U-Haul vs Penske Truck Rental
By Daniel Harper, Senior Editor, Moving Costs · Reviewed by Melissa Grant, Pricing & Estimates Reviewer · Last updated May 2026
On our weighted score, Penske Truck Rental takes the edge (4.0/5). That said, U-Haul is the better pick for diy moves where you drive the truck, while Penske Truck Rental wins for diy moves where vehicle reliability matters. Always get binding estimates from both before booking.
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Side-by-side
| Category | U-Haul | Penske Truck Rental |
|---|---|---|
| USDOT | 125550 | 082866 |
| MC # | 26588 | 118117 |
| BBB rating | B | A+ |
| Founded | 1945 | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Phoenix, AZ | Reading, PA |
| Coverage | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Services | Local, Long-distance, Storage, Container/Portable | Local, Long-distance |
| 2BR estimate | $400–$2,800 | $450–$2,900 |
| Customer rating | 3.5 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
U-Haul
The default DIY rental option in nearly every US ZIP code. Cheapest path for a same-city move; their U-Box container product also competes with PODS for long-distance.
- Best for diy moves where you drive the truck.
- All 50 states coverage; founded 1945.
- BBB rating: B.
- Truck condition and customer service vary widely by location; one-way rentals can run 3–4x the local price.
Penske Truck Rental
Penske runs a younger, better-maintained fleet than U-Haul on average. Often worth the premium for long one-way trips where breaking down would derail the move.
- Best for diy moves where vehicle reliability matters.
- All 50 states coverage; founded 1969.
- BBB rating: A+.
- Per-mile rates on one-way rentals are noticeably higher than U-Haul.
DIY moves where you drive the truck
Truck condition and customer service vary widely by location; one-way rentals can run 3–4x the local price.
DIY moves where vehicle reliability matters
Per-mile rates on one-way rentals are noticeably higher than U-Haul.
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