U-Pack vs Penske Truck Rental
Last updated July 2026
U-Pack
Low-cost DIY moving via ArcBest trailers or ReloCubes
Advantages
- You don't drive across country yourself
- Trailers or 6' ReloCubes; flexible on size
- Guaranteed delivery dates on trailer service
- Pay only for the space you use (trailer service)
- No fuel cost, no lodging cost on the drive
Drawbacks
- 3-business-day maximum load time at origin and destination
- Slower door-to-door than a rental truck if you drive straight through
- No true month-to-month storage option
- Not available in every small metro
Penske Truck Rental
Premium truck rental fleet with unlimited miles on one-way rentals
Advantages
- Newer, better-maintained trucks than most rental fleets
- Unlimited miles on one-way rentals
- Often cheaper than U-Pack for cross-country if you drive straight through
- 24/7 roadside assistance included
- AAA and military discounts commonly available
Drawbacks
- You have to drive the truck yourself
- Fuel and lodging on the drive can add $500-$1,500
- No storage flexibility; return truck to closest Penske location
- Requires physical labor across the entire move
U-Pack and Penske both target long-distance DIY movers but from different angles. U-Pack ships a trailer or ReloCube to your home; you load, they drive. Penske rents you the truck to drive yourself. Whether you want to drive typically decides it, price differences are smaller than they look once you factor in fuel and lodging.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | U-Pack | Penske Truck Rental |
|---|---|---|
| Container / Truck Sizes | 28' trailer (partial or full) or 6' ReloCube | 12', 16', 22', 26' trucks (choose by household size) |
| Local Pricing | Not always available | $150-$500 for local one-day rentals |
| Long-Distance Pricing | $2,500-$5,500 typical for cross-country | $1,500-$4,500 typical for cross-country |
| Delivery Lead Time | 3-5 business days typical | Truck available at reservation time |
| Storage Option | Short-term hold only | None; return truck at destination |
| Loading Model | Trailer via ramp; ReloCube ground-level | Truck ramp; you drive it yourself |
| Insurance Options | Liability included; supplemental optional | Limited Damage Waiver, Cargo Insurance |
| Loading Flexibility | 3 business days at each end for loading/unloading | Return within reservation window or pay per extra day |
Too Close to Call
Penske wins on all-in price if you're willing to drive and can handle a multi-day cross-country haul. U-Pack wins for movers who don't want to drive.
A Penske 26' truck for a 2,500-mile move runs $2,000-$3,500 in rental plus $500-$1,000 in fuel plus 2-3 nights of lodging, so all-in $2,700-$4,800. U-Pack for the same route runs $2,500-$5,500 with no driving on your side. The margins are close enough that the driving decision (physical toll, days off work, family logistics) often dominates. Get quotes from both.
Related Comparisons
PODS vs U-Pack
The two DIY moving container leaders, storage flexibility or lowest cost?
PODS vs Penske Truck Rental
The portable container leader meets Penske's premium truck rental fleet, which fits your move?
U-Pack vs U-Haul U-Box
ArcBest's trailer-and-cube DIY moving meets U-Haul's low-price container alternative.