Little Justin's Moving Company

Rental Trucks

If you are planning a move and renting a truck, you may have several questions, particularly if this is your first DIY move. In this section, we will guide you through selecting the appropriate truck size, estimating fuel consumption, and determining the number of furniture pads to rent. Additionally, we will assist you in choosing the rental company that best suits your needs.

We generally classify the customer (not the home) into one of three categories ⬇️

The Bachelor: 

They may not officially be a bachelor, but they fit the profile. Their two-bedroom townhouse might be 1,500 square feet, but they don’t own much. Since they rarely cook, they have minimal kitchenware. Their bedroom has a king-size suite (typically a bed frame, mattress, triple dresser, double dresser, and two nightstands), but the guest room is lightly furnished. The garage or shed, if they have one, is mostly empty.

Recommended Truck Size: 10’ truck might work, but we usually don’t recommend it—except for college students with lightly furnished dorms. A medium-sized truck is your best bet, though sizes vary by rental company. Penske and Budget offer 16’ trucks, while U-Haul has 14’ and 17’ options.

Recommended Furniture Pads: two dozen might be enough, but since furniture pads are inexpensive to rent, it’s better to have extra. Get three dozen to be safe.

Fuel Consumption (MPG): there are two major factors that play into how much fuel you will utilize that we cannot incorporate into our estimate; they are age and condition of the truck and the terrain along your route. Obviously, the newer the truck the more likely it will be in good condition and thus provide better fuel economy. An normal range for a "medium truck" is between 7 MPG and 11 MPG. To be conservative even with the best conditions (e.g. newer truck and flat terrain) you should anticipate 9 MPG.

The Suburban: 

This category is the most common selection when customers refer to "average". The home is anywhere between 1,500 and 2,500 square feet and each room is furnished to meet today's expectations. In the dining room they have a large table, six chairs and a china hutch. In each bedroom you will find a bed, double dresser, triple dresser and two night stands. The garage, shed or porch has several boxes or plastic totes, bicycles and tools.

Recommended Truck Size: if you're not taking everything, it is possible that you can fit into a 16' truck, with some very careful and experienced packing. However, your best bet is to go with a larger truck option such as the Penske 22' truck or the Budget 24' truck. Both U-Haul and Penske have a larger 26' truck but that may be too large for your needs. 

Recommended Furniture Pads: our safest bet is five dozen pads. You can get more if you'd like, but we do not recommend less.

Fuel Consumption (MPG): Larger trucks use diesel fuel and have lower fuel efficiency, though terrain and vehicle age still affect it. They typically get 4.5–8 MPG. The Penske 22’ truck should have the best fuel economy, while the Budget truck is expected to get about 5.5 MPG.

The Pack Rat: 

For this group, the size of the home doesn’t matter—they’ll need the largest truck available. Each room is packed with more furniture than necessary, and you might even find a phone bill from 1982 :)

Recommended Truck Size: the largest rental truck available is 26' and you'll probably need it. Budget Truck has a 24' truck as well.

Recommended Furniture Pads: get a minimum of six dozen pads and remember, the more pads the better.

Fuel Consumption (MPG): both the 24' and 26' trucks utilize diesel. Expect your fuel economy to be between 4.5 MPG and 5.5 MPG.

Choosing the Right Rental Truck Size: We often hear, “I have an average-sized home and need a truck.” However, every move is unique. Homes of the same size can have very different amounts of furniture and belongings. To choose the right truck, consider the items you need to move and consult the rental company’s size guide. If you’re unsure, it’s best to go one size up to ensure everything fits comfortably.

 U-Haul Rental

 Budget Truck Rental

While we consider Penske Truck Rental our preferred provider, we also recommend Budget Truck Rental. Their trucks are generally well-maintained compared to other rental companies, and they have a strong network of corporate and dealer locations.

Below, we have provided average completion times for Budget Truck Rentals. These times are based on historical data and apply to customers with ranch-style homes, single-family homes, or townhomes. Please note that your actual completion time may vary depending on your unique situation and on-site factors.

 Penske Truck Rental

Penske Truck Rental® is our top recommendation due to their excellent service and high-quality trucks for both local and long-distance moves. Penske Trucks are known for their reliability, excellent maintenance standards, and superior customer service. With a fleet of well-maintained vehicles, they provide a smooth and stress-free experience for both local and long-distance moves. Their trucks are equipped with modern features, ensuring a safe and efficient journey. Like Budget Truck Rental and U-Haul, Penske offers a range of truck sizes from 12’ to 26’, depending on your needs. Penske is the only company offering both 12’ and 22’ options, though these sizes are rare and harder to find.

Below, we’ve provided the average completion times for Penske Truck Rentals. These times are based on historical data and apply to customers with ranch-style homes, single-family homes, or townhomes. Please note that your actual completion time may vary depending on your unique situation and on-site factors.