Penske vs. U-Haul
These are two of the most common choices for a DIY interstate truck rental. Neither is universally cheaper or better — the right choice depends on your specific route, dates, and priorities.
How they compare
| Penske | U-Haul | |
|---|---|---|
| Fleet age | Often newer on average | More variable, larger overall fleet |
| Location network | Smaller than U-Haul | Largest network of any major rental company |
| Truck size range | Comparable range to U-Haul | Widest range including smaller options |
| One-way interstate pricing | Often competitive, route-dependent | Often competitive, route-dependent |
How to actually decide
Get quotes from both for your exact route, truck size, and dates — pricing is too route- and date-dependent for either to be reliably cheaper across the board. If you're moving to or from a smaller town, check location availability at both ends specifically, since network size can matter more there than in major metros where both companies are well represented.
What else to compare beyond these two
Budget Truck Rental is a third major option worth a quick quote comparison — see our full truck rental comparison guide covering all three.
Beyond the truck itself
Both companies also rent moving supplies (dollies, furniture pads, boxes) and offer their own damage waiver options — compare these add-ons too, not just the base truck rate, since a lower truck price with expensive supply add-ons can end up costing more overall than a slightly higher all-in quote elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Is Penske or U-Haul better for a one-way interstate move?
Both handle one-way interstate rentals well — the better choice depends on which has better pricing and availability for your specific route and dates, which varies. Get quotes from both rather than assuming either is universally better.
Does Penske have newer trucks than U-Haul?
Penske's fleet is often cited as newer on average, which some customers value for reliability on a long interstate drive — though U-Haul's much larger fleet size means more availability and location options.
Which has more pickup and drop-off locations?
U-Haul generally has a larger total network of locations, which can matter for a route involving a smaller town at either end.
Are their truck sizes directly comparable?
Roughly, though exact cubic footage and layout differ slightly between the two companies at each size tier — check specific dimensions rather than assuming a '20-foot truck' means exactly the same capacity at both.