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U-Haul Moving Review 2025
U-Haul is our top pick for DIY moves, from local to cross-country, plus international container moves with U-Box.
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U-Haul is a popular do-it-yourself moving company that provides truck, trailer, storage and container shipping rentals across the United States and Canada. U-Haul also offers U-Box, a container shipping and storage service that can ship internationally.
U-Haul is the highest-rated DIY mover out of all the companies we reviewed. We like its user-friendly website that offers instant pricing quotes with add-on options upfront. There’s also no deposit required (unless you’re paying with cash, in which case it’s $100) and no added fee to pay with a credit card. One thing we don’t like, however, is the relatively high number of customer complaints to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) compared to other DIY moving companies we reviewed.
Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation.
Worse than most
Based on Better Business Bureau rating, as well as number of complaints to the BBB or Department of Transportation.
Pros
Robust storage-unit business.
Sells moving boxes and other supplies.
Comprehensive offerings and lots of options for truck size, so you only get what you need.
Can go anywhere there's pavement; don't have to rely on service area.
Cons
Truck isn't at ground level, so you have to use the ramp.
Moving help is through third-party provider.
You are responsible for all damage, including vandalism, regardless of fault if you decline coverage.
Services offered
Car shipping, storage.
Deposit required?
No if paying with credit card; yes if cash
Customer ratings
Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation.
Worse than most
Based on Better Business Bureau rating, as well as number of complaints to the BBB or Department of Transportation.
Pros
Robust storage-unit business.
Sells moving boxes and other supplies.
Comprehensive offerings and lots of options for truck size, so you only get what you need.
Can go anywhere there's pavement; don't have to rely on service area.
Cons
Truck isn't at ground level, so you have to use the ramp.
Moving help is through third-party provider.
You are responsible for all damage, including vandalism, regardless of fault if you decline coverage.
Here's what to know before booking.
Services
U-Haul is a moving container, truck and trailer company, not a full-service mover. That means you’re responsible for loading and unloading your items onto a moving container or trailer, though U-Haul can connect you with local labor through the company’s online help marketplace.
Here’s how it works:
You book a U-Haul truck, trailer or U-Box container on the website. You’ll choose a pickup and dropoff location convenient for your move. If you choose a U-Box container, it will be delivered to you, and there’s no time limit to load it up.
You pick up your U-Haul at a nearby facility. Some trucks are parked at official U-Haul locations, and others may be housed at a “Neighborhood Dealer,” which can be a shared storage facility or lot. U-Haul has an online location finder tool. You may have the option to check in at a counter with a representative or use your phone to access the truck through U-Haul’s 24/7 Truck Share self-service feature.
You drive your U-Haul to your destination. If you’re using a U-Boxcontainer for your move, the container will be shipped to your destination. U-Haul will tell you when the container is in transit and when it’s been delivered.
You return your U-Haul to a drop-off location by the date you booked. If you’re not going to make it in time for your drop-off window, you can modify your reservation on the U-Haul app or website. If you drop off the truck or trailer late, you’ll be charged for the added time.
How to get a quote
Unlike some moving companies, U-Haul offers instant, easy-to-get quotes online for moves of any distance. You just have to fill in your starting and ending zip codes, the size of the truck or trailer you need, and whether you want to tow your car.
You can also get an instant quote for a U-Box container if you want to ship your stuff instead.
For example, we input a move from Los Angeles to New York City on July 1, 2025 and got an instant quote of $4,229 for a 10-foot truck that can fit the equivalent of a one-bedroom apartment (the only unexpected cost was a $5 environmental fee at checkout). That total, according to U-Haul, covers up to nine days of travel and up to 3,345 miles.
You’ll decide, based on the amount of stuff you’re moving, what size truck, trailer or container to reserve. U-Haul provides recommendations for sizes according to your home size, such as a studio apartment or a three-bedroom home. The U-Haul website also has dimension charts and an estimator tool that can help you choose.
What’s included in the basic price?
The quote from U-Haul includes the use of a U-Haul truck or trailer for the duration of your reservation. Depending on the distance of your move, you’ll have a certain amount of time, mileage or both included in your reservation.
From there, you can add optional items, such as:
Extra days or miles on a one-way move.
Damage protection coverage.
Roadside support.
Dollies and furniture pads.
Storage unit rental.
Boxes and packing supplies, which you can pick up at a nearby location or have shipped to you.
Moving labor for loading or unloading, which we saw priced starting at $135 for two helpers for two hours. You can also add on “Safeload” coverage to protect your items in case a mover damages anything.
You can also pay for a U-Haul with a debit card or cash. If you’re paying with cash, you’ll need to put down a deposit of $100 or the estimated rental charges for an in-town rental, whichever is higher, or $100 plus the rental rate for a one-way move.
Cargo van and pickup truck rentals require a major credit card or debit card in the renter’s name, though you can make the final payment with cash.
Loss and damage protection
Unlike full-service moving companies, moving container and pod companies such as U-Haul aren’t subject to the same liability coverage requirements as full-service movers. It’s not surprising, then, that the liability coverage offered by U-Haul isn’t as robust as some policies offered by full-service movers.
U-Haul is only insured for liability to state minimums, which it says can be low. If you choose not to purchase an optional U-Haul damage protection plan, the company will charge you for all damage to the vehicle, regardless of fault, plus lost rental revenue while the vehicle is being repaired.
U-Haul offers five types of damage protection coverage. Pricing varies depending on your move, but here’s what these options cost for our example Los Angeles to New York City move:
Coverage plan
What you get
Sample price for LA to NYC move
Safemove
Coverage for theft and accidental damage to the vehicle, damage to your stuff and medical protection for passengers. You’ll pay a deductible of $150-$250 for any damage.
$176.
Safemove Plus
Everything in Safemove, but removes the deductible for claims on truck damage. Also adds $1,000,000 in supplemental liability coverage.
$199.
Safetow
Coverage for your personal property, plus damage to a U-Haul trailer or towing device, vehicle or anything else you’re towing with a U-Haul. Also covers medical protection for passengers.
Starting at $70 for up to $5,000 of personal property coverage.
Safestor
Coverage for your belongings in storage. You’ll need proof of insurance to rent a U-Haul storage unit. This can be a good option if your homeowners or renters insurance doesn’t cover storage units.
Starting at $8.95 per month for up to $1,000 of coverage.
Changes and cancellations
You can change details about your move online, through the app or by calling a representative at your local pick-up location. The total price due at pickup will change accordingly. If you’re in the middle of your move and need to add on an extra few hours, you’ll pay the difference when you drop off the vehicle.
If you need to cancel your reservation, you may be charged a penalty if it’s within 24 hours of your scheduled pickup time.
Alternatives to U-Haul
Company
NerdWallet rating
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
Other services offered
Deposit required?
Customer ratings
Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service.
NerdWallet's Home Services team evaluated DIY and container moving companies across several factors, including availability of online quotes, upfront payment or deposit requirements, fees to pay with a credit card, availability of binding and/or not-to-exceed quotes, availability of additional services, geographical breadth, contents protection, container trackability, availability of day-certain delivery, compensation for late delivery, Better Business Bureau (BBB) customer rating, number of BBB complaints over the last three years, number of U.S. Department of Transportation complaints over the last four years and customer service contact options. Because costs can vary with the circumstances of each move, it's best to get quotes from multiple companies before making a decision. Read more about how NerdWallet rates DIY and container moving companies.
