If you’re about to embark on your very first DIY move, you may be wondering how to budget for your move. In this post, we’ll explain how to figure out the cost of renting a moving truck based on mileage fees for the distance traveled during your move.
One-Way vs. In-Town Moves
The cost of renting a moving truck is based on the point of origin and the destination. If you are moving to a different city, you may opt for a one-way move. This means your pick-up location and drop-off location are different. Most companies offer a local or in-town move for moves within the same city. This means you will pick up and drop off the truck at the same location.
Typically, one-way moves are priced by the trip. Each trip includes a mileage allotment with fees that are incurred if exceeded. In-town or local moves are priced based on a flat rate and mileage. You must consider both factors when choosing which size moving truck to rent. If you make many trips, your cost will be higher than limiting your move to one or two trips.
It is possible to save money by renting a larger truck that will accommodate all your items in fewer trips or by renting a trailer with no mileage fees. It is important to note that trailers require a hitch and a hitch ball mount to be installed on your vehicle if you still need to get equipped with one. This cost, however, may be offset by the money you will save in mileage fees and will come in handy in the future.
Once you’ve decided that a moving truck is the best option for you and selected the appropriate size, you are ready to estimate the mileage cost for your rental. Each rental company may have a different method of charging for rentals, so it’s important to remember this when allocating your budget.
Moving Quote
Most truck rental companies make receiving a quote easy through their website or 1-800 number. Receiving a quote directly from the rental company is the most accurate way to estimate the cost of renting your truck, especially if you make a one-way move.
The company will generate a quote that may be based upon one or both of the following:
- Total distance (mileage)
- Rental period (in days)
- Seasonality (when is the best time to move?)
Begin by calculating the total distance (in miles) between your point of origin and your destination. You can do this quickly and easily using an online map service like Google Maps.
Next, decide how many trips back and forth you want to make. You will need to use your best guess. However, most truck rental companies will provide an estimate of how many rooms worth of furniture will fit in each truck (below). Count each one-way trip as one. For example, from point A to point B is one trip, point B back to point A is one trip—round trip = two trips.
Calculating Your Move
Once you have calculated your total mileage fee, you are on track to estimate your total truck rental cost. Other important expenses to account for include:
- Base rate: this is the flat fee for renting the truck in addition to mileage. These fees vary by company.
- The cost of insurance
- The cost of moving supplies and equipment rentals, such as dollies or furniture pads.
When renting your moving truck, plan and make your reservation in advance. This will save you time, money and hassle in the long run and ensure the rental company can plan to satisfy your and others’ reservations.
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