Hiring a Moving Company vs Renting a Moving Truck
Movers or a rental truck: the real math
The short version: A rental truck looks cheaper because its price covers only the truck. In San Diego, One Stop is $139 an hour for 2 movers and a truck, and a dedicated truck to Las Vegas is $4,000 with the crew included. The right pick depends on how much you own, how far you’re going and what your time is worth.
- By Elad, One Stop Moving & Storage · Updated October 2026
- Local: $139 an hour for 2 movers and a truck
- Long distance: one dedicated-truck price per city
- No stair fees, 50 free boxes with every move
$139/hr
2 movers and a truck
Since 2008
Moving San Diego
CAL-190616
California mover permit
USDOT 1956864
Interstate, MC 694565
50 boxes
Free with every move
4.3 stars
About 269 Google reviews
Side by side
What’s the difference between movers and a rental truck?
With movers, a licensed crew wraps, loads, drives and unloads, and you get the price in writing first. With a rental truck you pay for the truck, then add mileage, fuel and equipment, and you do the packing, lifting and driving yourself. In San Diego, One Stop is $139 an hour for 2 movers and a truck.
| Hiring One Stop | Renting a truck | |
|---|---|---|
| Who loads | Full-time crew, furniture blanket-wrapped | You and your helpers |
| Who drives | Our driver | You |
| The price you see | Written estimate before you book | The truck rate; mileage and fuel come on top |
| Included | Truck, crew, blankets, floor protection, 50 free boxes | The truck |
| Licensing | CAL-190616 in California; USDOT 1956864 interstate | None needed |
| If something breaks | Protection terms in your written estimate | Your own insurance and the rental company’s cover options |
One Stop rates from our tariff, October 2026.
Local moves
How much do movers cost compared with a rental truck?
Locally, One Stop is $139 an hour for 2 movers and a truck, then 15-minute increments. A rental truck’s base rate is lower, but you add mileage, fuel, dollies and pads, and a day or more of your own work.
Drive time between the two addresses is billed too, and there are no stair fees. Packing your own boxes is the easiest way to cut the hourly total.
Typical labor by home size
Labor only: fuel and drive time between addresses are added. Crew rates: 3 movers $189, 4 movers $239 an hour.
Long distance
Is renting a truck cheaper for a long-distance move?
Less often than it looks. A dedicated One Stop truck is $4,000 to Las Vegas, $4,200 to Phoenix and $6,500 to Salt Lake City, with the driver, both crews, 50 boxes, blankets and wrap included. A one-way rental adds fuel for every mile, your own loading and unloading, nights on the road and coverage you buy separately.
| Route from San Diego | Dedicated truck | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $4,000 | 1–2 days |
| Phoenix | $4,200 | 1–2 days |
| St. George | $4,700 | 2–3 days |
| Salt Lake City | $6,500 | 2–3 days |
| Austin | $10,200 | 3–4 days |
| Dallas | $10,600 | 3–4 days |
| Houston | $11,950 | 3–4 days |
One Stop long-distance tariff, October 2026. Any other city: call (858) 633-8600 for today’s price.
Which one fits
When does renting a truck make sense?
A rental truck makes sense for a small load, a short trip, strong helpers and a flexible day. Movers make sense when there is heavy furniture, stairs or a long drive, when the date is fixed, or when you need storage between homes.
Rent a truck if…
You are moving a studio or a few rooms, a short distance, with friends who can lift.
Rent a truck if…
Your schedule is flexible and a second day of driving or unloading costs you nothing.
Rent a truck if…
You have no piano, safe, heavy dressers or tight stairwells.
Hire movers if…
You have a full house, stairs or an elevator building, and one day to do it.
Local movingHire movers if…
You are leaving the state: a dedicated truck goes straight to your door, at one written price.
Long-distance pricesHire movers if…
Your new place isn’t ready: short-term storage during the move is included.
Storage optionsIn between
Is there an option between full service and DIY?
Yes. Pack your own boxes and pay the crew only for loading, driving and unloading, or use a portable container at $99 or $175 a month that you load at your own pace. For long distance, a shared truck is $11 per cubic foot with a 400 cubic foot minimum ($4,400) and delivery up to 21 days.
Before you hire
How do I check a moving company before I hire it?
Look up its license and get the price in writing. California household movers need a permit from the Bureau of Household Goods and Services; One Stop’s is CAL-190616. Interstate movers need a USDOT number you can check on FMCSA SAFER; ours is USDOT 1956864, MC 694565.
Every local One Stop move gets a written not-to-exceed price. Read reviews on Google, Yelp and the BBB; One Stop is rated A+ with the BBB and 4.3 stars from about 269 Google reviews.
Questions
Movers vs rental truck questions
Short answers. Prices, booking, packing, storage and your rights are covered in full in our FAQ.
All moving questionsIs it cheaper to rent a truck or hire movers?
For a small, short move with free help, a rental truck usually costs less. For a full home, stairs or a long drive, the gap shrinks once you add mileage, fuel, equipment and your time; One Stop is $139 an hour for 2 movers and a truck in San Diego.
How much do movers cost in San Diego?
One Stop charges $139 an hour for 2 movers and a truck, $189 for 3 and $239 for 4, with 15-minute increments after that.
How much does a 2-bedroom move cost with movers?
On One Stop’s rate card, a 2-bedroom takes 2–3 movers 4–7 hours: $556 to $1,323 in labor, plus fuel and drive time between the addresses.
Is renting a truck cheaper for a move from San Diego to Las Vegas?
Compare against $4,000 for a dedicated One Stop truck with driver, both crews, 50 boxes, blankets and wrap. A one-way rental adds fuel, your own loading and unloading and your time on the road.
What is included when I hire One Stop?
The truck, the crew, blankets and shrink wrap, floor and door protection, 50 free boxes and wardrobe boxes on move day. Packing and materials are extra.
Can I pack myself and hire movers only for the heavy lifting?
Yes. Packing your own boxes cuts the hourly total; the crew wraps furniture, loads, drives and unloads at the same crew rates.
Is a portable container cheaper than movers?
It can be. Containers are $99 or $175 a month and you load at your own pace; delivery, pickup and any loading crew are quoted separately in writing.
Are there stair fees with One Stop?
No. Local moves are billed by the hour in 15-minute increments, with no stair fees.
How do I know a mover is licensed?
California movers need a Bureau of Household Goods and Services permit (One Stop: CAL-190616). Interstate movers need a USDOT number you can check on FMCSA SAFER (One Stop: USDOT 1956864).
Talk to a person
Compare it in writing
Tell us what’s moving and both addresses. You get the hourly estimate or today’s price in writing, free, to set against a rental quote.