Best Alternatives To U-Haul For Long Distance Moving.
- American National Movers
- 12 minutes ago
- 6 min read
U-Haul is now facing strong competition from long-distance moving alternatives and competitors that offer more value — including full-service options where you don’t have to rent a truck, do the driving, or (in some cases) handle the labor yourself.
Why People Search for U-Haul Alternatives.
Many people look for U-Haul alternatives because U-Haul isn't as cheap or simple as it markets itself to be. Online reports show that U-Haul's costs can sometimes be as high as those of hiring full-service long-distance movers.
With U-Haul, their rental unit costs are just the start. Once you factor in materials, mileage fees, lodging, fuel, and other hidden expenses, the savings with U-Haul are minimal. At that point, hiring a budget-friendly long distance moving company is a better alternative than U-Haul.
Breakdown: Why People Look For U-Haul Competitors:
1. The Final Price Isn't as Cheap as Expected.
U-Haul's base rates look low online, but long-distance rentals include:
Fuel (usually $700–$1,200 for cross-country trips).
Mileage charges.
Insurance.
One-way drop fees.
Dolly/pad rentals, material costs.
Hotels, food, tolls.
By the time everything is factored in, you're often close to — or even above — the cost of using an affordable long-distance moving company.
2. You Have to Do Everything Yourself.
Renting a U-Haul means:
You load the truck.
You pack everything.
You drive a 20–26 ft truck across multiple states.
You unload the truck.
You handle any damages.
For many people, the work, stress, and risk aren't worth the small price difference.
3. The Biggest Truck Often Isn't Big Enough.
Most long distance customers discover mid-loading that a 26 ft truck doesn't fit a 3+ bedroom home.
This results in:
Last-minute second truck rental
Finding another driver
Doubling fuel, mileage, and equipment costs
This is one of the most common reasons U-Haul rentals get regretted.
4. Delivery Windows Are Completely on You.
Since you are the driver, everything depends on:
Your stamina.
Weather.
Road conditions.
Hotel availability.
You're moving help.
A single delay can ruin the schedule on both ends of the move.
5. Better Options Now Exist (at Similar Prices).
U-Haul's biggest competitors today offer:
Professional loading.
No driving.
Faster delivery.
Flat-rate pricing.
Licensed & insured transport.
For nearly the same total price as doing everything yourself.
Best U-Haul Alternatives For Long Distance Moving.
Not all moving options are created equal — and some of U-Haul’s competitors offer a lot more value for nearly the same price. Below are the best alternatives to U-Haul for long distance moves, depending on your budget, workload, and how much help you actually want.
Use the chart below as reference to see who U-Haul's competitors are:
Use the Chart Below to Compare U-Haul’s Competitors.
Most people assume U-Haul is the cheapest option — but when you compare the total long distance moving cost and the amount of work required, alternatives offer better value for nearly the same price.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how U-Haul stacks up against PODS, Penske, Budget, and affordable long distance movers like American National Movers:
Breakdown to U-Haul Alternatives and Competitors:
Once you understand the trade-offs, it becomes clear why many people start comparing U-Haul to other long distance moving alternatives. Here’s how the top U-Haul competitors stack up in terms of cost, convenience, and overall value.
PODS – Ideal If You Don’t Want to Drive.
PODS is one of the most popular alternatives to U-Haul because you don’t have to drive a large truck across multiple states. They drop off a container, you load it and then PODS hires a driver to transport it.
Average Cost: $3,800–$5,200.
Best For: small-to-medium loads, flexible timing.
Affordable Long Distance Movers (Like ANM) – Best Full-Service Option.
Most customers are surprised to learn that hiring professional long distance movers doesn’t cost much more than renting a U-Haul. When you factor in U-Haul’s fuel, mileage, hotel, tolls, and labor costs, full-service movers often land in the same price range — but without the stress, driving, or heavy lifting.
Average Cost: $4,800–$6,600.
Why It’s Better: no driving, faster windows, licensed, flat-rate pricing.
Penske – The Best DIY Alternative to U-Haul.
Penske trucks are newer, stronger, and usually includes unlimited mileage.
A lot of people prefer Penske over U-Haul when they want a DIY option and a better driving experience.
Average Cost: $3,900–$5,300.
Why Choose Penske: diesel engines, better maintenance, more power.
Budget Truck Rental – Usually Cheaper Than U-Haul.
Budget is generally the cheapest rental truck option for long-distance moves.
Average Cost: $3,500–$5,100.
Limitations: older trucks, fewer locations, less power on hills.
Hybrid Options – You Load, They Drive.
Other you pack they drive options include:
UShip.
HireAHelper + Truck.
Independent haulers.
This middle-ground solution avoids the long drive while still saving money.
Before Choosing a U-Haul Alternative, Ask Yourself These Questions:
Not every U-Haul competitor is the right fit for every move. The best alternative depends on how far you’re going, how much you’re moving, and how much work you’re willing to take on.
Here are the key questions every long-distance customer should ask before deciding:
1. How far am I actually moving?
DIY truck rentals get dramatically more expensive once you pass 600–800 miles. Fuel, hotels, tolls, and fatigue stack up quickly — sometimes enough to eliminate the “savings.
2. How much stuff do I have?
A 26 ft U-Haul looks big, but it rarely fits a 3+ bedroom home. If you have a garage, basement storage, or bulky furniture, a second truck may become unavoidable — doubling your workload and costs.
3. Do I have reliable help to load and unload?
Most people underestimate how hard it is to:
Lift heavy furniture.
Wrap fragile items.
Stack boxes safely.
Load a truck tightly so nothing shifts.
If your “helpers” are inconsistent or unavailable, the move becomes far more stressful.
4. Am I comfortable driving a 20–26 ft truck across multiple states?
Long-distance driving means managing:
mountain roads
high winds
rain, snow, and fatigue
fuel stops
tight city streets
parking and overnight security
If that sounds stressful, a hybrid or full-service mover is usually the smarter choice.
5. What’s the real cost after fuel, hotels, and time?
Most people only compare truck rental costs, but the real total includes:
gas
mileage fees
equipment
hotel nights
tolls
days off work
physical exhaustion
When you add it all up, the difference between DIY and a full-service mover is often $800–$1,500, not the thousands people assume.
6. Do I want a hands-off move or a full DIY project?
There’s no wrong answer — but both experience's is very different.
If you want a move where you:
✔ don’t drive
✔ don’t load
✔ don’t unload
✔ get a tighter delivery window
✔ avoid damage risks
A full-service long-distance mover like American National Movers will always be the better value.
U-Haul Isn’t the Only Affordable Option Anymore.
Most people assume U-Haul will be the cheapest option for their long distance move. But once you factor in fuel, hotels, mileage fees, loading help, time, and stress, the final price is often much closer to full-service movers than expected.
That’s why so many customers end up choosing U-Haul competitors like PODS, Penske, Budget, or — most commonly — affordable long-distance moving companies that handle everything for you.
If you value convenience, want to avoid driving a 20–26 ft truck across multiple states, or want a predictable flat rate without surprise fees, a full-service mover is almost always the better choice. And in today’s market, the price difference between DIY and full service is smaller than ever.
At the end of the day, the “cheapest” option isn’t the one with the lowest base price — it’s the one that saves you time, stress, risk, and hidden expenses.