The Best One-Way Truck Rentals for Your Next Move

Getting ready to embark on a long distance move? Unless you’re willing to fork over a good deal of money in the process, I highly recommend renting a moving truck for your next one-way relocation. After all, the average cost of hiring moving professionals for an intrastate household relocation is $2,300 for four movers at $200 per hour, according to the American Moving and Storage Association . Pricey, indeed! Compare that to renting a one-way moving truck for half the cost. In fact, renting a moving a truck could save you big bucks, depending on the distance of your move.

Driving your own moving truck will also give you the advantage of having full control over your moving timeline and schedule. You won’t have to wait on movers or hand over your belongings to total strangers. You’ll be able to keep on your things throughout the process and load them however you like. For many, both of these upsides far outweigh the benefits of hiring professional movers.

Thankfully, there are several one-way truck rentals to choose from when moving. Whether you’re relocating across the state or across the country, here are three tried-and-true moving truck companies that offer one-way truck rentals to meet your needs.

U-Haul

Given U-Haul’s thousands of locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, you should have no trouble renting and returning a one-way truck rental anywhere in the country. These rental trucks offer a multitude of special options to make the truck easy to load, comfortable to drive and efficient on fuel, according to the website. U-Haul trucks are also lined with “rub-rails,” allowing renters to tie their furniture to the walls to prevent shifting during transit. U-Haul’s one-way rental truck rates are determined by the truck size, point of origin, destination, and the moving date. While you’re given a set number of days to complete the move, renters are allowed to purchase additional days at a rate of $40 per day.

U-Haul’s 10 ft. moving trucks are perfect for tackling a smaller move. They’re also a popular choice for students, singles and couples moving to a one or two-bedroom home. The cost of renting a 10 ft. U-Haul moving truck for a one-way trip from Miami to New York City in August 2023 starts around $1,673, according to a recent quote.

Other details on U-Haul’s 10 ft. rental truck:

  • Volume: 402 cu. ft.
  • Max load: 2,810 lbs.
  • Gross vehicle weight: 8,600 lbs. max.
  • Empty weight: 5,790 lbs.
  • Towing capacity: Up to 6,000 lbs.
  • Inside dimensions: 9’11” x 6’4″ x 6’2″ (LxWxH)
  • Miles per gallon: 12 mpg
  • Fuel economy gauge
  • Driver’s side Air Bag
  • Seats for 2 adults
  • Automatic transmission
  • Air conditioning
  • Gentle-Ride suspension

To determine what size U-Haul moving truck you’ll need, check here .

Penske

This rental truck company offers 24-hour roadside assistance, flexible reservation and cancellation policies, convenient rental locations, half-day rentals, and free, unlimited miles on one-way rentals. Penske promises a “clean, reliable, fuel-efficient moving truck ready to go at pickup time.” And if you reserve online and pay with a credit card, the rental truck company does not require a deposit for one-way reservations. However, if you reserve with a credit card but pay in cash or with a check, a $100 deposit will be required at pick-up, according to Penske.

Per a recent quote obtained online, renting Penske’s 12 ft. rental truck for a one-way trip from Miami to New York in August 2023 starts around $950. For reference, Penske’s 12 ft. rental truck moves one to two rooms — the perfect size for moving a dorm or smaller apartment.

Other details on Penske’s 12 ft. rental truck:

  • Interior dimensions of up to 12 ft. long x 6 ft. 6 in. wide x 6 ft. 1 in. high
  • Up to 78 sq. ft. of floor space
  • Up to 450 cu. ft. of loading space
  • Up to 3,100 lb. load capacity
  • Up to 33 gallon gasoline fuel tank with up to 12 mpg
  • Not towing compatible
  • V-8 engine/gasoline
  • Automatic transmission
  • Air conditioning
  • AM/FM radio; AUX or USB input
  • Two-person bucket seating
  • Cargo tie rails/rear roll-up door
  • Translucent roof and interior lighting

Think you’ll need a larger truck? To determine what size moving truck you’ll need for your upcoming relocation, utilize Penske’s Truck Wizard tool here .

Budget

Just as the name implies, Budget Truck Rental is perfect for those on a tighter budget. However, keep in mind that while renting a truck from Budget may cost less than competitors, the moving truck company doesn’t offer as many pick-up and drop-off locations as U-Haul. Budget does offers its customers roadside assistance, personal accident and cargo insurance, supplemental liability insurance, and damage waivers. If you need additional days or miles to complete your move, you can purchase them for $70 a day and $0.70 per mile.

Budget’s 12 ft. moving truck rental is designed to meet the needs of a one to two bedroom apartment or studio home. The cost of renting this size truck for a one-way move from Miami to New York City in August 2023 would cost around $760, according to a recent quote.

Other details on Budget’s 12 ft. truck rental:

  • Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): 10,050 lbs
  • Clearance: 9′ 6″
  • Interior Length: 11′ 8″
  • Interior Width: 6′ 3″
  • Interior Height: 6′ 1″
  • Rear Door Width: 5′ 7″
  • Rear Door Height: 5′ 11″
  • Power Steering
  • Power Brakes
  • Tie Down Slats

Need a different size truck? Check here for Budget’s handy chart for truck details on gross vehicle weight, clearance heights, size of door openings and ramp widths, and fuel tank size.

Ready to rent a truck?

There are plenty of moving truck rental companies to choose from when planning your next relocation. Just make sure you choose the one that best fits your budget and needs. For more information and discounts on various rental truck companies, check out Moving.com’s truck rental center.

For those who still prefer the help of moving professionals, Moving.com has you covered. Check out our extensive network of reputable and reliable movers. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Good luck and happy moving!