If you can only think of U-Haul when moving, this article is for you. We’ve compiled a list of the best U-Haul alternatives.

If you’re researching to move cross-country, or across the street, but you are unsure whether or not to use U-Haul, then we’re going to help you answer that question today.

Many people don’t realize that there are plenty of more affordable, convenient, and straightforward options to choose from. We’ve compiled a list of 6 U-Haul alternatives that can save you time, money, and worry on your next move.

1. Buy a Trailer

Buying a trailer can make your dreaded move a much easier task. Buying a trailer is a simple, affordable undertaking, all you have to do is contact a reputable trailer dealer in your local area. The best part is that you have the control to safely pack and drive your possessions to your new home.

After the move is complete, the trailer can subsequently be used for other tasks that require the transportation of goods. For instance, it could help you lug your child’s stuff cross-country when they move to college. Or help you carry your husband’s drum kit across town for his band reunion.

Owning a trailer will very likely come in handy for many different occasions throughout your life. You just need to be sure that you own a vehicle capable of hauling a trailer, plus whatever cargo you have on it.

If you decide that you don’t want to keep the trailer post-move, you can sell the vehicle attachment. Maybe you’ll even turn a profit! This option allows you to save on U-Haul rental fees, and if you’re clever about the re-sell, you could even make money!

2. Use a Different Rental Company

Is U-Haul the first rental company that comes to mind when thinking about your move? That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best company to rent from.

After a little research, you will find that there are plenty of other truck rental companies that offer lower prices for their rental services than U-Haul. Check out Enterprise, Home Depot, Penske, Budget, or others to find the best rates in your state.

One great way to find out what rental truck companies are in your general vicinity is by using Google.

Open a new tab, and search for “rental truck companies near me”.

You’ll see a Google Map that shows some of the top rental truck companies near you, and you can continue going down the list until you find one that can help you with your specific needs.

Using this strategy, you can find some of the bigger chains that are great for one-way moves, or some of the local companies that are great for local moves.

3. Shipping Services

If you only have a few pieces of furniture and some small boxes, shipping can be an affordable and effortless option. Are your items relatively small in size? You may find this U-Haul alternative much more economical.

Is your move time-sensitive? There are several courier companies that offer express delivery options, such as UPS and DHL, this ensures that your boxes and furniture will arrive at your new home quickly.

Peer-to-peer shipping is another affordable and economical option. This type of shipping is designed to make small shipments easier by connecting with truckers and logistic companies across the country. Your boxes will be transported by a shipping partner who is traveling in the same direction.

First, you must connect with a shipping partner. You’ll post your shipment weight and location on an online marketplace like Roadie or uShip, and from there, someone will pick your shipment if they are going in that direction and they will deliver it for you!

4. Rent a Portable Storage Container

Renting a portable storage container can save you the hassle of driving a rental cross-country and it’s incredibly cost-effective.

PODS, a popular brand for movable storage containers in the U.S is a great option if you have a large number of possessions to move. You can choose different sizes, as they have 7, 12, or 16-foot box crates, in addition to this they offer local and long-distance moving services.

If you’re ready to move right away, you can have the container shipped to your door, and you can take a few days to load and pack it just how you like, and then once you’re ready to move, you tell the company where to send it, and they will take care of the rest. It’s that simple!

5. Hire a Professional Mover

If you hire a reputable professional mover, you won’t have to lift a finger. It’s more efficient and stress-free to have someone else lifting and carrying the heavy furniture down the stairs and into the truck. Does the idea of loading and driving a large moving truck stress you out? Hiring professional movers is the choice for you.

You might think that this option is expensive but in actual fact, you’d be surprised to find that some moving companies may charge less than the cost of U-Haul rentals for their services. It’s all in the research.

The trick to hiring a professional mover is through obtaining several quotes from reputable moving companies. Do you have a favorite moving company in mind?

First, check if they offer price matching. Meanwhile, ask several companies for quotes which may help you to lower the price. If you find another moving company that will do your move for cheaper ask them for a written estimate. Once you have the estimate, take it to your preferred company and ask them to have your lower price matched.

Always make sure that the movers you plan to work with are reputable and reliable, so if you are dealing with interstate movers, be sure the company has a USDOT number from the US Department of Transportation. Check that the company is licensed and insured too.

No matter how good a deal it seems, never use a moving company that isn’t licensed and insured. If the mover you have hired doesn’t have a license and insurance, your items won’t be protected if they are lost or damaged during your move.

6. Sell Your Items

This option may seem a little drastic but maybe you need to apply Marie Kondo’s ethos to your possessions before moving. (If you don’t know who she is, she’s a Japanese de-cluttering guru). Look at your furniture and ask yourself the question “Does this spark joy?”.

You would be surprised that you actually don’t need all of the furniture that you think you need, so maybe it’s time to get rid of that stained beige couch you’ve been holding onto! This tip could help you significantly cut your transportation and moving costs.

Wondering where to start? You can sell your furniture on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, or you could even have a garage sale! It would be great to collect some extra cash to use on other moving costs, such as moving the things that truly spark joy in you.

To sum up, no matter what option you choose I hope you have realized that there are plenty of more affordable, convenient, and straightforward alternatives to U-Haul. I hope this list helps you to save time, money, and worry on your next move. Happy moving!