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long distance truck driving.

U-Haul Is Not Much Cheaper Than Hiring A Moving Company.

U-Haul may be affordable for smaller loads moving out of state at a shorter distance, but once you move 800+ miles or across multiple states, costs can be comparable to hiring movers. In some cases, hiring a full-service moving company versus renting a U-Haul can be cost-effective and not as time-consuming. This article will explain why and how American National Movers is almost as cheap as renting a U-Haul.

U-Haul Vs. Movers: A Price Comparison 

Here is an average cost comparison of choosing U-Haul versus hiring a moving company. These numbers are meant to give you a ballpark idea—actual costs for U-Haul and movers will vary based on location, distance, moving company rates, and household size. 

Short Haul (Under 400 Miles)
  • U-Haul: ~$700–$1,200 (fuel + rentals)

  • Movers: ~$1,400–$2,000 for a full-service approach

  • Verdict: U-Haul may be $700.00 to $800.00 cheaper than movers for long distance moves with fewer mileage.

Medium Haul (400–800 Miles)
  • U-Haul: ~$1,500–$2,500, plus lodging if multi-day.

  • Movers: ~$2,700–$4,000, depending on the size of your home.

  • Verdict: U-Haul costs become comparable to hiring movers, especially after factoring in gas, tolls, and packing materials. If you prefer less labor, movers might be worth it.

Long Haul (800+ Miles)
  • U-Haul: ~$4,000–$6,000 or more, factoring in fuel, tolls, and extra days for one-way trips.

  • Movers: ~$3,800–$5,500, especially if shared-load or mid-sized mover options are available.

  • Verdict: For cross-country moves, U-Haul costs at times can be just as expensive as hiring a moving company due to gas, tolls, food etc...

Why American National Movers is Often As Affordable As U-Haul.

Before choosing U-haul because you think it's the cheapest option, consider American National Movers. Our prices are similar, plus you get the benefit of full-service movers; here is how we do this: 

Truck stop on Rest area On the highway. Top view car parking lot. Truck Driver company. Vi

Nationwide Network.

  • American National Movers has trucks and warehouses in major cities, allowing us to provide one-way moving services and consolidated shipments, avoiding extra mileage costs.

photo of packed items and furniture done by American National Movers.

Packing Materials Included.

  • Renting a U-Haul for a large home, involves packing material costs such as movers tape, blankets, bubble wrap, and dollies—an extra $300–$800. American National Movers includes essential packing supplies in our average $3,800 rate.

photo of a shared truck load.

Shared Load Savings.

  • We can piggyback your items with other customers going a similar route. This reduces fuel costs and driver compensation, making our prices similar to U-Haul—even below in certain cases.

Delivery house moving service lift up sofa and put in place owner standing advise where to unload items.

Labor Included.

  • While this may not be directly tied to costs, moving companies handle heavy lifting and driving, which can be a life-saver for seniors, busy professionals, and large families with limited time.

Happy service team of delivery worker working load customer boxes from truck and makes inv

Flat Rates. 

  • U-Haul charges a base rate to rent a truck, but your total costs doesn’t cover mileage and gas. At American National Movers, our rates include fuel, labor, materials, tolls, and mileage.

A picture of well packed furniture by American National Movers.

Mid-Sized Brand.

  • U-Haul is cheaper than choosing a major brand with expensive rates, but smaller moving companies can provide a better value. Our rates, for instance, are more budget-friendly than those of large corporate movers.

Movers vs. U-Haul: Pros & Cons

Below is a bar chart displaying the pros and cons of choosing a moving company or U-Haul:

U-Haul/Movers Frequently Asked Questions

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