Question 1

Can I hire someone to drive my U-Haul or moving truck for me?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can hire a professional, background-checked driver to drive your U-Haul or rental truck for local, one-way, and long-distance moves in the continental U.S.

You rent the truck, you load it, and a trained driver delivers it safely to your destination.

For a personalized moving strategy, use our Smart Move Advisor decision tool.

Question 2

How do I hire a truck driver for moving long-distance?

Accepted Answer

Request a free online quote, reserve your rental truck, and book your driver. We coordinate all details, including pickup, route planning, and door-to-door delivery—so you can travel separately and meet your belongings at your destination.

Question 3

Do rental trucks have to stop at weigh stations?

Accepted Answer

Generally not. Because rental trucks are classified below commercial thresholds, weigh-station stops are rarely required.

Question 4

Does U-Haul provide drivers?

Accepted Answer

No. U-Haul only rents vehicles, but you can hire a truck driver for moving through Moving Truck Driver to operate your rental safely and professionally.

Question 5

Can I ride in the truck with the driver?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, yes. Space permitting in the cab, you can ride along with your driver for the entire journey. Some customers prefer this because:

They want to stay with their belongings
They don't want to drive their personal vehicle 1,500 miles separately
They enjoy the company on a long road trip

However, this depends on:

Truck cab configuration (some only seat 2, some seat 3)
Driver preference (discussed during booking)
Your comfort with potentially long hours in a truck cab

We confirm ride-along availability when you book. If ride-along isn't possible, most customers either drive their own car separately or fly to their destination and meet the truck there.

Question 6

Do I need to tip the driver?

Accepted Answer

Tipping is not required or expected, but it's appreciated for exceptional service — just like any service professional.

Industry standard if you choose to tip: $50-100 for a smooth, professional long-distance move. Some customers tip more for:

Extremely challenging drives (bad weather, difficult routes)
Going above and beyond (helping with truck return, etc.)
Multi-day moves handled perfectly

However, our pricing already includes fair compensation for our drivers. Unlike many services, we don't underpay drivers and expect tips to make up the difference.

Tip if you want to, don't if you don't. Either way, you'll get the same professional service.

Question 7

How far in advance should I book a U-Haul driver?

Accepted Answer

Recommended booking timeline:

PEAK SEASON (May-September):

3-4 weeks advance: Ensures driver availability on your preferred dates
2-3 weeks advance: Usually okay, but popular routes (FL, TX, CA) book up
1-2 weeks advance: May work, but limited driver selection
Less than 1 week: Last-minute bookings sometimes available (call us)

OFF-SEASON (October-April):

2-3 weeks advance: Plenty of availability
1-2 weeks advance: Usually no problem
Last-minute: Often can accommodate

The constraint isn't usually our drivers — it's U-Haul truck availability. During peak season, one-way rentals book up fast. We recommend:

Reserve your U-Haul truck first
Then book your driver immediately after

Last-minute moves: We maintain a network of drivers who can take short-notice jobs. If you're in a bind, contact us. We can often help within 48-72 hours.

Question 8

How do I find a reliable truck driver for moving near me?

Accepted Answer

Moving Truck Driver connects you with vetted professionals nationwide, each with a clean driving record, verified experience, and full insurance coverage.

Question 9

What should I consider when hiring a truck driver for moving?

Accepted Answer

Look for proper licensing, active insurance, transparent pricing, and verified reviews. Our drivers meet all federal DOT standards and carry full commercial liability coverage.

Question 10

How experienced are your moving truck drivers?

Accepted Answer

Our drivers average many years of long-haul experience operating 10′–26′ trucks for national rental companies like U-Haul, Penske, and Budget.

Question 11

Do you perform background checks on all drivers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All drivers undergo federal background checks, motor vehicle record screenings, and insurance verification.

Question 12

What safety protocols do your drivers follow?

Accepted Answer

Drivers adhere to DOT hours-of-service limits, complete pre-trip inspections, obey speed restrictions, and track weather conditions to ensure a safe delivery every time.

Question 13

How much does it cost to hire a truck driver for moving?

Accepted Answer

Most local and regional routes cost between $600–$900. For cross-country moves, we provide flat-rate, all-inclusive quotes that cover mileage, tolls, and driver time with no hidden fees.

Question 14

Are there any hidden costs or surprise charges?

Accepted Answer

No. Every quote includes fuel estimates, tolls, travel expenses, and insurance. The rate you receive is the total cost with no surprises on delivery day.

Question 15

How does payment work when hiring a moving-truck driver?

Accepted Answer

Once you approve your quote, we collect a small deposit to reserve your driver. The remaining balance is due at delivery, and you receive a detailed cost breakdown in writing before confirming.

Question 16

Who pays for the truck’s fuel?

Accepted Answer

The truck renter covers fuel costs, but we track mileage and receipts transparently so you know exactly what’s used.

Question 17

How do you estimate fuel costs for my move?

Accepted Answer

We calculate average MPG by truck size and distance, providing an accurate estimate before departure.

Question 18

Are hotel or travel expenses for the driver included?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all driver travel and lodging expenses are pre-included in your flat-rate quote, so there are no post-trip add-ons.

Question 19

What if I can't afford to hire a driver?

Accepted Answer

Honest answer: If budget is extremely tight, driving yourself is the cheaper option.

Our service isn't free, and we don't want to pressure anyone into spending money they don't have.

However, consider these hidden costs of DIY driving:

DRIVING YOURSELF (NY to FL example):

Your time: 16-20 hours behind the wheel (2-3 days)
Hotels: $200-300 (2 nights)
Meals: $100-150
Wear and tear on your body (stress, fatigue, risk)
Risk of accident (potential thousands in liability)
REAL COST: $300-450 + 3 days of your life + substantial stress

HIRING A DRIVER:

Driver fee: $1,200
Your time: 0 hours driving
You fly or drive separately in comfort
Professional handles all risk
REAL COST: $1,200 but you get your time and sanity back

Budget options we can offer:

Off-season discounts (Oct-Apr)
Shorter routes (regional moves vs. cross-country)
Flexible timing (if you're not date-locked, we can sometimes find cheaper availability)

Alternative if you truly can't afford a driver:

Ask U-Haul about their "U-Box" service (like PODS but cheaper), or check if a friend/family member with commercial driving experience can help.

We want to help, but only if it makes financial sense for you. No hard sell here.

Question 20

Is it cheaper to hire a driver or use a full-service moving company?

Accepted Answer

Hiring a driver is typically 60-75% cheaper than a full-service moving company for the same route. Here's the actual math:

FULL-SERVICE MOVER (New York to Florida, 3-bedroom):

Packing: $800-1,200
Loading: Included in transport
Transport: $4,000-6,000
Unloading: Included in transport
Insurance/fees: $500-1,000
TOTAL: $6,000-$10,000

HIRING A U-HAUL DRIVER (Same move):

U-Haul 26' truck rental: $1,200 (one-way)
Professional driver: $1,200
Fuel: $400
Packing supplies (you buy): $200
TOTAL: $3,000
YOUR LABOR: Packing and loading/unloading

Savings: $3,000-$7,000

The trade-off: You do the packing and loading/unloading yourself (or hire local labor for $200-400). But you save thousands and maintain total control over your schedule.

When a full-service mover makes sense:

You physically can't pack/load (health issues, age, etc.)
You value time more than money ($6,000 to avoid 2 days of work)
Corporate relocation with company paying
High-value items needing white-glove service

For most moves? Hiring a driver is the smart financial choice.

Question 21

How many hours per day do drivers work?

Accepted Answer

Drivers follow DOT regulations, driving up to 10–11 hours per day with required rest periods for safety.

Question 22

How long does a long-distance move take?

Accepted Answer

Delivery time depends on mileage, but most cross-country moves are completed within 2–4 days, significantly faster than most freight-based movers.

Question 23

Can I request a specific delivery date or custom route?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We plan routes around your preferred schedule and can accommodate specific rest stops, timing, or delivery windows.

Question 24

When will I receive my driver’s information?

Accepted Answer

You’ll receive your driver’s name, phone number, and pickup details 24–48 hours before your move date.

Question 25

What happens after I book a driver?

Accepted Answer

We finalize your driver assignment, confirm your truck details, and send a step-by-step moving itinerary with contact information and updates.

Question 26

Can you drive my U-Haul if I'm towing a car behind it?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Car towing is one of our most common requests.

Our drivers are experienced with:

U-Haul auto transports (flatbed trailers)
Tow dollies (front wheels up)
Towing behind various truck sizes

REQUIREMENTS:

You must rent the towing equipment from U-Haul (or compatible provider)
We verify weight capacity and proper setup at pickup
Additional cost: $200-400 added to driver fee (depending on distance)

WHY IT COSTS MORE:

Towing a car behind a moving truck:

Requires more driving skill and attention
Increases fuel consumption
Limits speed (we follow U-Haul's 55mph towing limit)
Adds complexity to parking, backing up, navigation

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Not all U-Haul trucks can tow. Generally:

10' trucks: Can't tow cars
15' trucks: Can tow (up to 10,000 lbs)
20' and 26' trucks: Can tow

Your vehicle must be properly secured (we inspect before leaving
Towing adds 1-2 hours to long-distance trips (due to speed limit)
Some routes have towing restrictions (mountain passes, certain tunnels)

WHAT WE HANDLE:

Pre-trip inspection of trailer connection
Proper weight distribution check
Securing your vehicle (with your guidance on any special instructions)
Monitoring throughout trip (we check connections at every stop)

Most common setup: 26' U-Haul with auto transport trailer. This is our drivers' sweet spot, we've done this combination hundreds of times.

Question 27

How does insurance work when hiring a truck driver for moving?

Accepted Answer

You keep the insurance offered by your rental company (e.g., U-Haul SafeMove), while our drivers maintain separate commercial liability and cargo insurance for extra protection.

Question 28

Do you offer coverage for towing or car haulers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All towing operations including auto transports, trailers, and dollies are insured when managed by a Moving Truck Driver professional.

Question 29

What happens in the event of an accident or delay?

Accepted Answer

We notify you immediately, coordinate with insurance providers, and manage all logistics to resolve issues quickly while keeping your belongings secure.

Question 30

Can you drive my U-Haul in bad weather (snow, ice, storms)?

Accepted Answer

Short answer: Yes, our drivers are experienced in all weather conditions. Long answer: It depends on severity.

WHAT OUR DRIVERS HANDLE REGULARLY:

✓ Rain and light snow

✓ Wind (though towing in high wind requires extra caution)

✓ Cold weather and icy roads (with proper speed reduction)

✓ Summer heat (pre-trip checks on cooling systems)

WHAT WE DON'T DRIVE IN:

✗ Active blizzards or ice storms

✗ Hurricane conditions

✗ Severe flooding

If weather turns dangerous mid-trip:

Driver pulls over safely
You're notified immediately
We wait out the weather or reroute
No extra charge for weather delays

If weather is forecasted BEFORE pickup:

We'll assess and may recommend:

Delaying pickup by 24-48 hours
Alternate route planning
Cancellation if unsafe (full refund)

Winter moves (Nov-March) in northern states or mountain routes: Our drivers are equipped

with tire chains, emergency supplies, and experience driving in snow. We've successfully

completed hundreds of winter moves through Colorado, Wyoming, and upper Midwest.

Bottom line: Safety first, always. We won't put your belongings or our driver at risk for the sake of a deadline.

Question 31

Do I need a commercial license to hire or drive a moving truck?

Accepted Answer

No. All trucks under 26,000 lbs. GVWR can be driven with a standard U.S. driver’s license. Our professionals are certified for all rental-truck sizes.

Question 32

What type of fuel do U-Haul or rental trucks use?

Accepted Answer

Most use regular unleaded gasoline; some 26′ models use diesel. We verify fuel type and refill locations before departure.

Question 33

How fuel-efficient are rental trucks?

Accepted Answer

Fuel economy averages 8–12 MPG, depending on load and terrain. Our drivers optimize routes to reduce fuel costs.

Frequently Asked Questions: Hiring a Professional U-Haul Driver

Hire Someone to Drive My U-Haul (Most Asked)