Cargo Van Rental Cost: Prices, Sizes & Best Companies in 2026

How Much Does It Cost To Rent a Cargo Van?

Cargo van rentals can start around $20 a day, but the final cost depends heavily on how the company charges. You'll usually run into one of three pricing models: short-term rentals charged by time, rentals with a daily rate plus mileage, and a flat daily price.

According to the HireAHelper Rental Truck Price Database, U-Haul cargo vans are $19.95 per day plus mileage, while Home Depot uses time-based pricing with unlimited mileage.

Which one costs less for you depends mostly on how long you need the van and how far you're driving.

Hourly and Short-Term Rentals

Short-term cargo van rentals can work well when you only need a couple of hours to get your move done. Instead of paying by the mile, you pay for a block of time and may get unlimited mileage during that period.

For example, Home Depot cargo vans start at $29 for the first 75 minutes, with unlimited mileage. The daily rate is $159, although rates can vary by store and vehicle. After the first 75 minutes, the price increases in 15-minute increments until you reach the daily rate.

That means a 3-hour rental could fall somewhere between the first-block price and the daily rate, depending on the local incremental charge.

Daily Rates From Moving Truck Companies

Some cargo truck rental prices work by charging you a daily rate plus mileage, so the advertised price can be quite a bit lower than what you actually pay. You’ll often see this structure when renting from moving truck companies.

For example, HireAHelper’s 2026 rental-rate data lists a U-Haul cargo van at $19.95 per day plus about $0.79 per mile. Drive 30 miles, and that comes to $43.65 before fuel, taxes, coverage, and other extras.

Mileage rates can change by location and date, so the same rental may cost more somewhere else.

Daily Rates From Car Rental Companies

Traditional car rental companies such as Enterprise and Hertz usually price cargo vans by the day, much like they do passenger vehicles. You'll normally need to enter your location and dates to see the actual rate, and mileage policies can vary.

The van itself may be different too. Enterprise, for example, lists a Chevrolet Express Cargo or similar, with a payload of up to 3,700 pounds. That can affect how much you can fit inside.

Be mindful that Enterprise only lists cargo vans in select markets, so check that the vehicle is actually offered where you're moving before spending too much time comparing it with other options.

What the Advertised Rate Leaves Out

The advertised rate is usually just the baseline. It may leave out mileage, fuel, optional damage protection, taxes, and other local fees.

The gap tends to be bigger with rentals that charge by the mile. A short-term rental with unlimited mileage is easier to predict, while a low daily rate plus mileage can change quickly depending on how far you drive.

Before booking, work through the whole trip rather than comparing the first number you see. Look at the rental period, expected mileage, fuel policy, damage waiver, taxes, and any deposit or card hold.

Keep in mind that, for most companies, you won’t see the actual rental price until you enter your location and dates, and rates can vary by market.

Mileage Charges

A mileage charge is added for every mile you drive, on top of the rental rate.

That means two vans with similar advertised rates can end up costing very different amounts. A 10-mile and a 60-mile moving day may start with the same daily rate, but the second move will be much more expensive.

Unlimited mileage changes that calculation. Home Depot includes unlimited mileage with its truck and van rentals. Budget Truck also advertises unlimited mileage with some cargo van rentals, including some one-way trips.

Before comparing two quotes, check how each company handles mileage. Is it unlimited, is there a set allowance, or are you paying for every mile? Without that information, you might be comparing the wrong numbers and end up with a surprising bill on moving day.

Fuel Costs

Fuel is usually your responsibility, so plan on returning the cargo van with the amount of gas required by the rental agreement. Usually that means filling it up at least to the level it was when you left the lot, or to a full tank. If you return the vehicle with less fuel than required, the rental company may refuel it and charge you. Filling it yourself before drop-off is usually the simpler — and cheaper — option.

Fuel economy varies quite a bit between vans. Budget lists its cargo van at about 8 to 14 MPG, U-Haul estimates 18 MPG under ideal conditions, and Penske lists up to 12 MPG for its high-roof van. Keep in mind that a fully loaded van may use more fuel than the published estimate.

To get a rough fuel estimate, divide the miles you expect to drive by the van's MPG, then multiply that by the current price of gas.

Damage Waivers and Protection Plans

A damage waiver is an optional add-on that can limit what you owe if the rental van is damaged. The price varies by rental company, location, and the protection you choose.

It's especially important to check your existing coverage before renting a cargo van. Your personal auto policy or credit card benefits may not cover a commercial cargo vehicle, even if they normally cover rental cars. Always call your insurer or card provider rather than assuming you're covered.

And keep one distinction in mind: a rental company's damage waiver is for the van. It doesn't automatically protect the furniture, boxes, or other belongings you're carrying inside it.

Taxes, Environmental Fees, and Deposits

Taxes and other local fees can also show up at checkout. Depending on where you rent, you may see state or local rental taxes, environmental fees, facility fees, or other charges.

Because these can vary by location, they're another reason you can't rely on one national average cargo van price.

You may also have a deposit or temporary hold placed on your card. That money isn't necessarily part of the rental price, but it can reduce the amount of credit or cash you have available during the move. Ask how much will be held and when the hold should be released before you reserve.

Cargo Van Rental Prices by Company

Cargo van prices are hard to compare by headline rate alone because the companies don't all charge the same way. Mileage and one-way rules can matter just as much as the rental price.

*Source: HireAHelper Rental Truck Price Database (2026) and company-published policies reviewed August 2026.*

The biggest difference is really the pricing structure. In general, Home Depot can make sense for a short local job because mileage is included, while Budget stands out if you need a one-way van. For the others, you'll need a location and date before you can make a useful price comparison.

Cargo Van Sizes and What Fits Inside

Cargo vans from the companies we compared offer roughly 246 to 404 cubic feet of cargo space and payload capacities from about 3,000 to 4,030 pounds.

But what does this actually fit? According to Budget, its van (323 cubic feet) can handle about 40 medium boxes, one or two pieces of furniture, and a twin or full mattress. U-Haul (246 cubic feet) says a queen mattress and box spring can fit in its van.

Keep in mind that the type of van also matters. A standard cargo van and a high-roof van can fit very different furniture pieces and other belongings.

*Source: Company-published specifications reviewed August 2026.*

You should also be mindful about the door opening, since that space can sometimes be too narrow for certain furniture to fit through. U-Haul's rear opening is about 5 feet 1 inch by 4 feet 1 inch, while Budget's is about 5 feet 1 inch wide by 5 feet 4 inches high.

One-Way vs. Round-Trip Rentals

Some companies allow one-way cargo van rentals, while others require you to return the van where you picked it up.

Among the companies we checked:

• Budget Truck: Offers one-way cargo van rentals on eligible routes and advertises unlimited mileage.
• Penske: Its high-roof cargo van is round-trip only.
• Home Depot: Vehicles need to go back to the same store.

One-way pricing also works differently from a simple local daily rate. Your quote may be based on the route, distance, rental period, or included mileage rather than a flat daily price.

If the company you like doesn't offer a one-way cargo van for your route, check its smallest box truck instead. Penske, for example, directs one-way customers to its 12-foot truck instead.

Which Rental Company Is Best for Your Move?

The best cargo van company depends mostly on how far you're driving, whether you're coming back to the same place, and how much room your biggest items need.

Here are some details on which company is the best fit for different situations:

• Best for short local trips: Home Depot. The short rental window and unlimited mileage work well for a quick move or furniture pickup when you can return to the same store.
• Best for one-way moves: Budget Truck. Budget explicitly offers one-way cargo van rentals and advertises unlimited mileage with eligible trips.
• Best for bulky or tall loads: Penske. Its high-roof van offers up to 404 cubic feet of cargo space and up to 6 feet 9 inches of interior height.
• Best for the heaviest load: U-Haul. Its 9-foot cargo van has the highest stated payload of the five, at 4,030 pounds.
• Best if you want to know what you're getting: Enterprise. Enterprise lists a Chevrolet Express Cargo or similar rather than simply calling it a cargo van.

Before booking, check the mileage policy and measure your biggest item against the door opening. Those two details can rule an option in or out pretty quickly.

What You Need To Rent a Cargo Van

You'll usually need a valid driver's license and an accepted payment method, but ID, age, and insurance requirements can change by company and location.

Here are some common examples:

• Driver's license: Bring a current, valid license.
• Payment: Home Depot requires a credit card for its vehicle rentals.
• Identification: Penske asks for two forms of ID.
• Insurance: Home Depot asks for proof of insurance.
• Identity verification: Home Depot also uses CLEAR verification in many locations.
• Age: Minimum rental ages vary, and younger drivers may face additional charges with some companies.

Before pickup, check the age rule, ID requirements, deposit, and any young-driver fee for your specific reservation. That can save you an unpleasant surprise at the counter.

How To Spend Less on Your Rental

The biggest savings usually come from choosing the right pricing model for your trip, not simply finding the company with the lowest advertised rate.

Say you're making a 30-mile furniture run. Home Depot's $29 short-term rental includes unlimited mileage, so you'd pay $29 if you can complete the trip within the included rental time. A U-Haul cargo van at $19.95 plus $0.79 per mile comes to $43.65 before fuel, taxes, coverage, and other extras.

Here are ways to keep the cost down:

• Look for discounts you already qualify for. Penske, for example, advertises discounts for AAA members, military members, and college students.
• Fill the tank yourself before returning the van.
• Rent the smallest van that comfortably fits your belongings.
• Check how mileage is charged before choosing by headline price.
• Ask about the deposit or card hold ahead of time so it doesn't eat into the money you've set aside for the rest of the move.

Do You Need Help Loading and Unloading?

For a lightly furnished studio or a few boxes and pieces of furniture, you may be perfectly comfortable loading a cargo van yourself. Professional help starts to make more sense when stairs, heavy furniture, awkward appliances, or a tight rental window are involved.

For example, getting a dresser through a narrow van door and up into the cargo area can take more time, and more people, than the drive itself.

If you'd rather have help with that part, HireAHelper is a nationwide marketplace where you can compare and book vetted movers to load or unload a cargo van you rented yourself. Local moves can be booked online, pricing is shown upfront, and movers come with equipment such as blankets, straps, and dollies.

HireAHelper has helped more than 1 million people move, works with more than 2,000 vetted moving companies, and has a 4.6 out of 5 Trustpilot rating from more than 14,700 reviews.