Truck rental moves are the most reasonable types of moves, but there are some additional costs. You'll need to factor in the cost of gas, any extra mileage charges and insurance charges.
When renting a truck rental for your move, you'll undoubtedly save money when compared to a full-service or even a partial service move. You'll save the expense of hiring workers to load, unload and drive your truck, which can come out to a substantial savings. But you will still need to pay for the truck rental, plus some other costs. These other costs can amount to a significant figure, but you'll still save money when compared to the other types of moves. Listed below are some of the major additions that you'll accrue.
Gas
Truck rentals usually average around 10 miles per gallon. If you want the best gas mileage possible, ask the truck rental company which of their vehicles get the best gas mileage. In most cases, that will be the smaller truck rentals, so just make sure that you'll have enough space for your belongings.
There are ways to increase gas mileage. For example, consider renting a truck with a stick shift, and if you don't need the air conditioner on, don't using it. And if you're driving the truck rental on the highway or even cross-country, keep to the speed limits, as it also improves overall gas mileage.
Mileage charges with a limited miles contract
If you happen to choose a truck rental company that only offers limited mileage per day, you might have to calculate the extra cost into your budget, especially if you're traveling long distance. For instance, if you're given a 100 mile a day limit but you need to drive 150 miles, simply multiply the extra 50 miles by the per mile charge. If the per mile charge is 40 cents per mile, your extra mileage charge would be $20. That's an insignificant amount, but if you plan to drive closer to 300 miles, it can easily add up.
Return trip fee on a one-way rental
If you plan to drive the truck rental to your new place and have it picked up by the rental company for the return trip, expect to pay a return trip fee. However, it shouldn't be much higher than paying for the gas for a return trip plus the typical average wage for a rental company employee.
Insurance coverage
If your existing car insurance doesn't cover truck rentals, you'll need to pay for insurance coverage. Prices vary, so just ask your rental company for coverage details.
