U-Haul vs. competitors: truck rental comparison
U-Haul, Penske, and Budget are the three major national truck rental companies for a DIY interstate move. None is universally cheapest — pricing varies by route, date, and truck size availability, so comparing quotes for your specific move matters more than brand reputation alone.
How they compare
U-Haul
Largest network of locations; widest range of truck sizes including smaller options
Penske
Newer truck fleets on average; often competitive for one-way long-distance rentals
Budget
Generally positioned as a lower-cost option; smaller network than U-Haul
What to actually compare between quotes
- Base rental rate — varies by truck size and rental duration
- Mileage rate — for a one-way interstate rental, this often matters more than the base daily rate
- Fuel policy — return full vs. a refueling charge
- Insurance/damage waiver options — compare against what your personal auto policy or credit card might already cover
- Location and drop-off availability — confirm your exact pickup and drop-off cities are served, especially for a smaller destination town
Beyond price: what else matters
Truck condition and reliability matter more on a 1,000+ mile interstate drive than a short local rental — a breakdown far from home is a much bigger problem. Read recent reviews for your specific pickup location, not just the brand overall, since experience can vary by location and truck age even within the same company.
What U-Haul's own starting rates look like
For local, in-town rentals, U-Haul lists starting rates of $19.95/day for its pickup truck, cargo van, and 10-foot box truck, $29.95/day for a 15-foot truck, $39.95/day for a 20-foot truck, and $49.95/day for its largest 26-foot truck — all plus mileage and fees on top of the base rate. Towing equipment (auto transport, tow dolly, etc.) adds roughly $19.95 to $89.95 depending on the equipment type. (Source: U-Haul) These are starting local rates, not one-way interstate pricing — get an actual quote for your route and dates, since mileage and one-way fees typically make up most of an interstate rental's real cost.
Floor space and payload can differ more than the size name suggests
Two trucks marketed at the same nominal size don't always offer the same usable space. Budget Truck Rental's own comparison of its 26-foot truck against U-Haul's advertised 26-foot model claims Budget offers a full 26 feet of floor-to-ceiling space and a 12,000-lb payload capacity (roughly 5 to 8 rooms), versus what it describes as about 20 feet of open floor with a small overhang and a 6,500-lb payload capacity (roughly 3 to 4 rooms) on U-Haul's comparable truck. (Source: Budget Truck Rental) Since this comparison comes from a direct competitor, treat the specific numbers as one company's framing rather than settled fact — but it's still a useful reminder to check actual interior dimensions and payload rating, not just the size number, when comparing trucks across companies.
Insurance and damage waiver options
All three major companies offer their own damage waiver or insurance add-on, typically tiered by coverage level. Before paying for it, check whether your personal auto insurance policy extends to rental trucks (many do, with limits) and whether your credit card offers rental vehicle coverage — either could make the rental company's own plan redundant. If neither applies, coverage is generally worth it given how much an accident or damage claim on a long interstate drive could cost otherwise.
One head-to-head data point: locations and fleet variety
Independent side-by-side data on U-Haul and Penske highlights a real trade-off beyond price. U-Haul's network runs roughly 21,000 locations across the US and Canada compared to Penske's roughly 3,200, which matters most for drop-off flexibility to smaller towns. U-Haul also offers a wider range of truck sizes (around seven) versus Penske's five, while Penske tends to score slightly higher on customer satisfaction in the same comparison — 4.5 out of 5 versus 4.2 out of 5. (Source: Move.org)
Treat the satisfaction-score gap as directional rather than precise — review methodologies vary — but the locations and truck-size-count figures are a useful, concrete way to think about the trade-off: broader availability and more size options with U-Haul, versus a smaller but by some accounts more consistently maintained fleet with Penske.
Frequently asked questions
Is U-Haul the cheapest truck rental option?
Not always — pricing is competitive and location/date-dependent across U-Haul, Penske, and Budget. It's worth comparing quotes for your exact route and date rather than assuming one brand is always cheapest.
Which company has the most locations for a one-way interstate rental?
U-Haul generally has the largest network of locations, which can matter for one-way rental availability and drop-off flexibility, especially to smaller towns other companies may not serve.
Do these companies offer moving supplies too?
Yes — all the major truck rental companies sell or rent boxes, packing materials, furniture pads, and dollies alongside the truck itself, usually at their rental locations.
Is truck rental insurance worth it?
For an interstate drive, most people find it worthwhile given the cost of an accident or damage claim relative to the insurance price — check whether your personal auto policy or credit card offers any coverage for rental trucks before paying for the rental company's own coverage twice.