U-Haul is our top choice for moving truck rentals due to its truck size options and widespread availability. Many top truck rental companies also sell moving and packing supplies and partner with local moving companies for moving labor.
Booking a moving truck rental for your upcoming DIY move is the best way to save money. While you’ll have to do far more work yourself, it could be worth the hassle if you live in a small residence or have only a few large pieces of furniture.
We thoroughly researched and vetted each of the truck rental companies listed here. We pursued quotes with each and analyzed the truck size options and optional add-ons each provides to help you pick the best option for your needs.
Popular truck rental companies
Each of the following rental options features nationwide availability and multiple truck sizes. These are our top picks if you choose to move with a truck rental:
- U-Haul Truck Rental
- Penske Truck Rental
- Enterprise Truck Rental
- Budget Truck Rental
- Home Depot Truck Rental
Our top choices for moving companies
If you’re on the fence about hiring a full-service mover or booking a rental box truck or pickup truck, we recommend the following nationwide moving companies. Here, you’ll find great options for both local and long-distance moves.
How do you choose a truck rental company?
Planning a DIY move can save you money but requires more extensive planning. Consider the following key factors when booking your relocation.
Determine your truck size and service requirements
Renting the correct truck size is essential when planning your DIY move. Booking a truck that’s too small can be problematic in two ways. It can lead to delays of hours or days as you scramble to exchange your truck for a better-size one where inventory may be limited. Or it can force you to leave items behind that you had intended to take to your new home.
Most truck rental companies have online space estimators that show which home sizes correspond to their offered truck sizes. The largest options available for residential use are 26-foot trucks, which can accommodate most three- or four-bedroom homes.
Tip
Writing up a thorough inventory of your home will help you to determine your truck needs before you book.
Consider whether you’ll need moving help or packing supplies. Some renters sell moving boxes, mattress bags and other supplies and even partner with professional movers to supply labor crews for interested customers. Be aware that local movers often charge minimum fees, which amount to two to four hours at their hourly rate. So, even if you only need assistance with a single furniture item, you’ll be charged for a set minimum rate.
Decide on your rental type
If your desired pickup and drop-off locations are in different towns or states, it will affect which providers are available for your needs. Some, such as Enterprise, don’t offer one-way rentals. Companies that do provide one-way service may charge higher rental rates for this service, or they may not allow last-minute booking for one-way moves.
It’s best to book one-way or long-distance rentals at least three to four weeks in advance for the best chance that your rental location can accommodate your service needs and desired truck size.
Consider the cost and get multiple quotes
Some truck rental companies provide all-inclusive rates with unlimited miles. Others charge mileage fees, environmental charges and more, attached to a flat daily rental fee. Most rental companies also charge for fuel costs if you don’t return your vehicle at the same fuel level. You should account for that when budgeting for your DIY relocation.
Read customer reviews
Most truck rental companies have poor ratings on nationwide platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, we encourage you to look into reviews for local rental offices you plan to contact. Location-specific feedback on Google Reviews or Yelp is far more indicative of the service quality you’ll receive from a given provider.
Decide whether you need additional insurance
All truck rental providers offer optional insurance coverage at an added cost. Read the terms of any coverage you purchase. Oftentimes, these policies only cover front-end collisions on your rental vehicle. You might be able to buy coverage for your goods, but most of these optional insurance plans will exclude high-value items.
Our reviews of the top truck rental companies for moving
We thoroughly vetted each of the following truck rental options. Learn how each can assist with your upcoming relocation here:
Final take: Get quotes from U-Haul and at least two other truck rental companies before booking your DIY move
Start your DIY moving process by getting an online quote from your local U-Haul. Many of its larger offices offer on-site short- and long-term storage options in addition to a full range of vehicle sizes. No matter how small your move may be, we recommend getting estimates from multiple providers for peace of mind that your preferred truck size will be available at a transparent rate.
Our rating methodology for moving companies
Our moving recommendations are all backed by our detailed rating methodology. To fairly assess both interstate and local movers, we have tailored two sets of review standards for long-distance and intrastate movers.
Both sets of review standards assess factors including reputation and customer satisfaction, availability and range, services offered, pricing and quote practices and customer service. We rate each moving company out of 100 possible points. We then divide the final score by 20 to obtain the 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.
BBB and Google Reviews ratings accurate as of June 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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