How Much Does a Penske Truck Cost?

Penske truck or trailer rental prices are calculated fairly.

The total cost considers the size of the truck or trailer, the distance you’re moving, and the number of hours spent on transit.

In this guide, we’ll see multiple Penske truck rental options to help you budget smarter.

Now let’s break down what moves those numbers.

Penske Truck Rental Details

Penske rents five different trucks varying in size. The truck sizes are 12', 16’, 22’, and 26’.

Here’s what they offer:

Most Penske rental trucks feature a translucent roof panel that allows natural light into the cargo area.

This helps improve visibility inside the truck, especially during daytime loading and unloading.

Cost of Penske Trucks

Penske truck rental cost is calculated per day. Per mile, on a one-way rental basis.

The price varies based on truck size, location, season, and demand.

Mileage, fuel, optional insurance, and taxes are added separately, which is why the final total is higher than the daily base rate.

We’ve curated realistic average truck costs, not guarantees.

This will help you find an option that matches your requirements within your budget.

Larger Penske trucks average 10 to 13 MPG, which means fuel can add $150 to $400+ on long-distance moves.

Can I Get a Discount on Penske Truck Costs?

Yes.

Penske offers its customers personalized discounts.

Many people renting trucks from Penske overlook discounts or forget to ask about the options and end up paying more than necessary.

Penske discount options are:

• Military discounts on the total cost for active-duty personnel, veterans, and dependents
  
  
• Discounts for AAA members
  
  
• Employer and Corporate discounts
  
  
• College and university partner discounts
  
  
• Seasonal or promotional offers during slower-moving periods

What should customers do?

• Verify with your Penske booking agent which discount options are available when reserving.
  
  
• Check Penske’s website for current promo codes.
  
  
• Mention your affiliation with the military, employer, a school, or as an AAA member.

Costs that aren’t discounted include:

• Fuel
  
  
• Tolls
  
  
• Insurance coverage
  
  
• Location fees

Tip: Discounts are most effective when combined with unlimited mileage or a one-way pricing option. This will significantly reduce your surprise charges.

Can I Get My Move Insured with Penske?

Penske offers insurance options, but many renters are uncertain about what is covered and what is not.

Getting details of this upfront can help you go a long way:

What insurance options does Penske cover as part of its process?

• Liability coverage for the truck. Because this is required by state law.
  
  What insurance option does Penske not cover by default?

• Damage to your furniture or personal items requires you to purchase special insurance options.
  
  You can check this with your Penske booking agent or call our moving specialist.

What type of insurance can I get with Penske for renting a truck?

Penske provides you with various insurance plans you can add during booking to secure the money for lost or damaged items:

Damage Waiver

• You will not pay out of your pocket if the truck is damaged. This is obvious.
  
  
• This does not cover your household items. In other words, the damage waiver protects the truck, not the items inside it during transit.

Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI)

• This will cover damage or injury to other people if you face an accident in transit.
  
  
• Protects you against third-party claims by adding protection beyond the basic insurance.

So how do I protect my furniture and valuable items?

Penske customers usually choose one of these options:

• Homeowners’ or renters’ insurance (covers moves, but limits apply).
  
  
• Third-party moving insurance is bought separately.
  
  
• Moving labor insurance if you hire movers who are insured for loading and unloading.

Tip: Before your moving day, check with your insurance partner to confirm your coverage amount.

When should I get insurance?

• When you book online
  
  
• While you’re reserving by phone or PC
  
  
• At the rental counter before pickup

Once the truck is on the road, you may not add coverage.

Hidden Fees to Watch for When Renting a Penske Truck

Penske pricing is generally transparent, but some costs are not reflected in the initial quote.

Knowing these in advance helps avoid last-minute surprises.

Mileage Charges on Local Rentals

For local moves, Penske typically adds a per-mile fee to the daily rental rate.

What you should watch for:

• Fuel rates typically range from $1 to $2 per mile.
• Traffic, detours, and multiple trips can raise costs.

Tip: A realistic estimate of your total, including the return trip, is a good idea.

Fuel Costs

Most Penske trucks run on diesel fuel, which can be a bit more expensive than gas.

What you should watch for:

• Large trucks get lower MPG.
  
  
• The truck must be returned with the same amount of fuel.

Tip: Budget fuel separately based on distance and truck size.

Late Return Fees

If you return the truck late, you pay:

• Extra charges each passing day.
  
  
• Late fees can be added in some places.

Tip: Add buffer time to your rental period.

Cleaning or Damage Fees

Charges may apply if:

• The cargo area is left dirty.
  
  
• The truck’s inside or outside is damaged.

Tip: Clean the cargo area and take photos at drop-off.

Toll Roads and Parking Tickets

You are responsible for:

• Tolls incurred during the rental
  
  
• Parking or traffic violations

These charges may appear after the rental period is over.

Taxes and Location Fees

Local taxes, environmental fees, and location-specific surcharges vary by state and city and are added at checkout.

When Does Renting a Penske Truck Make Sense? Rent a Penske truck if: You are doing a DIY move with help You can finish within 3 to 5 days You are comfortable driving a large truck You want control over timing and cost Do not want to lift heavy items? Rent the truck. Hire labor. Simple middle ground.

Summary of Booking Safeguards

What are the Common Mistakes When Booking a Penske Truck (and How to Avoid Them)

Many people, when booking a Penske truck for their move, do poor planning or overlook important details that could save them from paying more.

These mistakes are easily avoidable. You only need to watch out for these aspects

1. Choosing the Wrong Truck Size

People underestimate how much space they need to fit their stuff in the truck.

This will only stretch your job, requiring you to rebook a new truck of the right size, make multiple trips, or pay more on moving day.

How to avoid it:

Visit your coordinator or agent who provides you with the truck.

Check the truck size in person before you confirm it for the job.

One larger truck is cheaper than two trips.

2. Not Understanding Local vs One-Way Pricing

If you’re moving locally, you’ll be charged per mile.

One-way truck rentals can include mileage cost.

Many people pick the wrong option without realizing it and end up paying more than they need to.

How to avoid it:

If you’re moving over 50-75 miles, compare one-way pricing first. It often works out cheaper than paying per mile on a local rental.

3. Missing Available Discounts

People who book Penske trucks under the AAA, military, employer, or student categories miss out on discounts.

Thinking they’re booking like everybody else and getting no special discount.

That’s not the case. You will receive a significant discount on the total cost.

How to avoid it:

Ask for these discounts when booking your truck and save as much as possible.

4. Assuming Insurance Covers Your Belongings

People think any issue or damage during transit will be taken care of by the Penske company.

Failing to know that Penske insurance protects the truck itself and liability, not your items inside it.

How to avoid it:

Purchase renters insurance, third-party coverage, or hire insured moving labor to drive the truck or help you move your belongings.

5. Booking at the Last Minute

Prices will go up, and the availability of the truck size you need will be limited, especially on weekends and at the end of the month.

How to avoid it:

Reserve your truck early to lock in better rates and ensure the size you need is available.

6. Underestimating Fuel Costs and Return Time

People move without allocating a separate budget for fuel.

Diesel costs, low MPG, and returning the truck late can increase your final bill.

How to avoid it:

Budget fuel separately and a bit flexibly. Return the truck before the time to avoid late fees entirely.

7. Not Checking Height and Clearance Limits

Check your truck and the path it’s to travel. Confirm all clearings.

Not doing this leads to problems with parking garages, low bridges, or apartment loading docks.

How to avoid it:

Confirm your truck’s height and plan your route and parking access.

8. Skipping the Walk-Around Inspection

Existing damage to the truck may be blamed on the renter or the customer if it is not documented.

How to avoid it:

Inspect the truck mindfully to confirm its condition to perform your job.

9. Not Planning Parking or Loading Access

This results in fines, towing risk, or wasted rental time.

How to avoid it:

Plan parking permits, loading zones, or building access ahead of moving day.

10. Ignoring Weather Conditions

Rain, snow, or extreme heat can slow loading and extend your rental time.

How to avoid it:

So, check the weather and see how it supports your move.

11. Assuming Roadside Assistance Covers Everything

Some issues are not covered without proper membership or plans.

How to avoid it:

Understand what roadside assistance includes and what it doesn’t before starting your trip.

12. Not Reserving Moving Labor in Advance

Delays occur when help to lift or load your belongings is unavailable on moving day.

How to avoid it:

Book moving labor to avoid anybody you thought would show up for help, but didn’t.

13. Overlooking Return Location Hours

Returning the truck after closing can trigger late-return charges.

How to avoid it:

Confirm drop-off hours and return your truck on time to avoid any penalties.

Don't Want to Do Heavy Lifting?

Keep control of the truck.

Outsource the heavy lifting.

Book insured moving labor for loading and unloading at MovingLabor.com

Key Takeaway

Most surprising costs come from mileage, fuel, insurance add-ons, and late returns. None of these are hidden if you plan for them in advance.

• Estimate the total miles of two-way transit before booking.
  
  
• Plan for fuel costs separately, especially for bigger trucks.
  
  
• Decide on insurance before you pick up the truck, not after.
  
  
• Give yourself extra return time to get back, so you don’t have to pay late fees.
  
  
• Take photos at pickup and drop-off.

You can rent a Penske truck at a reasonable price if you know what to expect and plan.

A few minutes of prep can save you a lot of stress on moving day.

Get expert moving tips and compare movers for free at Movers.com. You can get free moving quotes from licensed and insured movers, compare moving companies near you, and plan your move with confidence using our step-by-step moving guides and checklists.

Whether you’re planning a local move, a long-distance relocation, or need help with packing and loading, Movers.com connects you with trusted moving professionals and practical tools to make moving easier and more affordable.

Questions? Talk to our moving specialists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1) How much does it cost to rent a Penske truck for a local move?
Ans) If you’re moving locally, Penske truck or trailer rentals would typically cost you around $130 to $250 per day.

This doesn’t include the fuel cost. Fuel will be charged per mile, so the final cost depends on how far you drive.

Q2) What size Penske truck do I need for my home?
Ans) A 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom, a 16-foot for a 1 to 2-bedroom home, a 22-foot for a 2 to 3-bedroom home, and a 26-foot for a 3 to 5+ bedroom household.

Q3) Does Penske charge per mile?
Ans) Most local rentals charge by the mile. One-way and long-distance rentals generally come with unlimited or bundled mileage.

This makes it easier to plan for longer moves.

Q4) Does Penske insurance cover my furniture and other household items?
Ans) No. Penske’s insurance options mostly cover the truck and any damage it does to people’s property.

Renters' or homeowners' insurance, third-party moving insurance, or insured moving labor usually covers furniture and personal items.

Q5) What are some ways to save money on a Penske truck rental?
Ans) You can save by using AAA, military, employer, or student discounts, booking early, estimating mileage accurately, returning the truck on time, and budgeting fuel separately so you don’t get any surprise charges.

Q6) How much upfront amount should I deposit to book a Penske Truck?
Ans) You don’t have to pay a large upfront deposit for booking a Penske truck. You can pay the estimated rental cost at pickup and start your job.

Q7) How much does a Penske flatbed truck cost?
Ans) Penske generally does not rent you a flatbed truck if you’re doing a household move.

Their fleet consists of enclosed box trucks designed to protect your furniture and belongings during transit.