Budget Truck Rental is usually the cheapest moving truck rental company, based on our analysis of real quotes from major providers like U-Haul and Penske.
Cheapest Truck Rental Companies (2026): Budget vs U-Haul vs Penske
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Rebecca Edwards is a journalist with 30+ years of experience covering home services and tech. After 23 moves across three states, she brings firsthand expertise to Move.org.
Last Updated: 2 weeks ago
Updated with new pricing comparisons, a cheapest-by-scenario table, and additional guidance to help you find the most affordable moving truck rental.
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Budget Truck Rental is usually the cheapest moving truck company for most moves, especially local rentals under 100 miles. U-Haul and Penske sometimes offer lower long-distance rates depending on mileage and truck size.
Many movers choose truck rentals to save money. In our 2025 State of Moving Survey, a large share of respondents said they handled at least part of their move themselves rather than hiring full-service movers. Just be sure to read the fine print before you agree to a cheap truck rental. Some companies offer low quotes but high final prices — and the cheapest local truck rental may not be as cheap for moving out of state.
Who's best for cheap moving truck rentals?
- : Best for cheap local moves
- : Best prices for long-distance moves
- : Best for availability and add-ons
- : Best for local one-way moves
What is the cheapest company to rent a truck from?
Budget is typically the cheapest company to rent a truck from — especially for local moves under 100 miles. U-Haul sometimes has lower base rates but adds mileage fees, while Penske tends to be cheapest for long-distance moves.
Which truck rental is cheapest for my move?
The cheapest moving truck rental can depend on the specifics of your move. If you're planning a short local move (under 50 miles), the cheapest company may be different than if you need a one-way truck rental to move hundreds of miles. The table below highlights which truck rental companies tend to be the cheapest in different situations.
These trends reflect typical pricing patterns, but the cheapest option for your move may vary based on location, truck size, and availability. We recommend comparing quotes from multiple companies before booking.
If you want a deeper breakdown of pricing, see our comparison of the best moving truck rental companies.
Compare pricing for the cheapest moving truck rentals
Company | 30-mile move | 100-mile move | 400-mile move | Details |
| $153.50 |
$278.20
| $988.20 | Get a Quote | |
| $166.25 |
$311.22
| $1,414.30 | Get a Quote | |
| $131.37 |
$222.93
| $1,249.71 | Get a Quote |
All data as of publish date.
*Prices averaged for small home sizes across 3 distances between 30 and 400 miles. Prices include taxes and fees for a 16' truck.
**No add-on services are included in the prices above.
To compare truck rental prices, we searched for results using three hypothetical moves, each with a 16' truck booked two weeks in advance.
To get a better idea of their long-distance and one-way prices, our moving routes began in the same zip code and extended 30, 100, and 400 miles away.
From what we found, add-on services, pick up and drop-off locations, and total mileage have the most effect on final truck rental prices.
When comparing the cheapest moving truck rentals for different distances, U-Haul consistently offers the lowest moving truck deals across all move lengths. For a short 30-mile move, U-Haul charges $131.37, followed by Budget at $153.50 and Penske at $166.25.
For a mid-range 100-mile move, U-Haul again leads with a cost of $222.93, while Budget charges $278.20 and Penske is the most expensive at $311.22.
The cheapest rental for moving out of state or long distances, such as a 400-mile move, is Budget. It becomes more competitive with a price of $988.20, slightly undercutting U-Haul’s $1,249.71, though Penske remains the highest at $1,414.30.
What to consider when choosing a moving truck
Finding the best deal on a moving truck can save you money, but price isn't the only thing to consider. Click below to learn how to find the best rental truck and price for your move.
If you're moving to a one-bedroom apartment, you won't likely need the biggest rental truck in the fleet. Finding the right rental truck size can help you move what you've got while staying within your budget.
The best truck for your move will meet your budget and the size of your home. When looking for a cheap rental truck, think about how much you're moving. Factor in large items like furniture and big boxes of items.
The best truck size for different home sizes:
- Studio or 1-2 rooms: 10–12 foot truck
- 1-bd home (3-4 rooms): 15–16 foot truck
- 2-bd home or 3-bd apartment: 17–20 foot truck
- 5-8 rooms (3-bd+): 22–26 foot truck
Many cheap truck rental services offer moving supplies and add-on services. Depending on your needs, this may be helpful or an unnecessary temptation.
While you can find free moving boxes or borrow other items like trailers or dollies, it's nice to be able to book extra supplies along with your rental truck.
In addition to moving supplies, companies like U-Haul can connect you with roadside assistance, insurance, and even local movers to help you at your destination.
You can get the best deal after comparing truck rental prices when booking online. Just be sure to read the fine print that comes with your final quote.
Taxes and fees are standard, but you'll want to find a service that gives you a quote as close to the final price as possible.
Many of these services charge by mile, so the farther you move, the more expensive they'll be. Sometimes, a rental truck company will provide a low quote but a higher final price. Be sure to ask about other expenses like gas, insurance, and mileage before booking a cheap rental truck.
Cheapest moving truck rental reviews
1. Budget Truck Rental: Lowest average prices
On average, Budget Truck Rental was the cheapest for moving truck rentals, even cheaper than U-Haul, especially when it comes to interstate moves.
Per trip, it was only slightly above the average prices for our 30- and 100-mile moves but was $200 to $400 cheaper than Penske and U-Haul for our 400-mile move.
We like Budget's flexible pick-up and drop-off dates option because, as we all know, there's always something that changes your plans. When you book a shorter move, you can get a day and up to 59 miles included in your price, making it one of the cheapest box truck rentals around.
Pros
Cheapest rentals
Best interstate move prices
Flexible dates 
Cons
Services vary by location Budget Truck Rental costs
Data current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Average cost calculated by comparing rental costs plus fuel for four home sizes across seven distances.
One thing to remember with Budget is its many locations offer different services. Some locations provide extras like moving supplies and rental cars. And you can add-on items like furniture pads, hand trucks, moving help, protection packages, and roadside safety for those long hauls.
Save 10% on a budget truck rental reservation
You receive an automatic discount of about 10% if you reserve a truck online with Budget Truck Rental.
Learn more in our Budget Truck Rental Review.
2. Penske Truck Rental: Most accurate pricing
Penske specializes in cheap rentals from cargo vans to box trucks. While it isn't cheaper than U-Haul or Penske, at least from our test, it's staying high on our list because it provides accurate quotes from the start.
When you book a Penske rental truck online, you'll see an itemized list of everything included in that quote. From the truck itself and a mysterious environmental fee, to taxes—it's all spelled out for you there.
Penske, automatically gives you a set number of days when you book your truck rental. This number changes with the truck size you rent—from one day for smaller trucks and cargo vans up to four days for a 26' truck. If you need more time for a move, you can add extra days to your rental for $100 per day.
Pros
Accurate quotes
Wide selection of trucks
Option to add extra days for $100 per day Cons
Not a big selection of ad-on services Penske Truck Rental costs
Data current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Average cost calculated by comparing rental costs plus fuel for four home sizes across seven distances.
We love Penske's honest approach to pricing, but if you need assistance moving or supplies like a dolly or trailer, you'll need to try a different service. Because it only specializes in cheap moving trucks, we didn't see as many add-on services from Penske compared to other truck rental companies on our list.
Who is U-Haul's biggest competitor?
Penske is U-Haul's biggest competitor, and they outperform U-Haul in customer reviews, reservation reliability, and pricing for large trucks and long-distance moves.
Because of its superior marks in these categories, Penske outclasses U-Haul in our book.
Learn more in our Penske Truck Rental Review.
3. U-Haul: Best add-ons and extras
U-Haul is probably the most well-known cheap box truck rental services. In our searches for 30-mile and 100-mile moves, it had the lowest prices, which were around the average (or under) for the prices we found for individual trips.
Unfortunately, U-Haul's quotes aren't always accurate. The online reservation form has lots of add-on services and extras that fall into your cart at checkout if you aren't careful to remove them, leaving you surprised when you finally pay for your rental truck.
Pros
Lowest prices for shorter moves
Wide selection of trucks
Large range of moving supplies Cons
Quotes aren't always accurate U-Haul costs
Data current as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Average cost calculated by comparing rental costs plus fuel for four home sizes across seven distances.
Choices, choices!
U-Haul has six different moving trucks for rent, including cheap box trucks, cargo vans, and pickup trucks for smaller moves. You can also rent equipment, like hand trucks and furniture pads. Learn more in our U-Haul Review.
That said, if you're looking for all those bells and whistles, U-Haul can connect you with local movers to help you lift heavy items at one or both destinations. It has a huge range of moving supplies to add to your truck rental.
U-Haul offers two different insurance plans for its rental trucks: Safemove at $15 and Safemove Plus at $28, both of which have a flat rate.
Is PODS more expensive than U-Haul?
A U-Haul truck is typically cheaper than PODS, but it depends on how many items you’re moving, gas prices, and how many miles you travel. If you only have a few large items, you can get a smaller container for just those items and then move everything else with a rental truck to try and save some money.
Learn more about U-Haul in our review.
4. Home Depot: Flexible moving services
With Home Depot, you can rent an affordable truck for local transport and one-way moves. They offer 8 ft. flatbed trucks, 10 ft. flatbed trucks, cargo vans, and 12 ft. HD moving trucks. Each option is available to rent for 75 minutes, daily, or weekly. Home Depot offers unlimited mileage on all moving vehicles.
Pros
Trusted movers
Customizable move options
Moving supplies available Cons
Limited truck rental options A local reservation for a few hours may cost around $180 for a cargo van, which includes insurance and taxes. Unfortunately, Home Depot doesn't have a fleet of larger moving trucks of their own. Any rental larger than 12' will be through Penske.
All of this makes Home Depot best for shorter one-way trips to pick up furniture or move large single items.
Budget vs. U-Haul: Which is cheaper?
Budget Truck Rental is usually the cheaper option for local moves and smaller homes. The company frequently offers lower base rates than U-Haul, and its long list of discounts — like those for students, military members, and AARP customers — can bring prices down even further.
That said, U-Haul sometimes advertises lower starting prices, especially for short local rentals. However, U-Haul typically charges per-mile fees, which can make the final cost higher once you factor in the distance you’ll drive.
In many cases, Budget ends up being cheaper overall for local moves, while U-Haul may still be a good option if you need more availability or a specific truck size.
Penske vs. U-Haul price comparison
Penske and U-Haul often compete closely on price, but the cheapest option usually depends on the type of move.
For long-distance and one-way moves, Penske often ends up being the better value. The company’s quotes typically include more of the total cost upfront, which makes pricing easier to understand and compare.
U-Haul sometimes shows a lower initial estimate, but additional costs like mileage fees, insurance, and equipment rentals can increase the final price. Because of this, many renters find that Penske’s more transparent pricing leads to a similar — or even cheaper — total cost for longer moves.
If you’re moving across the country, it’s usually worth getting quotes from both companies before deciding.
Cheapest truck rental for long-distance moves
For long-distance moves, Penske Truck Rental is often the cheapest option overall. Penske's one-way rates are often more affordable, transparent and predictable compared to other truck rental providers.
Budget Truck Rental can sometimes be cheaper for shorter regional moves, but its long-distance pricing isn’t always as consistent. U-Haul also offers one-way rentals nationwide, but the total cost may be higher depending on mileage charges and optional add-ons.
If you’re planning a long-distance move, it’s a good idea to compare quotes from Penske, Budget, and U-Haul to see which company offers the lowest total price for your route.
If price isn’t your only concern, see our full guide to the best moving truck rental companies to compare reliability, availability, and customer reviews.
How to find the cheapest moving truck rentals
While the exact price can vary due to many factors, there are a few hacks worth to help make your truck rental cheaper. Click below for the details.
Sometimes, a move can be a surprise. But for the times that you see it coming months in advance, try to book your moving truck rental early. Penske's website recommends booking a rental truck at least 24 hours in advance to make sure they have the truck you reserved ready on the lot.
In our tests, we looked at booking two weeks from the current date. This window gives you plenty of time to shop around after you reserve a truck. Many services, like Penske or U-Haul, don't require payment until the day of your move. So if you find a better rate, you can switch to that lower price.
Booking a rental truck for moving is like booking a flight. Online searches can change rates based on how often you search, and rates can differ depending on location and date. Try a few options for different pick-up and drop-off spots.
You can also try price matching for some of these services. It doesn't guarantee that it will work, but offering proof of a better rate gives you some solid leverage to get a better price elsewhere.
Weekends are the most popular time to schedule a move, which means truck rental companies have the upper hand with pricing. Try booking your truck rental for a weekday, and you may find that rates drop from Friday to Sunday dates.
Packing the truck efficiently can save you time and space, especially for local moves. With fewer trips, you'll burn less gas and rack up fewer miles for your final price.
Learn how to pack a moving truck like a pro for your next move.
In many cases, teachers, military personnel, or public servants may get a discount on their move. If any of these apply to you, call your local moving truck rental and see what you can get.
Benefits of renting a moving truck
Compared to professional movers or using your own vehicle, cheap truck rentals can save you money on labor, fees, and time, especially if you don't have a large vehicle of your own.
You can rent cheap moving trucks over a window of time, so you can work on your schedule, adding or subtracting days for drop off. Whether that's loading over several days or taking a week to complete the drive, it gives you more flexibility on your own time.
While we love professional movers for large cross-country, multi-room moves, they aren't always necessary if you're moving into a one-bedroom apartment or small home. These companies also tend to have all the extras you need without any high sales pressure.
Cheap moving truck FAQs
Winter, fall, and early spring are usually the cheapest time to rent a moving truck. With unpredictable weather, fewer people tend to move between October and April. Just be careful driving in rain, storms, or snow!
26' trucks are the largest standard trucks. They can fit up to 10,000 pounds of payload and use diesel fuel. Depending on the state(s) you drive in, you may need a special license to operate these. Check out the full dimensions from Enterprise.
While gas mileage will vary depending on the kind of truck you rent, we found that Penske's trucks tend to be the most fuel-efficient.
Technically, no. But it's a risky move, especially if you're traveling a long distance. Your own car insurance doesn't cover you while driving a rented vehicle like a moving truck, and if you're in an accident, any damages to your items won't be protected without it.
Typically, no. You can operate a rental or box truck with a standard driver's license. But you need a commercial license to operate a 26' truck in some areas. So, be sure to look up the laws in the area you're moving to find out.
From our research, we've found that Budget, on average, has cheaper long-distance moves. For example, the average cost of a 400-mile move with U-Haul is around $1,250, while Budget costs around $988.
U-Haul is cheaper. You can save a couple of hundred dollars by renting a cheap box truck from U-Haul.
Final word: Penske, Budget and U-Haul are our top choices
The cheapest moving truck rental overall is Budget. We found that Budget offered the lowest average price, but it wasn't the cheapest every time. The cheapest price won't always come from the same company.
When booking a rental truck for your move, consider the load size and the distance you're traveling. Getting a truck that fits all your big items for one trip will save you money and time. While we like Home Depot and Enterprise for shorter, one-way moves, the most affordable truck rental companies overall are Budget, Penske, and U-Haul.
If you have the time and flexibility to choose when you move, consider picking off-season or weekday moves to save money. You can also book early, ask about discounts, and shop around to find the best prices and save the most money.
