How Much Do U-Haul Alternatives Cost? 2025 Savings Guide

If you’re seeking alternatives to U-Haul for your house move, understanding the cost differences is crucial. This article will be looking into the different pricing models of U-Haul alternatives, helping you to make an informed decision that’s right for you and your moving requirements.

Our guide will cover the following:

• How much U-Haul alternatives cost
• What affects the cost of U-Haul alternatives
• How to save money on U-Haul alternatives
• What’s involved in using U-Haul alternatives
• How to know if U-Haul alternatives are the best choice for you
• How to find and hire U-Haul alternatives

Using competitors to the market leaders can be a great way to trim down your moving costs – and U-Haul alternatives are one of those. Let’s get straight into it.

How Much Do U-Haul Alternatives Cost?

For our cost comparison, we’ll be looking at different DIY vehicle hire and storage unit suppliers to compare and contrast their prices to give you a well-rounded idea of the kind of costs you’ll encounter when looking to hire moving services.

To start with, let’s remind ourselves of the costs commonly associated with U-Haul hire:

Distance	Estimated Cost
50 miles	$25 + $0.99 per mile
450 miles	$600+
1,000+ miles	$1,600 to $2,300+

While it’s common to see discounts the higher the volume of miles you travel, there are usually set fees to be added on to each hire charge which need to be kept in mind. However, if you hire the vehicle for a set amount of miles and don’t end up using as you anticipated, you will not receive a refund on your payment, so it’s important to be accurate with your estimations.

Now, let’s take a look at some market competitors to give you an idea of what’s possible with alternative companies:

Service Provider	Estimated Cost Per Mile
Budget Truck Rental	$0.47
Enterprise	$0.20
Home Depot	$1.29
Penske	$1.29

As you can see, Enterprise and Budget rentals offer lower per-mile charges – in some cases, well over half off U-Haul’s price – but these fees can vary depending on the total journey distance.

The lowest charge is from Enterprise at $0.20 per mile – but there are some drawbacks to Enterprise’s service such as being available for local moves only. For comparison, the higher end of the scale can offer a far greater range of geographical movement, such as Penske who has availability for long-distance moves across different states.

By shopping around it’s clear to see there are savings to be made when moving house and wanting something alternative to U-Haul – so let’s now understand if switching companies is actually worth it.

Are U-Haul Alternatives Worth It?

Selecting an alternative to the main market leader can give great results if you’re looking to save money on your upcoming house move – but there are some things to be aware of when you’re starting your search.

The number one consideration is the company’s location radius. Some smaller companies can be limited in the number of states they cover, with some only covering 20 or so, which means it’s essential to check the coverage before you get too involved with a company as it may end up being a waste of time.

Secondly, you’ll want to thoroughly check the business out online, looking at any reviews and customer testimonials. While new companies might not have many reviews, it’s still an important check to find out as much as you can about a company before booking with them.

With all this being said, there are definite savings to be had – newer companies are more likely to have discounts or introductory offers for you to take advantage of which can help to shave extra costs off your moving bill. You can also benefit from their local knowledge and a more personalized service which can be added extras that you may not receive with the market leaders.

Smaller companies have fewer overhead costs to take care of compared to bigger companies which translates to savings for you. As long as you make sure to leave no stone uncovered when it comes to asking about any hidden costs or extras, you can find a great deal by booking a U-Haul alternative.

Which U-Haul Alternative is the Best Choice for Me?

Let’s break down some of the main pros and cons when it comes to choosing a smaller, lesser-known company for your upcoming house move.

Advantages of Using a U-Haul Alternative	Disadvantages of Using a U-Haul Alternative
There are usually substantial cost-savings to be had with smaller or fledgling companies	Limited or smaller fleets depending on the size of the rental company
The service is likely to be more personalized than with a larger corporation	Fewer online reviews which may lead to uncertainty
Local knowledge may be more readily available	Geographic presence can be limited or restricted to certain States
Supporting local business	Accidental damage may be down to you to fund

The main advantage, as we’ve already covered, is the potential savings to be had from booking in with a smaller company. Introductory offers and discounts are common sights as companies are looking to quickly build their reputation.

The service is also more likely to be personalized and one-on-one, speaking to one main contact point, compared to a larger corporation. You can also benefit from local knowledge from the operators.

However, you will likely encounter smaller fleets which can mean availability isn’t as good as seen with some larger companies. It’s important to research the company’s geographical reach as some can be limited to certain states.

Ensuring the Professional Is the Right Fit

Booking in your moving truck can feel like a big weight is lifted – you’re one step closer to the big day! Before signing on the dotted line, be sure to carry out due diligence and ensure the company you’re booking in is the right and best fit for you.

Firstly, you’ll want to look at reviews – these can be online, or verbatim from friends, family or neighbors who may have used the service before. Getting a word-of-mouth recommendation is hailed as one of the best methods as you can trust your friends and family to not suggest a rogue trader to you.

Take a look at TrustATrader and Reviews.io to get a good feel for the company. Make sure you get a range of quotes from different suppliers to see the range, and be sure to ask thoroughly about any hidden fees (mileage, distance limitations, damage fees, etc.) to understand anything that may bump your price up.

Be sure to ask about the process on the day – is it a set time or a window, what happens at the end of the service, and how will I know if everything is running to schedule? It’s also a good idea to check out their policy if either party needs to cancel at the last minute to find out if you’re liable to pay a fine and if they have a sufficient process in place to cover your missing vehicle.

Finally, you need to have a good feeling for the company – are they forthcoming with their information and answers to questions, or does it feel strained? These can be red flags so it’s best to avoid any company that gives you a bad feeling as they could cause you more hassle than good.

Final Checklist

When it comes to booking your moving truck service, the general rules apply whether you’re booking an established company or a fledgling competitor – but there are some extra steps you need to take to make sure you’re not being fleeced.

• Take a look at online reviews – if there aren’t many for the company as they are new, try talking to your neighbors or colleagues to see if they have used the service and if they’d recommend them to you
• Fully understand the pricing structure, asking questions where needed about any mileage fees, late returns or distance limitations
• Take a look at a broad range of vendors to find the right fit for you
• Ask about introductory offers if they are a new business
• Understand what happens if the rental is cancelled by either party and what backup options there are
• Check and double-check the date you’re booking for!

Frequently Asked Questions