Does U-Haul Rent Pickup Trucks? What to Know Before You Book
Yes, U-Haul does rent pickup trucks — but the inventory, pricing, availability, and rental terms vary more than most people expect. If you're planning a move, a haul, or a project that requires a truck bed, here's how U-Haul's pickup truck rental program actually works.
What Kind of Pickup Trucks Does U-Haul Offer?
U-Haul's pickup truck rental is typically a single truck type: a standard-cab pickup with a full-size truck bed. As of recent years, this has generally been a pickup capable of carrying up to 1,750 to 2,000 pounds of cargo, with a bed size comparable to a full-size domestic truck.
This is not a fleet of different trucks. U-Haul doesn't typically offer extended cabs, crew cabs, diesel options, or lifted models. What you get is a work-style truck suited for transporting furniture, appliances, landscaping materials, or other cargo that benefits from an open bed rather than an enclosed box.
This makes U-Haul's pickup different from their moving vans and cargo trucks. The open bed means weather exposure is a factor — if you're moving items sensitive to rain or dust, that matters.
How U-Haul Pickup Trucks Compare to Their Other Rental Options
| Vehicle Type | Enclosed Cargo | Approx. Capacity | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickup Truck | ❌ Open bed | ~1,750–2,000 lbs | Loose cargo, materials, furniture |
| Cargo Van | ✅ Yes | ~2,500–3,000 lbs | Small moves, boxes, equipment |
| 10-ft Box Truck | ✅ Yes | ~2,810 lbs | Studio/1-BR moves |
| 15-ft Box Truck | ✅ Yes | ~6,000+ lbs | Multi-room moves |
| 20-ft Box Truck | ✅ Yes | ~7,500+ lbs | Full household moves |
The pickup is typically the smallest and least expensive rental option in the fleet. That makes it popular for quick, light-duty tasks — picking up a couch, hauling mulch, moving a few large items that don't need to be boxed up.
What Does U-Haul Pickup Rental Actually Cost?
Pricing varies by location, date, and how long you need the truck. U-Haul typically advertises pickup truck rentals at a low daily base rate — often seen promoted around $19.95/day for in-town use — but that number is rarely what you actually pay.
What gets added on top:
- Mileage fees — typically charged per mile driven
- Fuel charges — you return it full, or pay a premium rate for what's missing
- Insurance/damage waiver options — optional but commonly offered
- Taxes and fees — vary by state and locality
- Equipment add-ons — furniture pads, dollies, tie-down straps
The final cost for a short local haul might land somewhere between $30 and $80 depending on miles driven and your location. Longer trips or one-way moves are priced differently and tend to cost significantly more. 🚛
In-Town vs. One-Way Pickup Truck Rentals
This is a distinction worth understanding. U-Haul's pickup trucks are available for both in-town (round-trip) and one-way rentals, though one-way availability depends heavily on what locations have trucks to spare.
In-town rentals require you to return the truck to the same location. These tend to be cheaper per day but charge by the mile.
One-way rentals let you drop the truck off at a different U-Haul location — useful if you're actually relocating. These are priced differently, typically with a flat mileage allowance built in rather than a per-mile rate.
Not every U-Haul location has pickup trucks in stock for one-way rentals. Availability depends on the location's fleet and current demand. Checking the U-Haul website directly will show real-time inventory for your pickup location and date.
Who Can Rent a U-Haul Pickup Truck?
U-Haul's standard rental requirements apply:
- Minimum age: Typically 18 years old with a valid driver's license (some locations require 25 for certain vehicles — policies can vary)
- Valid driver's license: Required; it must be current and not suspended
- Payment: Major credit or debit cards are accepted, though debit card use may involve additional requirements or a hold
- Insurance: U-Haul will ask about your existing auto insurance coverage and offer their own Safemove protection options
Your personal auto insurance may or may not extend to a rented truck — that depends on your specific policy. Checking with your insurer before you rent is worth doing. 📋
What the Pickup Truck Is and Isn't Good For
The U-Haul pickup works well when:
- You're hauling materials that don't need weather protection
- You're making a single trip with bulky but manageable cargo
- You don't need a loading ramp (the truck bed requires lifting items up)
- You want the simplest, lowest-cost rental option
It's less ideal when:
- You have many boxes or fragile items
- Rain is expected and your cargo can't get wet
- You need to load heavy items that require a ramp
- Your haul volume would require multiple trips
For those situations, U-Haul's cargo vans and box trucks come with enclosed space and built-in ramps.
Availability Isn't Guaranteed
Even if U-Haul's website shows a pickup truck at a location near you, fleet inventory shifts frequently. Popular rental periods — weekends, end-of-month dates, summer months — mean pickup trucks can be booked out well in advance at busy locations.
Reserving online ahead of time is the standard approach. Walk-in availability for pickup trucks is less reliable than for box trucks, which tend to be available in higher quantities at larger locations.
The variables that shape your experience — what's in stock, what it costs, what your insurance covers, and what's available for one-way trips — all depend on your specific location, date, and circumstances.