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Penske Truck Rental vs U-Pack
Sep 6, 2023
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Everything you need to know about Penske truck rental
If you’re considering a Penske® rental truck for your long-distance move, it’s helpful to understand their rental terms, pricing factors and truck sizes so you’ll know what you’re getting into. Keep reading to learn about Penske and compare their long-distance moving service to U-Pack®, a DIY service where you won’t have to drive or buy the fuel for a rental truck.
How does Penske service compare to U-Pack?
Penske’s one-way rentals can be appealing since they come with unlimited miles, but it’s important to know they’ll give you a set number of days to make the drive. The rental period starts the moment you pick up the truck, which means you’ll need to handle driving home, loading, long-distance travel, unloading, and truck return (in a new location) all within those days. If you need more time due to loading or travel delays, you can get it, but it will cost an extra $100 per day.
Another thing to consider is the cost of fuel, which isn’t included in your quote. Penske trucks average 12 – 13 MPG, and you’ll pay for the fuel during your trip.
At U-Pack, we take care of transporting your belongings so you can focus on getting to your new home — without the worry and hassle of driving a large moving truck out of state. U-Pack offers flexible space in a 28-ft moving trailer (down to a minimum of 5 linear feet), or you can use as many ReloCube® moving containers as you may need. The space is flexible, and you’ll only pay for the space filled in the trailer or the number of Cubes you use (empty Cubes are picked up at no cost!). Plus, you’ll get three business days to load and three more to unload that are not included in the transit time, which averages only 4 – 6 business days.
Learn more about how U-Pack compares to truck rental.
How Penske moving truck sizes stack up to U-Pack equipment
Penske has four truck sizes for personal one-way moves (12-, 16-, 22- and 24-ft). We’ve listed the details from Penske’s website to help you compare their options to what U-Pack offers:
| Truck Size | 12-ft | 16-ft | 22-ft | 26-ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
2 people | 2 people | 3 people | 3 people |
|
|
Holds 1-2 rooms (450 cubic ft) |
Holds 2-3 rooms (800 cubic ft) |
Holds 3-5 rooms (1,200 cubic ft) |
Holds 5-7 rooms (1,700 cubic ft) |
|
|
12’ x 6’6” x 6’1” | 16’ x 7’7” x 6’6” * | 21’11” x 8’1” x 8’1” * | 25’11” x 8’1” x 8’1” * |
|
|
3,100 lbs. | 4,300 lbs. | 10,000 lbs. | 10,000 lbs. |
|
|
33-gal gasoline tank (est. 12 MPG) |
33-gal gasoline tank (est. 12 MPG) |
70-gal diesel tank (est. 13 MPG) |
70-gal diesel tank (est. 13 MPG) |
|
|
6–7 linear ft in a moving trailer or 1–2 ReloCubes |
11–12 linear ft in a moving trailer or 3–4 ReloCubes |
16–17 linear ft in a moving trailer or 4 ReloCubes |
23–24 linear ft in a moving trailer or 5–6 ReloCubes |
*Exact measurements will vary based on make, model and year. We suggest confirming with your nearest rental location for specifics about their trucks.
How much are Penske truck rentals compared to U-Pack?
To help you compare prices, here’s an example quote for a studio apartment move from Cincinnati, OH, to Philadelphia, PA, approximately 573 miles. The pricing was accurate at the time of posting for a move in October 2023.
Penske quote: For this move, Penske recommended a 12-ft truck for an estimated total cost of $1,334.67.
Here’s the breakdown:
- 12-foot truck (5-day rental): $682
- Fuel (12 MPG at current fuel prices): $185
- Environmental fee: $15
- Standard damage coverage: $377.63
- Estimated taxes: $75.04
Total cost: $1,334.67
Check out this guide to cheap truck rental.
U-Pack quote: For the example studio apartment move from Cincinnati, OH, to Philadelphia, PA, U-Pack recommended 5 linear feet in a moving trailer for only $1,102. The price included equipment, delivery, transportation and standard liability coverage. Taxes do not apply.
Another option for the move was a ReloCube for $1,361. Cubes are an excellent fit if you have limited parking availability or need to store belongings during the move. The ReloCube is a bit smaller than Penske’s 12-ft truck, but with U-Pack, you’re not paying for more space than you need or dealing with the hassle of driving a truck.
Learn more about Penske trailer rental options.
Penske Rental FAQs
What are Penske’s rental requirements?
You must be at least 18 and have two forms of identification, one of them being a valid driver’s license (no CDL is required). Penske requires a credit card to rent a truck.
Does Penske require a deposit?
No. Penske does not require a deposit to reserve a truck online.
Are there discounts available?
We found some discounts and seasonal coupons online. It’s best to check their website for more details since these deals can change frequently.
Suggested reading: Do Penske coupons really save money?
Where do I go to rent a truck?
While Penske has 2,500 locations spread around the U.S. and Canada, the hours will vary by location. You’ll need to check their website to make sure a specific site will work for your schedule.
Can I tow my car with Penske?
You can add towing equipment when renting trucks 16-ft or larger, but not all cars will fit the trailers. We recommend contacting a rental location for details about towing your specific vehicle.
Another thing to note is that Penske doesn’t allow you to attach your own trailer to a Penske truck or use a personal vehicle to haul their trailers.
Learn more about Penske trailer rental options.
Ready for a quote?
Want to check U-Pack rates and see how they compare to Penske? Call us at 844-362-5303844-594-3077 or request a quote online. We’re always happy to help!
Penske® is a registered trademark of Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P. Use of third-party trademarks or registered trademarks does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by such third-party.
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