What to Know Before Renting a Ryder Moving Truck

Thinking about renting a Ryder moving truck for your next move? Whether you’re just starting the process of researching rental truck companies or you’re pretty sure you’ve made up your mind and just need a bit more information, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ll cover everything that you need to know about Ryder moving truck rentals, including how much they cost and what sorts of features you can expect.

You can save a lot of money on your move by renting a moving truck instead of hiring movers. But when it comes to choosing the truck itself, you should consider more than just budget. There are a lot of different truck rental companies out there, and they differ pretty widely in terms of both cost and rental specifics. We always recommend researching at least three different companies before making your pick, and to make it easy for you, we’ve done the work of compiling the details regarding what you can expect with a Ryder moving truck. Let’s get started.

What is Ryder?

Ryder isn’t quite as big a name in the moving world as, say, U-Haul or Penske, but it’s definitely a major player in the truck rental game in general. Ryder offers a variety of trucks for both commercial and non-commercial renters. Some of their trucks do require a commercial driver’s license, but you won’t have to worry about that when you’re looking at their consumer-focused fleet. As for availability, they have about 500 locations throughout the United States, so you should hopefully have one near you.

Ryder Moving Truck Rental Options

There are a few different options to choose from when renting a Ryder moving truck:

Sprinter cargo van

Ryder’s Sprinter 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: 14 feet long with 547 cubic feet of moving space.
Weight capacity: Up to 3,005 pounds.
Fuel efficiency: Up to 25 miles per gallon.
Special features: Pass-through containment system, electronic stability control.

Box truck

Ryder’s box trucks is designed to maneuver easily through city streets, which is ideal if you’re moving in an urban environment. Size wise, it should be sufficient for most one-bedroom homes and apartments, as well as small two bedroom homes.

Cargo capacity: 16 feet long with 960 cubic feet of moving space.
Weight capacity: Up to 6,000 pounds.
Fuel efficiency: About 8 to 12 miles per gallon.
Special features: Hydraulic lift gate or walk ramp, low cab-over for maneuverability, automatic transmission, power steering, tilt steering wheel.

Straight truck

The straight truck is similar to the box truck but offers a larger cargo capacity that can fit homes ranging from three bedrooms to five bedrooms.

Cargo capacity: 26 feet long with 1,600 cubic feet of moving space.
Weight capacity: 8,000 to 15,000 pounds, depending on gross vehicle weight (depends on availability).
Fuel efficiency: About 8 to 12 miles per gallon.
Special features: Automatic transmission, power steering, dock height with hydraulic lift gates or ramps, standard power up-and-down, side door, 14 foot walk ramp, body reinforced for forklift loading.

Note that a commercial driver’s license is required for other Ryder trucks, including the stake truck and flatbed trailers.

What to Know About a Ryder Moving 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 Ryder moving truck, be sure you’re aware of these three important things.

Ryder does not offer one-way rentals. If you’re intending to pick up a rental truck at one location and drop it off at another then you’re out of luck. Ryder only offers round-trip rentals, which means that you are required to drop the truck off at the very same location you picked it up at. This isn’t usually a problem with local moves since they have a lot of locations, but will be an issue if you’re moving to another city or state and don’t want to double back.

You pay per day. Ryder moving truck rentals are billed in 24-hour increments, so you’re going to pay the full day rate even if you only need the truck for a couple of hours. Likewise, you’ll get charged for a full additional 24 hours if you return the truck late. If you know you’re going to need it for a while, ask about the weekly rental option.

Extra drivers may cost more. Planning to share the driving responsibilities with someone else? Ryder allows it, but some locations do have an added charge for this capability. If you’re going to have more than one driver, check the policies at your rental location and ask your rental rep for details.

How Much Does A Ryder Moving Truck Rental Cost?

Ryder moving trucks are a pretty affordable option in comparison to their competitors. The base price for a Ryder rental truck is $35 a day for a sprinter van, $39 a day for a box truck, and $89.95 a day for a straight truck, though your own prices may vary depending on where you live. Keep in mind that these are flat rates, and do not include variables like gas or taxes. There are also premium add-ons you may want to consider, including liability insurance and physical damage insurance.

How to Reserve a Ryder Moving Truck

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

What if You Need to Cancel?

It’s pretty easy to cancel your reservation if you have to, which is one of the perks of renting a Ryder moving truck. You don’t pay for your reservation until you pick it up, which means you don’t provide a credit card and/or a deposit when you make your initial booking—and thus, you don’t have to worry about being out any money for your cancellation. Likewise, Ryder lets you cancel anytime up until your reservation.

Is Ryder 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:

Step one: Figure out exactly what you need. Your most important variable when choosing a moving truck is making sure that it’s going to be the right size. Follow these general guidelines, keeping in mind that you may have to size up if you have very large furniture or just a lot of stuff (and may be able to consider sizing down if you don’t have a lot to move):

    • 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

    You can find more information on how to choose the right size moving truck here.

    Step two: Choose your top three picks. Choose three rental truck companies that offer the sizes and features that you need. If Ryder makes the cut will largely depend on if you’re okay with the round-trip rental requirement and if there’s availability in your area. As for everyone else, use our free online list of movers to find vetted, reputable companies wherever your move is taking place.

    Step three: Get quotes. Once you have chosen three (or more) companies to compare, it’s time to reach out for quotes. Remember however that these quotes are just estimates, and your actual costs may be a bit higher. Also, be sure to ask about added fees. It’s usually a good idea to have a conversation over email or the phone so that you can ask direct questions.

    Step four: Go to the drawing board. Now that you know everything you need to know, it’s time to compare and contrast your options. Price will be a big factor of consideration here, but also factor in whether there are any free included extras that you’ll be able to take advantage of (such as moving blankets and/or dollies), as well as how convenient the pick up and drop off locations are going to be for you on moving day.

    Whether you choose to go with a Ryder 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.