26 Foot U-Haul: The Complete Rental & Moving Guide
The 26' U-Haul is the largest truck you can drive without a CDL — and the smartest choice for moving a 4+ bedroom home. Whether you're relocating across town or across the country, this guide covers costs, loading strategies, driving tips, and everything you need for a stress-free move.
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What Is a 26 Foot U-Haul Truck?
The 26 foot U-Haul is the largest moving truck in U-Haul's fleet and the biggest rental truck most Americans can drive with a standard Class D license. It's purpose-built for serious relocations — the kind that involve a 4 to 8 bedroom home, major appliances, and everything a growing family owns.
With roughly 1,682 cubic feet of cargo space and a maximum payload around 12,859 pounds, this truck can hold three king-sized mattresses with box sets, a sectional sofa, dressers, a dining set, a washer and dryer, and still have room for dozens of moving boxes. It also features U-Haul's exclusive Mom's Attic — an overhead storage compartment behind the cab, ideal for fragile items you want to keep separate from heavy furniture.
Standard features include automatic transmission, air conditioning, gentle-ride suspension, a low-deck for easier loading, an EZ-Load ramp, and a rearview backup camera. The truck runs on regular unleaded gasoline and averages about 10 miles per gallon.
26 Ft U-Haul Truck Dimensions
The interior cargo dimensions of the 26 foot U-Haul measure approximately 26'5" long × 7'8" wide × 8'3" tall. The exterior clearance height is roughly 12 feet 4 inches. Always check overhead clearance signs before entering parking garages, underpasses, drive-thrus, or areas with low-hanging branches.
Pro Tip: If you also need to tow a vehicle or trailer, the 26 foot U-Haul supports up to 10,000 lbs of towing capacity. Pair it with a U-Haul 6' × 12' cargo trailer for an additional 18% hauling space — the most capacity available in the self-move industry.
Quick Truck Size Snapshot (Real-World Guide)
Practical “what actually fits” estimates (typical DIY packing). Specs below can vary by location and truck model.
| Truck size | Best for | Real-world usable capacity | Hard-to-drive | Driver quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo Van | Studio / small 1BR, dorm moves, small local moves | ~200–350 cu ft (≈ 25–40 medium boxes + small furniture) | 1 / 5 | Get driver quote |
| 10’ | Studio / small 1BR, minimal furniture | ~400–500 cu ft (≈ 40–70 medium boxes + mattress + small sofa) | 2 / 5 | Get driver quote |
| 15’ | 1–2BR, small dining set, a few large items | ~650–750 cu ft (≈ 70–110 medium boxes + sofa + queen + appliances) | 3 / 5 | Get driver quote |
| 20’ | 2–3BR, heavier furniture, longer moves | ~900–1,050 cu ft (≈ 110–160 medium boxes + multiple large pieces) | 4 / 5 | Get driver quote |
| 26’ | 3–4BR / big household, full rooms + garage items | ~1,300–1,600 cu ft (≈ 160–220 medium boxes + full furniture set) | 5 / 5 | Get driver quote |
Cargo Van
1 / 510’ Truck
2 / 515’ Truck
3 / 520’ Truck
4 / 526’ Truck
5 / 5How to Choose the Right 26 Foot U-Haul for Your Move
Before you rent, take honest inventory of what you're transporting. A 26 foot U-Haul is ideal when you're moving a 4+ bedroom home, relocating across the country in a single trip, carrying major appliances like refrigerators and washing machines, or combining household goods with a vehicle tow. If your home is smaller — say a studio, 1, or 2-bedroom apartment — a 15- or 20-foot truck may be more economical. U-Haul's online space calculator can help you decide, or you can speak directly with a representative at your local pickup center.
Key questions to ask before reserving: How many rooms are fully furnished? Do you have large or bulky items like a piano, treadmill, or pool table? Will you also be towing a car on a dolly or trailer? How far is your destination — local, regional, or cross-country?
Getting the truck size right on the first try saves real money. Showing up on moving day and discovering you need a larger truck means potential upgrade fees, delays, or multiple trips — all of which cost more than reserving the right size ahead of time.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a 26 Foot U-Haul?
The cost of renting a 26 foot U-Haul depends on whether your move is local or one-way, how far you're traveling, and the time of year you're moving.
For local (in-town) moves where you pick up and return the truck at the same location, daily base rates currently start around $39.95 plus a per-mile charge typically between $0.59 and $0.99. Your total will depend on the number of miles driven.
For one-way moves, pricing includes a set number of days and a mileage allowance. Depending on the distance and season, one-way 26 foot U-Haul rentals generally range from about $800 to $2,500 or more. Peak moving season (May through September) and end-of-month dates command higher prices.
Timing and planning are the biggest levers you have for reducing your U-Haul rental cost. Book your truck at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance — and up to a month ahead if you're moving during summer. Reserve online, as web reservations often lock in better rates than walk-in pricing. Moving mid-week (Tuesday through Thursday) or during off-peak months (October through April) can save 20–30% on base rates.
Return the truck on time and at the correct fuel level to avoid late fees and refueling surcharges. And before purchasing U-Haul's damage coverage, check whether your personal auto insurance or credit card already provides rental truck coverage.
Not sure if a 26 foot U-Haul is right for the job? Compare U-Haul truck sizes before booking.
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Request Your Quote →Picking Up Your 26 Foot U-Haul: What to Bring & Check
Pickup day goes smoothly when you arrive prepared. Bring your valid government-issued driver's license, a second form of ID (passport, military ID, or employer ID), a credit or debit card, and your reservation confirmation number. If you're using U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 for self-service pickup, you'll also need a smartphone with the U-Haul app installed.
Inspection Checklist Before You Drive Off
Before you leave the lot, perform a thorough walkaround. This protects you from being charged for pre-existing damage and gives you peace of mind on the road.
- Walk around the exterior and note any dents, scratches, or windshield cracks
- Verify the fuel gauge matches what's listed on your paperwork
- Test headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and windshield wipers
- Photograph the odometer reading and all four sides of the truck
- Open the cargo area and confirm it's clean and the ramp operates smoothly
- Test the backup camera before pulling out of the lot
How to Load a 26 Foot U-Haul Like a Pro
Smart loading is the difference between a safe, efficient drive and a stressful one. When cargo shifts during transit, it affects braking, cornering, and fuel economy. Here's the proven loading order used by professional movers:
Heavy Items First
Load refrigerators, sofas, washers, dressers, and other heavy furniture against the front (cab) wall. This keeps weight low and forward for better truck handling.
Medium Items Next
Stack boxes, lamps, nightstands, and mid-weight furniture in the middle zone. Fill gaps with smaller boxes to prevent shifting.
Light & Fragile Last
Pillows, linens, and fragile boxes go near the back door. Use Mom's Attic for your most delicate items, glassware, electronics, ceramics.
Throughout the process, keep weight distributed evenly from left to right. Use ratchet straps and tie-downs to secure every section before moving to the next. Wrap furniture with moving blankets and use plastic wrap to secure dresser drawers, cabinet doors, and sofa cushions.
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Get Personalized Quote →Driving a 26 Foot U-Haul Safely
A 26 foot U-Haul is significantly longer, taller, and heavier than any passenger vehicle. If you've never driven a truck this size, expect the experience to feel unfamiliar at first — and that's completely normal. Here are the most critical things to remember behind the wheel:
Double Your Braking Distance
A fully loaded 26' truck needs roughly twice the stopping distance of a car. Leave extra space ahead at all times.
Swing Wide on Turns
Rear wheels track inside the front wheels. Take turns wider than you think to avoid clipping curbs, signs, or parked cars.
Watch Your Clearance Height
The truck stands about 12'4" tall. Always check clearance signs before entering garages, underpasses, and drive-thrus.
Rely on Side Mirrors
There's no rearview mirror. Your large side mirrors and backup camera are your only eyes on what's behind you.
Avoid Sudden Lane Changes
The truck's size creates large blind spots. Signal early, check both mirrors, and change lanes slowly and deliberately.
Refuel Before Returning
U-Haul's refueling surcharge is steep. Top off the tank to the level listed on your contract before dropping the truck off.
If you've never driven anything larger than an SUV, do a slow test lap around the pickup lot before hitting the road. Get comfortable with the steering radius, brake response, and mirror positioning. And if the whole idea of driving a 26-footer makes you nervous, there's no shame in hiring a professional, it's one of the smartest investments you can make on moving day.
Returning Your 26 Foot U-Haul
A clean return protects you from unnecessary charges and speeds up the inspection process. Before you pull back into the lot, run through this quick checklist: refill the gas tank to the level noted on your rental agreement, remove all personal belongings and trash from the cab and cargo area, sweep out the cargo bay (a broom is usually available at the return location), and return the truck during posted business hours so a staff member can confirm its condition in person.
If you anticipate returning late, contact U-Haul as early as possible. Unanticipated late returns may incur a daily surcharge of around $40, and the fees can stack quickly during peak season when demand is high.
26 Foot U-Haul: Frequently Asked Questions
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