In 2026, U-Haul is the better choice for most DIY movers because it usually costs less, offers more truck sizes, and has far more locations. Penske is our pick for a long-distance move with a firm schedule, thanks to unlimited mileage on one-way rentals, a newer fleet, and a stronger equipment guarantee when you reserve more than 24 hours ahead.
HireAHelper has helped facilitate more than 1 million moves, including plenty that involved a rental truck and professional loading help, so we know what to look for when comparing companies. Here’s how Penske and U-Haul compare on price, truck size, availability, coverage, and the other details that can change your moving day.
Karen Bodkin is a writer at HireAHelper who's passionate about helping people navigate their moves with less stress and more confidence. She empowers readers by turning the many overwhelming parts of moving into clear, actionable guidance.
Karen draws from a broad writing portfolio that includes home improvement, health, and travel. Her work reflects a deep understanding of life's transitions and a genuine drive to make moving feel more manageable for everyone.
Both Penske and U-Haul are solid choices for DIY movers, but they shine in different ways. You can use this table for an overview of which company comes out ahead depending on the move type and situation.
Penske vs. U-Haul Comparison| Factor | Winner | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | U-Haul | Lower median prices, more locations, and more vehicle sizes |
| Local moves | U-Haul | Lower base rates and wider neighborhood availability |
| Long-distance predictability | Penske | Unlimited one-way mileage and a stronger reservation guarantee |
| Small moves | U-Haul | Pickup trucks, cargo vans, and 10-foot trucks |
| Largest truck | U-Haul | A 29-foot truck is now available in addition to its 26-foot model |
| Fleet and equipment | Penske | Newer fleet and diesel engines in its 22- and 26-foot trucks |
| Discounts | Penske | Standing AAA, military, veteran, and student discounts |
| Locations | U-Haul | Roughly 25,000 locations compared with Penske’s 2,000-plus locations |
U-Haul is usually cheaper, especially for short and regional moves, but Penske’s higher rate may still make sense for you if unlimited mileage, a newer truck, or a firm pickup commitment matters more than getting the lowest quote.
Depending on where you are going and what you are moving, the "best" truck rental company actually changes. Here is a quick breakdown to help you select the right company based on the type of move.
Best Moving Truck Company For Move Type| Move Type | Best Choice | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Local move | U-Haul | Their lower base rates and dense network of locations usually make them the cheapest and most convenient option for in-town moves. |
| Long-distance move | Penske | U-Haul is often cheaper, but Penske includes unlimited mileage on one-way rentals and guarantees qualifying equipment reservations. |
| One-way move | U-Haul | U-Haul has far more drop-off locations, making it easier to return the truck near your new home without driving miles out of your way. |
| Multi-stop moves | U-Haul | With so many locations, U-Haul is generally more flexible if you need to stop at a storage unit or a friend's house in a different town along the way. |
| Small apartment moves | U-Haul | U-Haul offers pickup trucks, cargo vans, and 10-foot trucks. Penske now offers a high-roof cargo van, but only for round-trip rentals. |
| Schedule-sensitive moves | Penske | Penske guarantees the reserved truck, or an equal or larger replacement, when you book more than 24 hours ahead. |
U-Haul offers more vehicle sizes, including several choices for studio apartments, dorm rooms, and other small moves. Penske has fewer options, but its lineup still covers many of the most common move sizes.
We reviewed each company’s current vehicle specifications to compare truck size, loading space, fuel economy, and ramp availability.
| Rental Size | Penske | U-Haul |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup truck | Not available | Available, up to 19 mpg |
| Cargo van | High-roof cargo van, up to 12 mpg, round-trip only | Available, up to 18 mpg |
| Smallest box truck | 12-foot truck, up to 12 mpg | 10-foot truck, up to 12 mpg |
| Mid-size box truck | 16-foot truck, up to 12 mpg | 15-foot truck, up to 10 mpg |
| Large box truck | 22-foot diesel truck, up to 13 mpg | 20-foot truck, up to 10 mpg |
| 26-foot truck | Available, up to 13 mpg | Available, up to 8 to 10 mpg |
| Largest truck | 26-foot truck | 29-foot truck, up to 8 to 10 mpg |
U-Haul publishes a 29-inch deck height for its 10-foot truck, 33 inches for the 15-foot truck, and 35 inches for its 20- and 26-foot trucks. The 29-foot truck has an adjustable deck that lowers from 34 to 30 inches.
The 10-foot U-Haul has no ramp. Its 15- and 20-foot trucks have ramps about 2 feet, 2 inches wide, while the 26- and 29-foot ramps are about 2 feet, 7 inches wide.
Penske does not publish one standard deck height for its personal rental trucks because the exact dimensions can vary by manufacturer. It lists 1,000-pound-capacity loading ramps on its 16-, 22-, and 26-foot trucks, but not on the 12-foot truck or cargo van.
If you are comparing Penske and U-Haul 26-foot trucks, Penske offers slightly more cargo space and better estimated fuel economy. Its truck holds up to 1,700 cubic feet and 10,000 pounds. U-Haul’s holds 1,682 cubic feet but has a higher listed maximum load of 12,859 pounds.
U-Haul still wins the rental truck size comparison. Penske’s high-roof cargo van gives you another option for smaller moves, but it is only available for round-trip rentals. U-Haul offers more small and one-way vehicles, plus a 29-foot truck for moves that may not fit comfortably into a standard 26-footer.
When choosing a moving truck, it helps to look beyond just the size or price. The extra stuff, like whether you can rent a dolly, get packing supplies, or add storage, can make your moving day a lot easier.
Penske and U-Haul both cover the basics, including truck rentals, coverage options, and roadside assistance. The main difference is how much each one includes from the start. U-Haul has more services built in, while Penske works with partners to fill in those gaps.
| Service | Penske | U-Haul |
|---|---|---|
| Rental Trucks | ✅ | ✅ |
| Coverage and Roadside Assistance | ✅ | ✅ |
| Trailer Hitches | ❌ | ✅ |
| Tow Dollies & Car Carriers | ✅ | ✅ |
| International Moving | ❌ | ✅ (with U-Box®) |
| Self Storage | ✅ (through partners) | ✅ |
| Portable Storage Containers | ❌ | ✅ (U-Box®) |
| Moving Labor | ✅ (Simple Moving Labor) | ✅ (Moving Help®) |
| Moving Supplies | ✅ | ✅ |
| Propane Sales | ❌ | ✅ |
U-Haul tends to be easier for people who just want to rent a truck and get going without hunting for extra services. You can usually find what you need in one place, from boxes to storage. Penske does many of the same things, but you will sometimes have to go through partners or make separate arrangements. That is not a dealbreaker for most people, but keep in mind it adds a few extra steps to the process.
When you rent a moving truck, coverage protects you if something goes wrong, such as damage to the truck or your belongings due to an accident. Both Penske and U-Haul offer different levels of protection, from basic equipment coverage to more complete plans that include personal injury and cargo damage.
If you are only driving across town, the minimum coverage might be fine. For a long trip or a one-way move, though, it is worth paying a little more for broader protection. Accidents, weather, or damage during loading can quickly get expensive.
Before you decline coverage at the counter, you need to know this: Your personal auto policy may not cover a rental moving truck. Coverage can depend on the truck’s type, size, or weight, and your belongings may fall under a different policy altogether.
It can help your decision-making to call your insurer and ask:
Checking the policy for the exact truck you plan to rent can give you a clearer answer than relying on the coverage you have for a regular rental car.
| Plan | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Basic | Damage to Penske equipment only |
| Standard | Equipment damage, third-party damage, and injury claims |
| Value | All Standard coverage plus cargo accident damage |
| Plus | Everything above, plus personal accident and injury protection |
| Plan | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Safemove® | Damage waiver, cargo protection, and basic medical/life coverage |
| Safemove Plus® | All Safemove protection plus supplemental liability coverage, and no deductible for accidental damage |
| Safetow® | Protection for towed vehicles and cargo |
| Safetrip® | Supplemental roadside protection |
| Safestor® | Coverage for storage with U-Haul or U-Box® |
| Safehaul® | Coverage for shipped items via U-Box® |
U-Haul wins here because it offers more types of protection and more flexibility to tailor coverage to your move. Penske's plans are simple, but U-Haul gives customers more control over what they pay for and how much they are protected.
Pricing is one of the biggest deciding factors when you are choosing between Penske and U-Haul. Both companies have updated their fees and mileage rates for 2026, so we pulled new data from our most recent truck rental cost analysis to see how they compare for local, regional, and long-distance moves.
For this comparison, we looked at the median prices for a mid-size truck (around 15–16 feet) across large, mid-size, and small U.S. cities. These quotes include base rental costs and standard fees, but not optional insurance or add-ons.
| Move Distance | U-Haul | Penske |
|---|---|---|
| \<50 miles (Local) | $139 | $215 |
| 50-250 miles (Regional) | $168 | $256 |
| Long-distance (Cross-country) | $3,249 | $3,718 |
Source: HireAHelper Rental Truck Cost Database, 2026
At a glance: U-Haul remains the more affordable choice across all move types, especially for short and regional trips. Penske's prices are higher, but its one-way rentals include unlimited mileage, which can make the total easier to predict.
We want to make sure you are seeing real numbers, not guesses. HireAHelper’s Rental Truck Cost Database includes thousands of completed rental transactions across different companies, move sizes, routes, and locations.
For this comparison, we used a standard two-bedroom move booked two weeks in advance and compared similar truck sizes, dates, and distances. You can run the same type of comparison for your route with HireAHelper’s Moving Cost Calculator.
Unfortunately, there’s no singular flat rate for either company. Both charge differently depending on the move type.
Neither company hides its charges in the rental agreement, but several costs are easy to miss when you are focused on the large number at the top of the quote. Here are some common questions you might have about fees and pricing.
Penske says it does not charge hidden mileage or turn-in fees. Its displayed rates include a non-discountable environmental fee, but you may still pay for optional coverage, equipment rentals, additional days, fuel, damage, or cleaning. Non-family additional drivers cost $10 each. Penske also charges the toll amount plus a $25 processing fee when unpaid electronic tolls are billed through the company.
The familiar $19.95 rate is only the starting daily price for certain small local rentals, such as a pickup, cargo van, or 10-foot truck. Larger trucks start at higher daily rates. A short local move can still be affordable, but your total will not be $19.95 unless the truck barely leaves the lot.
Other costs to check include:
HireAHelper’s median cost data shows how the difference between Penske and U-Haul can play out across local and long-distance moves.
Penske is generally not cheaper than U-Haul for a local move. In our 2026 median data, a comparable local U-Haul rental cost $139, while Penske cost $215. That made U-Haul $76 cheaper before optional coverage and add-ons.
Both companies may charge for local mileage, but U-Haul’s lower median total gives it the advantage on most short trips.
Penske was not cheaper in our median cross-country data. The median U-Haul cost was $3,249, compared with $3,718 for Penske, a difference of $469.
However, Penske’s unlimited mileage and more fuel-efficient large trucks can narrow the gap on some routes. It may even come out ahead after a discount, so compare both companies using the same truck size, dates, and route.
For most moves, U-Haul comes out ahead on pure dollar value. Its base prices are consistently lower, and even though you will pay per mile on local trips, the total tends to be cheaper.
However, Penske can win in specific scenarios. If you are planning a very long drive where fuel efficiency is critical, or if you simply need the peace of mind that comes with unlimited mileage and a guaranteed reservation, the extra cost might be worth it.
Everyone loves saving money, but these two companies approach discounts very differently. Penske typically offers percentage-off discounts that lower your direct rental price. U-Haul generally avoids standard discounts in favor of "value-add" perks, like free storage or box exchange programs.
Generally, yes. Penske offers clear, upfront price reductions for specific groups. Here are a few of their common discounts:
Technically, no. U-Haul does not offer a standard percentage off for military members or students on truck rentals. However, they occasionally run specific promotions or bundle deals, so it never hurts to ask the local manager.
If you entered a code but did not see the price drop, it is usually because you need to verify your status at the counter. For example, you will likely need to show your AAA card, military ID, or student ID at pickup to honor the rate. Also, discounts rarely stack; if you use a seasonal promo code, it might cancel out your AAA discount.
Penske wins this category easily. Their discounts go straight toward lowering what you pay for the truck, so you see the savings right away. U-Haul's deals (like a free month of storage with a one-way rental) are nice perks, but they do not help your bottom line if you just need to move from A to B.
Both U-Haul and Penske let you reserve a truck from your phone or laptop, but the process itself is not quite the same. And while booking a truck online sounds simple, not every company's website makes it feel that way. Here is how U-Haul and Penske's processes measure up.
U-Haul's site is easy to navigate, and the quote tool gives you plenty of options right away. You can enter your dates, choose your truck size, and see availability in your area in a minute or two. The site does try to upsell you (boxes, pads, towing gear), but at least you can see everything in one place before you check out.
Penske's site feels cleaner and faster in general. You can get a clear quote in fewer steps and with less upselling. Penske has fewer locations, so you may have fewer pickup choices. However, when you reserve more than 24 hours ahead, Penske guarantees that your truck, or an equal or larger replacement, will be available at the selected time and location.
Both companies allow you to reserve a truck ahead of your move, but the policies about the process differ. You may find that what you reserved and what you drive off the lot can be different in some ways.
U-Haul uses more than one type of reservation. If your confirmation lists exact equipment, time, and location, the reservation qualifies for its $50 guarantee. That means if U-Haul cannot provide what you asked for and you cannot agree on an alternative, it pays $50 and continues trying to find equipment.
However, a reservation made without the exact truck, time, or location confirmed does not qualify for that guarantee. U-Haul may contact you closer to moving day with the final pickup details, which could involve another location or truck size.
Penske provides a more straightforward equipment guarantee, but it has far fewer pickup locations. It guarantees the reserved truck, or an equal or larger vehicle, at the chosen time and location when the reservation is made more than 24 hours ahead. Reservations placed within 24 hours are subject to availability and may require a different pickup location.
If your move depends on an elevator booking, closing date, loading crew, or parking permit, it’s worth checking your confirmation before moving day.
Look for the confirmed truck size, pickup time, and location so you know exactly what has been reserved.
Before you head to the counter, make sure you actually qualify to drive the truck. Here is everything you need in place before you can rent a moving truck.
Both companies usually allow after-hours drop-offs via a key drop box and mobile check-in. Just be careful: if you drop it off late or don't check in properly, you could be liable for any damage found the next morning or charged for an extra day.
Penske offers a smoother, more reliable reservation process. U-Haul offers lower age requirements for trailers and more flexible payment options. The winner here depends entirely on what you need.
Customer reviews are useful for spotting common problems, but national ratings do not tell you exactly what will happen at your neighborhood rental counter. Both companies rely on individual branches and partner locations, so the experience can change considerably from one city to another.
Recent U-Haul reviews commonly praise the company’s convenient locations, available equipment, and affordable local rentals. Complaints tend to focus on pickup changes, older or damaged equipment, mobile check-in problems, and charges that customers did not expect.
Penske reviews often give higher marks to the condition of the trucks and the pickup experience. Its complaints include billing disputes, unavailable equipment, communication problems, and limited help when a reservation issue occurs.
The main takeaway is not that Penske receives universally good reviews. It simply scores better than U-Haul in certain categories on the two large third-party platforms we checked.
| Rating Source | Penske | U-Haul |
|---|---|---|
| ConsumerAffairs | 1.9 out of 5, 354 reviews | 1.4 out of 5, 1,347 reviews |
| Trustpilot | 2.1 out of 5, 71 reviews | 1.5 out of 5, roughly 2,000 reviews |
| Trustpilot 5-star share | 25% | 4% |
| Trustpilot 1-star share | 69% | 90% |
*Ratings checked August 4, 2026. Scores and review counts can change at any time.*
Penske wins this comparison because it currently scores higher than U-Haul on both ConsumerAffairs and Trustpilot. Still, neither company has strong third-party ratings, so this is a relative win rather than a glowing endorsement.
Keep in mind that customer satisfaction can be wildly different depending on which location you rent from. A Penske or U-Haul in one city might be great, while the same company two states over could have issues. Before you book, take a few minutes to look up reviews for the specific pickup and drop-off locations you will be using.
Availability can make or break a move, especially if your schedule is tight. This is one area where U-Haul's size really shines. With thousands of locations across the country, it is usually not hard to find a truck nearby. Many of their vehicles are stationed at small local businesses and gas stations, as well as at U-Haul centers, making same-day or last-minute rentals possible in most areas.
The one thing to keep in mind is that U-Haul's massive inventory moves quickly. Because they are constantly "rebalancing" their fleet to meet demand, customers sometimes report being reassigned to a different pickup site or truck size when demand is high.
Penske’s network is smaller, with more than 2,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada. Many trucks are available through Penske branches and Home Depot locations. You may have fewer pickup options, but Penske guarantees the reserved truck, or an equal or larger replacement, when you book more than 24 hours ahead.
U-Haul offers broader access, making it easier to find something close and available right away. Penske's biggest advantage is dependability because they have a smoother process overall. If convenience is your top concern, U-Haul will do the job. If reliability is what matters most, Penske is the safer choice.
Yes, Penske is a good U-Haul alternative, especially for a one-way or long-distance move with a firm schedule. U-Haul still wins overall because it costs less based on HireAHelper’s data, has far more locations, and offers more vehicle sizes.
The final verdict comes down to where each company wins and loses:
Whichever truck you choose, you do not have to load it alone. If you are comfortable driving but would rather not carry furniture down the stairs or pack a 26-foot truck from floor to ceiling, HireAHelper lets you compare and book vetted labor-only movers for the loading, unloading, or both.
U-Haul may be one of the better-known options out there, but it isn't the only one. If you can't find what you want at U-Haul (or Penske), check out some of these other U-Haul alternatives.
HireAHelper has helped facilitate more than 1 million moves, including moves that pair a rental truck with professional loading or unloading help. That experience gives us a practical view of what matters beyond the advertised daily rate, including mileage, equipment availability, coverage, add-ons, and the final amount customers pay.
For this comparison, we reviewed current vehicle specifications, reservation policies, coverage options, discounts, and customer ratings from Penske and U-Haul. We also used HireAHelper’s Rental Truck Cost Database to compare similar two-bedroom moves booked two weeks in advance.
That combination of real moving data and current company research helps us explain where each rental company offers genuine value and where a lower starting price may not tell the whole story.
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