Are you getting ready to move? If you’re doing it yourself, you’re probably weighing your options to find the best moving truck rental companies of 2023.
Renting a moving truck for a local move can save time and wear-and-tear on your vehicle. You don’t have to cram your belongings into your passenger vehicle or beg your friend with a truck to help you out.
You can rent the right size moving truck and transport all your belongings across town in one trip. For long-distance moves, a moving truck is the best do-it-yourself solution for moving household items, furniture, and even pets.
Alternatively, you may hire full-service movers or rent a moving and storage container to pack your items yourself and let the professional moving company transport them.
If you decide a moving truck rental is your best, you’ll want to choose your truck rental company carefully.
Which moving truck companies are the best? We sort it all out for you.
How to Choose a Moving Truck Rental Company
When it comes to moving truck rentals, consider your options before selecting a company. Based on our research, each offers different options for their rental trucks, different pricing structures, and even varying levels of customer service.
Here are some factors to consider.
Truck Size
Size matters when you choose your rental truck. You might think a large moving truck is better, but that’s not always the case.
Larger trucks cost more to rent and also use more gas. So, you’re wasting money with a truck that’s too big for your belongings.
More importantly, if the truck is too big, your items may shift on the road and become damaged. A tightly packed, well-balanced moving truck is safer to drive and will help keep your belongings safe during the trip.
Obviously, you also want to avoid picking a truck that’s too small. Especially if you’re making a long-distance move, where multiple trips may not be possible.
If you’re not sure what size truck to rent, consider the size of your home and follow these guidelines based on the number of rooms in your home:
- 1 – 2 rooms: 10-12ft
- 2 – 4 rooms: 15-16ft
- 2 – 3 bedroom home: 17-20ft
- 5+ bedroom home: 22-26ft
Affordability
Moving truck rental companies charge based on mileage, price per hour, or price per day. Some companies combine them. For example, a long-distance move may cost you per day and per mile.
Ask your moving truck company to break down their pricing. Unfortunately, some companies charge hidden fees, making that initially low price skyrocket. With transparent pricing, you know what you’re paying for and how much it costs.
Mileage Fees
Mileage fees vary between truck rental companies. The company charges you based on how far you drive with your rental truck when you pay per mile.
Some companies offer free mileage up to a certain distance. For example, a long-distance move may cause you to go over the mileage cap, and thereafter, you have to pay a fee per mile.
Most truck rental companies do not offer unlimited miles. Those that do can save you money on long-distance moves. If you’re moving locally, the mileage fees may not matter as much.
Availability
Don’t try to rent a moving truck on the day you move. Often, moving companies accommodate last-minute rentals, but that doesn’t mean they’ll have the size and style truck you need.
Schedule in advance to ensure you get the right size truck on the day you move.
Top 5 Moving Truck Rental Companies
Penske Truck Rental
Penske Truck Rental comes out on top with the all-around best service and options. With an A rating from the Better Business Bureau, Penske offers many services and options you won’t find with other truck rental companies.
U-Haul Truck Rental
U-Haul is, arguably, the most well-known name in truck rentals. Their moving trucks are available in every state, and they have more locations than any other moving company.
Enterprise Truck Rental
You probably know Enterprise best as a car rental company. You may be surprised to learn that they also provide moving truck rental services.
Cheapest Truck Rental Company (Most Affordable)
Budget Truck Rental
No matter where you live, Budget Truck Rental offers the lowest prices of any rental truck company, especially for long-distance movers who will drop off the truck in a different location than where they picked it up.
Home Depot
Home Depot Load ‘N Go rental trucks make your local move easy with low hourly rates and unlimited local mileage. With 2,200 locations across the country, Home Depot is a convenient place to rent your vehicle.
What to Consider Before Renting a Moving Truck
Before you start combing through the best moving truck rental companies, it helps to get a clear picture of your moving plan. Below we’ve provided a detailed look at the most important considerations you’ll want to make before you start your search.
Size of Move
First and foremost you’ll want to get an idea of how much stuff you’ll be moving. Many companies offer online calculators which can help you determine which size truck fits your needs.
The easiest way to start here is by using the guidelines shared above, which give you a corresponding truck size based on the number of rooms in your home.
Driving Experience
Another important consideration to make is your level of driving experience. If you’ve never driven a truck before, don’t overlook the potential risk factor here. This is especially significant if you’re taking a long distance truck rental, or if you’ll be driving in tricky conditions. The bigger the truck is, the less forgiving it may be with your lack of experience.
Try to avoid renting a truck that is larger than you would be comfortable driving. You might also consider hiring a moving truck service and having a professional handle the driving for you.
Distance
The distance you’ll be traveling for your move is a big factor. Not all rental companies will offer long-distance service, so that could eliminate some companies from your decision-making. Distance will also affect the price, of course, so make sure you know roughly how far you’ll be traveling to make the whole process easier.
Budget
Depending on your budget, you might have to take some time to shop around. Price points can differ significantly between companies. You might also consider renting a smaller truck and making multiple trips rather than renting a larger, more expensive truck.
Pickup Location Availability
Another detail you’ll want to check is the pickup location availability of the rental service you choose. Depending on where you live, you may have limited choice for a convenient local pickup service. Some companies require rental vans to be returned to the same location, which isn’t likely to work for anyone moving long distance.
You may also need to ensure that you can pick up your rental truck during business hours, although most companies allow you to return rental trucks at any time.
Insurance Coverage Plans
Insurance can be an unexpected cost when renting a moving truck. It is recommended to at least obtain a basic damage waiver. This can help protect you against small damages that may occur to the rental van while in your possession.
Comprehensive coverage plans could be an option if you are moving valuable personal belongings, or if you are concerned about personal safety.
Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance can be a reassuring benefit that might be worth considering. This generally comes as a coverage option, and is often used by those traveling long distance or through difficult driving conditions.
Customer Service Reviews
One last thing you’ll want to check before renting a moving truck is customer service reviews. This can be an easy and effective way of gauging the quality of support provided by a company. The best moving truck rental companies will be active in providing customer support in any way they can.
Tips for Loading a Moving Truck
While some folk will hire professional help to load their moving truck, others might prefer to save time and money by doing it themselves. Whether you’re loading a truck alone or with help, here are some key tips to keep things safe and secure on your trip.
Disassemble Furniture
Make sure to begin by taking apart any large furniture items you are moving. This will help save room in the truck as well as allow you to more evenly distribute weight, which is important. This can include things like bed frames, cabinets, drawers and tables.
Start Big
One of the most essential rules when it comes to packing anything is to start big. Loading your largest and heaviest items first will help avoid any organizational headaches later on. It also allows you to work on ensuring that weight is evenly distributed across the truck.
Appliances and heavy items of furniture should always be placed on the floor of the truck, and generally towards the front.
Secure Items with Moving Straps
When packing your moving truck, be sure to use moving straps to hold larger items and boxes in place. This is important to avoid things shifting while in transit, which could potentially lead to damaged items.
Roll Up Rugs
If you’re traveling with delicate items such as rugs, you’ll want to roll them up and wrap them in plastic wrap to avoid damage. Find a neat space for them to fit in among the larger items so they won’t move around while in transit.
Make a Convenient Spot for Essentials
Don’t forget to designate a spot in the truck for any moving day essentials that you’ll need access to. Things like bottled water, cleaning supplies and any small valuables are all best stored in an easy-to-reach spot in the truck.
Best Moving Truck Rental Companies FAQ
Which moving truck rental company is the cheapest?
If you’re looking for the most competitive prices, Budget Truck Rental is the winner. Budget offers the lowest prices for moving truck rentals across the entire country, and are especially popular for long distance moves. While other reputable companies such as Penske Truck Rental often offer good deals and discounts, the bottom line is that Budget is the most affordable.
How old do you have to be to rent a moving truck?
The majority of moving truck rental companies require customers to be at least 18 years old to drive their vehicles. Some will require you to be 21 or possibly even older, however, so be sure to check this detail if you are a younger driver.
How much does it cost to rent a moving truck?
The average cost of renting a moving van is around $1500. The major factors that influence overall cost will be truck size, distance, your moving date, and any additional days or miles added.
Remember that rental rates will fluctuate in accordance with peak moving season.
What is peak truck rental season?
The peak of the moving season runs from May to September. Most people prefer to move during summer months when it is typically easier to take time from work. If you plan to move during peak season, you’ll need to book your rental truck months in advance.
The increased demand will also mean higher rates. Wherever possible, you can try to save money by planning to move on a weekday during the off-season.
What is the gas mileage of a truck rental?
Most truck rentals don’t get great gas mileage. This can vary between vehicles depending on their size, age and other factors such as driving conditions. In any case, don’t expect a rental truck to go easy on your wallet when it comes to gas.
Do I need to refuel the moving truck?
Yes, the majority of companies will request their truck to be returned with a full tank of gas, more or less. This means you’ll need to refuel the truck before returning it.
How can I avoid a rental truck scam?
The easiest way to check the legitimacy of any truck rental company is to check their credentials and reviews with the Better Business Bureau. Taking this simple step can save you from being scammed by a suspicious company, and also provides a helpful bit of peace of mind at what is often an otherwise stressful time.
Can I pick up a rental truck in one location and return it in another?
This is possible, but it depends on the company you choose. There are a lot of moving truck companies with locations and service centers across the whole country. These companies will usually let you make a one-way trip.
Keep in mind that even truck rental companies that allow this kind of move will charge you extra. This is because they will likely want to bring the truck back to its original location anyway.
How far in advance should I reserve a truck rental?
You should try to reserve a truck rental with as much advance notice as possible. No matter when you’re planning to move, the earlier you reserve your rental, the better.
The major benefits of booking in advance are range of choice and ease of location. If you leave it until even a few weeks beforehand, the company you chose may not have your ideal truck size available, or you may have to pick up your rental from a farther location.
Plus, having things booked in advance brings peace of mind.
What size moving trucks can you rent?
Most moving truck rental companies offer vehicles ranging from 10 to 26 ft in size. The ideal size for your move depends on how big your home is and how much heavy furniture you need to transport.
The best moving truck rental companies can help you figure out which size truck you’ll need, so don’t be afraid to ask for guidance if necessary.
Can you cancel a moving truck rental reservation?
Yes, you can generally cancel a truck rental reservation up to two days in advance. Some companies allow you to make a cancellation up to 24 hours beforehand. Take the time to review the cancellation policy first, as the details can differ between companies.
Is truck rental insurance a good idea?
If you can afford to add insurance to your moving budget, having it in place can protect against several forms of liability. This might be especially reassuring to you if you’re not familiar with driving trucks.
Most companies will offer truck rental insurance in the form of damage waivers, supplementary liability, as well as personal accident and cargo protection.
What’s the easiest way to reduce rental truck costs?
Keeping a close eye on any hidden fees and penalties is one easy way to potentially reduce the cost of your rental. On top of that, the easiest ways to save is by timing your move during the off-season and minimizing your moving time.
Always read over the fine print for fees, and do your best to reserve your rental in advance to avoid having to pay more due to demand.
Conclusion
When you move, you want to make your transition to your new home efficient. Make your move more convenient by renting a moving truck. Choosing the right moving truck rental company can eliminate multiple trips and help you transport your items safely.
For more information on finding reliable and affordable services for your moving and transportation needs.
