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U-Haul cost vs. full-service movers

Cheapest on the invoice — the real comparison has to include your own driving and labor.

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MovingExperts.org is an independent comparison site and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by U-Haul. Figures below are sourced from independent cost-tracking sites, not U-Haul directly.

Short answer: a one-way U-Haul rental for a long-distance move typically costs $1,900–$3,700 for the truck alone. Including fuel, insurance, and lodging, a full cross-country trip for a 2-bedroom commonly runs $1,400–$4,000 total.

U-Haul pricing at a glance
One-way truck rental (long-distance) $1,900 – $3,700
Fuel (varies by truck size) $420 – $1,050
Full trip, 2BR cross-country $1,400 – $4,000
Mileage Unlimited, included in one-way rate

Truck size guide

Home size Typical truck size
Studio10 ft
1 – 2 bedroom15 ft
2 – 3 bedroom20 ft
3 – 4+ bedroom26 ft

U-Haul vs. full-service movers

  U-Haul (self-drive) Full-service movers
2BR long-distance$1,400 – $4,000 (all-in)$2,800 – $5,000
Who drivesYouThe mover
Who loads/unloadsYou (or hired help)The crew

Full-service figures based on 2026 published industry cost surveys — see your own range with the calculator.

The trade-off that isn't on the invoice

U-Haul's price advantage comes entirely from you supplying the labor and the driving — often multiple days behind the wheel of a large truck for a genuinely long-distance move. If you'd need to hire loading/unloading help on both ends anyway, price that in before assuming U-Haul is the cheaper option overall; the gap with full-service can narrow considerably.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a U-Haul cost for a long-distance move? +

A one-way U-Haul rental for a long-distance or cross-country move typically costs $1,900–$3,700 for the truck alone, before fuel — a full trip including fuel, insurance, and lodging commonly runs $1,400–$4,000 total for a 2-bedroom move.

Does U-Haul charge by mileage on one-way rentals? +

No — one-way rentals typically come with unlimited mileage baked into the base price, since the rate already reflects the expected route and truck return logistics.

What size U-Haul do I need? +

A 10ft truck fits a studio, 15ft fits a 1-2 bedroom, 20ft fits a 2-3 bedroom, and 26ft fits a 3-4+ bedroom household — U-Haul's own site offers a size estimator based on your inventory.

How much cheaper is U-Haul than full-service movers? +

Substantially cheaper in raw dollars for the truck itself, but that excludes your own labor, driving (often multiple days for long-distance), fuel, and the risk of an accident — the comparison only makes sense once you price in what you'd pay for loading/unloading help.