Budget is one of the most popular names when it comes to long-distance moves. To decide whether this company is ideal for your moving needs, we, the Woo Mover team, researched their service and went through review and pricing to give a clear overview.
Budget Truck Rental is a cost-effective option for local and long-distance moves. It offers a range of moving trucks, cargo vans, and towing equipment, along with optional coverage plans for added protection.
While known for its competitive pricing and discounts, Budget partners with third-party services for loading help. Thus, it is a practical choice if you are a budget-conscious renter and prioritize affordability over premium service.
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Summing Up All Budget Features
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Budget Truck Rental offers a good selection of truck sizes. Unfortunately, you will get fewer options in truck sizes compared to some competitors.
But the best part is that their 26-foot truck provides the same amount of space as the largest trucks from other companies. Besides, both of Budget’s largest trucks come with handy loading ramps for easy loading and unloading of heavy items.
| Truck Size | Internal Dimensions | Capacity | Weight Limit (lbs.) | Interior Space (cu. ft.) | Fuel Tank Capacity (gallons) | Miles per Gallon |
| Cargo Van | 11 ft. x 4 ft. 5 in. x 6 ft. | 1 room or a studio apartment | 3,400 | 357 | 25 | 8–14 |
| 12 foot | 10 ft. x 6 ft. 3 in. x 6 ft. | 1–2 rooms | 3,610 | 380 | 35 | 8–14 |
| 16 Foot | 16 ft. x 6 ft. 3 in. x 6 ft. 7 in. | 3–4 rooms | 4,460 | 658 | 33 | 6–10 |
| 26 Foot | 26 ft. x 8 ft. 1 in. x 8 ft. 1 in | 5–8 rooms | 10,000 | 1,698 | 50 | 6–10 |
If you’re looking for an affordable way to bring your car along on your long-distance move, Budget offers tow dollies and car carriers to make it possible. You can rent these towing options alongside your moving truck to ensure your car makes it safely to your new home.
| Rental equipment | Intended towed vehicle type | Load capacity (lbs.) | Maximum vehicle width | Maximum vehicle length |
| Tow dolly |
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6 ft. 4 in. | N/A |
| Car carrier |
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4,055 | 6 ft. 7 in. | 12 ft. |
Though it costs extra, moving coverage can make your move stress-free. Without it, you’d be stuck with the costs if anything happens to your truck or belongings. Therefore, it’s worth considering the coverage option for security.
Here are Budget’s moving coverage options:
| Coverage Option | Details |
| Physical Damage Waiver | Covers all damage to the truck and towing equipment. No financial responsibility for any damage. |
| Limited Damage Waiver | Covers damage after the first $500. Example: For $1,000 damage, you pay $500; the waiver covers the rest. If it’s only $500 damage, you’re responsible for the full amount. |
| Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI) | Covers third-party property damage or injury claims against you. Exclusions apply if the rental agreement is violated. |
| Personal and Cargo Insurance | Covers bodily injury to you and your passengers, as well as damage to your household goods. Does not cover valuables (e.g., jewelry, antiques, firearms). |
| Auto Tow Protection | Covers damage to the towed vehicle using a Budget tow dolly or car carrier. $500 deductible per loss. |
| Roadside SafetyNet | 24/7 roadside assistance for flat tyres, lost keys, broken windows, dead batteries, fuel shortages, and more. Covers only the moving truck, not personal vehicles. |
| Moving Company | Avg. Rental Price | Car trailers/tow dollies availability | Truck Sizes | Visit Website |
| Budget | $1,054 | Yes | 5 | Get a Quote |
| Penske | $1,136.50 | Yes | 5 | Get a Quote |
| U-Haul | $992.19 | Yes | 7 | Get a Quote |
| Enterprise | $129.70 (local only) | No | 14 | Get a Quote |
| Home Depot | $1,330.60 | No | 8 | Get a Quote |
If you’re moving locally, Budget has one of the lowest mileage rates out there—only $0.47 per mile. That’s way cheaper than companies like Penske ($1.29/mile) and U-Haul ($0.99/mile). So, if you’re planning a local move, Budget’s pricing is hard to beat.
It’s also worth mentioning that Enterprise has a lower rate ($0.20/mile), but their rental costs are higher overall. So, Budget still gives you the best bang for your buck when it comes to mileage.
Moving isn’t easy, and you don’t have to do everything on your own. Budget has teamed up with HireAHelper, a moving service that can assist you with loading and unloading. Sure, it costs extra, but it’s way cheaper than hiring a full-service moving company.
Having some help can save you a lot of time and energy, not to mention prevent any back pain! If you prefer to move things by yourself, Budget also offers a guide to loading a truck, with helpful tips to make packing easier.
While Budget is known for its affordable prices, the customer reviews aren’t always great. Many customers mention issues with things like unhelpful service, dirty trucks, and slow roadside assistance. In fact, Budget’s reviews are among the worst in the industry, along with U-Haul.
That said, don’t let the negative reviews scare you off completely. Keep in mind that people are more likely to leave a review when they’ve had a bad experience, so take that into account when making your decision. If you’re willing to trade off some customer service for savings, Budget still might be a good option.
Downside Of Budget: No Guaranteed ReservationsAnother downside to Budget is that they don’t offer guaranteed reservations. This means there’s a chance that the truck you want might not be available when you need it. If you’re okay with a little uncertainty, this might not be a big deal for you. But if you want to be sure you get the truck on your scheduled date, Penske offers guaranteed reservations, so you won’t have to worry. |
If you’re looking to keep your moving costs low, Budget Truck Rental is a great option, especially for local moves. Here’s what we found after comparing prices from several leading moving truck rental companies:
Budget is hands-down one of the cheapest options, with an average price of $27.60 plus a $0.47 per mile rate. Compare that to the industry average of about $169.65 plus $0.75 per mile—Budget’s local rates are a real bargain.
Budget’s prices for long-distance moves, on average, were $2,080. While this is very close to the industry average of $2,077, it’s a bit higher compared to Penske’s long-distance rates, but Budget can sometimes offer the best rates for certain routes.
Here are some quotes Budget provided for their 26-foot and 12-foot trucks:
| Truck Size | 50 miles | 463 miles | 1,846 miles | 2,060 miles |
| 26-foot | $38.38 + $0.47/mile | $777.70 | $3,029.63 | $2,861.33 |
| 12-foot | $21.14 + $0.47/mile | $571.63 | $1,988.27 | $2,179.52 |
Note: Prices above don’t include add-ons like moving coverage or equipment rentals. Always check for specific location availability.
When figuring out the cost of renting a truck from Budget, several things come into play:
The $150 deposit is refundable, but only if you bring the truck back clean, with the same amount of gas as when you picked it up, and on time. Just be aware that it may take a few weeks for the refund to show up in your account.
Budget offers amazing discounts for the following criteria:
| Discount Category | Discount Details |
| US Military Members | 20% off |
| AARP Members | 20% off (Sunday to Thursday)
10% off (Friday and Saturday) |
| Police, Fire, EMT | 20% off (local moves)
15% off (one-way moves |
| Motor Club Members | 20% off (local moves)
15% off (one-way moves) |
| Students | 20% off (local moves)
15% off (one-way moves) |
Budget Truck Rental stands out for its affordability, particularly for local moves. Many customers appreciate the lower rates, but some reviews mention concerns about service quality and truck conditions.
That said, Budget offers various discounts and coverage options that can help cut costs. If saving money is your priority and you can be flexible, it’s a practical choice. However, for a more seamless experience, you might want to explore alternatives like Penske. Comparing quotes will ensure you get the best deal.
Budget doesn’t provide unlimited mileage. For local rentals, you’ll be charged a fee per mile. For long-distance one-way rentals, there’s a mileage limit based on your move’s specifics. If you drive beyond that limit, you’ll incur additional charges for the extra miles.
Budget doesn’t offer direct loading or unloading assistance. However, they work with HireAHelper, a service that can connect you to moving laborers who can help you with packing, loading, and unloading your truck.
Budget Truck Rental doesn’t offer guaranteed reservations because it views truck size, pickup date, and location as flexible factors. This means there’s a possibility that changes could occur. However, if you secure your booking with a credit card deposit, Budget will still honor the rate you originally booked.
Yes, Budget rents cargo vans along with their trucks. While smaller than their moving trucks, cargo vans are an excellent, budget-friendly choice for smaller moves, such as relocating from a studio apartment.