For DIY moves one of the best choices is Penske Truck Rental as they offer a low-cost truck for rent. With a huge discount and the commitment to reducing their carbon footprint really stands out!
Penske is a low-cost truck rental company that makes long-distance (also known as one-way) transfers faster and less expensive.
Penske operates an environmentally friendly fleet, has an easy-to-navigate website, and offers detailed information about its services. It also has straightforward pricing, so you won’t be surprised by any last-minute charges on your final bill.
Continue reading to learn why Penske is a good choice for your next DIY move.
Pros:
Lots of discounts
Green initiatives
Guaranteed reservations
Transparent pricing
Cons:
Trucks only—don’t rent moving trailers
Penske is perfect for do-it-yourself moves because it will hand you the keys to your rental truck and let you do the packing, driving, and unloading. Renting via Penske is cost-effective—as long as you’re able to put in some effort.
Penske makes it easy to pick up and return your rental truck: There are over 2,500 sites in 49 states, as well as Washington, D.C., where the organization is headquartered. Home Depot is also a good place to pick up or drop off.
Features:
It offers lots of discounts.
It makes an effort to go green.
It guarantees truck rental size and location reservations.
Services offer:
Long-distance, one-way rentals
Local, round-trip rentals
Multiple truck sizes
Moving and packing supplies (furniture pads and hand truck rentals)
Multiple insurance coverage options
Roadside assistance included in every move
Moving services (help-for-hire services available)
Online reservations
***NOTE
Every relocation with Penske includes 24/7 roadside assistance, which means less worry when you are on the move, whether it’s a flat tire or a fluid leak.
Ready to Move?
Get A Free Quote for Penske
They have 5 different truck sizes and the quality of their trucks put them above their competitors.
Diesel engines on 22- and 26-foot trucks: Long-distance movements will use less power, and moving heavier loads will be easier.
Nonslip wooden floors: Ensure that the cargo does not slide.
Translucent roofs and interior lights: Make it easier to get about in the dark.
| 26-foot | 22-foot | 16-foot | 12-foot | High-roof cargo van | |
| Best for | 5–7 rooms, large house | 3–5 rooms, medium to large house | 2–3 rooms, studio or one-bedroom apartment | 1–2 rooms, studio apartment | Large appliances and furniture, studio apartment |
| Fuel type | Diesel | Diesel | Gasoline | Gasoline | Gasoline |
| Weight limit | 10,000 lbs. | 10,000 lbs. | 4,300 lbs. | 3,100 lbs. | 3,500 lbs. |
| Capacity | 1,700 cu. ft. | 1,200 cu. ft. | 800 cu. ft. | 450 cu. ft. | 404 cu. ft. |
| Measurements | 25 ft. 11 in. x 8 ft. 1 in. x 8 ft. 1 in. | 21 ft. 11 in. x 8 ft. 1 in. x 8 ft. 1 in. | 16 ft. x 7 ft. 7 in. x 6 ft. 6 in. | 12 ft. x 6 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. 1 in. | 11 ft. 11 in. x 4 ft. 6 in. x 6 ft. 9 in. |
Penske moves range in price from $35 to $2,800 (versus $550 to $12,000 for a full-service move), making it a cost-effective option for long-distance moves.
In comparison to other truck rental firms, we discovered that Penske has the most straightforward pricing for one-way transfers. You’ll also get more miles out of each gas station fill-up with Penske’s environmentally friendly diesel trucks, saving you money.
In addition, the company provides mileage in its one-way quotes and does not charge additional fees after the fact. Penske does not take an interest in shortchanging you or advertising prices that are too good to be true, based on our study.
We shopped for rates for a move from Denver, Colorado in a 16-foot rental truck with minimal lease option coverage and no add-ons to give you an idea of how much a one-way move will cost. Here’s what we discovered.
| Cost factors | Moving to Miami, FL | Moving to Seattle, WA | Moving to Cleveland, OH |
| Highest coverage cost (LDW) | $207 | $161 | $128 |
| Environmental fee | $9 | $9 | $9 |
| Rental truck base price* | $1,802 | $995 | $989 |
| Truck size | 16-ft. truck | 16-ft. truck | 16-ft. truck |
| Move distance | 2,065 mi. | 1,316 mi. | 1,334 mi. |
| The total cost of move** | $2,018 | $1,165 | $1,136 |
Ready to Move?
Get A Free Quote for Penske
Penske’s rental truck prices aren’t much lower than those of competitors, but on one-way moves, Penske provides unlimited miles, saving you money on per-mile charges. Furthermore, there are no secret mileage charges.
However, be mindful that Penske charges a $9 environmental fee to handle the proper handling of potentially hazardous materials (e.g., coolant and brake fluid).
Though Penske’s rates appear to be high at first glance, your quote includes all rental costs. That means, unlike low-balled quotes, the number of quotes you get after your transfer will not dramatically increase—unlike low-balled quotes, which could end up being hundreds more than you expected.
Did we note that getting a quote from Penske is a breeze?
You don’t even have to give your email address or pay something upfront to see prices, which we appreciate. You must include your credit card details if you make your reservation online, but payment is not due until you pick up your vehicle.
If you’re just heading around town, be aware of the following: On top of the $20–$160 truck rental fee, Penske charges by the mile for local moves ($0.69–$0.79 per mile).
Local truck rental protection policies are less costly, but since Penske doesn’t factor in total mileage upfront (again, for local moves), your quote does not match the actual price you’ll pay.
Nobody is prone to slippery roads and bad drivers, no matter how seasoned a driver you are or how many moving trucks you’ve driven. It’s worth looking at insurance plans before driving away in a truck that’s bigger, heavier, and packed fuller than a regular vehicle.
You will want to base your coverage on how comfortable you are driving a rental truck, the size of the move you are planning, and your place. For example, we suggest LDW if you’re moving cross-country, but CAI at the very least if you’re moving locally in Florida during hurricane season.
This is the most expensive coverage choice, but it covers you from harm caused by injuries, such as dents and scratches. It does not cover you if you make an error behind the wheel, so drive carefully.
This protects you and your registered drivers (up to $1,000,000) if an accident happens during your rental time and someone attempts to sue you for harm to their person or property.
CAI protects up to $15,000 in damage to your truck as a result of an accident or natural disaster. Any damage that occurs during loading and unloading is not covered by this option.
If someone is injured or killed as a result of an accident involving your Penske vehicle, PAI offers medical care for you and your passengers.
If someone is injured or killed as a result of an accident involving your Penske vehicle, PAI offers medical care for you and your passengers.
Penske makes it easy to cut the cost of your move, no matter where or where you’re going, with discounts for college students, AAA holders, online booking, and more.
| Discount rate | |
| Seasonal discounts | 10% off (varies by season) |
| Unlimited mileage | Free on all one-way moves |
| College students | 10% off all truck rentals |
| US military (active duty and veterans) | 10% off all truck rentals |
| AAA members | Up to 12% off local truck rentals |
Ready to Move?
Get A Free Quote for Penske
THEY ARE ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY
Penske gets bonus points from us for taking steps to be more environmentally conscious. The company’s vans, moving blankets, and boxes are made from recycled materials, and it’s fuel-efficient 22- and 26-foot diesel trucks can get you farther per gallon. As a result, you won’t need to refuel as much as you would with a gasoline engine (which is good for both the environment and your wallet).
Penske’s Go-Green Efforts:
Limits maximum speeds on trucks to save fuel
Owns low-emission trucks
Installs truck bodies made of 100% recyclable materials
They Guarantee Reservations:
When you reserve at least 48 hours in advance, Penske guarantees both your truck size and delivery location—a value that few other companies have.
The majority of rental truck companies depend on their customers to return their vehicles on the scheduled return date. However, hiccups occur during the moving process, and because customers will pay to prolong their bookings, you’re out of luck if the individual in front of you is late.
Penske, on the other hand, has drivers (known as “hikers”) who will pick up the truck you reserved from one of Penske’s main district offices in your area and deliver it to the location you specified, ensuring that your truck will be waiting for you where and when you need it.
When you rent a truck from Penske, you know exactly what you’re getting into, both in terms of the cost and the level of service you’ll get.
Penske isn’t the cheapest choice for local moves, but we love that long-distance moves come with free unlimited mileage. Penske is one of the most cost-effective rental truck choices for one-way journeys, and one that we highly recommend.
Not Convinced Yet? Here are other moving companies that can help you move
Xfinity Moving
College Hunk
Two Men and a Truck
All My Sons Moving and Storage
U-Haul
College Hunk
Portable On Demands
Budget Truck Rental
1-800-PACK-RAT
Penske