Moving to a new home can be an exciting but stressful time. Packing up all your belongings, renting a moving truck, and transporting everything to your new place is a major undertaking. While Uhaul is perhaps the most well-known option for DIY moves, it’s not the only choice.
There are many Uhaul competitors that could potentially save you money and hassle when relocating. This guide will compare the top alternatives to Uhaul for moving, plus provide tips for finding reputable movers in your area using the Agoyu moving marketplace.
Overview of Uhaul
Before diving into the alternatives, let’s review the key features and services offered by Uhaul:
- Truck Rentals – Uhaul is best known for their rental trucks available in sizes ranging from 10ft to 26ft. One-way and local rentals are available.
- Trailer Rentals – You can also rent utility trailers, car trailers, motorcycle trailers, and more from Uhaul.
- Moving Supplies – Uhaul locations sell a variety of moving boxes, furniture pads, appliance dollies, and other moving supplies.
- Storage – Some locations offer Uhaul portable storage containers, climate-controlled storage units, or parking spaces to store vehicles.
- Moving Help – You can hire additional movers by the hour through Uhaul to help load/unload the truck.
- Towing Services – Uhaul trucks can tow your personal vehicle. They also offer roadside assistance.
- Convenience – With thousands of locations across the US and Canada, Uhaul trucks are readily available. But keep in mind inventory varies locally.
While Uhaul services are convenient and affordable, pricing confusion and quality inconsistencies at different locations are common complaints.
8 Top Uhaul Alternatives for Your Next Move
If you’re looking to save money or have a smoother moving experience, here are 8 alternatives to consider instead of Uhaul:
1. PODS
PODS containers can hold 1-4 rooms of items safely. They are weatherproof, secure, and give you up to 30 days of portable storage. Pod transportation fees are competitive with truck rental rates, but you save time and effort.
Key Perks:
- Convenient loading
- Professional long-distance transport
- Storage flexibility
PODS pioneered the portable on-demand storage trend. Here’s how their service works:
- Request a container sized from 7ft to 16ft delivered to your address
- Pack your belongings into the container at your own pace
- PODS transports the container to your new address
- You unload the container into your new home
Availability: 48 states
Cost: $$
2. Budget Truck Rental
Owned by Avis Budget Group, this company is one of the largest Uhaul competitors with thousands of rental locations.
Key Perks:
- One-way and local truck rentals
- Online reservations
- Up to 35% off truck rentals
- Free companion airline/hotel discounts
Truck Sizes:
- 12’ truck (sleeps 1-2 rooms)
- 16’ truck (sleeps 3-4 rooms)
- 26’ truck (sleeps 5+ rooms)
Availability: 48 states
Cost: $
3. Enterprise Truck Rental
With an extensive branch network, Enterprise has grown to become a major player in truck rentals.
Key Perks:
- One-way rentals not available
- Hundreds of local branches
- Large choice of trucks, vans, pickups
- Includes 300 miles and LP gas
Truck Sizes:
- 10 sizes of trucks from 12’ to 26’
- Cargo vans, pickup trucks
Availability: 45 states
Cost: $$
4. Two Men and a Truck
As the name suggests, this company specializes in providing moving labor along with trucks.
Key Perks:
- Fully licensed, background-checked movers
- Customizable packing and moving services
- Local, long distance, and business moves
- Free no-obligation estimates
Truck Sizes:
- 17’ and 24’ trucks provided
- Bring your own truck option
Availability: 40 states
Cost: $$$
5. Penske Truck Rental
Penske is a leader in the truck leasing industry and offers high-quality rental trucks.
Key Perks:
- One-way and local truck rentals
- Free unlimited miles on one-way rentals
- Moving boxes and supplies
- GPS tracking on some trucks
Truck Sizes:
- Cargo van up to 26’ moving truck
- Side kits to extend space
Availability: 48 states
Cost: $$
6. Zippy Shell
This company takes a unique approach to container relocation services.
How It Works:
- Order a Zippy Shell container unit to your address
- Fill the 8’x5’x7’ container at your own pace
- Schedule transportation to deliver your unit
- Uses hydraulic lift gates for ground-level access
Key Perks:
- Convenient and safe loading
- Faster transport than PODS
- Units have tie-downs and air vents
Availability: Currently operating in 20 metro regions
Cost: $$
7. U-Pack
U-Pack lets you fill a room-sized ReloCube container for affordable relocation.
How It Works:
- U-Pack drops off a ReloCube shipping container
- You load items at your own pace
- U-Pack picks up the loaded cube and transports it
- You unload the cube at your new home
Key Perks:
- Cube sizes range from 5’-12’
- Door-to-door transport
- Faster transit times than PODS
- Discounted pricing for military, students
Availability: 48 states
Cost: $$
8. ABF U-Pack Moving
This Uhaul competitor uses the same ReloCube containers that U-Pack offers.
How It Works:
- ReloCubes are dropped off at your home
- You pack items into the cubes
- ABF transports the cubes by truck to your new home
- Unload the cubes into your new space
Key Perks:
- Cube sizes from 5’-12’
- Up to 21 days of container storage
- Industry leading 98% on-time delivery
Availability: 50 states
Cost: $$
Key Factors to Compare Uhaul vs. Alternatives
As you evaluate whether Uhaul or an alternative company is the best fit for your upcoming move, here are some key factors to compare:
Truck Rental Rates
Uhaul tends to offer lower base rental rates, but fees for mileage, insurance, and extras drive up the total rental cost. Alternatives like Budget offer more inclusive pricing. Compare total cost estimates, not just base rates.
Truck Options and Sizes
While Uhaul has an extensive selection of truck sizes, some alternatives offer larger trucks or specialty equipment like lifts and ramps for vehicles. Make sure the equipment meets your needs.
Scheduling Flexibility
Uhaul allows you to reserve trucks months in advance. Some smaller companies have less inventory and scheduling lead time. Give yourself plenty of time to book.
Loading and Driving
With Uhaul, you’re responsible for loading, securing items, and driving the truck yourself. Some alternatives include professional loading help and offer shipping container options.
Insurance & Fees
Understand all the fees and insurance requirements. Uhaul’s SafeMove insurance runs around $60. Many competitors include basic liability insurance in the rental price.
Mileage & Geographic Limits
Uhaul mileage rates, around $0.79/mile for long-distance moves, can really add up. Competitors like Penske offer unlimited miles on one-way rentals. Check route mileage.
Cancellation Policies
Review cancellation and refund policies closely. For example, Penske offers a full refund if canceled 48 hours before rental. Uhaul has a much more restrictive cancellation window.
By evaluating these key factors, you can determine whether Uhaul or one of its alternatives will provide the best truck rental value and service for your upcoming move.
5 Tips for Renting a Truck
If you’ve weighed the options and decided to move yourself using a rental truck, keep these tips in mind for a smooth experience:
Reserve early – Book your rental truck 2-4 weeks in advance if possible to secure ideal dates and equipment.
Get guaranteed pricing – Request a binding quote with total cost breakdown to prevent unexpected fees.
Understand insurance – Inquire what liability and cargo insurance is included and opt into any needed supplemental coverage.
Inspect the truck thoroughly – Note any prior damage and test running lamps, horn, ramp, liftgate, etc before loading.
Use truck weight limits – Don’t overload the vehicle. Distribute weight evenly for safe handling.
Alternatives to Moving Yourself
While renting a truck yourself is one option, hiring professional movers is another alternative to consider. The pros and cons compared to self-moving include:
Pros
- No driving or heavy lifting required
- Experts load and transport your belongings
- Optional packing and unpacking help
- Customizable services like piano moving
Cons
- More expensive than DIY truck rental
- Less control over move timeline/schedule
- Risk of property damage if movers are not properly vetted
Using Agoyu to view dozens of price estimates and mover profiles makes hiring professionals easy. And many offer affordable hourly rates if you only need help loading/unloading the truck.
Is Uhaul Right for You?
Uhaul is a trusted brand that provides an affordable truck rental solution for moving yourself. But it pays to explore all the alternatives.
Your priorities may be minimizing cost, eliminating driving, having professional movers handle your valuable possessions, or simply finding a rental truck in your area on your preferred moving dates.
By understanding the pros and cons of Uhaul competitors and utilizing tools like Agoyu to instantly discover moving companies in your area, you can determine the best option for your upcoming relocation needs and budget.
How Agoyu Compares Moving Companies
Instead of renting a truck yourself, hiring professional movers is an alternative option. Agoyu makes it easy to discover licensed, reviewed movers in your local area.
With just a few details about your upcoming move, the Agoyu intelligent app connects you with movers in your local area. All you need to do is use your smartphone to scan everything you need moved.
Benefits of using Agoyu:
- Customized quotes from vetted local movers
- Tools to compare price, reviews, insurance, licensing
- Aid scheduling in-home estimates
On Agoyu, you can filter and compare moving companies based on:
- Pricing – Compare real price estimates suited to your specific move details.
- Reviews – See unbiased ratings and reviews from other customers.
- Services – Search for companies offering packing, storage, piano moving, and more.
- Licensing & Insurance – Validate proper operating licenses and insurance coverage.
With everything in one place on Agoyu, you can find the right moving option for your needs!
