Lowe’s Truck Rental Review: Pricing and Services
Here’s the bottom line: Lowe’s Truck Rental is a good fit for a small local move or a home improvement haul, with rentals starting at $19 for 90 minutes at participating stores. Lowe’s rents a ¾-ton pickup, a high-top cargo van, and a 12-foot box truck, but every rental is local only, first-come, first-served, and must go back to the store where you picked it up. In this Lowe’s truck rental review, we cover current pricing, vehicle options, rental requirements, and how Lowe’s compares to the best rental trucks, and why those limits keep Lowe’s off that list.
For the right job, Lowe’s is still a solid option thanks to its low starting prices and simple, time-based rates.
Pros & cons of Lowe’s Truck Rental
- Rentals from $19
- Pickups, vans & box trucks
- 90-minute to seven-day rentals
- No listed mileage fees
- Roadside help & in-store supplies
- Select stores only
- No online reservations
- Local & round-trip only
- $200 deposit
- Nothing bigger than 12 feet
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- On average, moveBuddha users save more than 30% by comparing movers before booking.
- When you choose a moveBuddha Certified mover, you get $1,000 in added move coverage, plus dedicated support throughout your move.
- If something goes wrong, moveBuddha provides dispute mediation with Certified movers to help resolve the issue and protect your move.
Key takeaways
- Short, time-based rentals: Lowe’s rents trucks for 90 minutes, four hours, 24 hours, or seven days, with prices starting at $19, $89, $139, and $903. Lowe’s doesn’t list any per-mile charges, so your cost depends on how long you keep the truck.
- First-come, first-served: Lowe’s handles all truck rentals in store and doesn’t take online reservations. Not every Lowe’s location rents trucks, so call your local store before you head over.
- Three vehicle types: Participating stores offer a ¾-ton pickup, a high-top cargo van, and a 12-foot box truck. Lowe’s doesn’t rent anything larger, which rules it out for most moves bigger than a studio or one-bedroom apartment.
Jump to the Lowe’s Truck Rental info you’re looking for:
How much does Lowe’s Truck Rental cost?
Lowe’s Truck Rental starts at $19 for a 90-minute rental, and a full 24-hour day starts at $139. Lowe’s charges by rental period rather than by distance, and its truck rental page doesn’t list any per-mile fees. Rates vary by location and vehicle type, so confirm the price for your truck with your local store.
Here are Lowe’s current starting rates by rental period:
| Rental period | Starting price |
|---|---|
| 90 minutes | $19 |
| 4 hours | $89 |
| 24 hours | $139 |
| 7 days | $903 |
Every rental also requires a $200 deposit. Return the truck clean and with the same amount of fuel it had at pickup, or Lowe’s may charge additional fees. If you need more time, call the store before your return time to extend your rental.
A few hours with a Lowe’s pickup is only one way to handle a local move. moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator weighs distance, home size, move date, and service level together, so you can see what hiring movers would cost for your specific move before you commit to doing it yourself. For more budget options, see our guide to the best cheap moving truck rentals.
DIY options like rental trucks cut moving costs by about 30% compared to full-service moving on average, according to moveBuddha pricing data.
What vehicles & services does Lowe’s Truck Rental offer?
Lowe’s Truck Rental offers three vehicle types, roadside assistance, and in-store moving supplies. Vehicle options vary by location, so not every participating store carries all three.
Here’s what you can rent and what comes with it:
- ¾-ton pickup truck: The Lowe’s pickup has a standard cab that seats three, a bed 6.5 feet wide and 8.5 feet long, and a 3,000-pound payload. Recessed tie-downs help you secure your load, but Lowe’s doesn’t allow towing with its rental trucks.
- High-top cargo van: The cargo van holds 404 cubic feet of cargo, with a 3,000-pound payload and a maximum cargo length of about 14 feet. It’s a good choice for furniture and boxes you want protected from the weather.
- 12-foot box truck: The box truck holds up to 450 cubic feet and 3,000 pounds, with a loading ramp rated for 1,200 pounds. It’s the largest vehicle Lowe’s rents and the best fit for a small apartment move.
- Roadside assistance: Every Lowe’s rental includes roadside assistance if you break down or run into trouble on the road.
- Moving supplies: Lowe’s stores sell dollies, moving boxes, and packing supplies, so you can pick up everything you need when you collect your truck. In-store stock varies by location.
How does Lowe’s Truck Rental compare to other rental companies?
Lowe’s Truck Rental matches or beats its competitors on starting price, but U-Haul, Enterprise, Penske, and Home Depot all offer more vehicle choices or wider availability. Here’s a closer look at how Lowe’s stacks up against some of the best rental trucks.
Lowe’s Truck Rental vs. U-Haul
As perhaps the biggest name in DIY moves, U-Haul offers a wide range of truck sizes to handle moves big and small. In addition to pickup trucks and a nine-foot cargo van, U-Haul offers five box truck sizes: 10, 15, 20, 26, and 29 feet. Pickups and cargo vans are for local moves only, while the box trucks can go one-way for long-distance moves.
rating
4.15 / 5
U-Haul has more than 24,000 rental locations across the U.S. and Canada, so there’s likely one near you. You can also book hourly moving labor through U-Haul’s Moving Help marketplace, which Lowe’s doesn’t provide.
Unlike Lowe’s first-come, first-served system, U-Haul lets you reserve a truck in advance. Some customers report arriving to find their reserved truck unavailable, though. U-Haul’s in-town rentals start at $19.95 plus a per-mile fee, and U-Haul adds charges like an environmental fee that Lowe’s doesn’t list.
Read our full U-Haul review for more info.
Lowe’s Truck Rental vs. Enterprise Truck Rental
When it comes to vehicle choice, it’s hard to beat Enterprise Truck Rental. Enterprise offers six pickup truck options, five cargo van options, six box truck options, and three stakebed trucks, so it’s easy to find a vehicle that fits your move.
Like Lowe’s, Enterprise is built for local moves. With limited exceptions, Enterprise doesn’t allow one-way truck or van rentals. Enterprise has nearly 600 truck rental locations across the U.S. and Canada, compared to about 1,750 Lowe’s stores in the U.S., though not every Lowe’s rents trucks.
Enterprise may limit the miles included on larger vehicles, so ask about mileage caps and per-mile charges before you book. Enterprise is worth considering for a local move if you need a specific truck type that Lowe’s doesn’t carry.
Read our full Enterprise Truck Rental review for more info.
Lowe’s Truck Rental vs. Penske
Penske Truck Rental is an excellent alternative to Lowe’s if you’re planning a long-distance move. Penske rents a high-roof cargo van and 12-, 16-, 22-, and 26-foot box trucks, and includes unlimited mileage on one-way moves. Penske does charge for mileage on local moves, while Lowe’s prices its rentals by time.
rating
4 / 5
Penske doesn’t rent pickup trucks, which makes Lowe’s the better option for local hauling on DIY projects. On the other hand, Penske takes reservations, so you don’t have to hope a truck is on the lot when you arrive.
Penske also offers discounts on storage and moving labor through partner companies. You can order boxes and moving supplies from Penske, but Lowe’s lets you buy them in person when you pick up your truck.
Lowe’s Truck Rental vs. Home Depot
Lowe’s and Home Depot are major competitors in the home improvement space, and that competition carries over to their truck rental offerings. Home Depot Truck Rental offers a wider selection of vehicles for local moves than Lowe’s.
Here’s what you can rent from Home Depot:
- Flatbed pickup trucks: Home Depot rents eight-foot and 10-foot flatbed pickups, with rentals starting at $19 for the first 75 minutes.
- Cargo vans: Home Depot cargo vans also start at $19 for the first 75 minutes, which matches Lowe’s entry-level pricing.
- 12-foot box trucks: Home Depot’s box trucks start at $29 and include unlimited miles, according to Home Depot.
- Towing trailers: Home Depot rents utility, dump, and flatbed trailers, while Lowe’s doesn’t allow towing at all.
Some Home Depot locations also partner with Penske to offer a broader range of box truck rentals.
Like Lowe’s, Home Depot prices its truck rentals by time, with rental periods from 75 minutes to one week. Home Depot trucks are for local moves only and must go back to the original store.
The table below compares all five rental companies side by side, using each company’s rating from the Better Business Bureau and its current location count.
| Company | BBB rating | Locations | Rental options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowe’s Truck Rental | A+ | Participating stores among about 1,750 U.S. Lowe’s stores | ¾-ton pickup, high-top cargo van, 12-foot box truck |
| Home Depot Truck Rental | A+ | 1,200+ rental locations | Flatbed pickups, cargo vans, 12-foot box trucks, towing trailers |
| Penske Truck Rental | A+ | 2,600+ | Cargo van, 4 box truck sizes |
| U-Haul Truck Rental | A+ | 24,000+ (U.S. and Canada) | Pickup truck, cargo van, 5 box truck sizes |
| Enterprise Truck Rental | A+ | Nearly 600 (U.S. and Canada) | 6 pickup truck options, 5 cargo van options, 6 box truck options, 3 stakebed trucks |
The takeaway: Choose Lowe’s or Home Depot for a short local haul, Enterprise when you need a specific truck type for a local job, and Penske or U-Haul for a one-way or long-distance move.
How do you rent a truck from Lowe’s?
You rent a Lowe’s truck in person at a participating store, on a first-come, first-served basis. Lowe’s doesn’t take online reservations, and not every store rents trucks, so call your local Lowe’s store first to confirm it has the vehicle you need.
To rent a truck, bring your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a credit card. You must be at least 21 years old, and Lowe’s collects a $200 deposit. If your auto policy doesn’t cover rental vehicles, see our guide on rental truck insurance.
You can rent a truck for 90 minutes, four hours, 24 hours, or seven days. If you’re using a Lowe’s truck for a move, a 24-hour rental is usually your safest option, since it gives you enough time to load, drive, and unload without watching the clock.
When you’re done, return the truck to the same store you rented it from. Bring it back clean and with the same amount of fuel it had at pickup to avoid extra fees.
Pro tip: Get to the store when it opens on moving day, since Lowe’s doesn’t hold trucks and the best vehicles go first. If you’re not sure a 12-foot box truck is big enough, check our guide to choosing the right moving truck size before you go.
Should you use Lowe’s Truck Rental to move?
Lowe’s Truck Rental is a good choice for a small local move and a poor choice for anything long-distance or larger than a small apartment. It ultimately comes down to the size and distance of your move.
When Lowe’s Truck Rental makes sense
- You’re doing a small local move: Lowe’s largest vehicle is a 12-foot box truck with up to 450 cubic feet of space. That’s enough for a studio or small apartment, but not a family home.
- You want a simple, time-based price: Lowe’s prices its rentals by time, starting at $19 for 90 minutes, and doesn’t list per-mile charges. That makes it easy to estimate your cost before you pick up the keys.
When to skip Lowe’s Truck Rental
- You need help from professional movers: If you plan to hire help, a full-service moving company is usually a better fit than a Lowe’s truck. The moveBuddha Mover Marketplace gets you up to five no-obligation quotes from vetted movers with one request, matched to their real-time availability, so you can compare prices without calling each company.
- You’re doing a long-distance move: Lowe’s rentals are local only and must go back to the store where you picked them up. For a one-way or long-distance move, look at Penske or U-Haul instead.
If you’re comparing a DIY move against hiring movers, moveBuddha’s moving cost calculator runs on 1,000+ live price points collected every month, which gives you a concrete benchmark to measure any mover’s quote against.
FAQ
Do you need a credit card to rent a truck from Lowe’s?
Yes, Lowe’s requires a credit card and a $200 deposit. Lowe’s doesn’t say whether it accepts debit cards. Call your store first if you don’t have a credit card.
How big are Lowe’s rental trucks?
The Lowe’s pickup has a bed 6.5 feet wide and 8.5 feet long and a 3,000-pound payload. Some stores also rent a 404-cubic-foot cargo van and a 12-foot box truck. Choose the box truck if you’re moving a small apartment.
Does Lowe’s charge for mileage on truck rentals?
Lowe’s doesn’t list any per-mile charges. Rentals are priced by time, from 90 minutes to seven days. Confirm the mileage policy with your store at pickup.
What are the requirements for renting a truck from Lowe’s?
You must be 21 or older with a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a credit card. Lowe’s also collects a $200 deposit. Bring everything with you to avoid delays at the counter.
Can you reserve a Lowe’s rental truck online?
No, Lowe’s rents trucks in store on a first-come, first-served basis. Call your local store to check availability. Arrive when the store opens on moving day for the best shot at a truck.
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