Choosing the wrong truck size ruins everything—too small means multiple trips or leaving belongings behind, too large means wasting money and wrestling an unwieldy vehicle through LA traffic. The 26-footer that seemed smart for your 2-bedroom apartment becomes a nightmare on Laurel Canyon Boulevard. Moving truck rental costs $50-400 daily plus mileage, insurance, equipment, and gas, often totaling more than expected. SOS Moving includes trucks with our services starting at $119/hour, but if you're going DIY, this guide ensures you choose correctly.
Truck Sizes and What Fits
Cargo Van (245 cubic feet):
- Fits: Studio or dorm room
- Length: 9-11 feet
- Best for: Small loads, easy parking
- MPG: 18-22
- Daily cost: $50-70
- Reality: Usually too small
10-12 foot truck (380-450 cubic feet):
- Fits: Studio to small 1-bedroom
- Holds: 1-2 rooms maximum
- Weight: 3,000-3,500 lbs
- Best for: Partial moves, easy driving
- Daily cost: $70-90
- MPG: 12-14
15-17 foot truck (750-850 cubic feet):
- Fits: Large 1-bedroom to small 2-bedroom
- Holds: 2-3 rooms comfortably
- Weight: 4,500-6,000 lbs
- Best for: Most apartment moves
- Daily cost: $90-120
- MPG: 10-12
20-22 foot truck (1,000-1,200 cubic feet):
- Fits: 2-3 bedroom apartment/house
- Holds: 3-5 rooms
- Weight: 8,000-10,000 lbs
- Best for: Family moves
- Daily cost: $120-150
- MPG: 8-10
26 foot truck (1,700 cubic feet):
- Fits: 3-4 bedroom house
- Holds: 5-7 rooms
- Weight: 10,000-12,000 lbs
- Best for: Large homes only
- Daily cost: $150-200
- MPG: 6-8
Real Cost Breakdown
Base rental rate: Advertised price starting point. Never the final cost. Varies by day/season. Includes nothing extra.
Mileage charges:
- Local moves: $0.59-1.29/mile
- One-way: Sometimes included
- Average LA move: 20-50 miles
- Cost impact: $20-65 additional
Insurance options:
- Basic: $14-28/day (high deductible)
- Premium: $28-45/day (lower deductible)
- Your auto insurance: Maybe covers
- Credit card: Check benefits
- Skip at your risk
Equipment rentals:
- Dolly: $10-15/day
- Furniture pads: $10-15/dozen
- Hand truck: $7-10/day
- Straps: $15-20/set
- Total equipment: $40-60
Hidden costs:
- Gas: $50-150 depending on size
- Environmental fee: $5
- Taxes: 9.5% in LA
- Cleaning fee: If dirty
- Late return: $40-100+
- Wrong location return: $50+
Real total example (15-foot truck, 1-day):Base rate: $95. Mileage (30 miles): $35. Insurance: $28. Equipment: $45. Gas: $60. Taxes/fees: $25. Actual total: $288 (not $95 advertised).
LA-Specific Rental Challenges
Parking restrictions:Can't park overnight many places. Street sweeping tickets $73. Permit requirements numerous. Height restrictions common. Weight limits on streets.
Driving challenges:Hollywood Hills: Narrow, winding, steep. Downtown: One-ways, traffic, confusion. Beach areas: Tourist traffic, limited parking. Valley: Wider streets, easier generally.
Common LA mistakes:Underestimating traffic impact. Forgetting about clearances. Not checking street restrictions. Assuming GPS works everywhere. Ignoring truck route signs.
Major Rental Companies Compared
U-Haul:
- Pros: Most locations, biggest fleet, one-way options
- Cons: Older trucks often, nickel-and-dime fees
- Best for: Flexibility needed
- Avoid if: Want newest trucks
Budget Truck:
- Pros: Newer trucks, good rates, AAA discounts
- Cons: Fewer locations, limited availability
- Best for: Advance planners
- Avoid if: Last-minute needs
Penske:
- Pros: Newest fleet, well-maintained, clear pricing
- Cons: Most expensive, fewer locations
- Best for: Quality matters
- Avoid if: Budget tight
Enterprise:
- Pros: Customer service, clean trucks, convenient
- Cons: Higher prices, limited sizes
- Best for: Corporate moves
- Avoid if: Need 26-footer
Home Depot:
- Pros: Hourly rentals, convenient, simple
- Cons: Local only, limited sizes
- Best for: Quick moves
- Avoid if: All-day needed
Size Selection Strategy
Rule of thumb: 150-200 cubic feet per room. Add 10-15% for safety. Consider access limitations. Bigger isn't always better.
Common sizing mistakes:
Too small (most common):Studio renters getting cargo van. 2-bedroom in 15-footer. Forgetting garage/patio. Underestimating furniture volume.
Too large (also problematic):1-bedroom in 20-footer. Empty space causes shifting. Harder to drive/park. Wastes money significantly.
Sweet spots:Studio: 10-12 footer. 1-bedroom: 15-17 footer. 2-bedroom: 20 footer. 3-bedroom: 22-26 footer.
Driving a Moving Truck in LA
Before driving:Adjust mirrors completely. Check clearance height. Test brakes empty. Understand blind spots. Practice parking briefly. Know your route.
Key differences from cars:Acceleration much slower. Braking distance doubles+. Turning radius huge. Wind affects significantly. No rearview mirror. Backing up terrifying.
LA navigation tips:Avoid rush hours absolutely (7-10 AM, 3-7 PM). Take wider streets. Skip narrow shortcuts. Check bridge clearances. Use truck routes. Plan parking ahead.
Speed recommendations:Surface streets: 5-10 under limit. Highways: Right lane only. Hills: Use lower gears. Turns: Very slow. Parking: Multiple attempts normal.
Insurance Decisions
Your existing coverage:Check auto insurance first. Many exclude rental trucks. Credit cards vary wildly. Homeowners might help. Don't assume coverage.
Rental insurance options:Basic: Covers catastrophic only. Standard: Better but gaps. Premium: Most complete. None: Massive risk.
What's typically NOT covered:Overhead damage (very common). Cargo damage. Side mirror damage. Parking lot dings. Interior damage.
One-Way vs Round-Trip
Round-trip rentals:Cheaper per day usually. Must return same location. Mileage adds up. Good for local. Time pressure returning.
One-way rentals:Higher daily rate. Mileage sometimes included. No return trip. Better for distance. Location flexibility.
LA to popular cities (one-way):
- Las Vegas: $300-500
- Phoenix: $400-600
- San Francisco: $400-700
- Portland: $800-1,200
- Denver: $900-1,400
Alternatives to Truck Rental
Full-service movers (like SOS Moving):Truck included in price. Professional drivers/equipment. Insurance comprehensive. No personal driving. Often comparable total cost.
Portable containers (PODS/U-Pack):No driving required. Pack at your pace. Store if needed. More expensive typically. Good for flexibility.
Freight trailers (ABF/Estes):You load/unload only. They drive distance. Cost-effective long-distance. Not for local. Space sharing possible.
Multiple car trips:Works for very small moves. Gas costs accumulate. Time intensive. Wear on vehicle. Only studio/small items.
Making the Truck Rental Decision
Calculate true costs:Rental + mileage + insurance + equipment + gas + your time + stress + risk = actual cost.
Compare to professional movers:SOS Moving 2-bedroom move: 6 hours × $129 = $774 total. DIY truck rental total: $400-500 + your labor + risk.
Consider honestly:Physical ability for loading. Comfort driving large vehicles. Value of your time. Risk tolerance level. Actual savings after everything.
Common Rental Disasters
Availability issues:"Guaranteed" reservation meaningless. Truck not ready/available. Wrong size substituted. Location changed suddenly.
Damage disputes:Previous damage blamed on you. Overhead damage $1,000s. Disagreements on return. Credit card charged immediately.
Logistics failures:Can't park at either location. Friends don't show. Takes twice expected time. Multiple trips required. Injury from loading.
Professional Perspective
After seeing countless DIY disasters, we know truck rental seems cheaper until factoring everything. Between rental costs, equipment, gas, and time, savings often evaporate. Add injury risk and damage potential, and professional movers become competitive.
If you do rent, size up rather than down, get maximum insurance, and consider professional labor help for loading.
Skip the truck rental hassle! Call SOS Moving at 909-443-0004. Our complete service includes truck, driver, equipment, and professional crew from $119/hour. No hidden fees, no driving stress, comprehensive insurance included. From small moves to entire homes, we handle everything. Get your free quote and compare to truck rental total costs!
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