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Choosing the right truck rental can make a major difference on moving day. Between Home Depot truck rental and U-Haul truck rental, both companies offer practical options for your next local move or cross-country relocation. The challenge is figuring out which service gives you better value, comfort, and flexibility.
This guide compares home depot vs uhaul truck rental in terms of truck sizes, mileage, rental prices, and overall convenience helping you decide which is the best when moving.
Understanding Your Truck Rental Options
Before diving into pricing and features, it’s important to understand how each rental company operates.
Home Depot Truck Rental
Home Depot truck rental focuses on convenience and accessibility. You can easily rent a pickup truck, cargo van, or box truck directly from a Home Depot store. These rentals are ideal for local moves, cleaning projects, small furniture deliveries, or hauling materials for a home repair or installation.
Home Depot offers:
- Pickup trucks for quick errands or hauling appliances.
- Cargo vans suitable for small apartments.
- Box trucks up to 20 feet for 1–2 bedroom moves.
You can rent from Home Depot on an hourly or daily basis. Most rental packages include mileage for local trips, making it a practical option for same-day moving or cleaning jobs.
U-Haul Truck Rental
U-Haul truck rental is widely recognized for long-distance moving and one-way trips. U-Haul provides everything from cargo vans to 26-foot box trucks, suitable for large households or commercial installations.
U-Haul also offers moving tools and accessories like dollies, moving blankets, and boxes, helping you make your move easier and more organized.
If you need a rental truck for a cross-country move or a large-scale project, U-Haul is clearly more versatile than Home Depot’s in-store rentals.
Truck Sizes and Availability
Choosing the right truck size is crucial to prevent multiple trips or paying for extra space you don’t need.
Home Depot Truck Sizes
At Home Depot, you’ll find:
- Pickup trucks – Great for cleaning supplies or tool delivery.
- Cargo vans – Perfect for local move or light furniture transport.
- Box trucks up to 20 ft – Best for small home or apartment moving.
Trucks and vans are available on a first-come, first-served basis. During weekends or busy moving seasons, availability may vary depending on the Home Depot rental center.
U-Haul Truck Sizes
U-Haul and Home Depot’s fleets differ in scale. U-Haul provides:
- Cargo vans for local jobs or quick repairs.
- Box trucks ranging from 10 to 26 feet.
- Specialized towing and car-carrying options.
You’ll also find Penske truck rental options at select locations for comparison. The size of the truck you need depends on your moving day load and whether it’s a local move or long-distance trip.
Truck Rental Costs and Fees
Rental pricing depends on mileage, time, and truck size. Let’s look at how Home Depot truck rental costs stack up against U-Haul’s.
Home Depot Truck Rental Costs
Home Depot’s Load ‘N Go pricing starts around $19 for the first 75 minutes, which covers short trips for cleaning or installation. After that, you pay hourly or daily rates usually $29–$139 per day depending on the truck sizes.
What makes Home Depot pros stand out is that mileage is often included, and there’s no mileage charge for short local moves. You’ll need a deposit upfront, but it’s refundable upon safe return of the truck.
U-Haul Truck Rental Costs
U-Haul truck rental rates start at $19.95 per day for smaller trucks, but mileage is charged separately (typically $0.89–$1.29 per mile). Add-on fees for insurance, fuel, and equipment rental can increase the final total.
A box truck will cost more if you’re traveling long distances due to additional mileage and refueling costs.
Verdict: For quick local jobs, Home Depot is cheaper than U-Haul, but for long-distance moves, U-Haul’s flexibility gives it an edge.
Home Depot vs Uhaul Truck Rental
Home Depot One-Way Rentals
Home Depot primarily offers round-trip rentals for local use. For longer moves, it partners with Penske truck rental, allowing limited one-way options. These rentals tend to be pricier and have restricted availability.
U-Haul One-Way Rentals
U-Haul specializes in one-way rentals, letting you rent the truck in one city and return it elsewhere. That’s perfect if you’re moving states or relocating for work.
If you need to get a truck for long-distance relocation, U-Haul vs Home Depot comparison leans toward U-Haul’s convenience.
Truck Comfort, Quality, and Features
Both companies maintain clean, reliable vehicles suitable for moving, cleaning, or repair projects.
- Home Depot trucks are newer GMC or Ford models, offering better comfort for city driving.
- U-Haul trucks are designed for heavy-duty hauling with ramps, tie-downs, and cargo van options for bulky items.
If you need to use the truck for long hours or carry delicate items, U-Haul offers additional tools to ensure safe installation and transport.
Customer Service and Reliability
U-Haul has a massive nationwide network, providing 24/7 drop-off and rental service access. However, during peak times, customers may experience booking delays.
Home Depot’s service, on the other hand, depends on store hours, which can limit flexibility but provide in-person help with truck cleaning, inspection, and quick repair if needed.
For convenience, U-Haul would be better for flexible scheduling, while Home Depot’s staff ensures reliable, on-site customer service.
Hidden Costs and Common Complaints
Home Depot Cons
- Limited truck sizes and one-way options.
- Deposits may take time to refund.
- Availability may vary during weekends.
U-Haul Cons
- Mileage and fuel charges can increase total cost.
- Confusing insurance coverage.
- Occasional overbooking.
When to Hire Professional Movers Instead
While renting can save money, sometimes a moving company is the smarter choice. If you have fragile furniture, lack experience in installation or heavy lifting, or simply need to save time, a professional service can make a big difference.
Companies like Green Bay Moving Co. offer:
- Full packing and unpacking
- Appliance and piano installation
- Cleaning and post-move repair
- Local and long-distance moving
Unlike DIY rentals, you won’t have to worry about truck return deadlines, damages, or extra mileage.
Comparing Home Depot and U-Haul: Quick Summary
| Feature | Home Depot | U-Haul |
| Truck Sizes | Small to Medium | Small to Large |
| Best For | Local and Short Trips | Long-Distance and One-Way |
| Rental Duration | Hourly or Daily | Daily or Weekly |
| Mileage Charges | Usually Included | Charged per Mile |
| Availability | Store Hours | 24/7 Drop-Off |
| One-Way Rentals | Through Penske Only | Nationwide |
| Equipment Options | Basic Add-Ons | Extensive Moving Gear |
Final Verdict: Home Depot vs U-Haul Truck Rental
If you’re managing a local move, Home Depot truck rental provides simplicity, affordable rental prices, and easy same-day pickup.
For longer routes or one-way moves, U-Haul truck rental is a better option thanks to its wide truck options, unlimited mileage choices, and nationwide coverage.
However, when you prefer a stress-free move handled by professionals from installation to cleaning consider hiring a trusted moving company.
Conclusion
Both Home Depot and U-Haul serve different types of customers. Home Depot is ideal for quick jobs, local cleaning, or small home projects, while U-Haul is suited for major relocations requiring larger trucks and longer trips.
If you’re in Wisconsin Green Bay, Appleton, or Oshkosh a professional mover like Green Bay Moving Co. ensures every step of your moving day goes smoothly, without worrying about rental trucks or mileage charges.
