for home delivery Monday through Friday, with three days for packing. Alternatively, you can pack at a U-Pack site to avoid delivery fees.
Using Your Own Vehicle
Another alternative option if you aren’t renting a moving truck is to use your own vehicle. This option comes with pros and cons for you to consider.
Pros:
- No hassle of renting a moving truck.
- No hidden fees to worry about.
- You can drive a vehicle you’re comfortable with.
Cons:
- You may need to make multiple trips.
- Driving can increase your stress.
- It’s harder to budget for costs like gas and wear and tear on your vehicle
Conclusion
Renting a moving truck can be a stressful task, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to research the best moving truck companies and find one that fits your needs. Be aware of the services offered and their pricing. It’s also crucial to know what size truck you need and how to pack it properly. When in doubt, take your top rental truck options and do a price comparison of what each company has to offer.
If renting a moving truck isn’t for you, consider alternative options like portable storage containers or using your own vehicle. Regardless of your choice, remember that renting a moving truck can make your move easier.
FAQs
The choice between renting a moving truck versus a mobile storage unit can be a hard decision. Sometimes renting a moving truck can be easier since a mobile storage unit can take up a lot of space. On the other hand, renting a mobile storage unit gives you more time to pack your items. This decision will depend on what is best for you and where you live.
Moving truck rentals are something you need to include in your moving budget. The price, however, will vary depending on the size moving truck you rent, how far it needs to travel, and additional fees you may accumulate. To find the best price, look at different truck rental companies and do a price comparison.
While you can pack your moving truck yourself, you can always hire movers to do it for you. If you hire a traditional moving company, they’ll most likely provide and pack the truck for you. You can also consider hiring labor-only movers to help you with the heavy lifting part of your move.
The best moving truck rental company will depend greatly on your needs. Compare what services and truck sizes the top companies offer. Then take your top rental truck choices and do a price comparison. This will allow you to find what company works best for your needs and your budget.
Jessica is a students at the University of Northern Iowa. She is majoring in English Education with a creative writing minor. In her free time she loves to read books of every genre, write short stories, and spend time with friends. In the future she hopes to share her love for reading and writing with her future students.
