Lugg vs U-Haul
Full-service movers vs. DIY truck rental. See how they compare.
What is Lugg and what is U-Haul
What is Lugg?
Lugg movers bring the truck, do the heavy lifting, and drive your things to the new address. You book in the app or on the website, and Lugg movers can arrive within the hour, sometimes in as little as 30 minutes. You can also schedule up to 60 days in advance. Booking windows run from 6 AM to 10 PM, every day, weekends included. Every job includes blankets, stretch wrap, straps and dollies, plus Lugg's Damage Protection Guarantee at no extra cost. You pick the vehicle: Pickup, Van, XL, Box truck, or Box+. Two Luggers come with every vehicle, and a Lugg can make up to 5 stops within a 150-mile range. Each Lugger lifts up to 125 lbs per item, so two Luggers handle up to 250 lbs per item. For anything heavier, book a second Lugg for the same time window. There is no limit on how many items you move; the vehicle you pick sets the space. You see an upfront estimate before you book. The price is a base fare, which includes the mileage between your addresses, plus labor billed by the minute with no hourly minimums. A quicker job costs less, and a longer one costs more. You pay by card in the app. Lugg does not pack, unpack, or supply boxes, so pack small and fragile items before your crew arrives. Luggers also do not do electrical, plumbing, or gas hookups or mount TVs. If something is damaged, you file a claim with Lugg Support within 30 days of the move. You can cancel free anytime before your movers arrive.
What is U-Haul?
U-Haul is the largest self-service truck rental company in the country, with 23,000+ locations across the U.S. and Canada. You reserve a truck online and drive to a pickup location. You load your belongings yourself or hire separate labor. Then you drive to your destination, unload everything, and return the truck with the same fuel level. U-Haul's advertised rates start at $19.95/day. That base price does not include mileage ($0.99 to $1.39/mile), coverage ($14 to $60/day), equipment rental ($7 to $15 per item), environmental fees, or fuel. Customers often report a final bill 2 to 3 times the quoted price. Some customers also report reservation problems. They reserved a specific truck size at a specific location, then arrived to find the truck moved to a different city or swapped for a different size. U-Haul holds a 1.3-star rating on Trustpilot. Billing disputes and reservation issues are the most common complaints there.
Feature Comparison Table
Core comparisons
How do they handle real-world scenarios?
Moving a studio or 1-bedroom apartment
You're moving across town and need to transport all your furniture and boxes.
With U-Haul, you rent a truck ($40 to $75/day plus mileage), buy coverage ($14 to $60), and rent equipment ($20 to $40). Then you recruit friends, drive a 15-foot truck through traffic, unload, return and refuel the truck, and find a way home. That usually takes a full day. With Lugg, you book in a few minutes, and Lugg movers with a truck can arrive within the hour. Luggers load, drive, and unload while you settle into your new place. Pack your boxes before they arrive.
Buying furniture on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist
You found the perfect couch across town and the seller wants it gone today.
For a single item, a U-Haul rental adds many steps. You drive to the rental location, fill out paperwork, drive to the seller, and load the couch yourself. Then you drive home, unload it, return and refuel the truck, and get yourself back. That is 3+ hours and $60 to $150 for one couch. With Lugg, two Luggers arrive with a truck, load the couch, and carry it to your room of choice, often in under an hour. Pay the seller yourself, since Luggers cannot handle cash.
Getting a new couch or appliance home from the store
You bought a new couch at the store, but delivery is a week out, or the store doesn't deliver at all.
Renting a U-Haul for one piece of furniture means paying the daily rate and mileage, plus the pickup and return trips, for a 30-minute job. You still need someone to help you load and carry. Lugg movers pick up your purchase at the store and bring it to your room of choice, often within an hour of booking. You don't need to be at the store. Share the order details, and the Luggers do the pickup. Luggers do not do appliance hookups, so book a technician for that after your Lugg.
Loading or unloading a rental truck or storage container
You already have a truck but need strong, reliable help loading or unloading it.
U-Haul offers Moving Help as a separate third-party marketplace with a two-hour minimum, so you pay for two full hours even if the job takes 30 minutes. Damage protection (Safeload) is only available from select providers in select states. If your provider does not qualify, your belongings are not covered. Lugg's Movers only option sends 1 or 2 Luggers to load or unload, and you can book them for the same day. Labor is billed by the minute with no hourly minimums, and the Damage Protection Guarantee is included.
The $19.95 myth
U-Haul advertises truck rentals starting at $19.95/day, but that is the base rate. Mileage, coverage, equipment, fuel, environmental fees, and labor all add to the cost of a basic local move. Lugg's price includes the truck, two Luggers, and equipment from the start. For the same job, the Lugg example below comes to $97.80. The U-Haul total comes to $294 to $399+.
Lugg vs U-Haul price comparison
Single item store pickup
Lugg is 53% cheaper than U-Haul for a single item store pickup.
1-bedroom apartment move
Lugg is 23% cheaper than U-Haul for a 1-bedroom apartment move.
Full home move (2-3 bedrooms)
Lugg is 19% cheaper than U-Haul for a full home move (2-3 bedrooms).
User Ratings Comparison
What customers say
Lugg reviews
“[Lugg mover] Annur was A+ - and we sorted all of this on just a few hours notice. I will never rent a UHaul again.”
“Quick and easier than trying to get a UHaul, go across town, pick up the stuff, go back across town, drop off the stuff, fill up the UHaul gas, then drop off the UHaul.”
“Amazing help and very reasonably priced. Way cheaper and much much less hassle than dealing with uhaul and all their unnecessary drama, extra charges, and complete lack of service altogether. Why get ripped off overpaying to rent a truck that always costs more than originally quoted and have to load and unload by yourself when you can just hire a truck that basically loads, unloads, and drives itself for half the price? Goodbye uhaul and hello Lugg, yall definitely have a new regular customer!”
U-Haul reviews
“Like countless others I rarely if ever actually pay what I reserved and paid for. They always have some fee or story to fleece the customer.”
“Wrong size truck, a round trip trailer instead of a one way. Multiple location changes after verification. Extra mileage charges on top of everything.”
“Charged $247.36 for a 10' truck for an in-town one-day rental. The contract info wasn't updated and the district manager was completely unresponsive.”
The final verdict
U-Haul and Lugg serve different needs. U-Haul rents you a truck, and you do the rest. Lugg is a moving service: the truck, two Luggers, equipment, and the Damage Protection Guarantee come in one booking. For many local moves, deliveries, and pickups, Lugg costs about the same as a DIY U-Haul rental once the added fees are counted. With Lugg, you skip carrying furniture, driving a box truck through traffic, and the return trip. A truck rental makes more sense for a move beyond Lugg's 150-mile range, or when you want to pack and load at your own pace over several days.
U-Haul may work if:
- Your move is longer than 150 miles, beyond Lugg's range
- You want to pack and load over several days
- You're comfortable driving a 10 to 26 foot truck and doing the physical work
- You have friends who can help load and unload for free
Choose Lugg when you need:
- A truck, two Luggers, and equipment in one booking
- Same-day service, with Lugg movers within the hour
- To avoid driving a large truck through city traffic
- Marketplace pickups, store deliveries, or Movers only help
- The Damage Protection Guarantee on every booking
- A move done in hours, not a full day of DIY work
Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current offerings, pricing, or policies of the companies mentioned. We strive for accuracy but make no guarantees. Please visit each company's official website for the latest details. This comparison is not an endorsement of any service.
