Renting a moving truck typically costs between $20 and $100 per day, with total expenses ranging from $130 for local moves to over $2,000 for long-distance relocations. While hiring professional movers is the easiest option, it’s also the most expensive. If you don’t mind driving a box truck and doing the heavy lifting, renting can save you a lot of money.
The biggest cost factors include truck size, mileage fees, rental duration, and the time of year. Long-distance moves can be costly because of mileage charges, fuel costs, and one-way rental fees.
In this guide, I’ll break down the real cost of renting a moving truck, including hidden fees, expert tips for saving money, and how to decide between a rental truck and hiring movers.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
How Much Does It Cost To Rent a Moving Truck?
Moving truck rentals range from $20 to $100 per day, with an average cost of $60 per day. However, mileage fees, fuel costs, and rental duration can significantly increase the total price.
| Truck Size | Average Daily Rental Cost | Best For |
| Small (10 – 12 ft.) | $20 – $30 | Studio or 1-bedroom moves |
| Medium (14 – 20 ft.) | $40 – $80 | 2 – 3 bedroom moves |
| Large (22 – 26 ft.) | $60 – $100 | 4+ bedroom moves |
💡 Expert Tip: If you’re renting for just one day, go one size up to avoid making multiple trips.
What Factors Determine Moving Truck Rental Costs?
Moving truck rental costs can vary wildly, affected by components such as truck size, the duration of your rental, the distance traveled, and the time of year. The most significant factors are the mileage traveled and the rental duration, which can greatly increase the price. Be sure to consider how far you’re moving and how long you’ll need the truck since these elements can make a bigger difference in cost than the amount of boxes you’re moving. Below, I’ll explain the different factors and explain why and how these can affect your moving truck rental costs.
Does Truck Size Affect Rental Cost?
If you’re looking to rent a moving truck, the size of the vehicle and the storage space it contains makes all the difference. A small truck is usually a good fit for studio or one-bedroom moves and can range from 10 to 12 feet long. A medium-length truck is meant for two-or three-bedroom moves and can range from 14 to 20 feet long. Large trucks can be up to 26 feet long and are designed for the biggest moves. Naturally, these trucks have different weight limits and storage capacities, so their prices will differ.
For a single day, the price difference between a small and large truck is minimal ($30–$80). However, over multiple days, the difference adds up:
| Truck Size | 1-Day Cost | 1-Week Cost |
| Small (10 – 12 ft.) | $20 – $30 | $140 – $210 |
| Medium (14 – 20 ft.) | $40 – $80 | $280 – $560 |
| Large (22 – 26 ft.) | $60 – $100 | $420 – $700 |
If you’re moving long-distance, consider a flat-rate rental for unlimited mileage. It may be cheaper than paying per mile.
How Does Rental Duration Affect Cost?
Your daily rental rate may not seem like a huge dent in the overall cost, but those prices compound when adding multiple days. Local companies usually have a daily rate ranging from $20 for small trucks to $100 for the largest trucks.
Not many rental companies offer deals on weekly rentals since not many local moves take a whole week to complete. On the other hand, long-distance moves often charge a flat rate, meaning that the cost is the same whether you use the truck for three days or seven. These flat rates vary by company, so be sure to check the price and details with your company before renting. The table below shows the average cost for a day and a week of renting a moving truck from a local rental company.
| Rental Duration | Average Cost |
| Daily | $20 – $100 |
| Weekly | $140 – $700 |
The overall rental price quickly increases when adding extra days, so whenever possible, it’s best to complete your move in one day if it’s a local move. For long-distance moves, it’s better to choose a company that offers flat-rate rentals to cut down on mileage and daily rates.
How Mileage Fees Impact Cost
Most rental companies charge $0.59 to $1.00 per mile for local moves. A 100-mile round trip could add $59 to $100 to your bill.
For long-distance moves (500+ miles), many companies offer flat-rate pricing with unlimited mileage. This is often the cheapest option for cross-country moves.
| Move Type | Average Cost |
| Local (50 miles) | $130 – $190 |
| Long Distance (500+ miles) | $710 – $2,140 |
🚨 Watch out for one-way rental fees! If you don’t return the truck to its original location, you could pay $500 or more in drop-off fees.
Does Time of Year Affect Moving Truck Costs?
Yes! Moving truck rentals cost more in summer (May–September) due to high demand. You’ll get cheaper rates in winter (January–March), but availability may be lower in some areas.
| Season | Daily Rental Cost |
| Peak (Summer) | $40 – $150+ |
| Off-peak (Winter) | $20 – $100 |
As you can see, the main difference is the upper limit of the cost. In the off-season, you’ll usually pay no more than $100 a day on average, but it can be much higher in peak season. However, both the quotes I received from Enterprise and Budget were the same when I reserved a moving truck both in January and in July.
If you’re a first-time DIY mover, there’s a general order to follow for packing the moving truck. First, pack all your boxes against the back wall of the truck, stacking them as neatly and tightly as possible with the heaviest boxes on the bottom. Then, wall off the boxes by stacking mattresses against them vertically and ratchet-strapping it all in place. After that, slide in your bigger furniture like dressers, shelves, and couches, placing moving blankets around fragile pieces. Finally, fill up the remaining space with whatever items are left, putting soft items like pillows and bags on top.
Hidden Costs to Watch for in Moving Truck Rentals
Beyond the base rental fee, additional costs can double or triple your expenses. Here’s what to factor in:
Fuel Costs
Most rental companies require you to return the truck with the same fuel level—usually full. If you don’t, expect hefty fees.
| Truck Size | Miles Per Gallon (MPG) | Fuel Cost for 100 Miles (at $3.50/gal) |
|---|---|---|
| Small (10 – 12 ft.) | 12 – 15 mpg | $23 – $29 |
| Medium (14 – 20 ft.) | 8 – 12 mpg | $29 – $44 |
| Large (22 – 26 ft.) | 6 – 10 mpg | $35 – $58 |
🚨 Avoid This Costly Mistake: If you forget to refill, companies charge a $30+ refueling fee, plus up to $5 per gallon. That is much more expensive than gas station prices.
Insurance
Moving truck rental insurance is optional but recommended, as personal auto insurance rarely covers rental trucks.
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | Average Cost Per Day |
|---|---|---|
| Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) | Damage to the rental truck | $10 – $30 |
| Supplemental Liability | Covers damage to other vehicles | $10 – $20 |
| Cargo Insurance | Protects belongings inside the truck | $5 – $15 |
💡 How to Save: If you have credit card rental coverage, check if it applies to moving trucks. Some cards offer limited protection.
Equipment Rentals
If you don’t own moving supplies, renting them adds $50 to $200 or more to your cost.
| Equipment | Average Rental Cost |
|---|---|
| Dolly (hand truck) | $10 – $15 per day |
| Moving Blankets (dozen) | $10 – $20 per dozen |
| Furniture Pads | $10 – $20 per dozen |
🚨 Pro Tip: Buying a $30 furniture dolly can be cheaper than renting if you move frequently.
Taxes and Fees
Sales tax varies by state, but other common charges include:
- Late return fee: $20 to $50 per extra hour past your return time
- Mileage fees: $0.49 to $1.99 per mile, higher on weekends
- One-way rental fee: $500 or more if dropping off at a different location
Tips for Saving on Moving Truck Rentals
- Only rent for one day. Limiting moves to one day is best, as adding extra days can exponentially increase your total moving cost. Most moves only take one day to complete, but if you’re unsure how long your move will take, invite extra friends and family members to help you complete the move faster so you don’t have to add more time to your rental.
- Don’t pay for extra insurance. While I don’t recommend neglecting rental insurance altogether, you can cut out some additional insurance policies if you’re extremely tight on cash. If you’re involved in an accident, there are risks to this, but only getting the essential insurance can help lower your total bill.
- Refill the gas tank before returning. If you forget to refill the gas tank, you could be charged a refueling fee. Most companies charge a fee in the range of $20 to $30 plus an additional price per gallon. That can add up quickly, so make sure to fill up before returning the truck.
- Ask about price matching. Not all companies price match, but it can’t hurt to ask. If you get a quote from another reputable company, there’s a chance a company will match or even beat a competitor’s rate.
- Ask about discounts. It’s not uncommon for companies to offer discounts to certain demographics, so be sure to ask about available discounts before renting. Members of AAA and AARP can get discounts from specific rental companies, and many companies offer online coupons, so it helps to ask about deals when booking your rental.
When driving a rental truck, take wide turns and be extremely attentive to what you see in your side mirrors. Always have a friend help you when backing into a driveway or parking space. Box trucks have limited visibility, and although they don’t require a CDL to drive, they can be difficult to handle if you’ve never driven anything that big before.
Hiring Movers Vs. DIY With a Rental Truck
Considering whether you should hire professional movers or rent a moving truck to do the move yourself can be tough. Renting a moving truck is typically the most cost-effective choice and allows for more flexibility with your moving situation.
However, it can still be pricey, depending on the distance and duration of the move. It also leaves more room for error, as you’ll likely be the one to drive the truck and move your belongings.
Hiring movers is easy and stress-free, but it can get expensive, depending on the add-on services you purchase. However, in most situations, the pros of hiring movers outweigh the cons, and it can be a better alternative to planning a DIY move.
So, Is Renting a Moving Truck Worth It?
Renting a truck is the most affordable way to move, but it comes with added work and potential stress. If you value convenience over savings, hiring movers is the better choice.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
FAQs About Moving Truck Rental Cost
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about the costs of renting a moving truck.
Budget Truck Rental is often the most affordable option, especially for local moves, with rates starting around $80 per day. U-Haul offers competitive pricing for small trucks and cheaper insurance add-ons, while Penske tends to have the best deals for long-distance, one-way rentals.
How to save even more:
- Ask about price matching. Companies may match a competitor’s rate if you show a valid quote.
- Check for discounts. AAA members, students, and military personnel often qualify.
- Book early. Prices can jump if trucks are in high demand.
Renting a truck Monday through Thursday is usually the cheapest option. Weekend rentals often come with higher mileage rates ($0.99 to $1.99 per mile) and increased demand, making it harder to secure the truck size you need.
➡ Best tip: Book a weekday rental and schedule your move mid-month. Rates spike at the beginning and end of each month when leases typically start and end.
Book your moving truck at least two to four weeks in advance, especially if you’re moving during peak season (May–September). If you’re moving in the summer or on a weekend, you may need to book six or more weeks ahead to secure the right truck size.
🚨 Last-minute rental? If you need a truck on short notice, try these:
- Consider a cargo van or trailer if your move is small and truck availability is low.
- Look for cancellations. Call rental locations directly to check for last-minute openings.
- Expand your search. Some locations may have more availability than others.
A pickup truck is generally cheaper per day, with rates around $20 to $30, compared to $40 to $80 for a cargo van. However, cargo vans offer more enclosed space, which can save money by reducing the number of trips you need to take.
When to rent a pickup truck:
✔ Moving a few bulky items (furniture, appliances).
✔ Short-distance moves where multiple trips won’t cost much in gas.
When to rent a cargo van:
✔ Moving several boxes or fragile items that need weather protection.
✔ Long-distance moves where multiple trips would add mileage fees.
Renting moving blankets is usually the cheaper option, costing $10 – $20 per dozen. However, if you plan to move again or want extra padding for storage, buying high-quality blankets (around $30 – $50 per dozen) can be a better long-term investment.
🚨 Watch out for this mistake: Some rental companies offer thin, worn-out blankets. If you need extra protection for furniture or fragile items, consider buying instead.
