How long can I rent a U-Haul? (must know!)
U-Haul offers vehicles for moving large quantities of furniture, appliances, or other cargo. Their service operates on a contract basis, and failure to return the vehicle when the contract expires effectively means the vehicle has been stolen.
To avoid any costs or legal disputes, it’s important to understand the terms of your contract for the use of U-Haul trucks and other vehicles. While the company prefers short-term rentals, they offer some long-term options for those in need.
How long can I rent a U-Haul?
You can rent a U-Haul for as long as your contract allows. Contracts are usually determined based on how far you will be moving and the size of the vehicle you will need. Most contracts are for a few hours (8-24 hours), but you can add days if you are moving out of state.
Read on to find details on U-Haul truck sizes and prices, as well as general details on U-Haul rentals.
U-Haul Truck Sizes and Prices
U-Haul rental prices depend on the size of the truck you need and how far you plan to travel. Typically, this includes a flat rate for trucks, plus additional fees based on distance traveled.
U-Haul trucks come in a variety of sizes:
- truck — Good for small jobs
- 10′ truck — Ideal for mobile studios or one-bedroom apartments
- 15′ truck — Ideal for relocating 1 bedroom houses or 2 bedroom apartments
- 17′ truck — Suitable for move-ins with up to 2 bedrooms
- 20′ truck — Ideal for moving 2 bedroom houses or 3 bedroom apartments
- 26′ truck — Ideal for moving into a 3-4 bedroom house
All of these trucks have different rates. If you’d like to calculate the expected rate for your moving job, you can visit the truck rentals page on uhaul.com.
How many miles can the U-Haul travel?
Different U-Haul vehicles have different fuel consumption and tank sizes. Fuel prices are not included in the U-Haul rental fee and gasoline must be paid for by the customer. Expected driving distance per tank depends on vehicle size.
U-Haul trucks can go 372-600 miles on a tank of gas, depending on the size of the vehicle.
When you start your rental, U-Haul will indicate a certain number of miles included in the contract. Additional distance traveled will incur an additional fee of $1.00 per mile.
For more information on estimating distance charges and fuel costs, you can visit the Tips page on uhaul.com.
Read: Are U-Haul Trucks Air Conditioned?
Can I extend my U-Haul rental?
In most cases, U-Haul allows you to extend your rental. This is best arranged in advance. Let them know how many extra days you need the truck for pickup and amend the contract.
If you need to extend it due to unforeseen circumstances and you already own the truck, you can call or go to your local U-Haul and notify them of the change.
Each location and its availability will determine whether you can extend your rental. Most of the time, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Read: Does U-Haul Provide a Driver?
final thoughts
U-Haul provides a convenient service for people who need a temporary vehicle to move large quantities of furniture, appliances, or other items. Their rates depend on the size of the vehicle you need and how far you expect to travel.
There is usually no limit to the distance or time you can rent a U-Haul, but the exact parameters of the contract will be determined when you hire the vehicle. Adding extra miles to the distance will cost you extra. Fuel costs are also not included.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to ask in the comments section.
