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

U-Haul cargo vans are one of the most common choices for small moves, furniture hauls, and local deliveries. They're cheaper than full-size moving trucks and easier to drive than something with a 20-foot box. But the price you pay depends on a handful of factors that most people don't think about until they're at the checkout screen.

Here's how U-Haul van pricing generally works — and what drives the final number up or down.

What Kind of Van Does U-Haul Rent?

U-Haul's standard cargo van is a full-size commercial-style van — similar in size to a Ford Transit or Ram ProMaster — with a cargo area of roughly 245–260 cubic feet depending on availability at a given location. It fits the contents of a studio apartment, a few large pieces of furniture, or several dozen boxes. It's not designed for large household moves but works well for targeted loads.

This is different from a pickup truck rental, which U-Haul also offers and prices separately.

How U-Haul Van Pricing Is Structured

U-Haul uses a two-part pricing model:

• Base rate — a flat daily fee just to have the van
• Per-mile charge — added on top based on how far you drive

These two numbers combine to determine most of your bill. There's no single fixed price because the mileage component varies with every rental.

Typical Base Rate Range

For local (in-town) rentals, the base rate for a cargo van typically falls in the range of $19–$40 per day, depending on location, demand, and availability. High-demand markets and peak moving seasons (late spring through summer) can push that rate higher.

One-way rentals — where you pick up in one city and drop off in another — are priced differently. Instead of a low daily rate plus mileage, one-way trips use a flat "guaranteed price" that factors in estimated distance. These costs are significantly higher, often ranging from $150 to $400+ depending on the distance and route.

Per-Mile Charges for Local Rentals

For local rentals, U-Haul typically charges $0.79–$1.29 per mile driven. This is where costs can grow quickly. A 50-mile round trip adds $40–$65 to your bill. A 100-mile day could double what you thought you were spending.

Rates vary by location, season, and availability. Always verify current pricing on U-Haul's site.

What Else Gets Added to the Bill

The base rate and mileage are just the starting point. Several other charges commonly appear:

Fuel: U-Haul vans must be returned with the same fuel level they had at pickup. If you return it low, U-Haul charges a refueling fee — typically higher per gallon than what you'd pay at a pump. Fill it yourself before returning.

Safe Move coverage: U-Haul offers optional damage coverage (called Safe Move or Safe Move Plus). Declining it means you're responsible for damage to the vehicle. Costs vary but typically run $15–$30 per rental day.

Environmental fee: A small per-rental fee, usually a few dollars, that applies automatically.

Taxes: State and local taxes apply to vehicle rentals and vary by jurisdiction.

After-hours or equipment fees: Returning equipment outside staffed hours, renting moving blankets, or adding a dolly all add to the total.

When you factor in mileage, fuel, and optional coverage, a rental that starts at $19 can realistically cost $60–$150 for a half-day local move with moderate mileage. 🚐

What Drives the Price Up or Down

Location is one of the biggest variables. Urban markets with high demand often have higher base rates than smaller towns. Equipment availability also affects what's offered and at what price.

Day of the week and time of year matter. Weekend rentals during summer — peak moving season — tend to cost more than weekday rentals in January or February.

Distance driven has the most direct impact on local rentals. The more miles you put on the van, the more you pay. Planning your route and consolidating trips reduces cost.

One-way vs. round trip fundamentally changes the pricing structure. If you're moving across town, a round-trip local rental is almost always cheaper. If you're moving to another city, U-Haul calculates a one-way rate that accounts for their repositioning costs.

Booking in advance can help with availability and sometimes pricing, particularly during busy seasons. Last-minute bookings during peak periods may result in higher rates or limited options.

One-Way Moves and Long-Distance Pricing

For moves from one city or state to another, U-Haul generates a guaranteed price quote based on your specific origin, destination, and move date. These quotes can vary significantly — sometimes by hundreds of dollars — depending on whether U-Haul needs to reposition equipment in that direction. Routes where lots of people are moving (say, from a high-cost city to a lower-cost one) sometimes have lower one-way rates because U-Haul benefits from the vehicle moving that way. 📦

The Missing Piece

A U-Haul cargo van rental can cost $50 for a quick local run or several hundred dollars for a longer one-way haul. The final number depends on your location, the distance you'll drive, the time of year, the coverage you choose, and what extras you add on.

The only way to know what you'd actually pay is to enter your specific pickup location, drop-off location, and dates into U-Haul's reservation system. That quote — with mileage rate, taxes, and fees shown — reflects your situation in a way that no general range can.