How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Moving Truck One Way?

By: Brittney Lee May 8, 2023

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What rental truck rate can I expect for one-way moves?

You might be familiar with advertised local move rates for rental trucks (some starting at less than $20 per day plus the cost of fuel), but the prices for long-distance or one-way moves are figured differently. By the time you add in the costs of fuel and liability coverage, you might find yourself spending more than anticipated. There’s a better way to move out of state with a DIY solution like U-Pack® where you can often get a better rate and won’t have the hassle of driving a large truck.

Suggested reading: Compare truck rental services

Calculator, pen and paper to calculate the cost to rent a moving truck.

Moving truck prices

If you’re considering renting a truck for your move, you’ve likely heard of Budget®, Penske® and U-Haul®. Let’s see how their prices compare for an example move.

We looked at a move for a 3-bedroom home from Billings, MT, to Lexington, KY, in June 2023, using each company’s recommended truck size. Prices were accurate at the time of posting. Actual moving costs will vary based on origin, destination and the date of the move.

Company	Budget	Penske	U-Haul
26’ Truck	$2,700	12'	12'
Liability Coverage	$410.28	$582.65	$231
Environmental Fee	N/A	$12	$5
Estimated taxes	$303.69	N/A	$123.04
Estimated fuel (1,583 miles)	$660.11* (10 MPG, diesel)	$507.79* (13 MPG, diesel)	$580.96* (10 MPG, gas)
Extra fuel costs	$115.51**	N/A	N/A
Total cost	$4,189.59	$5,617.44	$4,011

_{*Fuel costs were based on AAA’s average fuel prices at the time of posting in May 2023 using each company’s estimated MPG for their equipment.

**Budget has no location in Billings, MT, so the rental is shown for the closest pickup location in Casper, WY, approximately 277 miles away. The estimate does not include any extra fuel costs for driving a personal vehicle to pick up the truck.}

Looking for the cheapest rental truck rate? Check out our complete guide to cheap truck rental.

What do U-Pack rates include?

U-Pack prices include equipment, transportation, fuel and standard liability coverage (there are no extra fees or taxes). As a DIY mover, U-Pack handles the driving, and you take care of the packing, loading and unloading — just like you would with a rental truck but without having to drive one!

For the move from Billings to Lexington, U-Pack quoted 17 linear feet in a moving trailer for only $2,945.

Get a U-Pack quote

Want to see how much you’ll pay for your long-distance move? Request a free, no-obligation quote online or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to speak to a moving consultant. If you have any questions about U-Pack services or how our prices compare to rental truck rates, let us know in the comments. We’re happy to help!