Budget vs Penske vs U-Haul in Los Angeles
In quotes we pulled on September 28, 2026 from Downtown LA, Budget had the lowest local daily rates, U-Haul was close behind and Penske cost the most. For a one-way trip to Phoenix, Budget and U-Haul were cheapest for small trucks, while Penske included unlimited miles. All three add fees, fuel and protection.
| Budget | Penske | U-Haul | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truck sizes | Cargo van, 12, 16, 26 ft | Cargo van, 12, 16, 22, 26 ft | Pickup, cargo van, 10, 15, 20, 26, 29 ft |
| Local, 15–16 ft, Sat Oct 17 | $29.99/day + $1.09/mi | $60.58/day + $1.19/mi | $30.95 + $1.39/mi (15 ft) |
| One-way to Phoenix, 15–16 ft | $618.30, 477 mi included | $778.14 online, unlimited mi | $624 online, 450 mi included |
| Smallest truck that can tow a car | 16 ft | 16 ft | 10 ft |
| RentThis earns a commission | May | May | No |
Where to rent
Budget Truck Rental
Moving trucks for local and one-way moves.
Check pricesPenske Truck Rental
Moving trucks for local and one-way moves.
Check prices
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Prices we quoted
Local, same-day return from 90012 on Saturday, October 17, 2026: Budget $19.99 to $39.99 a day plus $1.09 a mile; U-Haul $20.95 to $50.95 plus $1.39 a mile; Penske $60.58 to $132.92 a day plus $1.19 a mile. On Tuesday, October 13, per-mile rates were lower at all three. See the full table on truck rental cost.
One-way to Phoenix on October 17: Budget $442.80 to $1,124.00, U-Haul $468 to $1,092 online, Penske $742.59 to $859.14 paying online. See one-way rentals.
Truck sizes
Penske: cargo van, 12, 16, 22 and 26 feet; its 26-foot is rated for five to seven rooms. Penske offered the 22-foot for our one-way quote but not for a local LA rental.
Budget: cargo van, 12, 16 and 26 feet; its 26-foot is rated for five to eight rooms, or a three-bedroom home.
U-Haul: pickup, cargo van, 10, 15, 20, 26 and 29 feet; its 26-foot is matched to a three- to four-bedroom home.
Room ratings are each company's own and aren't measured the same way, so treat them as a guide.
Towing a car
Budget's quote page marks its 16- and 26-foot trucks as able to tow. Penske's smallest towing-capable truck is the 16-foot. U-Haul's smallest box truck that can tow is the 10-foot.
How to compare fairly
Quote the same truck size, pickup date and return location at all three, then add mileage, fees, fuel, protection and equipment. A low daily rate can lose to a higher one once miles are added.
A note on links
We may earn a commission from Budget and Penske links. U-Haul has no web affiliate program, so we earn nothing from it and cover it the same way.
Questions people ask
Which is cheapest in Los Angeles?
In our September 28, 2026 quotes from 90012, Budget had the lowest local daily rates and U-Haul was close. Penske cost more locally but included unlimited miles one way. Prices change daily, so quote your own date.
Which has a 22-foot truck?
Penske, though in our quotes it was offered for one-way trips but not for a local LA rental. U-Haul offers a 20-foot, and Budget jumps from 16 to 26 feet.
Do all three do one-way rentals from LA?
Yes. All three quoted a one-way truck from Los Angeles to Phoenix for October 17, 2026.
Related
Sources
- Budget Truck Rental — online quote, pickup 90012 (local Oct 13 and 17; one-way to Phoenix Oct 17) — checked September 28, 2026
- Penske Truck Rental — online quote, pickup 90012 (local Oct 13 and 17; one-way to Phoenix Oct 17) — checked September 28, 2026
- U-Haul — online truck rates, Los Angeles (local Oct 13 and 17; one-way to Phoenix Oct 17) — checked September 28, 2026
- Penske Truck Rental — 26 ft truck (rooms, space) — checked September 28, 2026
- Budget Truck Rental — 26 ft truck — checked September 28, 2026
- U-Haul — truck rentals (sizes by home size) — checked September 28, 2026
- U-Haul — how to choose the right size truck (towing) — checked September 28, 2026