Directory 02 / Self Moves
Moving trucks,
compared.
Four rental truck companies a household can actually book, with truck sizes, how local and one way pricing works, mileage, damage cover and the labor add ons that save your back. Each one fits a different kind of move.
Quick answer
For a one way move from or to a small town, U-Haul has the most drop-off points. For a long one way trip, Penske includes unlimited miles, and Budget is worth a quote when its 15 to 20% codes apply. Enterprise suits local moves only.
The lineup
4 companies, side by side
Each bar is one size on a shared scale.
Size it
Which truck will your home need?
Each company's own size guidance, matched to the CMR Cost Report home size bands. Your furniture decides the real answer, so measure big pieces before you book.
Side by side
The comparison table
| Company | Best for | Trucks | Coverage | USDOT | Federal record | Trustpilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U-Haul | One way moves from almost any town | Cargo van, 10 ft truck, 15 ft truck, 20 ft truck, 26 ft truck, 29 ft truck | More than 25,000 rental locations in the US and Canada (company figure) | 428517 ACTIVE | Carrier | 1.4 (1,802) |
| Penske Truck Rental | Long one way moves with unlimited miles | Cargo van, 12 ft truck, 16 ft truck, 22 ft truck, 26 ft truck | More than 2,500 rental locations across North America (company figure) | 327574 ACTIVE | Carrier / Shipper | 2.0 (78) |
| Budget Truck Rental | Discount hunters on local and one way moves | Cargo van, 12 ft truck, 16 ft truck, 26 ft truck | Nearly 2,300 US locations (company figure) | 1092543 ACTIVE | Carrier | Not shown |
| Enterprise Truck Rental | Local moves needing a lift gate truck | 15 ft box truck, 16 ft cabover, 20 ft box truck, 24 ft box truck, 26 ft box truck | Over 500 locations in many major cities (company figure); not every branch has moving trucks | 2007635 ACTIVE | Carrier | Not shown |
Federal record shows what FMCSA SAFER lists for the company. Learn what broker and carrier mean in Broker or Carrier? "Not shown" means we could not read that profile when we checked; look it up before you book.
Cost
What it costs
HireAHelper's 2026 comparison puts the median cost of a 26 ft truck at about $79 to $149 for a 25 mile local move and about $1,044 to $1,957 for a 1,400 mile move, depending on company. U-Pack's August 2026 quotes for a 26 ft truck from Salt Lake City to Nashville ran from $5,112 (U-Haul) to $6,437 (Budget) with fuel, fees and liability.
How it works
Step by step
- Pick the right size
Match your home to the company's size chart; a 2 bedroom usually needs a 15 to 16 ft truck or larger.
- Compare one way and local quotes
Get live quotes from at least two companies, since rates change daily and discount codes can cut 12 to 20%.
- Decide on coverage
Check your auto policy, then add a damage waiver and cargo cover if it does not cover rental trucks.
- Line up labor and towing
Book loaders and a tow dolly or car carrier ahead of time if you need them.
- Pick up, drive, return
Bring your license, second ID and card, and return on time with the same fuel level to avoid extra charges.
Left out
Companies we checked and skipped
- Ryder: Ryder now rents only commercial vehicles to registered businesses (its rental page says so), and U-Pack reports it stopped personal move rentals in 2019, so it does not rent moving trucks to consumers.
We only list a company when we can check its record and terms ourselves.
Questions
Truck Rentals FAQ
Do I need a CDL to drive a moving truck?
No. Consumer moving trucks stay under 26,001 lbs gross weight; U-Haul's largest trucks are rated 25,999 lbs, and Penske and Enterprise say no special license is needed.
Which rental companies allow one way moves?
U-Haul, Penske and Budget. Enterprise generally requires return to the pickup branch.
Which company includes unlimited miles?
Penske includes unlimited miles on one way rentals. U-Haul and Budget give a set mileage allowance on one way trips.
How young can I be to rent a moving truck?
U-Haul, Penske and Budget rent at 18. Enterprise allows 18 to 20 year olds only in New York and Michigan.
Will my car insurance cover a rental truck?
Often not. Penske notes many personal policies exclude vehicles over 9,000 lbs gross weight, so check your policy or buy the rental company's damage waiver.
Does the truck rental company's insurance cover my belongings?
Only if you buy cargo cover. Penske caps cargo cover at $15,000 per rental, and U-Haul's Safemove excludes damage from poor packing or load shifting.
Can I hire help to load a rental truck?
Yes. U-Haul runs the Moving Help marketplace, Budget links to HireAHelper, and Penske refers renters to Simple Moving Labor and All My Sons.
Related
Also on this site
Before you book
Compare a full service price too.
Doing it yourself is not always cheaper once fuel, labor and time are counted.
Sources, checked October 9, 2026
- HireAHelper cheapest moving trucks: https://www.hireahelper.com/advice/the-cheapest-moving-trucks/
- U-Pack one way truck rental cost: https://www.upack.com/articles/how-much-does-it-cost-to-rent-a-moving-truck-one-way
- moveBuddha truck rental cost: https://www.movebuddha.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-rent-a-moving-truck/
- Penske coverage: https://www.pensketruckrental.com/extras-and-supplies/coverage/
- U-Haul moving trucks: https://www.uhaul.com/Trucks/
- Ryder commercial truck rental: https://www.ryder.com/en-us/rent-trucks
- U-Pack on Ryder truck rental: https://www.upack.com/articles/ryder-truck-rental
- FMCSA SAFER, U-Haul: https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=428517
- FMCSA SAFER, Penske Truck Rental: https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=327574
- FMCSA SAFER, Budget Truck Rental: https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=1092543
- FMCSA SAFER, Enterprise Truck Rental: https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=2007635