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10 min readBottom line: Penske is an industry leader in the moving truck business. You may not see Penske’s moving trucks as often as you see U-Haul’s, but Penske outperforms its biggest competitor in some substantial ways.
Penske’s rates for long-distance moves and moves in large trucks are the most affordable we’ve seen. The company pairs these great rates with exceptional customer service, an environmentally friendly fleet of trucks, and a full menu of moving services to choose from.
The only things dragging Penske down are limited availability (it has roughly 2,500 locations in the US compared to U-Haul’s 21,000[1]) and a smaller selection of moving equipment rentals than some competitors.
Keep reading to learn more about Penske’s services and prices.
Best prices for long-distance moves
Best rates for large trucks
Unlimited mileage for long-distance rentals
Plenty of discounts
Reliable reservations 
Fewer locations than U-Haul
Fewer truck options than most competitors You can rent a Penske truck in every US state except Alaska.
Data as of October 2020. Prices do not include add-on services like moving coverage or additional equipment rentals. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Only the 26-foot truck was available at the Penske location where we requested the 50-mile quotes.
Now that we’ve given you an overview of Penske’s pricing and services, we wanted to focus on a few things that really make the company stand out.
Penske gives long-distance customers free, unlimited mileage with every truck rental.[1] This is totally unique to Penske. Other truck rental companies like Budget and U-Haul calculate how many miles you’ll need to drive when you move, then charge you extra fees if you put additional mileage on the truck.
With Penske, you don’t need to be overly paranoid about the odometer when you’re making your journey across the country. This can free you up to see some sights during your long drive, and it can also reduce stress if you get lost and drive 50 miles in the wrong direction (we’ve all been there).
Penske’s unlimited mileage on long-distance moves paired with its unbeatable rates make it the very best moving truck company if you’re moving long-distance.
In customer reviews across multiple platforms like Google Reviews and Yelp, Penske outshines competitors. On average, the company’s ratings from customers are a whole star rating over other moving truck companies.
Now, customer reviews aren’t the most reliable source of information. For one thing, people are far more likely to post a review when they’ve had a negative experience than when everything goes well.[3]
Because of this, you shouldn’t let a handful of negative reviews alarm you too much. Instead, check for patterns in customer reviews. Are most customers satisfied with the company, or do reviews trend negative? Do most negative reviews touch on the same complaints? If so, those complaints should probably be taken more seriously.
Of course, Penske has its fair share of negative reviews. Several Penske customers have reported issues like poor customer service and dirty trucks—all of which are common grievances in the truck rental industry. Despite these complaints, Penske’s reviews trend much more positively than any other moving truck company.
Moving trucks, like all other vehicles, aren’t what you could call the environment’s best friends. Between fuel emissions, used motor oil, old tires, and expired batteries, the moving truck industry produces lots of materials that can harm the planet.
To counteract its ecological impact, Penske charges every truck rental customer a $9 environmental fee. Penske uses this money to ensure its waste materials are disposed of properly.[4]
Penske is also a member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partnership.[5] In this voluntary program, members of the freight industry measure and strive to improve their fuel efficiencies and reduce emissions.
Moving Company | Avg. Rental Price | Car trailers/tow dollies available | Truck Sizes | Visit Website |
| Budget | $1,054 |  Yes | 5 | Get a Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penske | $1,136.50 | Yes | 5 | Get a Quote |
| U-Haul | $992.19 | Yes | 7 | Get a Quote |
| Enterprise | $129.70 (local only) |  No | 14 | Get a Quote |
| Home Depot | $1,330.60 | No | 8 | Get a Quote |
Data as of October 2020. Prices do not include add-on services like moving coverage or additional equipment rentals. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Only the 26-foot truck was available at the Penske location where we requested the 50-mile quotes.
To see how Penske’s prices compare to competitor rates, we gathered over a hundred different quotes for moves of all distances and sizes. We found that Penske’s rates can be pretty steep for short moves, but it has the best rates in the business for large and long-distance moves.
For moves over 1,000 miles, Penske’s average price was $2,471.20 while the industry average lagged almost $300 behind at $2,763.06. Similarly, for medium to large truck rentals, Penske’s average price was $2,141.03 while the industry average was $2,313.
For moves of 50 to 104 miles, on the other hand, Penske’s average price was about $539 while the industry average was $327. That said, even if you’re moving locally, you should at least get a quote from Penske in case the company is especially affordable in your area. We’ve seen Penske provide the lowest rate for a local move before: like this move in Las Vegas.
To give you an idea of what your truck rental move might cost, here’s a selection of quotes Penske gave us:
Data as of October 2020. Prices do not include add-on services like moving coverage or additional equipment rentals. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Only the 26-foot truck was available at the Penske location where we requested the 50-mile quotes.
As with any type of move, you’ll never know for sure how much a DIY move in a rental truck will cost until you get your unique quote. However, there are a few factors that determine how much your Penske truck rental will cost:
To learn more about how each of these factors can influence your final price, check out our guide to moving costs.
Of all the moving truck rental companies we recommend, Penske has some of the largest discounts. Here’s a complete list of Penske’s discounts for truck rental customers:
Ready to get your quote?
See how much your Penske truck will cost and maybe even snag a discount.
Moving truck coverage matters. No matter how experienced you are as a driver or how many times you’ve driven a moving truck, nobody is immune from icy roads and bad drivers. Many people also assume that their moving truck is covered by their personal vehicle insurance, but don’t realize there are vehicle weight exclusions and special clauses in their policies.
Before you pull away in a truck that’s larger and heavier than your car, check your vehicle insurance policy and look over Penske’s coverage options. You may want to purchase some additional coverage based on how comfortable you are driving a rental truck, how big your move is, and where you are located.
For instance, if you’re moving cross-country, we recommend getting Penske’s Limited Damage Waiver coverage, but if you’re moving locally in Florida during peak hurricane season, it makes sense to at least get Cargo Insurance.
Here are all the coverage options* Penske offers:
This coverage option covers damage to the truck or towing equipment that occurs when you are operating them as specified in your rental agreement.
If an accident occurs during your rental period and someone tries to sue you for damage to their person or property, this coverage protects you and any authorized drivers for up to $1,000,000. You have to be 21 years or older to purchase this coverage.[7]
Cargo Insurance covers damage to anything in your truck as a result of an accident or a natural disaster (up to $15,000). This option does not include any damage that happens during loading and unloading.
Personal Accident Insurance provides medical coverage for you and your passengers if someone is injured or killed in an accident that involves your Penske truck. Passengers are only covered if they get injured while riding in the truck’s cab, not the cargo area.
TWI covers any vehicle you’re towing behind your Penske truck in the event of a collision. It also covers the vehicle while it’s being loaded and unloaded.
*All coverage options are subject to provisions, limitations, and exceptions. Individuals should review their rental contract—including addendums—for a complete description of the policy's terms, conditions, and exclusions.
Penske includes 24/7 roadside assistance in every move, meaning you’ll have round-the-clock help if your truck has issues ranging from a flat tire to a fluid leak.
Penske and Home Depot have partnered to offer customers Penske trucks. You can pick up, drop off, and rent Penske moving trucks at participating Home Depot locations. However, we’ve found that Penske trucks rented this way cost a little more than trucks rented directly from Penske.
Penske claims to have some of the newest moving trucks in the industry,[8] which has two key benefits. First, this makes them more environmentally friendly, and second, it makes them less likely than competitor trucks to break down and give you problems during your journey.
Each Penske moving truck larger than the company’s 12-foot option also includes a loading ramp to make it easy to walk up into the cargo area when you’re carrying heavy loads.
Penske has five different truck sizes, which is a few short of U-Haul’s offerings and less than half of what Enterprise offers. However, with sizes ranging from a cargo van all the way up to a 26-foot behemoth, you’re sure to find the right truck size for your move at Penske.
Data as of October 2020. Prices do not include add-on services like moving coverage or additional equipment rentals. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Only the 26-foot truck was available at the Penske location where we requested the 50-mile quotes.
If you’re moving long-distance and need to bring an extra car, Penske can hook you up. In addition to its moving trucks, the company also offers rental tow dollies and car carriers.
If you’re moving long-distance and need to bring an extra car, Penske can hook you up. In addition to its moving trucks, the company also offers rental tow dollies and car carriers.
Data as of May 5, 2021.
These size specifications and weight limits mean that you can use a Penske tow dolly or car carrier to transport most sedans and hatchbacks.
The tow dolly can’t be used for motorcycles, though, and neither it nor the car carrier is safe for especially large or heavy vehicles like a huge Ram truck or an eight-passenger van.
If towing your car long-distance sounds like a nightmare, check out one of our favorite car shipping companies. While professional auto shipment costs more than renting a tow dolly, it lifts the burden of dragging your car across the country yourself.
Penske’s services and pricing make it the best truck rental company around, especially if you’re moving long-distance. Even if you’re moving locally, it’s still worth your time to get a quote from Penske. Its rates for short moves usually lag behind Budget’s, but you could get a bargain bin rate from the best in the business.
Ready to get your move started?
You can reserve your Penske truck online—remember, your quote includes unlimited mileage for any road trips or detours along the way!
Have you moved with Penske? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below!
Yes, for long-distance movers. If you’re moving locally (round-trip), though, you’ll have to pay Penske’s $1.29/mile rate for every mile you drive.
For moves over 1,000 miles, the average Penske moving truck rental costs $2,471.20 compared to the industry average of $2,763.06. For moves in medium- to large-sized trucks, Penske’s average price is $2,141.03 compared to the industry average of $2,313.
To rent a Penske truck, you have to be at least 18 years old.[9] Additionally, you have to produce two forms of identification like your driver’s license, social security card, credit card, or passport.
Penske is still taking bookings for rental trucks, but pickup and drop-off locations are subject to change due to closures. Call ahead. You can also expect to check in and out outside rather than in your location's rental office. Penske is not accepting cash payments.
Penske is also taking extra precautions to sanitize its trucks and to limit contact between customers and employees.
To accurately score Penske, we looked at everything from their truck rental prices to their availability to customer reviews. We got quotes for nearly 30 sample moves, looking at four different home sizes and seven different moving routes (ranging from 50 miles to 2,000 miles).
We also dug into all the extra services Penske offers, from moving coverage and roadside assistance to availability and rental reliability. We verified these services through their website and through calls to their customer service team.
Finally, we looked at what real Penske customers had to say. We offered moving assistance grants to get the full scoop from recent customers, and we analyzed star ratings and customer comments from sources like Google Reviews and Yelp.
If you want to learn more about Penske’s competitors and maybe gather a few quotes while you’re at it, check out our reviews of these moving truck rental companies:
Before you go, check out these guides to ensure your DIY move goes off without a hitch:
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