Highlights
It costs an average of $1,000 to rent a moving truck, but it can cost anywhere between $20 and $3,500.
Pickup trucks and vans are the least expensive vehicle options, while larger trucks cost the most.
Moving companies charge an average of $1 to $2 per mile.
There are several ways to save money, including using a trailer and shipping some items.
Preparing for a long-haul move, but not sure how much to budget for moving truck expenses? It costs between $20 and $3,500 to rent a moving truck or van, depending on the rental company, the size of the vehicle, and the distance you are moving.
For example, you can rent an 8-foot pickup truck starting at $20 to move locally with a small amount of items. However, if you need to rent a 26-foot truck to move across the country, the quoted price is around $3,300. Let’s take a look at the cost factors involved in calculating the price of renting a moving truck.
| Minimum Cost | National Average Cost | Maximum Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $20 | $1,000 | $3,500 |
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Moving Truck by Home Size?
1 Bedroom
If you're moving a one-bedroom home 50 miles or less, you can expect to pay around $130 for a rental truck to get the job done. However if you're moving out of town, you're going to pay per mileage fees of around $1 to $2 per mile, so your costs will increase depending on the distance.
2 Bedrooms
There isn’t a significant difference between the price of moving a one- or two-bedroom home, so you can expect to pay about $130 for a 50-mile trip. Regardless of the amount of items you’re moving, rental trucks generally cost a flat rate plus a mileage rate. However, if you have to make multiple trips in the moving truck, your gas and mileage charges will increase.
3+ Bedrooms
If you’re moving from a house that has three bedrooms or more, you can expect your moving truck costs to increase because you’ll likely need a larger truck. You can expect your costs to start at $140 for a 50-mile trip, increasing to about $1,790 for a cross-country trip. You’ll have to rent a bigger truck, get lower mileage on your fuel, and may have to make additional trips.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Moving Truck by Distance?
Moving companies typically charge a rate of $1 to $2 per mile, charging lower rates for standard vehicles like pickup trucks and vans while charging more for box trucks. As a result, the cost of your move will vary drastically based on distance. For example, the mileage cost to move 10 miles across town in a moving van could cost as low as $10, but moving a two-bedroom home 1,000 miles could cost $2,000 or more.
Cost to Move Locally vs One-Way
If you’re moving across town, your moving truck costs will be significantly less than a one-way trip to a farther location. Renting a moving truck for a local move costs between $130 for a one-bedroom home and $190 for a five-bedroom home.
On the other hand, a one-way trip for a one-bedroom home costs an average of $1,790, and $2,210 for a five-bedroom home. While this higher cost may be inevitable if you’re making a long-distance move, it’s important to consider when creating your moving budget.
Moving Truck Cost Breakdown
It’s important to understand what drives the price of a moving truck rental to help you figure out where you can cut costs. There are seven main factors: vehicle type, distance, rental period, packing materials, labor, gas, and moving insurance.
Vehicle Type
As a rule of thumb, the bigger the truck, the more it will cost. Transporting your items with a small truck is the least expensive option, while renting a large box truck will be more expensive. If you’re moving many large pieces of furniture a far distance, you may not have the option to rent smaller moving vehicles.
| Truck Size | Truck Dimensions | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small Truck | 10–12 feet | $20–$30 per day |
| Mid-Size Truck | 14–20 feet | $40–$80 per day |
| Large Truck | 22–26 feet | $60–$100 per day |
Distance
Distance is a major factor in total moving costs because many rental companies charge per mile. While an in-town move may be relatively inexpensive, the cost of a long-distance move could cost thousands of dollars due to the distance traveled.
Rental Period
Many rental companies charge based on the amount of time that you kept the trucks or equipment. This factor is especially true with trailers because, unlike vehicles, you pay based on how long you keep the trailer, not by mileage. For example, if you complete your move in one day, it will cost you significantly less than if it takes you a week to drive and unload.
Packing Materials
You can also buy packing materials from most rental companies when you’re booking a truck rental. This option is convenient for last-minute moves, but you should compare the company’s equipment prices against the cost of buying them from a local hardware store or other resource.
Labor
In some cases, you might plan to complete the move yourself, but then realize that it's too much work to do on your own. The cost to hire movers is $25 to $50 per hour for each professional you hire, plus tip. However, their help is usually worth the price. Contact a moving company near you for a quote based on the specifics of your move.
Gas
The amount of gas you’ll have to purchase during your move depends on the size of the moving truck. A pickup truck will get about 15 to 20 miles per gallon, while some of the larger trucks will only get around 10 miles per gallon. The more gas stops you make, the higher your total move cost.
Moving Insurance
If you take out moving insurance to protect your items during the move, you can expect to pay about 1% of the total value of all of your items. For example, if your belongings are valued at $25,000, you can expect to pay around $250 to insure those items.
4 Ways to Save Money When Renting a Moving Truck
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.
1. Calculate the Mileage
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.
2. Consider a Trailer
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 big cost driver. You might be able to get all of your moving done for $20 to $50.
3. Do It Yourself
Instead of hiring movers to help with the big move, you can enlist family or friends to assist you. However, it’s important to consider the details of your move, including distance and amount of furniture, before asking your loved ones for a favor.
4. Consider Shipping Items
Rather than packing up everything and moving it yourself, consider shipping a few items to your new address. That way, you can rent a smaller moving vehicle, especially if moving long-distance. However, keep in mind that you’ll have to pay shipping costs, which may offset your savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a long trip, it is less expensive to schedule a one-way rental since you're driving fewer miles. Plus, it's usually not feasible to move across the country and then drive the vehicle back to where you got it. If you're moving in-town, however, a round-trip option makes more sense.
It costs an average of $4,565 to move out of state, according to HomeAdvisor. Your total price tag will depend on the size of the load and the distance you’re traveling, but you can expect it to cost significantly more to move out of state than locally.
Generally, you should hire movers when you need to move large, heavy objects. Professional movers can take a lot of the work off your hands, and remove the risk of personal injury. But if you’re only moving a few, light items, you can save money by making the move on your own.
There are plenty of moving truck rental options available, depending on where you live. The nationally known companies are U-Haul, Penske, Enterprise, and Budget Truck Rental. However, you may find local moving companies that offer better deals in your area. Be sure to research customer reviews before hiring a moving company.
