What You Should Know Before Renting A U-Haul
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There isn’t a What to Know Before Renting a U-Haul manual, but there should be. Chances are you’ll need to use the company’s moving services at some point, and Move.org is here to help you get the biggest bang for your buck by breaking down costs, policies, and more.
We even reveal some of our best tips for booking a U-Haul.
So read on, and become an expert in what you should know before renting a U-Haul:
- How does U-Haul work?
- How much does U-Haul cost?
- What time does U-Haul open?
- What is U-Haul’s reservation guarantee?
- Does U-Haul offer moving labor services?
- What other services does U-Haul offer?
- What are some tips for moving with U-Haul?
- Alternatives to U-Haul
- Recommended resources
Need more of the 411 on U-Haul? We've got a full review, and even a comparison against some of their competitors.
How does U-Haul work?
Image: Move.org
The concept behind U-Haul is simple: the company takes your money in exchange for letting you borrow one of its trucks to move your stuff.
What are the requirements to rent a U-Haul?
You don’t need an accident-free driving record to book a U-Haul, but the company does have some minimum requirements:
- Wondering if you can rent a U-Haul at 18? The answer is yes! The minimum age to book a U-Haul is 18 years old.
- You must have a valid driver’s license.
- You must provide two forms of meaningful assurance that your rented equipment will be returned on time and in good condition.
Meaningful assuranceU-Haul’s meaningful assurance requirements are for verifying your identity. Acceptable forms of assurance include your phone number, residential lease agreement, and employment verification.
Can my friend drive the U-Haul truck?
If you’re traveling with a friend or family member, you can take turns driving as long as everyone has a driver’s license. Just be aware that in the event of an accident, whoever signed the rental contract is responsible for the damage.
So choose your friends wisely.
How do I make a U-Haul reservation online?
You’re never more than a few clicks away from making a U-Haul reservation online. While you can make a reservation on the phone or in person, online reservations take less than two minutes if you know some basic information:
- Pickup date, time, and location
- Drop-off date, time and location
- Moving truck size
Need moving supplies?We break down what you need to pack, load, and haul your stuff—and how to get it. Read our moving supplies guide to learn more.
Do I need a credit card to rent U-Haul equipment?
Yes and no. You need a credit card or debit card to make an online reservation, but you can pay for your rental with cash when you pick up your truck. U-Haul accepts all major credit cards:
- American Express
- Discover
- Mastercard
- Visa
How far can I move with U-Haul?
U-Haul offers both local moving services as well as one-way rentals for long-distance moves.
The main difference between the two is where you pick up and return the rental trucks. You return the truck to the same location for local moves, but drop it off at a different location for long-distance moves.
We get into the price differences between local and one-way rentals below.
How much does U-Haul cost per day?
U-Haul costs $90–$110 per day for local moves and more than three times as much per day for long-distance moves of at least 1,000 miles (not including taxes, fees, and insurance).
U-Haul truck rates per day
| 10 ft. truck | 15 ft. truck | 17 ft. truck | 20 ft. truck | 26 ft. truck | |
Local move (50 miles) | $90 | $100 | $110 | $110 | $110 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Long-distance move (1,000 miles) | $495 | $520 | Not available | $780 | $1040 |
Data current as of 12/22/22. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Because U-Haul has so many trucks across thousands of locations, its prices are low and rarely change. But you should be aware your U-Haul quote doesn’t include travel expenses like gas, food, and lodging. That’s not a big deal for local moves, but the costs to rent a U Haul per day can add up over longer distances
How much is U-Haul per mile?
U-Haul costs approximately $1.39 per mile for local moves of 50 miles and about $0.80 per mile for a long-distance move of 1,000 miles. Curious if U-Haul charges by hour? The company charges a flat fee per truck so you won’t be able to save by renting for a couple of hours versus the whole day.
U-Haul cancellation policyU-Haul requests you cancel your reservation 24 hours in advance, but there are no fees if you have to bail at the last minute.
U-Haul late fees
U-Haul charges a $40 late fee for each extra day you keep your rental truck. It also charges $20 per day for trailers and towing devices.
So, if you agreed to return your $40 truck by 10 a.m. on Thursday, you’re technically responsible for the U-Haul late fee, which would be another $40 at 10:01 a.m.
Be sure to ask about a grace period if you’re late. Many U-Haul locations give a small (but unspecified) amount of wiggle room to account for things like bad traffic and long lines.
Pay by the hourHome Depot Truck Rental offers trucks by the hour, which can be an affordable alternative to U-Haul if you don’t need a full day to move. Learn more in our Home Depot Truck Rental Review.
