Liam SmithA few months ago, I decided to help my buddy move. Fast forward to me standing in his driveway, staring at a truck that looked like it wouldn’t even make it across the street, let alone across Ottawa.
It turns out that my friend had rented the cheapest truck he could find, and it came complete with a shaky engine and a broken side mirror. Lesson learnt: when it comes to truck rentals, you want quality you can trust.
Now, if you’re in the middle of planning a move or tackling that IKEA haul that got way out of hand, the last thing you need is a problematic rental truck. To help you out, I’ve put together a list of Ottawa’s best truck rental options. Read on!
How much does it cost to rent a truck in Ottawa?
In Ottawa, you can expect to pay between $39 and $130 per day for a rental truck, depending on the size of the car and the provider.
Typically, smaller trucks or pickup trucks start at the lower end of the range, while larger moving trucks can be on the higher end.
1. Penske Truck Rental
Address: 2323 Stevenage Dr.
Phone: +1 613 731 9998
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday – 7 AM to 12 PM
If you’re planning a move or tackling a big hauling project in Ottawa, Penske Truck Rental should definitely be on your radar.
They have everything from cargo vans to 26-foot trucks, along with moving supplies like furniture pads, boxes, towing equipment, and even labour assistance through their network of service partners.
I was especially happy with how flexible their reservation system is—changing or cancelling a booking doesn’t cost you a dime.
On the downside, I’ve come across a fair amount of complaints about the air conditioning in some of their trucks—several clients mentioned issues with systems blowing hot air instead of cooling.
On the bright side, an added perk is their 24/7 roadside assistance, making it reassuring to know that help is available at any time of the day.
Upon checking, I also liked their convenient key drop box for after-hours returns—helpful when schedules don’t align perfectly. Previous clients I spoke with loved this part too and even commended their helpful staff and transparency.
Expert knowledge
“I had a fantastic experience with Calvin at Penske. He quickly fixed my work truck and was extremely knowledgeable throughout the process. His expertise and professionalism really stood out.”
Julian Barber, Google Review
Great service
“Rented truck to move. Great experience! Would definitely recommend.”
Kevin Greenwood, Google Review
2. Enterprise Truck Rental
Address: 1615 Laperriere Ave.
Phone: +1 613 228 8854
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7:30 AM to 5 PM
- Saturday – 8 AM to 12 PM
Enterprise Truck Rental has this focus on accessibility and flexibility. Whether you need a truck for a project-based assignment, seasonal moving, or a long-term business rental, they’ve got you covered.
I saw how smooth and straightforward their rental process is, and I appreciated that they don’t try to upsell unnecessary services or insurance.
Another feature I was impressed with is their commitment to inclusivity. They provide vehicles equipped with adaptive driving devices like hand controls and pedal extenders—a big help for PWD drivers.
If you plan on being a frequent renter, you’ll appreciate their Enterprise Plus loyalty programme that lets you earn points toward free rentals and upgrades.
Meanwhile, business owners would also benefit from their Flex-E-Rent, offering flexible terms and discounted rates for ongoing rentals.
Sadly, their customer service can be a hit or miss when it comes to responding to enquiries. Also, they don’t accept cash payments, which might be inconvenient for some.
Genuine care and exceptional service
“Steph the salesperson that I dealt with was honestly one of the best salespeople I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He was very informative without being pushy. It was so clear that he authentically cared about me as the customer and wanted to make my experience exceptional. WOW! I will absolutely rent from them again!”
Nyk Morrigan, Google Review
Fair pricing and excellent customer service
“The exorbitant price of renting a truck from Uhaul made me look around and I’m glad I did. Enterprise Truck Rental was well-priced, the truck was new and clean, the ride was very comfortable and the people
I dealt with were kind, professional and helpful.
Definitely timely recommend Enterprise Truck Rental in Ottawa!”
Riaz Mohammed, Google Review
3. Ryder Truck Rental
Address: 1515 Michael St.
Phone: +1 613 741 1006
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7 AM to 4 PM
Ryder Truck Rental is worth considering, especially if you’re a business owner needing reliable commercial vehicles. Here, they specialise in rentals tailored strictly for businesses, which makes their offerings more focused and professional-grade.
Their impressive lineup—including sprinter vans, box trucks, straight trucks, and even semi trucks—certainly made them into the cut. This makes them a solid choice, whether you need a small delivery van or a larger transport truck.
Registering an account on their website not only simplifies the booking process but can also unlock preferred rental rates and perks like Ryder Fuel discounts. I was happy to see that physical damage protection is affordable, too!
Notably, several clients share that their 24/7 roadside assistance is quick and dependable. Pick and drop-off were seamless as well—perfect for saving time when schedules are tight.
The only downside is their exclusion of personal rentals, meaning private moves or one-time personal use isn’t available.
Personalized service and consistent reliability
“We deal with them always. Never an issue and they know our faces so the experience is personal rather then all business. Thanks”
Steve Schroeder, Google Review
Outstanding customer service and adaptability
“Every single one of my experiences at Ryder has been amazing. Brendan and Dritan always make sure we are taken care of. Their customer service is second to none. They always accommodate last minute needs and offer great alternatives when needed. I look forward to continue doing business with Ryder mainly due to the amazing customer services and how the staff make us feel like valued customers. Keep up the great work”
Scott McFarlane, Google Review
4. U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer
Address: 1515 Merivale Rd.
Phone: +1 613 317 1871
Business Hours:
- Monday – 9 AM to 2 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday – 8 AM to 4 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 8 AM to 5 PM
U-Haul caters to both local and one-way moves, offering a variety of vehicles, including moving trucks, cargo vans, trailers, and pickup trucks.
The biggest draw is how you can conveniently reserve these options online, along with essential tools like U-Box containers for storage or shipping, moving supplies, and even trailer hitches.
They really seem to have thought of everything for a smoother moving experience.
Their staff left a great impression, too; several customers we spoke to mentioned how courteous and helpful they were, making sure everything from trailer sizes to connection checks was handled quickly and professionally.
Best of all, email and phone enquiries are typically answered within a day. The only bummer is, if you accidentally leave something in the truck, getting the customer service to respond or resolve the issue can be frustratingly slow.
Still, with a broad selection of vehicles and attentive service, U-Haul stands out for local and long-distance renters.
Friendly guidance and stress-free process
“Super helpful UHaul employee helped me with the check in and helped me put a lock on the truck. He made the whole process very easy and less stressful for me as someone who has never rented a truck before. The truck was super clean and only had 10k miles on it. He answered all of my questions and walked me through the whole process of renting and returning. Very positive experience!”
Jessica Hughes, Google Review
Convenient parking and efficient service
“Great location for an u-haul neighborhood store. Has an u-haul store closer to me but they don’t have any parking for customers to leave the cars there. But the 1515 Merivale location offers tons of customer parking and the gas stations are right next door so it’s easy to refill before returning the truck. Counter staff is very friendly and pick up and drop off process were fast and trouble free! (Just make sure u book online and upload your driver license before hand, then you can be in and out in less than 5 mins). Overall, good location, good staff and good experience!”
Dave Tsui, Google Review
