Moving costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Moving truck rentals cost between $20 and $5,300, so you can plan your budget with confidence.
The size of your truck and the distance you travel are the primary factors that determine your final rental cost.
Account for $150 to $200 in packing materials and 6% to 10% state taxes in your budget.
Hiring a local moving company reduces injury risk and protects your old and new home from damage.
In 2026, the national average cost to rent a moving truck is $1,000, though most homeowners pay between $30 and $3,500 depending on truck size, rental company, and distance traveled. You can rent an 8-foot pickup truck starting at $20 per day for a local move with a small load, while renting a 26-foot truck to move across the country can run $100 daily, with the average moving truck rental coming in at $60 daily.
Understanding what drives moving truck rental costs helps you identify where to trim your budget. The seven main cost factors are vehicle type, distance, rental period, packing materials, labor, gas, and moving insurance.
Local moving truck rentals cost between $130 for a one-bedroom home and $190 for a five-bedroom home, while a one-way long-distance rental runs $1,790 for a one-bedroom home and up to $2,210 for a five-bedroom home.
A short local trip of 10 miles can cost as little as $10 in mileage, making local moves far more affordable than cross-country hauls. Moving a two-bedroom home 1,000 miles away, for example, could cost $2,000 or more.
Here is how rental costs break down by move type:
| Type of Move | Average Truck Rental Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Local (1–50 miles) | $10–$200 |
| Long-distance (50–400+ miles) | $300–$2,000+ |
Most rental companies price trucks and trailers by how long you keep them, with trailers charged strictly by time rather than mileage. Completing your move in a single day costs far less than a week-long rental, so costs vary significantly depending on your rental period:
| Rental Period | Average Cost in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Daily | $20–$100 |
| Weekly | $140–$700 |
Truck size is one of the most direct cost drivers in a moving truck rental, with a 10-foot truck costing $20 to $30 per day and a 26-foot truck costing $40 to $130 per day.
Larger vehicles cost more than smaller ones. If you are moving many large pieces of furniture over a long distance, you may have no choice but to rent a larger, more expensive vehicle. Costs vary by truck size, as the breakdown below shows:
| Truck Size | Average Cost per Day in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Pickup truck | $19.95+ per mile cost |
| Cargo van | $19.95+ per mile cost |
| 10–12 feet | $20–$30 |
| 14–20 feet | $30–$80 |
| 22–26 feet | $40–$130 |
| Large truck | $40–$150 |
Most truck rental companies charge by the mile rather than offering unlimited mileage, with rates typically falling between $0.20 and $0.99 cents per mile. Your final per-mile cost depends on factors including truck size, time of year, day of the week, and which rental company you choose.
Towing dollies and trailers can be attached to your rental truck to move more belongings, particularly large furniture, and most companies charge $45 to $100, depending on the type and size of the attachment.
Moving truck prices fluctuate by both season and day of the week, with weekend rates often running higher than weekday rates. The peak moving season runs from April through October, and rental rates during those months are generally higher than in the off-season due to increased demand.
Every moving truck rental requires at least liability insurance on the vehicle, which costs between $10 and $35 per day when purchased from the rental company. Some personal auto policies already cover rental vehicles, so check your existing policy before paying for additional coverage.
Moving truck rentals are subject to state or local taxes in most areas, and the exact percentage depends on the municipality where you rent the vehicle. These taxes will appear as a line item on your invoice total, so factor them into your overall budget.
Fuel costs during your move depend directly on the size of the truck you rent. A pickup truck gets roughly 15 to 20 miles per gallon, while larger trucks may average only around 10 miles per gallon, meaning longer moves in bigger vehicles will require significantly more fuel.
Beyond the base rental rate, several add-on costs can increase your total moving budget, and the amounts vary depending on your location and specific circumstances.
Rental companies charge higher prices during peak demand periods, including holidays, three-day weekends, and summer months when families move ahead of the school season. If your schedule is flexible, moving during the winter months or mid-week can help you avoid surge pricing.
Renting a moving truck means you will also need to budget for packing materials, including packing peanuts, blankets, plastic wrap for furniture, foam padding, and boxes, with a whole-home move typically running $100 to $200. While free boxes are sometimes available, time constraints often make purchasing them necessary.
Forty-four states and many local governments charge an additional tax on moving truck rentals, either as a sales tax or for other purposes, typically adding 6% and 10% to your rental cost.
Your invoice may include extra fees beyond the base rental rate, such as an environmental or green fee for sustainability programs or a required warranty purchase. Review every line item carefully and ask your moving truck company to explain any charges that seem unclear before you sign.
Long-distance moves sometimes require a storage unit to help organize your belongings, and Storage unit costs typically run around $240 per month or $1 to $1.80 per square foot, depending on size and type.
Moving insurance typically costs about 1% of the total value of your belongings, so insuring items worth $25,000 would cost around $250. This coverage protects you financially if anything is lost or damaged during the move.
The cost of moving can quickly balloon into a four-figure price tag, so it's not uncommon for people to attempt to cut costs. Here are a few suggestions on how to save money when renting a moving truck.
You may feel tempted to rent a pickup truck because of its lower per-mile rate, but what if you have to make four trips instead of one? It may cost you more to rent a smaller truck instead of making one trip in a larger box truck. Calculate the mileage cost of every vehicle option to find the most cost-efficient option.
If your vehicle has a hitch you can hook a trailer onto, renting a trailer is a cost-effective alternative to a pickup or box truck. You may not have to pay a per-mile rate, which is the significant cost driver. You might be able to get all of your moving done for $20 to $50.
If your climate doesn’t have much snow or ice, consider renting a truck during the winter and planning your move for the middle of the week. This season is when truck rental prices tend to be at their lowest due to a lack of demand.
Ask about any available discounts when renting your moving truck. You may be able to access specific discounts through your work or via programs like AAA, which can help you get up to a 10% discount on rental fees.
Rather than packing everything and moving it yourself, consider shipping a few items to your new address. That way, you can rent a smaller vehicle, especially for long-distance moving. However, remember that you’ll have to pay shipping costs, which may offset your savings.
Hiring a moving company near you will add an average of $700 to your total on top of the truck rental cost, but leaving the work to a professional is well worth the added money. Even if you handle all of the actual packing and just have experts load, haul, and unload boxes and belongings, you’ll be saving yourself a lot of time and energy.
Hiring a pro mover saves you time, but there are some other important benefits you should consider that could tip the scales and make going the professional route a better option.
Experts will pack and tie down belongings to prevent damage during transportation, which means a lower chance of having to pay to replace your belongings.
Box trucks cannot drive on parkways and some local roads, so navigating with a moving truck can be stressful for anyone who is inexperienced.
Hiring movers, especially for heavy and bulky materials, reduces the risk of personal injury and damage to your home on both sides of the move.
Moving pros are normally fully insured, so you’re financially protected in the case of an accident or total property loss during the move.
Speak with your movers about any particularly heavy or bulky belongings that may require special treatment.
Discuss who will handle organizing and packing before the move begins.
Ask about any add-on services you want, like car hauling, junk removal, and furniture assembly.
Confirm that your mover is fully insured and ask how they will handle unexpected damages to your belongings if something goes wrong.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
I recently moved to another state and chose United Trust Van Lines after comparing several companies. Their team was punctual, professional, and extremely careful with my belongings. I was especially impressed with how they handled my home office setup and fragile items. Everything arrived on...
United Trust Van Lines, LLCShowed up on time and cleaned carpets well, but didn?t move furniture.
Voda Cleaning & Restoration of ColumbusA reliable team for moves across state. My switch to a new place needed careful lifting through tight hallways. The movers checked the doorway first, then carried heavier pieces with slow, controlled movements. Their patience helped prevent damage, and I?d choose them again.
**Would rate a 0 if i could** NEVER USE THIS COMPANY!!!!! They shattered my tv console and dresser, lost a mirror, and never finished the move. The broken furniture cost me over $600 to replace. They left me with 6+ hours of personal labor moving my 1BR apartment, when I was quoted a FULL...
All My Sons Moving & StorageI could not have moved without the help of Jen Stover! I was in my house for nearly 20 years, so the thought of clearing it out while working full time was overwhelming. Jen takes great joy in sorting and organizing while asking the hard questions with patience and compassion. Jen is...
Go and Stow Home OrganizingCouldn't have been a worse experience. 3 of my belongings were lost and 5 belongings were damaged. My furniture was clearly dragged across the ground. The movers couldn't move the furniture I paid extra heavy weight fees for so I had to help them move my own furniture. The manager gave me...
US Interstate and RailExcellent experience for me! They helped me a lot with my move. very reasonable price. Good communication with the office manager is excellent.
Goodview Moving and StorageI was concerned about my possessions safety throughout the move but Bridge View Van Lines took all necessary security measures to make sure everything arrived in mint shape I am really appreciative of their effort and commitment They made my long distance move seem simple
Bridgeview Van LinesThis moving company is the best in Columbus, Ohio! They rescued me when my movers didnâ t show up. Do not ever use Plane Movers! They never showed up for my move, claiming that I never signed the contract. They didnâ t call me to follow up, communication was awful. The people that work for...
All My Sons Moving & StorageOzie and Tyquese were great and worked fast. It was a good move
All My Sons Moving & StorageFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Planning a DIY move requires careful budgeting. Use this guide to budget for the expected moving costs and the hidden ones, too.
The cost to move a shed depends on size, the distance of your move, and more. Considering if you should hire pros or DIY? This guide can help you decide.
How much does it cost to move out of state? The answer depends on the size of your home, the distance of your move, and other factors.
If you have a moving truck but need help packing boxes in tight, you can hire a mover just to load a truck. Here’s what to know about labor-only movers.
Not up for the task of driving a rental moving truck on your own? Learn how to hire a truck driver for your upcoming move to make the process easier.
If you’re wondering what size moving truck to reserve, the answer lies in the size of your home and the amount of items. Use our guide to learn more.
