How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Moving Truck?

You would imagine that renting a moving truck and moving yourself is cheaper than hiring a professional moving company, and in many instances, it is.

However, if you’re not aware of all the possible charges and don’t understand how the truck rental cost is estimated, you may be quite surprised by the final price.

And that’s before you become a victim of a scam or cause damage to the hired truck, either of which is going to be very costly.

In this guide, we will break down the rental costs for both local and long-distance moves, highlight key considerations, and provide tips on how to make your self-move less stressful and exhausting.

Moving Truck Rental Costs

Truck Size	Local Move	Long-Distance Move
10–12ft	$100–$150	$900–$1,500
15–17ft	$120–$180	$1,200–$2,000
20–26ft	$150–$250+	$1,800–$3,000+

 This is just the actual truck rental. There are supplemental charges that we will cover later.

Don’t forget that you will usually also need to pay a deposit for the truck (sometimes waived if paying by credit card).

You may also like to read: Commonly Forgotten Self-Moving Costs. In this guide, we share commonly forgotten costs of moving home so that you can prepare a more accurate moving budget.

Average Cost of Renting a Moving Truck

The cost to rent a moving truck depends on several factors, including the truck size, distance, time of year, and the Rental Company (e.g., U-Haul, Budget, Penske). Here’s the average costs:

Local Move (Same City or Short Distance)

• 10-12ft truck (studio/1-bedroom): $20–$35 per day + $0.89–$1.29 per mile
• 15-17ft truck (2–3 bedrooms): $30–$50 per day + $0.89–$1.29 per mile
• 20-26ft truck (3–5 bedrooms): $40–$70 per day + $0.89–$1.29 per mile
• Average total for a local move (30 miles round-trip): $100–$200

Long-Distance Move (Over 100 Miles or Cross-Country)

• Long-distance rates usually include mileage:
• 10-12ft truck: $900–$1,500
• 15-17ft truck: $1,200–$2,000
• 20-26ft truck: $1,800–$3,000+
• Prices may vary based on gas prices, drop-off location, and seasonal demand

Again, these are just the charges for the truck rental itself; there are additional charges that we cover in the next section.

You may also like to read: What Size Rental Truck Do I Need? In this guide, we look at this subject in far more detail because getting the wrong-sized truck on moving day would be a disaster, especially if moving out of state.

Additional Costs to Watch Out For

Bear in mind that truck rental costs often come with additional fees, so read your rental contract very carefully:

• Mileage fees (local only)
• Fuel costs (you must return the tank full)
• Insurance: $15–$30 per day
• Equipment rental (dollies, pads): $10–$50+
• Environmental fee: $1–$5
• Taxes & surcharges: Varies by state
• Late return fees
• Deposit
• Lodging and meals (interstate moves)
• Tolls
• Parking Fees
• Additional driver (if you want to share the driving)
• Young driver charge (some companies charge extra if the driver is aged 18-23)

So your final cost = Rental fee + Deposit + Mileage fee (for local moves) + Gas refill (fuel costs) + Environmental fee + Insurance costs + Cost of requested additional equipment + Taxes + (Possibly lodging and meals + Tolls + Parking fees)

Tip: Loading straps and furniture dollies are invaluable for moving heavy or large pieces of furniture, and many truck rental companies will hire them to you. Of course, this is another fee that you will need to factor into your moving budget.

Watch out for cancellation fees, which some companies charge if you cancel the booking 48hours or less before the pick-up date.

You may also like to read our Moving Truck Rental Guide, which is packed with tips and guides on every aspect of truck rental, as well as driving and packing a rental truck.

Scams to Watch Out For

Unfortunately, the truck rental industry isn’t immune to scams. Here are some red flags to avoid:

• Low-Ball Estimates

If a rental price sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Some companies quote low prices upfront but charge hidden fees later.

• Phantom Insurance Fees

Some renters are surprised by mandatory insurance add-ons at pickup, even if they declined them during the reservation.

• Equipment Shortage on Pickup

You show up, and your reserved truck isn’t available. You’re forced to upgrade (and pay more). Always confirm your reservation 24–48 hours in advance.

• Fuel Fraud

If you return the truck with the correct fuel level but didn’t keep proof (e.g., a receipt or photo), you may be charged a hefty refueling fee.

• Vehicle Damage

The most common scam is charging you for damage that was already on the vehicle when you collected it. Inspect the truck thoroughly at pick up, inside and out, the tires, and glass, and ensure that even the most minuscule mark is recorded on any paperwork you sign. Take photos if you can to prove that the damage was there on collection.

 You may also like to read: Home Moving Options. In this guide, we look at the 7 possible ways that you could move your possessions to your new home.

Pros and Cons of Renting a Moving Truck

Pros

• Cost-effective for DIY movers
• Flexible schedule and route
• Multiple truck sizes to choose from

Cons

• It is extremely hard work loading and unloading heavy items
• Hidden costs can add up quickly
• Driving stress, especially with large trucks on unfamiliar roads
• No help if something goes wrong on the road

You may also like to read: How to Declutter Before Moving. No matter which way you decide to move home, nothing will make moving cheaper and easier than decluttering before you start packing. In this guide, we share tips to make decluttering for a home move easier.

Hiring Moving Labor

Renting a moving truck saves money, but doing all the heavy lifting yourself is no fun at all.

That’s where hiring professional labor comes in. Be sure to use a reputable labor-only moving company, rather than guys from the back of your local newspaper.

Benefits of Hiring Moving Labor:

• Saves time and physical effort
• Reduces injury risk
• Maximizes truck space through expert loading
• Protects your belongings with proper techniques
• Available by the hour: around $50–$80 per hour per mover

Combo tip: Rent the truck yourself + hire moving labor = best of both worlds

Give us a call now on 800-989-8833 to get a no-obligation quote from reputable and reviewed labor-only moving companies.

You may also like to read: Hiring Moving Labor Services. In this guide, we look at the different types of labor-only services that are available and the average cost.

What to Know Before Renting a Truck

• Most rental trucks can be driven on a Class D License (the standard driver’s license in most states).
• You must be over 18 years of age to rent a truck
• If you do not hold a U.S driving license, then you will need an International Driving Permit
• You will need ID to rent a truck, usually: a credit or debit card, your passport, or a social security card, for example.

Be sure that you know exactly what the rental company needs from you before you turn up to collect your truck.

When renting a moving truck, be sure that you are properly insured with:

• Personal protection
• Cargo protection
• Truck protection
• Liability insurance

Most personal insurance policies (auto insurance, home insurance, etc.) don’t provide enough coverage, so you’ll most probably need to purchase supplemental insurance from the rental company.

There are different protection plans available, so you need to ask your chosen truck rental agency what types of insurance it offers and choose the coverage option that best suits your needs.

You may also like to read: How to Lift Safely. If you are planning a self-move, then knowing how to safely lift and move boxes and furniture is essential to avoid any injuries. In this guide, we show you the proper lifting techniques to use.

Is Renting a Moving Truck Right for You?

Renting a moving truck can cost as little as $100 for a local move or as much as $3,000+ for a long-distance relocation.

It’s a good option if you’re moving on a tight budget and are willing and able to take on the logistics and labor. But it’s crucial to factor in extra fees, risks, and potential scams, not to mention the stress of driving a truck yourself.

It really comes down to value for money. So think very carefully whether saving a few bucks is worth the hardship and stress that trying to move by yourself can cause, or is the extra cost of hiring movers justified for a far easier home move?

Be sure to visit our home moving blog, which is packed with guides to make every aspect of your home move cheaper, easier, and safer.

Need Help Planning Your Move?

If you want to reduce stress without blowing your budget, consider hiring professional movers just for loading/unloading.

You’ll save time, protect your belongings, and ensure a stress-free, relaxed, and backache-free moving day.

Just fill out our no-obligation quote form or give us a call on 800-989-8833 to get real-time quotes from pre-vetted moving labor and also from professional movers so that you can compare costs.