Average Moving Truck Rental Cost (2026): U-Haul vs Budget vs Penske

Renting a moving truck is one of the most common ways to save money on a DIY move. Instead of paying a full-service moving company, you can rent a truck, load it yourself, and drive it to your new home.

The cost can vary widely. A local two-bedroom move with a rental truck averages about $200, while a long-distance move for a five-bedroom home can reach around $3,000. The final price depends on things like distance, truck size, and the rental company you choose.

According to Move.org’s 2025 State of Moving survey, most people still handle their move themselves — about 62% of movers didn’t hire professional movers, opting instead for DIY options like rental trucks or moving containers.

The best fit for your move depends on factors like your budget, moving distance, and timeline.

In this guide, we’ll explain average truck rental costs, what affects pricing, and how major truck rental companies like U-Haul, Penske, and Budget compare.

👉 See our full comparison of the best moving truck rental companies

The average cost of a truck rental is approximately $1,005. Costs range from $90 for a small local trip to $3,740 for a sizable long-distance move. The specific amount depends on rental truck size, features like a lift gate or towing ability, and distance.

Local moves usually cost less overall than long-distance, one-way rentals. But when you look at the price per mile, longer moves are often the better deal.

Local truck rentals average about $6 per mile, though prices can sometimes drop as low as $3 per mile. Long-distance rentals are typically much cheaper per mile, ranging from $1 to $2.

Local moves usually cover 50 to 100 miles, and you’ll often need to return the truck to the same pickup location. One-way rentals are more convenient — you can drop the truck off near your destination instead of bringing it back.

Budget Truck Rental is usually the cheapest moving truck rental for local moves, while Penske often offers the best value for long-distance rentals.

Although Budget often has the lowest rates for smaller local moves, the cheapest option isn’t always the same for every move. Depending on your distance, truck size, and location, U-Haul, Penske, or Budget may offer the lowest price.

We break this down in our guide to the cheapest rental truck companies, but here’s how the major truck rental companies compare on price.

The cheapest moving truck rental usually depends on your move distance and home size. In most cases, Budget Truck Rental has the lowest prices for local moves, while U-Haul and Penske often offer competitive rates for long-distance rentals. To get the best deal, compare quotes from multiple companies and check whether the price includes mileage fees, insurance, and equipment rentals, since those extras can significantly affect the final cost. It's also smart to look for available discounts (like military, student, or online booking deals).

The table below compares average prices for local and one-way moves to help you see how the major truck rental companies stack up.

Choosing the cheapest moving truck rental often comes down to the type of move you’re planning. While Budget, U-Haul, and Penske are the three biggest rental truck companies, each one tends to be the most affordable in different situations.

Budget is usually the cheapest option for local moves and smaller homes, especially if you can take advantage of one of its many discounts. Penske often has the best value for larger homes and long-distance moves, and its quotes are known for being accurate and transparent. U-Haul tends to have the widest availability, and it’s often the best choice if you’re looking for lower-cost insurance or need a truck on short notice.

The table below compares the three companies to help you decide which option may be the cheapest for your move.

Bottom line: Budget Truck Rental is usually the cheapest for local moves, Penske often has the best value for long-distance rentals, and U-Haul is the easiest company to find nationwide.

Moving truck fees often add up to hundreds of dollars. The prices vary by rental truck company, but everyone pays them. The only thing more certain than death and taxes is spending more on your truck rental than your quote suggests.

The most common costs not included in your quote are pretty basic—but they add up:

• Gas. It’s never part of your quote, and rental trucks don’t get good gas mileage.
• Insurance. The average cost to protect against damage is over $100.
• Mileage. You often have to pay a mileage fee for local moves (long-distance moves typically have unlimited mileage).
• Supplies. Expect to pay more if you need boxes, furniture pads, or tie down straps.
• Taxes. You must pay taxes, but they’re not always part of your quote.
• Towing equipment. It costs extra to rent a car trailer or tow dolly.

Most moves are smaller than you might expect. In Move.org’s 2025 State of Moving survey, the most common move sizes were one-bedroom (30%) and two-bedroom homes (28%)—moves that typically only require a 10- to 16-foot moving truck (which matters when it comes to cost).

Truck size plays a big role in rental cost. Larger trucks generally cost more, but availability varies by company, so the best way to estimate the right size is by home size rather than truck length alone.

To make things easier, we contacted the three largest rental truck companies and asked what truck sizes they recommend for different home sizes. U-Haul’s 10-foot truck is the smallest option available, while 26-foot trucks from U-Haul and Budget Truck Rental are the largest you’ll typically find.

👉 See our truck size guide