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Understanding U-Haul Mileage Pricing Basics

U-Haul offers several truck rental options with different pricing structures based on distance traveled. The company charges customers in different ways depending on the type of rental and vehicle selected. Understanding how mileage pricing works is the first step in planning a cost-effective move or transport job.

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U-Haul's mileage rates vary significantly based on factors like the truck size, time of year, and specific route. A 10-foot truck, which is their smallest option, typically costs less per mile than a 26-foot truck. The pricing can range from as low as $0.99 per mile during off-peak seasons to $1.99 or more per mile during peak moving season (May through September). These figures change regularly based on demand and fuel prices.

The company offers both in-town moves and one-way rentals. In-town moves, where you pick up and return to the same location, often have different mileage structures than one-way rentals where you drop off at a different location. One-way rentals typically involve a base rental fee plus mileage charges, while in-town moves might use a flat rate or combination pricing.

It's important to know that U-Haul's website displays mileage rates prominently when you enter your pickup and drop-off locations. The total mileage shown is calculated based on the actual driving route, not straight-line distance. This means if your move requires taking longer routes due to truck restrictions or road availability, the mileage will reflect that reality.

Practical Takeaway: Before contacting U-Haul or visiting their website, have your specific pickup address, drop-off address, and preferred truck size ready. This information allows you to see exact mileage pricing rather than estimates, giving you a clear picture of costs upfront.

How to Find Mileage Pricing Information Online

U-Haul's website provides transparent mileage pricing quotes without requiring payment or personal information beyond your location details. Visiting uhaul.com is the primary way to view current mileage rates. The website's quote tool shows you rates based on real-time pricing algorithms that factor in demand, fuel costs, and seasonal fluctuations.

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The online quote process is straightforward. You enter your pickup location (city and state or full address), your drop-off location, and your preferred move date. The system then displays available truck sizes with their corresponding daily rental rates and per-mile charges. The total estimated cost appears as a combination of the daily rate and mileage charges. For example, if a 15-foot truck costs $39.99 per day and charges $1.19 per mile for a 200-mile journey, the website calculates both components separately so you understand where costs come from.

One-way rentals typically show different pricing than round trips. The website clearly distinguishes between these rental types. When you select a one-way move, the system shows you the base fee for that specific route plus the per-mile rate. Some routes are more expensive than others because U-Haul's distribution network affects pricing—moving a truck from a low-demand area to a high-demand area costs more than the reverse route.

The website also allows you to compare truck sizes side by side. You can see how renting a 10-foot truck versus a 15-foot truck versus a 20-foot truck affects your total mileage charges. A larger truck with higher daily rates but identical per-mile rates might actually cost less overall for a long-distance move, depending on how much you need to transport.

Practical Takeaway: Use U-Haul's website to check mileage pricing multiple times across different dates if your moving date is flexible. Prices fluctuate based on demand, and checking availability on weekdays versus weekends, or in off-season months, often reveals significantly lower mileage rates.

Factors That Affect Your Mileage Rate Calculation

Several variables influence the per-mile rate U-Haul charges. Seasonal demand is perhaps the most significant factor. During summer months (May through September), mileage rates increase substantially because more people move during these months. The same 300-mile move might cost $200 in February but $400 in July, based entirely on per-mile rates adjusting with demand. Winter moves typically offer the lowest mileage rates across the year.

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Truck size directly impacts mileage pricing. Smaller trucks like the 10-foot box truck generally have lower per-mile rates than larger moving trucks. A 10-foot truck might charge $0.99 per mile while a 26-foot truck on the same route charges $1.49 per mile. This reflects both the operating costs of larger vehicles and U-Haul's inventory management strategy.

The direction of your move matters significantly for one-way rentals. Moving from a high-demand destination (like Florida or California) back to a low-demand area is cheaper per mile than moving into a high-demand area. This reflects U-Haul's need to rebalance its fleet. If you're moving from rural Montana to New York City, you'll pay higher per-mile rates than moving the opposite direction because U-Haul needs trucks in Montana more than in New York City.

Fuel costs influence pricing as well, though less directly than in the past. U-Haul adjusts rates to account for current fuel expenses, but these adjustments are built into the overall rate structure rather than appearing as separate fuel surcharges. Periods of high gas prices correlate with higher mileage rates, while lower fuel prices generally enable lower rates.

Day of the week and time of month affect pricing too. Moves on weekends, at month-end, or around holidays command higher mileage rates. Moving on a Tuesday in mid-month typically costs less per mile than moving on a Friday or Saturday during the same season.

Practical Takeaway: To minimize mileage costs, consider moving during off-peak seasons (October through April), on weekdays, mid-month, and in the direction that reduces demand pressure on U-Haul's distribution network. Even small adjustments to your moving date or truck size can result in noticeable savings.

Types of Mileage Pricing: One-Way Versus Round-Trip

U-Haul structures mileage pricing differently depending on whether you're doing a one-way move or returning the truck to the same location. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the most cost-effective option for your situation.

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One-way rentals charge a base rental fee plus per-mile rates. The base fee varies by route and truck size, typically ranging from $19.95 to $99.95. You then pay the per-mile charge for every mile driven from pickup to drop-off. For a 500-mile one-way move in a 15-foot truck, you might pay a $49.95 base fee plus 500 miles at $1.29 per mile ($645), totaling approximately $694.95. One-way rentals make sense when you're genuinely relocating because you avoid paying to bring the truck back.

Local or in-town moves, which are technically round-trip rentals, charge differently. U-Haul typically sets a daily rate (often $19.99 to $39.99 depending on truck size) and includes mileage within a certain radius or at a per-mile rate. An in-town move might allow you to rent a truck for one day at a flat rate, with mileage included up to a certain distance, or charged at a lower per-mile rate ($0.59 to $0.99) because you're returning to the same location. This structure works better for shorter moves within a metropolitan area.

Some in-town moves offer unlimited mileage options. You pay a flat daily rate (such as $29.99) and can drive the truck as many miles as you need within the rental period. This works well if you're unsure about total distance or need flexibility for multiple trips. The unlimited mileage rate is predetermined based on truck size and date, making budgeting straightforward.

There's also a middle ground: some one-way moves qualify for special pricing where U-Haul offers reduced per-mile rates if you're moving from an area with excess inventory to an area needing trucks. You might find quotes like "$0.99 per mile" for specific routes during specific times