Where to find the cheapest moving van rentals

The lowest rates usually come from U-Haul, Penske, Home Depot, and Budget, but the cheapest option changes based on your location, the van size you need, and your rental dates. Prices swing wildly between companies on the same day—a 10-foot van might cost $19.99 at U-Haul and $45 at Budget, or vice versa. Check all four before booking, and include the mileage charges and insurance costs in your total, not just the daily rate.

Home Depot rentals are often undercut because they're handled by third-party operators and don't always show up in online searches. Call your local Home Depot directly or visit in person to ask about their current rates. Penske tends to be competitive on one-way rentals (where you pick up in one city and drop off in another), while U-Haul usually wins on local moves. Budget sometimes has weekend specials that don't appear until you enter your exact dates.

Avoid booking through third-party comparison sites like Kayak or Autoslash for moving vans—they often show outdated prices or add booking fees. Go directly to the rental company's website or call their reservation line.

Key Takeaways

  • Compare U-Haul, Penske, Home Depot, and Budget directly on the same dates and route, because the cheapest option changes daily and by location.
  • Mileage charges and insurance can double your total cost, so factor those into your comparison, not just the daily rate.
  • One-way rentals (different pickup and drop-off cities) cost more, but Penske often undercuts U-Haul on these routes.
  • Book on a weekday if you can—weekend rates are typically 20 to 40 percent higher than weekday rates for the same van.
  • Call Home Depot directly instead of checking online, because their rental rates don't always appear in web searches.

How mileage charges and insurance affect your total cost

Mileage is where moving van rentals get expensive. U-Haul charges per mile on local moves (typically $0.99 to $1.29 per mile depending on the van size), while Penske charges a flat mileage fee for one-way rentals but includes unlimited miles on local rentals. Budget charges per mile on some locations and flat rates on others. A 50-mile round trip at U-Haul's rate adds $50 to $65 to your bill before you even rent the van.

Insurance is optional but strongly recommended. Damage waivers (which cover collision and theft) run $15 to $30 per day. Your personal auto insurance may cover rental vans, but most policies exclude commercial rentals, and moving vans are classified as commercial. Call your insurance company before you book to confirm coverage. If you're not covered, buy the rental company's damage waiver—a single accident can cost thousands.

Some credit cards (American Express, Visa Signature, Mastercard World Elite) include rental car coverage that extends to moving vans, but the coverage is usually secondary (meaning your personal insurance pays first) and has limits. Check your card's benefits guide or call the card issuer to confirm what's covered.

Timing your rental to save money

Weekday rentals are consistently cheaper than weekend rentals—often 30 to 50 percent less. If you can move on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, you'll pay significantly less than a Friday-to-Sunday rental. The difference is steepest during summer (May through September), when demand peaks.

Month-end and end-of-quarter dates (June 30, September 30, December 31) see higher demand because leases and corporate moves align with those dates. Avoid those windows if your move is flexible. Early morning pickups (before 9 a.m.) sometimes have lower rates than afternoon pickups, though this varies by location.

Booking 4 to 6 weeks in advance locks in lower rates on most companies, but U-Haul's prices can drop closer to your rental date if demand softens. Check the price again one week before your move—if it's lower, many companies will honor a price match or let you rebook at the new rate without penalty.

Van size and what it actually costs to move

Moving van sizes range from 10-foot (holds a one-bedroom apartment) to 26-foot (holds a three-bedroom house). Smaller vans rent cheaper per day, but if you underestimate your space and need two trips, you'll spend more overall. A 10-foot van costs $20 to $40 per day; a 15-foot van runs $30 to $60; a 20-foot van is $40 to $80; and a 26-foot van is $60 to $120. These are base rates before mileage and insurance.

Measure your furniture and boxes before you book. Most rental companies provide a size guide on their website showing what fits in each van. If you're moving a studio or one-bedroom, a 10-foot van usually works. Two bedrooms typically need a 15-foot van. Three bedrooms and up need 20 to 26 feet. Renting one size too large costs more per day but saves you from a second rental.

Cargo vans (smaller than 10 feet) are cheaper but hold less—usually a studio apartment's worth of stuff. They're worth considering if you're moving a single room or just a few large items.

Discounts and membership programs

U-Haul offers discounts for AAA members (typically 10 percent off), military personnel, and seniors. Penske discounts military and government employees. Budget has discounts for AAA, AARP, and corporate accounts. These discounts usually explore to the daily rate but not mileage or insurance, so the savings are modest—often $5 to $15 per day.

Costco Travel sometimes lists discounted U-Haul rates for members, though availability is limited and the discount is usually 5 to 10 percent. Check Costco Travel's website if you're a member, but don't expect major savings.

Loyalty programs (U-Haul's rewards, Penske's frequent renter program) earn points toward future rentals, but they don't lower your current rental price. Sign up if you move regularly, but don't let a loyalty program sway you toward a more expensive company on a single move.

One-way rentals versus local rentals

A local rental means you pick up and drop off at the same location. A one-way rental means you pick up in one city and drop off in another. One-way rentals cost more because the company has to move the van back, but the difference varies wildly. A one-way rental from New York to Boston might cost 30 percent more than a local rental, while a one-way from New York to Los Angeles might cost double or triple.

Penske is often cheaper for one-way rentals because they have a larger network and can reposition vans more efficiently. U-Haul charges per mile on one-way rentals, which adds up fast on long distances. Budget's one-way pricing is competitive in some regions and expensive in others.

If you're moving across the country, compare the cost of a one-way rental against hiring a full-service moving company or using a portable storage container (PODS, U-Pack). Sometimes a one-way van rental is cheaper; sometimes it's not.

What to check before you book

Confirm the pickup and drop-off times—most companies charge an extra day if you return the van after their closing time. Ask whether fuel is included or if you pay for gas. Most companies require you to return the van with a full tank or charge a refueling fee (usually $5 to $8 per gallon, which is much higher than gas station prices). Fill up at a station near the drop-off location before you return it.

Check the mileage limit. Some rentals include unlimited miles; others charge per mile. Ask about tolls—if your route uses toll roads, confirm whether the rental company charges a processing fee on top of the toll cost. Verify the insurance coverage and what's excluded (some policies don't cover damage to the cargo inside the van, only the van itself).

Read the damage policy carefully. Most companies charge a damage waiver deductible (usually $0 to $500) if you buy their insurance. Understand what counts as damage—dents, scratches, and broken mirrors are typically covered, but damage from overloading or improper tie-down is not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I negotiate the price or ask for a discount if I'm renting for multiple days?

Most large rental companies (U-Haul, Penske, Budget) don't negotiate prices—they're set by their system based on demand. Calling a local franchise location sometimes works, especially for multi-day rentals or corporate moves, but don't expect a significant discount. Home Depot franchises have more flexibility and may negotiate on longer rentals.

What happens if I return the van late?

Late fees vary by company. U-Haul charges for an extra day if you return after their closing time (usually 5 or 6 p.m.). Penske and Budget have similar policies. Some locations charge an hourly late fee instead. Always confirm the exact drop-off important date and closing time before you book.

Do I need a special driver's license to rent a moving van?

No. A standard driver's license works for vans up to 26 feet. You must be at least 18 years old (some companies require 21), have a valid license, and provide a credit card for the deposit. International driver's licenses are usually accepted, but call ahead to confirm.

Can I rent a moving van one-way and save money by dropping it off at a cheaper location?

No. The rental company charges based on the drop-off location you select at booking. You can't change it to a cheaper location after you rent the van without paying a change fee or rebooking entirely.

Is it cheaper to rent a van for two days or make two separate one-day rentals?

A two-day rental is almost always cheaper than two one-day rentals because the daily rate decreases as you rent longer. A three-day rental is cheaper per day than a two-day rental. Compare the total cost, not the daily rate.