Penske Truck Rental Prices, Options, and More

Gearing up for a DIY move? Don’t forget to do plenty of research before choosing a rental truck company. While they might all seem pretty similar, there are a number of big differences between the different truck rental providers, and it’s important that you gather as much information as you can before making your decision. To help you out, we’ve put together this quick guide to Penske truck rental prices, options, and need-to-know specifics that you can use when comparing various truck rental companies.

Renting a truck for your move can be a lot more cost efficient than hiring a professional moving company—but budget isn’t the only factor that matters. With such a wide variety of truck rental companies out there to choose from, your research should include information on features and terms in addition to cost. We always recommend researching at least three different companies before making your pick. And if one of the companies you’re considering is Penske, then you’re in the right place. Here’s what you should know before you rent.

What is Penske?

Penske is one of the biggest names in moving truck and van rentals. With nearly 800 service locations in North America and a fleet of more than 300,000 vehicles, chances are high that you can find a Penske truck to rent for your move no matter where you’re located in the U.S. or Canada.

Penske offers five easy to compare non-commercial truck options, plus a range of standard features that help them separate their fleet from the competition. Keep reading for the lowdown on various key specifics, including Penske truck rental prices and the different size trucks that they offer.

Penske Truck Rental Options

There are a few different options to choose from when renting a Penske moving truck.

High-roof cargo van

Penske’s cargo van is their smallest available rental, and is great for moving in and out of the dorms or if you’re moving a studio apartment.

Cargo capacity: 11 feet 11 inches long with 404 cubic feet of loading space.
Weight capacity: Up to 3,500 pounds.
Fuel efficiency: Up to 12 miles per gallon.
Special features: Power steering, anti-lock brakes, rear and side cargo doors.

12 foot truck

Size wise, the 12 foot long Penske rental truck is sufficient for one to two rooms—about your standard size dorm or one-bedroom apartment.

Cargo capacity: 12 feet long with 450 cubic feet of loading space.
Weight capacity: Up to 3,100 pounds.
Fuel efficiency: Up to 12 miles per gallon.
Special features: Automatic transmission, translucent roof and interior lighting, cargo tie rails and a rear roll-up door.

16 foot truck

Penske’s 16 foot moving truck can comfortably fit two to three rooms—about the equivalent of a one-bedroom apartment.

Cargo capacity: 16 feet long with 800 cubic feet of loading space.
Weight capacity: Up to 4,300 pounds.
Fuel efficiency: Up to 12 miles per gallon.
Special features: Automatic transmission, translucent roof and interior lighting, cargo tie rails and a rear roll-up door.

22 foot truck

The 22 foot moving truck can comfortably fit three to five rooms, making it a good choice for moving a one- to three-bedroom home.

Cargo capacity: 22 feet long with 1,200 cubic feet of loading space.
Weight capacity: Up to 4,300 pounds.
Fuel efficiency: Up to 10 miles per gallon.
Special features: Towing compatible, automatic transmission, translucent roof and interior lighting, cargo tie rails and a rear roll-up door, 1,000 pound capacity loading ramp, diesel engine.

26 foot truck

The 26 foot moving truck is recommended for those who need to move five to seven rooms, which is sufficient for most three- to five-bedroom homes.

Cargo capacity: 25 feet 11 inches long with 1,700 cubic feet of loading space.
Weight capacity: Up to 10,000 pounds.
Fuel efficiency: Up to 10 miles per gallon.
Special features: Towing compatible, automatic transmission, translucent roof and interior lighting, cargo tie rails and a rear roll-up door, 1,000 pound capacity loading ramp, diesel engine (depending on availability).

Penske Rental Truck Prices

Penske is considered one of the more budget-friendly options when it comes to renting a moving truck, with Penske rental truck prices ranging from about $130 to $1,200 a day depending on what size truck you need to rent and how far you need to take it. Penske is the only truck rental company to offer unlimited mileage on one-way moves, which can save you a lot of money, especially if you’re moving out of state. Round-trip rentals have a fee of about $0.99 per mile.

Additional fees to consider when it comes to Penske rental truck prices include:

Dolly rentals ($20 each)
Protection plans (learn about them here)
Environmental tax ($9)
Sales tax

Fortunately, in addition to fair pricing Penske also offers a lot of great discounts. In additional to seasonal promotions, Penske gives college students 10% off their rentals with a college I.D. and 10% off rentals for all active and veteran military members. There are also discounts for AAA members and first-time customers.

What to Know About a Penske Truck Rental

All rental companies are different when it comes to the specifics about what they offer and what they don’t. So before opting for a Penske moving truck, here are a couple things to know about what sets them apart.

Local moves are charged differently. Even though Penske truck rental prices are competitive, they might not always be the best for local moves. That’s because local moves incur a per-mile fee in addition to the truck rental fee, whereas one-way moves do not.
Your reservation is guaranteed. One benefit of renting a truck from Penske is that your booking is guaranteed so long as it’s a one-way rental and booked at least 48 hours in advance. That means that a Penske rep will pick up a truck and have it ready for you if it’s not already available in time for your booking, which isn’t a service offered by all rental companies.

How to Reserve a Penske Moving Truck

If you want to make a Penske rental truck reservation, you can do so easily online. Simply visit Penske’s online reservation site and enter in your location and moving date information to check for availability and get a quote. Once you choose your truck, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your final estimated price.

What if You Need to Cancel?

You can cancel your Penske truck rental for no fees up to 48 hours in advance of your reservation. If you cancel with less time remaining however you will have to pay a $100 fee.

Is a Penske Truck Rental Right For You?

Remember, you’ll want to research and get quotes from at least three different rental truck companies to ensure that you get the best deal possible for your move. Here’s how to start the process:

Figure out exactly what you need

Cargo van: dorm or studio apartment
12 foot truck: dorm, studio, or small one bedroom apartment
16 foot truck: larger one bedroom apartment
22 foot truck: one to three bedroom home
26 foot truck: three to five bedroom home

Choose your top three picks

Get quotes

Go to the drawing board

Whether you choose to go with a Penske moving truck or a truck from another rental company, it’s always smart to do as much research as possible. That way, you can know for sure that the truck you’ve rented is the right one for your move.