When it comes to affordability, U-Haul is a popular choice for truck renting services. The Wow Mover team has gone though all their services in detail and checked the reviews and experiences of the customer to bring you a crystal clear review of U-Haul.
So, go though the review and decide whether you should have their service or not:
U-Haul Truck Rental Service is a widely recognized moving truck rental company known for its extensive network of locations and a variety of truck sizes. It offers affordable options for both local and long-distance moves, along with moving supplies, towing equipment, and storage solutions.
U-Haul also provides add-on services like moving labor assistance and self-storage, making it a convenient one-stop shop for DIY movers.
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Summing Up All U-Haul Features
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U-Haul designs its trucks specifically for moving households, making the process smoother and more efficient. Their trucks come with low decks to reduce heavy lifting, and any model larger than 10 feet includes an EZ-load ramp to make loading and unloading even easier. Plus, their gentle suspension system helps protect your belongings from bumps along the way.
For extra storage, U-Haul offers “Mom’s Attic”—a raised compartment in trucks over 10 feet, perfect for keeping fragile items like glassware and picture frames safe from shifting cargo.
| Truck Size | Best For | Cargo Space (cu. ft.) | Weight Limit (lbs.) | Fuel Tank (gal.) | MPG |
| Pickup Truck | Small hauls or towing | N/A | 1,897 | 34 | 19 |
| Cargo Van | Studio apartments | 245 | 3,880 | 25 | 18 |
| 10 ft. Truck | 1-bedroom apartments | 402 | 2,850 | 33 | 12 |
| 15 ft. Truck | 1-bedroom homes | 764 | 6,385 | 40 | 10 |
| 17 ft. Truck | 2-bedroom homes | 865 | 6,160 | 40 | 10 |
| 20 ft. Truck | 2-bedroom homes | 1,016 | 5,700 | 40 | 10 |
| 26 ft. Truck | 4-bedroom homes | 1,682 | 9,010 | 60 | 10 |
| How big is the inside of a 20 ft U-Haul truck?
The interior of a 20-foot U-Haul truck measures 19′ 6″ x 7′ 8″ x 7′ 2″, offering 1,016 cubic feet of space. This size is ideal for moving the contents of a two-bedroom home, including furniture, appliances, and boxes. |
If you’re hauling something bulky, heavy, or oddly shaped, a utility trailer is the way to go. These open trailers are perfect for items like outdoor furniture or a large sectional sofa. They can carry more than your car might allow, giving you the flexibility you need for those bigger moves.
Available Sizes:
Need to get your car from point A to point B without a professional shipping service? U-Haul offers a few different car carrier options, perfect for towing small to medium-sized cars or motorcycles. But keep in mind that larger vehicles like full-size trucks might not fit. Also, be prepared—towing can slow you down, especially when going uphill. But if you’re on a budget, it’s an affordable solution compared to shipping.
Options include:
Plus, U-Haul has a variety of trailer towing essentials, including hitch balls, mounts, and wiring, making it easy to complete your setup.
U-Haul offers more than just trucks—if you prefer a hands-off move, the U-Box is a great option. With a hybrid model, you pack up your belongings, and U-Haul handles the transportation.
The U-Box measures 95 x 56 x 83.5 inches and is perfect for packing up an entire room. However, if you are using more space than this, you will have to pay more.
NB: U-Boxes are wooden that questions its durability in compare to other storage options made from metal.
U-Haul offers you a free storage facility for the first month when you rent a truck or trailer. This is a great way to store your belongings while you settle in.
U-Haul truck offers you the option to purchase additional coverage for extra security. However, this is not mandatory, but if you skip it, you’re responsible for any damage to the vehicle or your belongings. Here’s a breakdown of the available options:
| Coverage Option | Average Cost ($) | Coverage Includes |
| Safetrip® | 5 | Roadside Assistance (No Damage Coverage) |
| Safemove | 77 | Truck & Belonging Damage, Medical Protection |
| Safemove Plus | 132 | All Safemove Coverage, Full Truck Protection, $1M Liability |
| Safetow | Varies | Trailer Damage, Cargo Protection, Medical Protection |
| Rental Company | Long-Distance Rental (Avg. Cost) | Local Rental (Avg. Cost) | Per-Mile Rate (Local Moves) | Trailer & Tow Dolly Availability | Website |
| U-Haul | Around $1,946 | Around $39 | Starts at $0.99/mile | ✅ Available | Get a Quote |
| Budget | Around $2,080 | Around $28 | Starts at $0.47/mile | ✅ Available | Get a Quote |
| Home Depot | Around $2,337 | Around $324 | Starts at $1.29/mile | ❌ Not Available | Get a Quote |
| Enterprise | N/A | Around $130 | Starts at $0.20/mile | ❌ Not Available | Get a Quote |
| Penske | Around $1,945 | Around $328 | Starts at $1.29/mile | ✅ Available | Get a Quote |
When it comes to availability, U-Haul is usually the top choice for moving truck rentals. With over 21,000 locations across North America, it’s hard to beat their widespread presence.
However, when it comes to pricing, competitors like Penske and Budget can sometimes offer better deals. For local moves, Budget tends to have more affordable rates, while Penske usually offers better prices for long-distance rentals. So, while U-Haul is great for convenience, it’s worth comparing prices with other companies, depending on your specific needs.
Why Do We Recommend U-Haul Truck Rental?
In compare to competitors, Budget location availability is more by many times. Where U-Haul covers over 21,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada, Penske offers just over 3,200 locations and the Budget around 1,600 in the U.S.
U-Haul’s widespread availability is a big advantage when it comes to saving money. With over 21,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada, they can offer better rates based on supply and demand in your area. While their prices aren’t always the absolute cheapest, they tend to be much more affordable than average.
Plus, with rental locations near both your old and new home, you’ll save on mileage costs—especially for local moves. It’s all about convenience and cost-efficiency when choosing U-Haul.
U-Haul’s wide network of locations makes your move a lot easier. With so many spots available, you’ll likely find one close to both your old and new home, cutting down on the hassle of long drives to pick up or return your truck. Whether you’re moving nearby or further away, U-Haul’s availability saves you time and effort.
U-Haul stands out with its wide range of services, offering everything from various truck sizes to dollies, trailers, and additional options like storage and moving labor. While some services, like U-Box, may not be essential for every move, the flexibility of choosing from a variety of add-ons makes U-Haul a convenient one-stop shop for your DIY moving needs.
Whether you’re looking for a truck, trailer, storage, or moving supplies, U-Haul has you covered.
U-Haul’s rates are affordable but not the lowest you’ll find when considering other competitors. Based on quotes our team has gathered, here’s a breakdown of what you can expect:
For local moves (100 miles or less):
For long-distance moves (over 100 miles):
Therefore, you can say that though U-Haul is not always the absolute cheapest, its rates are consistently below the industry average. This makes U-Haul a solid choice for budget-conscious movers.
Is There Any Advantage Of Paying with Cash?If you plan to pay with cash, you’ll need to make a security deposit of $100 for the truck and $75 for any trailers or towing equipment. You’ll get that money back once everything is returned in good condition. |
Below we have added the rental price of U-Haul for different truck sizes:
| Truck Size | 50 miles | 463 miles | 1,033 miles | 2,060 miles |
| 10-foot | $19.95 + $0.99/mile | $478.32 | $1,042.62 | $2,059.35 |
| 26-foot | $47.38 + $0.99/mile | $829.56 | $3,387.69 | $3,032.49 |
U-Haul truck rental rates can vary based on several factors, making it hard to predict exactly what your move will cost until you get a quote. However, some key factors that consistently impact your U-Haul rental price include:
Rates fluctuate depending on the time of year. Late spring and summer are peak moving seasons, so prices tend to be higher during these months. If you can schedule your move in the fall or winter, you’ll often find better rates due to lower demand.
The earlier you book, the better. U-Haul rental rates typically increase as more people reserve trucks. By booking ahead, you can lock in a lower rate compared to those who wait until the last minute.
U-Haul charges a mileage fee of $0.99 per mile for local rentals, which gets added to your total cost. The more miles you drive, the higher your bill will be. For long-distance moves, U-Haul includes a set number of miles in your rental price, and any extra miles will come with an additional charge. Keep in mind that if you use fewer miles than allotted, you won’t receive a refund.
U-Haul includes a small environmental fee in every rental, ranging from $1 to $5. This fee helps the company maintain and improve the environmental friendliness of its trucks and facilities.
Additional services, such as moving coverage, equipment rentals (like dollies or moving blankets), and other add-ons, will increase your final cost. Be sure to consider these extras when planning your budget.
Like any service, taxes will be added to your U-Haul rental price, affecting the total amount you owe.
A common complaint about U-Haul is its poor customer service. Across various review platforms, many customers report feeling mistreated, misled, or ignored. Issues like unhelpful staff and unclear communication seem to be recurring themes.
One of the most frustrating complaints from U-Haul customers involves unreliable reservations. Many report arriving to find that the truck they reserved wasn’t available, or they had to pick it up from a different location than expected. In some extreme cases, customers have even been left without a truck on moving day, and the promised $50 compensation didn’t always materialize.
While moving truck availability can sometimes depend on factors like late returns from previous customers, the number of complaints regarding unfulfilled reservations raises concerns. It’s something to think about when choosing a rental company.
On top of reservations, there are reports of unfair charges, difficulty reaching customer service, and trucks that were in poor condition at pickup. While similar issues do occur with other companies, the frequency of negative feedback about U-Haul is notably higher.
If you are looking for an affordable moving truck service, U-Haul is an excellent choice. It offers both local and long-distance moves to fit your needs. Besides, their locations are available all through the US and Canada.
However, there’s no unlimited mileage on U-Haul truck rental services. Besides, there is a history of charging hidden fees which you should be careful about. Other than this, U-Haul is good to go for truck renting.
To rent a moving truck from U-Haul, you must be at least 18 years old. However, you only need to be 16 years old to rent a trailer. A valid driver’s license is required to rent any vehicle or equipment from U-Haul.
No, U-Haul does not offer unlimited mileage. For local rentals, you’ll pay $0.99 per mile after you return the truck. If you’re moving long-distance, U-Haul will calculate an estimated mileage and charge you upfront for that distance. Should you exceed the estimate, additional charges will apply.
Yes, U-Haul charges $19.95 per day for a 10-foot truck on local rentals. Rates for larger trucks may differ. For long-distance rentals, U-Haul will estimate the number of days needed for your move and charge you accordingly. If you need more days, you’ll incur late fees unless you prepay $40 per day to avoid them.
For local moves, the mileage cost is $0.99 per mile. For longer trips, the rate averages about $1.60 per mile, based on our findings. U-Haul doesn’t provide a standard official rate for long-distance moves, so the cost can vary depending on your route.