Penske vs. Budget vs. U-Haul: What Each Costs for a PCS Move

Why Your Truck Choice Matters for a PPM Move

If you're doing a PPM (personally procured move), the truck rental is your single largest out-of-pocket cost. The government pays you based on the Government Constructed Cost (GCC) regardless of which company you use — so every dollar you save on the truck is a dollar of profit. A long-distance 26-foot rental can run $800–$2,500+ before fuel, which makes the choice of company and any available military discount genuinely significant.

This comparison covers the three major national truck rental companies — Penske, Budget, and U-Haul — with a focus on what matters most for military PCS moves: military discounts, one-way mileage policies, truck sizes, and overall value.

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Penske	Budget	U-Haul
Military discount	15% off (code: MILITARY)	20% off (code: USMIO)	No % discount — free 1 month storage with PCS orders
Truck sizes	16 ft, 22 ft, 26 ft	12 ft, 16 ft, 26 ft + cargo van	10 ft, 15 ft, 20 ft, 26 ft + cargo van + pickup
One-way mileage	Unlimited on one-way rentals	Mileage allowance included; overage fees apply	Per-mile fees apply; overage charges for estimates
Fleet age	Newest (avg. under 2 years)	Oldest of the three	Mixed; varies by location
Roadside assistance	24/7 included	Available for purchase	Available for purchase
Number of locations	2,500+	1,900+	20,000+
Best for	Long-distance PCS moves	Shorter local moves	Last-minute bookings, smaller moves

Penske — Best for Long-Distance PCS Moves

Penske is consistently the top choice for cross-country PCS moves, and for good reason. Their fleet is the newest of the three companies — trucks typically under two years old — which matters a lot when you're trusting a vehicle with 1,000+ miles of driving and your entire household.

Military discount: 15% off with code MILITARY. Valid for active-duty and veteran military personnel. Apply it at booking on their website or mention it when calling. Book through our link and enter code MILITARY at checkout.

Truck sizes:

• 16 ft: ~800 cu ft — best for a 1-bedroom apartment or small 2-bedroom
• 22 ft: ~1,200 cu ft — best for a 2–3 bedroom home; includes loading ramp
• 26 ft: ~1,700 cu ft — best for a 3–5 bedroom home; includes loading ramp

Mileage policy: Penske one-way rentals include unlimited mileage. For a PCS move from Fort Campbell to Fort Lewis, for example, you won't be charged per mile — only the base rental rate applies. This is a significant advantage over U-Haul and often Budget on long moves.

Other perks: 24/7 roadside assistance is included. Penske trucks have a bench seat for three passengers on their 22 ft and 26 ft models, which helps if you're driving with family. Towing hitches are available on all sizes. The counter rules are the friendlier ones for a young crew, too: Penske's minimum age to drive is 18, it publishes no under-24 surcharge, and extra drivers cost $10 each with family members free.

Budget — Best Military Discount, Best for Shorter Moves

Budget offers the highest headline military discount at 20% off, and their lower base rates make them genuinely competitive for shorter PCS moves. If you're moving under 400–500 miles and want to maximize your out-of-pocket savings, Budget is worth a close look.

Military discount: 20% off base rates with code USMIO. Valid for service members with orders — book online only, and book ahead: Budget's terms require a 24-hour advance reservation. The discount applies to time and mileage charges on the best available rate. Book through our link and apply code USMIO at checkout.

Truck sizes:

• Cargo van: ~250 cu ft — studio or single-room move
• 12 ft: ~450 cu ft — 1–2 bedroom apartment
• 16 ft: ~800 cu ft — 2–3 bedroom home
• 26 ft: ~1,700 cu ft — 3–5 bedroom home

Mileage policy: Budget one-way rentals include a mileage allowance based on your route, not unlimited miles. If you go over the allowance, overage fees apply. Get a firm quote that includes your expected mileage before booking.

Trade-offs: Budget's fleet is older than Penske's, and their 24/7 roadside assistance is an add-on rather than included. For a local move or a short-haul PCS, this is usually a non-issue. For a cross-country move, the newer trucks and included roadside coverage at Penske may be worth the premium. Budget also prices driver age, in two places worth reading separately: the military offer's terms say a daily surcharge may apply to renters under 24, and the rental agreement applies the same per-day charge to any Additional Authorized Driver under 24. So adding a younger spouse to the contract can trigger it even when the renter is older, and on a junior-enlisted move that daily charge can eat the five points Budget's discount leads by.

U-Haul — Best Availability, No Standard Military Discount

U-Haul has by far the largest network — over 20,000 locations across the country — which makes them the best option when you're booking last-minute or moving to/from an area where Penske and Budget have limited coverage. However, they don't offer a standard military percentage discount.

Military perk: U-Haul offers one month of free storage at your destination when you show PCS orders. This can be useful if your move-out and move-in dates don't align — you load the truck, drop your goods in storage, and pick them up when your new housing is ready. There is no promo code needed; present your DD Form 2278 (Application For Personally Procured Move (PPM) and Counseling Checklist) at the storage location.

Truck sizes:

• 10 ft: ~400 cu ft — 1-room studio
• 15 ft: ~764 cu ft — 1–2 bedroom home
• 20 ft: ~1,015 cu ft — 2–3 bedroom home
• 26 ft: ~1,611 cu ft — 3–4 bedroom home

Mileage policy: U-Haul uses a per-mile pricing model on one-way rentals. You provide an estimated mileage at booking and pay overage charges if you exceed it. On a long PCS move, this can add up quickly — get an accurate mileage estimate using the official DoD mileage tables your TMO provides, not a rough guess.

Pricing: U-Haul's local day rates are low ($19.95–$49.95/day depending on size), but one-way rates for long distances are calculated differently and are comparable to or higher than Budget after mileage fees. Always get a full one-way quote rather than comparing day rates.

Which Company Is Right for Your Move?

• Cross-country move (500+ miles): Penske is typically the best value after the 15% discount and unlimited mileage. A $1,500 base quote becomes $1,275 with the code, and you don't pay per-mile overages on a 2,000-mile drive.
• Short-haul move (under 400 miles): Budget's 20% discount and lower base rates often win here. The mileage allowance is sufficient for shorter routes, and the truck age matters less on a 1–2 day rental.
• Last-minute booking or remote duty station: U-Haul. Their coverage at small towns near less-trafficked installations is unmatched. Accept that there's no military discount, and build that into your PPM cost calculation.
• You need storage on arrival: U-Haul's free first month of storage with PCS orders is a real benefit if your PTDY and report dates leave a gap between move-out and move-in.

Tips for Renting a Truck During PCS Season

• Book as early as possible. PCS season (June–August) is also peak moving season for everyone. Trucks in popular sizes — especially 26 ft — sell out weeks in advance at popular locations. Book the day you get orders if you're moving in summer.
• Compare actual one-way quotes, not day rates. Day rates are misleading for PCS moves. Get a firm end-to-end quote for your specific origin, destination, pick-up date, and drop-off date before comparing companies.
• Get the right size — going smaller rarely saves money. An underpacked truck means a second trip or leaving things behind. Going one size up typically costs $50–$150 more but eliminates the risk entirely.
• Check the driver-age surcharge before you compare quotes. Budget's terms say a daily charge may apply for renters — and for additional authorized drivers — under 24. Penske's minimum is 18 and it publishes no age surcharge. Age terms are set per company and they change, so confirm them on the quote you are actually comparing rather than assuming the headline discount decides it.
• Document the truck's condition at pickup. Walk around the truck with the counter agent, photograph any pre-existing damage, and confirm it's noted on your rental agreement. Damage disputes after a long-distance move are common.
• Keep every receipt. Truck rental fees, fuel, and packing supplies are all legitimate out-of-pocket PPM costs. Your total payment is based on the GCC, but your receipts determine how much of that payment counts as tax-free expense reimbursement versus taxable profit — so documenting expenses thoroughly directly reduces your tax withholding. See our PPM filing guide for what to keep.
• Weigh the truck before loading. For a PPM, you need a tare weight (empty) and a gross weight (loaded). Most scales near military installations are familiar with this process. See our step-by-step PPM filing guide for exactly how weight tickets work.

How Truck Rental Fits Into Your PPM Profit Calculation

Your PPM payment is 100% of the GCC — what it would cost the government to move your weight over your distance — not based on what you actually spend. Of that payment, your documented expenses (including your truck rental) are reimbursed tax-free, and only the remaining profit is taxed, with 22% withheld. That means a lower truck rental cost increases your take-home in two ways: it leaves more of the GCC as profit, but it also means less of your payment is offset by documented expenses — so the real effect on your net, after-tax total depends on your specific numbers. On a move where your GCC is $6,000, the difference between a $900 truck and a $1,400 truck is $500 less in documented expenses, most of which converts to taxable profit at 78 cents on the dollar after withholding. Use the PCS Calculator to estimate your full PPM profit before committing to a move type.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Penske offer a military discount in 2026?

Yes. Penske offers 15% off truck rentals for active-duty and veteran military personnel with discount code MILITARY. The discount applies at booking online or by phone and is valid at all 2,500+ Penske locations. One-way Penske rentals also include unlimited mileage, which adds significant value on long-distance PCS moves. *A Military ID or proof of Veteran status is required at pickup to receive the discount.

What is the Budget truck rental military discount code?

Budget offers 20% off base rates for military members traveling with orders. Use code USMIO when booking online. The discount applies to time and mileage charges on the best available rate and is valid any day of the week for online bookings. Budget's terms require a 24-hour advance reservation, so book at least a day before you need the truck.

Does U-Haul offer a military discount?

U-Haul does not offer a standard percentage military discount. However, they do provide one month of free storage at your destination when you show PCS orders. If you need temporary storage between move-out and move-in, this is a useful perk worth factoring into your total cost comparison.

Which truck rental company is best for a long-distance PCS move?

For moves over 500 miles, Penske is typically the best overall value: newer trucks, unlimited mileage on one-way rentals, included 24/7 roadside assistance, and a 15% military discount. Budget wins on headline discount percentage (20%) but its one-way rentals include a set mileage allowance rather than unlimited miles, and miles beyond it are charged extra, which can offset the savings on cross-country distances. Always get specific quotes for your exact route from all three before deciding.

Related Articles

• DITY Move vs. Government Move — Is a PPM worth it for your specific move? Run the numbers first
• How to File a PPM/DITY Claim: DD Form 2278 — Weight tickets, receipts, the 45-day filing window, and what to submit
• Weight allowances by rank, and what going over costs — How many pounds you're authorized to move based on rank and dependents
• 2026 PCS Reimbursements Guide — MALT, per diem, TLE, and PPM all in one place
• PCS Move Checklist — Everything to do from the day orders arrive to arrival at your new station

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