How Much Does a Moving Truck Cost? (2024) (2024)

Moving truck costs by distance

How much you spend on a moving truck will depend on a couple of factors, namely how large a vehicle you need and whether it’s a local or long-distance move. How long you need the truck may also influence the cost if it’s an in-town move and you’re renting by the hour or the day.

Not every moving truck rental company offers the same vehicles, so making an apples-to-apples comparison can be a challenge. For example, U-Haul offers 10- and 15-foot trucks, while the smallest vehicles you can rent from Penske or Budget are 12- and 16-foot trucks.

In a recent ConsumerAffairs survey, about 73% of respondents said their recent move was more expensive than they thought it’d be. About 54% said it was more stressful than they expected. A do-it-yourself move can save you some money (versus hiring movers), but it might not save on stress.

Sample in-town moving rates

We calculated the cost of renting a truck for a local move in Austin, Texas, picking up May 13 and returning the following morning at 8 a.m. to the same rental office. Cost will vary depending on your location, truck size, and rental duration. Estimates do not include taxes, fees, insurance or fuel.

Sample cross-country moving rates

We calculated the cost of renting a moving truck for a cross-country move from Anaheim, California, to Charlotte, North Carolina, starting on May 13. All prices are rounded to the nearest dollar, and all estimates come with unlimited free mileage. Cost will vary depending on your location, truck size and rental duration. Enterprise does not offer long-distance moving truck rentals. Estimates do not include taxes, fees, insurance or fuel.

What other factors go into the price?

Unfortunately, the cost of moving involves more than just the rental rate for the truck. The final price you pay will be affected by a number of factors, from sales tax to how many boxes you use. Below are some of the most common factors that go into the price of renting a moving truck.

Truck size

Moving trucks are measured by how long their cargo deck is. If you reserve a 10-foot moving truck, for instance, you’ll get one that has an interior cargo space that is approximately 10 feet long or deep. The width of that cargo space will be about 6 and a half feet, depending on the make and model of the vehicle.

Not sure what size truck you need? When in doubt, choose the larger vehicle, say experts.

“People often make the mistake of underestimating how big of a truck they need, which can lead to extra trips or things not fitting properly,” Alex Ravich, owner of Cross Country Moving Company, told us.

Based on a review of the U-Haul, Budget, and Penske truck rental websites, the most common moving trucks include the following:

Fuel

Most rental moving trucks run on unleaded gasoline, but some -- particularly large cube trucks -- use diesel fuel instead. Given the poor fuel economy of most trucks and vans, even an in-town move can be costly if you’re making a lot of back-and-forth trips in traffic and only getting 12 mpg. It’s a good idea to estimate the number of miles your move will require and plan your fuel expenses accordingly.

Taxes and fees

Depending on where you live, your rental probably will be subject to some combination of city, county or state taxes. The state of Pennsylvania, for example, imposes a 2% vehicle rental tax on all car and truck rentals in the state.

You will also likely be charged what’s known as an environmental fee, which U-Haul describes as being allocated to “support and foster the development and maintenance of sustainable… business operations.”

If you don’t return the moving truck in the same condition it was in when you rented it —or if you don’t return it with the same amount of fuel it had when you drove off the lot — you may also find a fee tacked on to your bill.

Insurance

Before you rent a moving truck, the Insurance Information Institute, a U.S. industry association, recommends checking with your car insurance and home insurance companies to see what is and is not covered under your existing policies.

Many car insurance companies won’t extend coverage to rental trucks that exceed a certain weight or size, meaning you’ll either have to purchase a temporary rider from your insurer or a policy from the truck rental company if you want protection.

Moving supplies

Boxes, tape, packing supplies like newsprint or foam peanuts, moving blankets and the like can add up quickly. You will also want to consider a heavy-duty security padlock to lock the truck’s cargo bay. Many moving van rental companies sell such items, as do big-box stores and online vendors.

And, experts say, don’t overlook a utility dolly or hand truck to make moving heavy items easier. A furniture dolly — essentially a platform with wheels — can be rented for about $20 at U-Haul, for example, while a hand truck may cost $120 or so.

“These will make it much easier to move big, heavy items like dressers and bookshelves,” Nick Valentino, vice president of market operations of Bellhop, told us. “Your back will definitely thank you.”

Towing

Budget, Penske and U-Haul also rent tow dollies and car carriers so you can transport your personal vehicle when you move. Tow dollies are sufficient for front-wheel-drive cars and trucks, while car carriers are recommended for front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive vehicles.

Hiring movers

Moving is hard work. If you need help with a DIY move, Budget, Penske and U-Haul all offer third-party moving assistance services, including packing, loading, unloading and even driving the truck. Price and availability vary depending on location.

When to rent a moving truck vs. hiring movers

Renting a moving truck and doing it yourself versus hiring professional movers comes down to cost and convenience. If you’re doing an in-town move and don’t have a large amount of belongings, a DIY move could be the better choice if you’re comfortable driving a cargo van or box truck, according to Ravich of Cross Country Moving Company.

“For small- to medium-sized moves, it is a cheap option,” Ravich said.

For long-distance moves — or if you have a lot of stuff or just need a hand — the added expense of hiring professional movers may be the better choice. “Professionals take care of the planning, driving, and heavy lifting, which can make your move a lot easier and less stressful,” Ravich said.

Regardless of your destination, if you do choose to rent a moving van and drive it yourself, take some time to get used to operating it before you load it up and hit the road.

“Moving trucks can be tricky to drive, and especially to park, for novice drivers,” Valentino told us. “While you can drive them with a standard license, it still takes some practice to get used to using your mirrors, figuring out your turning radius, and minding the height of the box.”

Comparing estimates

Experts recommend getting at least three different estimates before you rent a moving truck. If you’re making a local move, be sure to factor in the cost of the mileage surcharge. Be sure to account for fuel expenses too.