DIY Moving FAQs

Studio to 1-bedroom: 10 to 12-foot truck. 2-bedroom: 15 to 17-foot truck. 3-bedroom: 20 to 22-foot truck. 4+ bedroom: 26-foot truck. When in doubt, go one size up - returning with a half-empty truck is better than making two trips.

Yes, most rental trucks support towing. Use a car carrier (all four wheels off the ground) for $200 to $400 or a tow dolly (front wheels off the ground) for $100 to $200. Not all vehicles can be towed with a dolly - check your car's manual. AWD vehicles need a car carrier.

For local (in-town) rentals, U-Haul charges $0.69 to $0.99 per mile on top of the daily rate. Penske charges $0.69 per mile. For one-way long-distance rentals, mileage is included in the flat rate for both companies.

No. In all 50 states, a regular driver's license (Class C or equivalent) is sufficient for rental moving trucks up to 26 feet. You do not need a CDL. However, drivers must be at least 18 for in-state rentals and often 25 for one-way rentals.

Load heaviest items first at the front (near the cab): appliances, dressers, and boxes of books. Stand mattresses and sofas on edge along the walls. Fill gaps with boxes and soft items. Distribute weight evenly side to side. Use ratchet straps to secure each tier.

Liquor stores (sturdy, uniform sizes), grocery stores (ask the produce department), Nextdoor and Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist free section, bookstores, and office supply stores. Go early in the morning when stores are restocking.

Moving trucks get 6 to 12 miles per gallon depending on size: 10-foot truck (12 mpg), 15-foot (10 mpg), 20-foot (8 mpg), 26-foot (6-8 mpg). For a 1,000-mile move in a 20-foot truck, expect to spend $400 to $550 in fuel.

A portable container (PODS, U-Pack, 1-800-PACK-RAT) is a storage unit delivered to your driveway. You load it on your schedule, then the company transports it to your new home. Costs $2,000 to $5,500 for long-distance moves - between DIY truck and full-service movers.

Yes. Labor-only services cost $60 to $100 per hour for a 2-person crew. You can find movers on HireAHelper, Bellhops, TaskRabbit, and Dolly. This is great for DIY moves where you rent the truck but need help with heavy lifting.

LTL (Less Than Truckload) freight lets you ship a partial load on a freight truck. It costs $500 to $2,000 for a small shipment (under 2,000 lbs) going long distance. Good for studio moves, single pieces of furniture, or supplementing a smaller truck rental.