How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Moving Truck One Way?
Aug 20, 2025
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Moving truck rental prices when you need to drive long distance
Many people rent a moving truck when they need a cheap way to transport belongings across town. However, prices for rental truck moves to another state are not as friendly on the wallet.
Let’s review one-way truck rental rates for Budget®, Penske® and U-Haul® to see how prices compare and learn more about U-Pack, a cheaper and easier DIY moving option.
Cost to rent a truck: rates comparison
We looked at estimated costs for moving a 3-bedroom home from Dallas, TX, to Chicago, IL, in October 2025, 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 | $2,166 | $2,558 | $1,964 |
| Liability Coverage | $300 | $444 | $156 |
| Environmental Fee | N/A | $15 | $5 |
| Estimated taxes | $228 | $229 | $177 |
| Estimated fuel (750 miles) | $278* (10 MPG, diesel) | $214* (13 MPG, diesel) | $236* (10 MPG, gas) |
| Total cost | $2,972 | $3,460 | $2,538 |
*Fuel costs were based on AAA’s average fuel prices at the time of posting in August 2025, using each company’s estimated MPG for their equipment.
Is a one-way truck rental the cheapest way to move out of state?
It’s true that rental trucks are a budget-friendly option for in-state moves, but driving one out of state is often more expensive than a DIY option like U-Pack.
For the same example from above, moving a 3-bedroom home from Dallas to Chicago, both of U-Pack’s equipment options were cheaper than rental trucks. U-Pack quoted 17 linear feet in a moving trailer for only $2,353 or 3 ReloCube moving containers for $2,396. That’s nearly $200 cheaper than U-Haul’s rates, and you don’t have to drive a rental truck!
Compare U-Pack prices to rental truck costs
Request your free quote online today or call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 to see how U-Pack prices differ from rental trucks. Remember, with U-Pack, you’re not paying out of pocket for fuel.
Let us know if you have any questions about how U-Pack services compare to truck rental. We’re happy to help!
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