This is probably known by lots, but we stumbled across it on accident.
I’ll give you an example by way of explanation. You are moving from Spokane, Washington to Twin Falls, Idaho. Your U-Haul rental is like $500+.
Instead, set your destination to some tiny, podunk town outside your urban area destination. In this case (if you’re looking at a map) Buhl, Idaho. It is 20 miles outside the actual city, and a small town.
The U-Haul website (the app doesn’t do it) will offer you a discount of up to $200 to drop off in the nearest bigger town. In this case, Twin Falls, your original destination.
We have saved at least $200 moving across state three times this way. I’m doing it again right now. 500 miles, $180+ discount to drop off in the town I am moving to, rather than the tiny town next door I listed.
It seems silly, but if you just call or use the app, you’re paying nearly $200 more than you have to.