Estimate the cost of a one-way U-Haul move between cities. One-way rentals use a flat rate that bundles a mileage and days allowance — see your realistic total including fuel.
A one-way U-Haul move uses a flat rate that bundles a set number of days and miles based on your origin, destination, and truck size, then bills extra days at about $40/day and excess miles at about $1.00/mile. Average one-way moves run around $130 for short hauls, but long-distance moves in a 26' truck can reach $1,000–$3,000+ once fuel is included.
Enter your trip distance and truck size for a flat-rate estimate
Default is the U.S. national average — edit for your local price.
* Estimate only — not an official U-Haul quote. Actual charges vary by location, date, and demand.
Rates last verified March 2026. Figures are based on U-Haul's advertised rates and the one-way quotes we collected for major routes. The default gas price is editable and reflects the U.S. national average — actual U-Haul charges vary by location, date, and demand.
Common questions about U-Haul costs and this calculator
One-way U-Haul pricing is a flat rate set by your pickup city, drop-off city, and truck size — not a simple daily rate. Short local one-way moves average around $130, while long-distance cross-country moves in a 15'–26' truck commonly run $1,000–$3,000+ before fuel. The flat rate includes a set number of days and miles; going over adds about $40 per extra day and $1.00 per excess mile.
For long moves, yes. One-way rentals bundle a generous mileage allowance into the flat rate, so you avoid paying $0.79–$1.19 for every single mile like you would with an in-town rental. For short local moves where you return the truck to the same place, in-town rentals with their low daily rate are usually cheaper.
No. The one-way flat rate covers the truck, a mileage allowance, and a set number of rental days — but never fuel. On a long one-way move, gas is often the second-biggest expense: a 26' truck at 8 MPG burns roughly 125 gallons over 1,000 miles, about $440 at $3.50/gallon. Budget for it separately.
The flat base is interpolated from real U-Haul one-way quotes we collected for a dozen major routes (like LA→SF and Dallas→Houston), scaled to your distance and truck size, with fuel added on top. It's a budgeting range, not an official quote: one-way prices change daily with demand, season, and direction of travel — the exact same route often costs more one way than the other, which is why we show a range. For a live price, check U-Haul directly, or post your move on Laborhutt to compare against real quotes from local movers who handle the driving for you.
Local movers on Laborhutt bring their own truck and do the heavy lifting — mileage and fuel are built into one upfront quote. Often cheaper than a DIY U-Haul.
Get Free QuotesDisclaimer: This tool provides estimates, not official U-Haul quotes. Actual charges vary by location, date, demand, and U-Haul store policies. U-Haul is a registered trademark of U-Haul International, Inc. This site is not affiliated.