How Much Does It Cost to Rent a U-Haul?

U-Haul is one of the most recognizable names in moving truck rentals, and for good reason — they have thousands of locations across North America and offer everything from small cargo vans to large 26-foot moving trucks. But when people ask "how much does it cost to rent a U-Haul," the honest answer is: it depends on more variables than most people expect.

Here's how the pricing actually works.

How U-Haul Charges for Rentals

U-Haul uses a two-part pricing structure for most rentals:

1. A base rate — the flat fee to reserve the truck or van for the rental period
2. A mileage charge — a per-mile fee applied to every mile you drive

This means your final bill isn't set until you return the vehicle. If you estimated 50 miles and drove 90, you'll pay for 90. That gap catches a lot of renters off guard.

For in-town (local) rentals, the base rate is typically low — sometimes as little as $19.95 to $39.95 per day for smaller trucks — but the mileage rate adds up quickly. Rates often range from $0.79 to $1.49 per mile depending on the vehicle and location.

For one-way (long-distance) rentals, U-Haul usually quotes a single bundled price that includes a set mileage allowance. These quotes vary significantly based on origin, destination, time of year, and vehicle size.

U-Haul Vehicle Types and Approximate Base Rates

These are starting rates only. Your actual cost will be higher once mileage, fuel, insurance, taxes, and any add-ons are included.

What Else Affects the Total Price

Location and Demand 🗺️

U-Haul adjusts pricing based on supply and demand. Renting a truck from a city where demand is high — say, moving out of a major metro in the summer — will cost more than renting from a lower-demand area. One-way rentals going into high-demand destinations can cost significantly more than the reverse trip.

Time of Year

Summer months (May through September) are peak moving season. Rates are noticeably higher during this window, especially around the first and last days of the month when leases turn over. Renting mid-week in the off-season is generally the cheapest option.

Rental Duration

Local rentals are typically priced by the day, but U-Haul also charges for each additional day if you keep the truck longer. For multi-day local moves, costs stack up quickly.

Fuel

U-Haul trucks are not returned full by default in the traditional sense — you're expected to return the vehicle with the same fuel level it had when you picked it up. If you return it with less fuel, U-Haul charges a refueling fee that's typically higher than pump prices. Larger trucks get poor fuel economy (often 8–12 MPG), so fuel is a meaningful part of the total cost on longer trips.

Damage Coverage

U-Haul offers optional coverage products, including:

• Safemove — covers the truck and some cargo
• Safemove Plus — adds liability protection
• Safetow — for towing

These add $15–$30+ per day depending on the plan. Whether to purchase them depends on your personal auto insurance policy and credit card coverage — something worth checking before you rent. 🔍

Equipment Add-Ons

Furniture pads, dollies, and moving blankets can be rented by the item or bundle. These typically add $10–$30 to the total but are easy to overlook when budgeting.

Taxes and Fees

Local taxes, environmental fees, and location-specific surcharges are added at checkout. These vary by state and city and aren't always visible in the initial online quote.

One-Way vs. In-Town: A Meaningful Cost Difference

A local rental for a 15-foot truck might run $30–$50 before mileage and fees. Drive 80 miles at $1.29/mile and you've added over $100. Total cost: $150–$200 is common for a modest local move.

A one-way rental for a cross-country move in a 20-foot truck could run anywhere from $800 to $2,500+ depending on distance, season, and origin/destination pair. Pricing on these varies widely — two people making the same move in different months can see very different quotes.

The Variables That Shape Your Final Number

No two U-Haul rentals cost the same. What drives the difference:

• Origin and destination city
• Time of year and day of the week
• Truck size
• Miles driven
• How much fuel you use
• Whether you add coverage or equipment
• State and local tax rates

The only reliable way to know what a specific rental will cost is to get a quote directly from U-Haul using your actual pickup location, drop-off point, dates, and vehicle size. Even then, your final bill will depend on actual miles driven and fuel returned.