How to Drive Uhaul Truck | Pro Tips by Real Driver Experience (2025)

How to Drive Uhaul Truck | Pro Tips by Real Driver Experience (1)

If you’ve never driven a U-Haul truck, you might be shocked at the idea. But it’s easier than you think. Like everything else on the day of the move, you will be successful if you plan and do your research. This article contains important things you need to know about how to drive uhaul truck.

Tips for Preparing to Drive UHaul

How to Drive Uhaul Truck | Pro Tips by Real Driver Experience (2)

Check the vehicle

Before driving a truck, check it to make sure nothing is wrong.

Ensure the tires are inflated and in good condition, check the headlights and brake lights, make sure nothing is loose or otherwise damaged, and check that the truck’s storage compartment closes and locks securely.

Wrap UHaul wisely

Since most people who drive a U-Haul fill it with stuff, you should know that the way you pack the truck affects its handling.

First of all, try to balance the truck as best you can. Second, make sure your belongings are safe. If you hear a lot of chatter and noticeable shifting while travelling, you become more nervous, making driving difficult.

If shifting is severe, you can break objects or make it harder to open the storage area when it’s time.

How to drive an UHaul Truck?

How to Drive Uhaul Truck | Pro Tips by Real Driver Experience (3)

Ride at a moderate pace

You don’t have to drive slowly, but you certainly don’t want to speed up driving U-Haul.

The quicker you travel, the more likely you will let completely go and gain out of influence. Drive slower than you normally would at first, and once you get used to the U-Haul, you can adjust your driving habits to suit your comfort level with the vehicle on the road.

Be sure to follow all of U-Haul’s speed instructions for the specific vehicle you are driving. There may be a speed limit for your vehicle.

Stay away from other vehicles.

Trucks stop much slower than cars, so the last thing you want is a tailgate.

You can cause a serious accident, and it is much safer for everyone involved if you keep a reasonable distance from other vehicles.

Try to stay in your lane as much as possible.

Assuming you want to switch to another lane, feel free to get it done. But in general, it’s a good idea to stay in the same lane, especially when driving on or off the highway.

This minimizes the chance of accidents and also prevents your belongings from shifting unnecessarily.

Pay attention to the traffic rules that apply now.

Traffic rules that don’t apply to cars can now affect you because you are driving a truck.

For example, if you are driving on a toll road, trucks often have to use different lanes to pay or even pay higher rates than small cars. You need to find your way and determine if there are any unique situations you may encounter. If you’re prepared in advance, don’t panic when it comes time for a strange lane change or an alternate route.

Be smart

The most valuable advice is to just be smart and stay healthy.

Keep in mind that you are driving a large truck, and you need to adapt your driving behaviour accordingly, depending on the situation and the places and places you are driving through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is U-Haul difficult to drive?

Driving a U-Haul is not difficult. It’s the same as driving other larger vehicles, and an experienced driver should have no problem driving a U-Haul once they get used to it. Be sure to follow the company’s safety advice and not make any risky movements while driving.

What age must you be to travel with U-Haul?

You must be over 18 years old to rent a U-Haul truck, but you must be 16 years old if you only rent a trailer. In any case, you need a state-issued driver’s license.

Can A Normal Man Drive U-Haul?

You can hire a professional driver for your U-move or a rented truck. U-Haul trucks can be difficult to drive, so hiring a professional is smarter.

What amount does it cost to enlist a transporter for a day?

Hiring a driving truck driver ranges from 65 cents per mile to 103 cents per mile.

What Do You Need To Ride U-Haul?

You do not need a special driver’s license to rent a U-Haul aircraft. To enlist our trucks and trailers, you should have a substantial driver’s permit given by your state.

Trucks from U-Haul are not classified as commercial vehicles. As a result, there is no need for a business driver’s license or particular documentation.

How difficult is it To Drive with a Trailer?

Driving a moving truck of any size is a very simple task, even if you add another 20 feet of the trailer to it.

What is the motivation behind cargo weighing stations?

The weighing station allows trucks to be weighed on the road. Transport companies are responsible for keeping the trucks they ship below the legal weight limit. However, shipping companies are often unreliable. That is why weighing stations are essential.

On the highway, should I use tow-haul mode?

There is no need to engage the Tow/Haul mode on the highway because there is no actual purpose. Estimating that you will be travelling at the same pace for a long period, but with the Tow/Haul mode engaged, you will only use more gasoline and drive higher rpm.

Is It Easy To Drive A 26stop Truck?

A moving truck can be fun and drives so light it almost feels like it’s not 8 meters long. Once you’ve completed your move and conquered your first moving truck ride, you can do anything.

How Fast Can You Get In A U-Haul Truck?

Depending on your state’s traffic laws; you can drive a U-Haul truck at speeds in the 55-65 mph range. However, if you are driving a heavily loaded truck, we recommend slowing down.

Conclusion

You will successfully drive a U-Haul truck if you are cautious and follow these guidelines.

How to Drive Uhaul Truck | Pro Tips by Real Driver Experience (4)

Courtney D. Sanderson

I am an Automotive specialist. I graduated from Michigan with Bachelor in Automotive Engineering and Management. Also, I hold degrees in Electrical and Automation Engineering (BEng), Automatic and Industrial Electronic Engineering, and Automotive Technology. I have worked at General Motors Company for over five years as the Marketing Operations Production Coordinator. Now, I own my garage in Miami, Florida. I love cars and love to share everything about them with my readers. I am the founder of the Automotiveex blog, where I share everything about automotive, like car news, car mechanical issues, and anything else that comes up in my blog posts.

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How to Drive Uhaul Truck | Pro Tips by Real Driver Experience (2025)

FAQs

How to Drive Uhaul Truck | Pro Tips by Real Driver Experience? ›

For moving trucks, U-Haul recommends following posted speed limits (both minimum and maximum) and reducing your speed when driving with a fully loaded truck. You should also slow down on bumpy roads or during severe weather. The maximum recommended speed when towing a U-Haul trailer is 55 MPH.

What is the best speed to drive a U-Haul truck? ›

For moving trucks, U-Haul recommends following posted speed limits (both minimum and maximum) and reducing your speed when driving with a fully loaded truck. You should also slow down on bumpy roads or during severe weather. The maximum recommended speed when towing a U-Haul trailer is 55 MPH.

Is it hard to drive a 20 ft U-Haul truck? ›

The one I drove was a 15 or 17 foot. Looks like the 20 is a bit of a step up, but in the same ballpark. It's essentially a pickup truck cab on a little longer frame. If you can drive a full size pickup you can drive a uhaul van.

How do I get the best gas mileage in my U-Haul truck? ›

Light pedal: Ease into the gas pedal when accelerating from a stop. Slamming on the gas pedal in a “jackrabbit” start will use a lot of fuel quickly. Once you get to the driving speed that you want, ease off the pedal slowly. Don't continuously push on and release the gas pedal.

Can you drive faster than 55 with a U-Haul trailer? ›

The maximum recommended speed is 55 mph when towing a U-Haul trailer. Do not exceed any posted speed limit. DRIVE DEFENSIVELY – anticipate stops, brake early, and never follow closely. BEFORE GOING DOWNHILL, slow down and shift the transmission into a lower gear.

How many miles does a U-Haul get per gallon? ›

Summary
Truck sizeMPGDriving distance per tank (miles)
10-foot12372
15-, 17-, and 22-foot10400
26-foot10600
Mar 13, 2024

Is driving a 26 foot U-Haul hard? ›

There's nothing to fear, really. Indeed, out on the open highway, it's not a difficult vehicle to drive. It accelerates far more briskly when in high gear than one would expect from something so loaded down. It's no drag racer, but it's no cruise ship either.

Should I refill U-Haul gas? ›

We simply ask that you return the truck with the same amount of gas that it had when you picked it up.

How do you calculate gas for a U-Haul? ›

‍A 15 ft U-Haul truck generally gets about 10 miles per gallon. How do I calculate how much gas I will use? ‍Calculate using: Miles ÷ MPG x Gas Price. Or, for ease, use the Roadtrip app.

What truck brand has the best gas mileage? ›

Trucks with Best Gas Mileage
  • 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV. Combined Fuel Economy: Up to 63 mpg. ...
  • 2024 Ford Maverick. Combined Fuel Economy: Up to 25 mpg. ...
  • 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Combined Fuel Economy: Up to 25 mpg. ...
  • 2025 GMC Sierra 1500. Combined Fuel Economy: Up to 24 mpg. ...
  • 2024 Toyota Tacoma. Combined Fuel Economy: Up to 24 mpg.

What is the PSI for U-Haul tires? ›

Inflate rear tires approximately 6 psi above normal pressure (normal is usually 30 to 35 psi) but do not exceed the pressure limit stamped on tires. Normal pressure should be maintained in the front tires. Incorrect tire pressure can cause poor stability, an uneven ride and poor gas mileage.

How to turn off tow haul mode in U-Haul? ›

To turn it off, just press the Tow/Haul button again. Please click here to view a video. Disclaimer: Not all features are available on all vehicles and model grades.

Can you go faster than 55 with a tow dolly? ›

Keep your speed at 55 MPH or under when driving with a tow dolly. The most straightforward answer as to why this is important deals with the safety of yourself and others. Traveling at a higher rate of speed will cause your haul to drift from side to side.

What is the most fuel efficient speed for a truck? ›

On average, trucks will see the best fuel efficiency between 55 and 60 mph. Higher speeds also cause more wear and tear on engines and tires, costing you additional maintenance and down time.

What is the max speed a truck can go? ›

Semi-trucks are engineered for hauling heavy loads over long distances, and their speed capabilities reflect this purpose. On average, most semi-trucks have a governed or limited top speed of around 65 to 75 miles per hour (mph).

How fast should truckers drive? ›

For semi-truck drivers, adhering to the 55 mph limit is a legal requirement and a key factor in maintaining road safety.

What is the speed of a haul road? ›

As a rule, a well mantained haul road allows for a light duty vehicle to comfortably travel at a speed of 60km/h with none or minimal disturbance. As haul roads start at the loading face and end at the dump, it's important to: Maintain good floor conditions at both ends. Travel at a reasonable speed in the dump zone.

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