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

U-Haul is one of the most widely recognized truck rental companies in the country, and for good reason — they have locations nearly everywhere and offer a range of truck sizes suited to moves of all scales. But "how much does it cost" doesn't have a single answer. U-Haul pricing is built on several layered components, and what you ultimately pay depends heavily on where you're renting, how far you're going, and what extras you add.

How U-Haul Truck Pricing Actually Works

U-Haul uses a two-part pricing model: a base rate plus mileage charges. Understanding both is essential to estimating your real cost.

Base rate covers the truck itself for a set rental period — typically one day for local moves or a fixed number of days for one-way trips. This rate varies by truck size, location, and demand.

Mileage charges apply on top of that base rate for local (in-town) rentals. You pay a per-mile fee for every mile driven. For one-way rentals, mileage is typically included up to a set allowance, but the base rate rises significantly.

This distinction matters: local rentals are cheap upfront but meter fast, while one-way rentals cost more at the start but bundle the mileage into the price.

Truck Sizes and General Price Ranges 🚚

U-Haul offers several truck sizes, each aimed at different move types:

These are general ranges based on commonly advertised rates. Actual prices vary by city, season, availability, and how far in advance you book. Weekend and peak-season rentals (summer especially) routinely run higher than weekday or off-peak bookings.

What Mileage Charges Add to Your Total

For local moves, U-Haul typically charges $0.69 to $1.09 per mile depending on the truck size and market. That adds up quickly:

• 20 miles driven = roughly $14–$22 in mileage fees
• 50 miles driven = roughly $35–$55 in mileage fees
• 100 miles driven = roughly $69–$109 in mileage fees

If you're running multiple trips between locations — which is common in local moves — mileage accumulates fast. Estimating your total distance before booking helps avoid sticker shock at return.

One-Way vs. Local Rental: A Real Cost Difference

Local (in-town) rentals are designed for moves where you return the truck to the same location. These have lower base rates but add mileage fees.

One-way rentals let you pick up in one city and drop off in another. These are priced differently — often starting at $150–$500+ depending on the route, distance, and truck size — but typically include a mileage allowance. Longer cross-country routes can climb to $1,000 or more for larger trucks.

The one-way price is also affected by equipment demand at each location. U-Haul adjusts pricing based on where trucks are needed most, so the same move in opposite directions can cost very different amounts.

Fees That Get Added On

The advertised rate is rarely the final price. Common additional charges include:

• Environmental/fuel fee — sometimes built in, sometimes separate
• Safe Move coverage — optional damage protection, roughly $14–$28/day
• Furniture pads and dollies — $7–$20 per item
• Fuel — U-Haul trucks must be returned with the same fuel level; gas prices and truck efficiency vary, but large trucks average 8–12 MPG
• After-hours or late return fees — if you keep the truck past your contracted return time
• Taxes — vary by state and locality

Fuel alone can be a meaningful cost on longer moves. A 26 ft truck driven 300 miles at 10 MPG requires 30 gallons of fuel. At current prices, that's a real number to factor in.

What Shapes Your Final Price

Several variables determine what you'll actually pay:

• Your pickup location — urban markets often price differently than rural ones
• Truck size — larger trucks cost more regardless of move type
• Rental duration — multi-day rentals cost more, but daily rates sometimes drop after the first day
• Time of year — summer and end-of-month dates are peak demand periods
• How far you book in advance — availability tightens and prices can rise closer to move dates
• Optional add-ons — coverage, equipment, and moving supplies add to the total

What U-Haul Doesn't Include

U-Haul truck rentals do not include movers, loading help, or packing services. That's a separate category of cost entirely if you need labor. The truck rental is the vehicle only — what happens before and after you have the keys is outside the rental cost.

The gap between the rate you see advertised and what you pay at checkout is almost always wider than expected. The base rate is just the starting point — mileage, fuel, and optional add-ons are where the real cost builds. What you actually spend depends on your move type, your market, the truck you need, and the choices you make at checkout.