How Much Does It Cost to Rent a U-Haul® or Other Moving Truck?

There are so many decisions to make when moving it can be overwhelming. One decision we can help with is figuring out how to move your home, including truck rental.

While a $19.95 flat rate looks like a bargain, that low price you see advertised on U-Haul and Ryder® trucks is rarely what you’ll end up paying.  Make sure you compare apples to apples when deciding on the best way to move.   There are often “hidden costs”  that you’ll only discover once it’s too late.
  

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• What size truck do you need?   Advertised rates usually only apply to pick-up trucks or cargo vans.  If you need a larger vehicle, you’re going to end up paying closer to $30 or $40 to start.

• Mileage:  Check the fine print.  Most truck rental companies like U-Haul charge for mileage in addition to that attractive base rate.  This can easily cost you more than 3 times the rate you think you’re going to pay.  Though mileage charges vary by company, you can expect that each mile you drive will cost you $0.79 to $1.29 per mile.

• Insurance:  No one ever thinks they’ll need it, and of course you don’t have to get it, but can you really afford to go without insurance? Unforeseen things do happen, and the unexpected can cost you thousands.  Think twice before passing on that $15 - $30 cost..

• Gas:  Yes, U-Haul (and every other truck rental company) expects you to return that truck full of gas, just like when you got it.  And as you may have guessed, trucks do NOT get great gas mileage.  Even for a short move, refilling the tank is going to cost you - often between $30 and $60 for a local, in-town move.

• Fees and taxes:  These vary with each company and the state you’re in, but they can add another 5%-10% to an already larger-than-expected bill for renting a truck.  

So that $19.95 you thought you’d pay for a U-Haul may end up costing anywhere from $140 and $180!  

Renting a truck and moving by yourself may still be the best option, but be sure to estimate your true cost before making a decision.  You may find that for just $20 more, you could have saved yourself a lot of frustration and hassle by hiring a full-service moving company.