Renting a moving truck seems straightforward until you start comparing quotes. U-Haul shows $39.95 for a 15-footer. Penske quotes $89. Budget comes in at $64. But by the time you add mileage, insurance, fuel, taxes, and that mysterious "environmental fee," the actual costs can be 40% to 60% higher than the initial quote.

Here is a real comparison of the three major truck rental companies so you know what you are actually going to pay.

How Do the Three Companies Compare on Price?

Pricing depends heavily on whether you are moving locally or long-distance, and on the truck size. Here is how they stack up based on 2026 pricing data for a 15-foot truck:

Move Type	U-Haul	Budget	Penske
Local (30 miles)	~$131	~$154	~$166
Mid-range (100 miles)	~$223	~$278	~$311
Long-distance (400 miles)	~$1,250	~$988	~$1,414

The pattern: U-Haul tends to be cheapest for local and mid-range moves. Budget often wins on long-distance one-way rentals. Penske is usually the most expensive upfront but has the newest trucks and best fuel economy.

Important: these are base prices. The real cost after mileage, insurance, fuel, and fees will be higher for all three.

What Truck Sizes Are Available?

All three companies offer similar size categories, but the exact dimensions and naming differ slightly:

Size	Best For	U-Haul	Penske	Budget
Cargo Van	Studio / dorm room	245 cu ft	260 cu ft	253 cu ft
10-12 ft	Studio / 1 bedroom	402 cu ft	418 cu ft	380 cu ft
15-16 ft	1-2 bedrooms	764 cu ft	800 cu ft	740 cu ft
20 ft	2-3 bedrooms	1,016 cu ft	1,000 cu ft	Not offered
22-26 ft	3-5 bedrooms	1,682 cu ft (26 ft)	1,560 cu ft (26 ft)	1,468 cu ft (24 ft)

Key differences: U-Haul has the widest range of sizes, including a 20-foot option that sits between the 15-foot and 26-foot trucks. Budget does not offer a 20-foot truck. Penske's trucks tend to be slightly wider than U-Haul's, which can make loading furniture easier.

U-Haul's 15-foot and larger trucks include a "Mom's Attic" -- an overhead storage area above the cab that adds extra space. Neither Penske nor Budget offers this feature.

What About Mileage Charges?

This is where the pricing gets tricky. Each company handles mileage differently:

U-Haul charges per mile on most rentals. Rates vary by market and truck size but typically range from $0.59 to $0.99 per mile. On local (in-town) rentals, you get an estimated mileage allowance included in the base price. Go over, and you pay $1.00 per extra mile plus $40 per extra day.

Penske often includes unlimited mileage on one-way long-distance rentals, making it more predictable for cross-country moves. Local rentals may include a mileage allowance with overage charges.

Budget varies by rental type. One-way rentals typically include estimated mileage. Local rentals charge per mile, similar to U-Haul.

For a local move where you are driving 30 to 50 total miles, mileage charges add $18 to $50 to your bill. For a long-distance one-way move, mileage is usually built into the quote.

How Much Does Truck Rental Insurance Cost?

None of the three companies include insurance in the base price. Here is what coverage options typically cost:

Coverage Level	U-Haul	Penske	Budget
Basic damage waiver	$14-$17/day	~$40/rental	~$60/rental
Full coverage (damage + cargo)	$42-$56/day	~$74/rental	~$85/rental
Supplemental liability	$14/day	Varies	Varies

Before buying truck rental insurance, check two things. First, your auto insurance policy may cover rental trucks -- call your insurer and ask. Second, some credit cards include rental vehicle coverage. American Express and Chase Sapphire cards, for example, may cover damage to rental trucks. Confirm the details and coverage limits before relying on this.

If neither your auto policy nor your credit card covers rental trucks, buy at least the basic damage waiver. A minor fender bender in a 26-foot truck you are not used to driving can easily cost $2,000 to $5,000 out of pocket.

What Hidden Fees Should You Watch For?

The quoted price is never the final price. Here are the fees that inflate your bill:

Environmental/sustainability fee. All three companies charge $1 to $15 as an environmental fee. It is a small add-on but one that does not appear in the initial quote.

Fuel charges. You return the truck with the same fuel level you got it at. A 26-foot U-Haul gets about 10 MPG. For a 400-mile move, that is 40 gallons of gas at roughly $3.50/gallon = $140 in fuel alone. Penske trucks get better fuel economy (12-15 MPG for larger trucks), which can save $50 to $100+ on long moves.

Equipment rentals. Dollies ($10-$12/day), furniture pads ($12-$15/dozen), and hand trucks ($10/day) add up. A typical set of equipment adds $30 to $50 to a one-day rental.

Late return fees. U-Haul charges $40 per day for trucks and $20 per day for trailers if you return late. Penske and Budget have similar penalties. If your move takes longer than expected, this adds up fast.

Taxes. State and local sales tax applies to the rental and is not shown in the initial quote. Depending on your location, this adds 6% to 10%.

After-hours return fees. Some locations charge extra if you return outside business hours.

Cleaning fees. Return the truck dirty and you may face a $25 to $50 cleaning charge.

Which Company Should You Pick?

Here is the practical recommendation based on the data:

Choose U-Haul if you are moving locally (under 100 miles) and want the lowest base price plus the widest selection of truck sizes and locations. U-Haul has over 23,000 locations, far more than Penske or Budget, so pickup and drop-off are convenient. Be aware that availability issues are commonly reported -- book early and confirm your reservation.

Choose Budget if you are making a long-distance one-way move and want the lowest total price. Budget also offers more published discounts (AAA, military, student) than competitors. Their truck fleet is older than Penske's, so expect a more basic experience.

Choose Penske if you want the newest, best-maintained trucks and are willing to pay more for the experience. Penske's fleet is typically under three years old, and their better fuel economy (saving $50 to $100+ in gas on long moves) partially offsets the higher rental rate. Best for moves where reliability matters most -- like a cross-country move where a breakdown would be catastrophic.

How Does This Fit Into Your Total Moving Budget?

A truck rental is one piece of the moving puzzle. Between the truck, fuel, insurance, equipment, packing supplies, and potentially a day off work, a DIY move typically costs $300 to $600 for a local move and $1,500 to $3,000+ for a long-distance move.

When you are comparing apartments, factor moving costs into your decision. A unit that is $100/month cheaper but requires a $2,500 cross-country move takes over two years to break even versus a pricier local option. Tools like RentCompare help you see the true all-in monthly cost of each apartment so you can decide whether the move is worth it financially.

UHaul vs Penske vs Budget: Moving Truck Comparison