When moving or downsizing, most people in Alberta default to renting a moving truck. It seems like the obvious choice: grab a cube van, load everything in one exhausting day, and return it before the deadline. But hidden costs and stress often make that plan more expensive than it looks on paper.
Drive-up storage offers a simpler alternative. For families and individuals facing transitions, or small businesses managing inventory shifts, drive-up units can save both money and sanity. Here’s how the two options really compare — and why more Albertans are choosing Storeplex.
The Hidden Costs of Renting a Truck
Truck rental companies advertise attractive base rates: “Only $29.95 a day!” But once you get to the counter, the real costs add up fast:
- Mileage charges. Even a short move can rack up kilometres. At $0.79/km or more, the bill spikes quickly.
- Fuel. Large trucks guzzle gas. Refilling before drop-off can cost $50–100+ depending on distance.
- Insurance. Optional coverage often feels mandatory, adding $20–40 per day.
- Time pressure. Returning late means stiff penalties. A move that spills into two days doubles costs.
For someone like Dave, recently separated and managing a stressful move alone, these factors add layers of financial and emotional strain. He’s not just paying for a truck — he’s paying for the stress of using it.
Drive-Up Storage: The Simpler Option
Drive-up storage flips the equation. Instead of renting a truck you don’t want to drive, you rent a unit you can access with your own vehicle, on your own schedule.
With Storeplex, you:
- Bring belongings directly to a secure unit whenever it fits your day.
- Skip the mileage and gas bills entirely.
- Avoid racing against a return deadline.
- Keep the unit for as long (or as little) as you need.
For families in transition, this flexibility is invaluable. Instead of cramming a lifetime of belongings into one exhausting day, you can pace the move over a week or two. Each trip becomes manageable — especially when juggling work, kids, or life changes.
Cost Comparison: Truck Rental vs Drive-Up Storage
Let’s break down a realistic example:
Scenario: Moving from south Edmonton to the north side.
Truck Rental Costs
- Base rental fee: $29.95/day
- Mileage: 60 km round trip x $0.79 = $47.40
- Fuel refill: ~ $75
- Insurance: $30
- Total for one day: ~$182.35
If the move takes two days (very common), the cost doubles: ~$365.
Drive-Up Storage Costs (Storeplex)
- Monthly rental for a drive-up unit: ~$200 (depending on size and location)
- Unlimited trips, no mileage fees, no insurance, no penalties.
- Unit accessible 24/7 for an entire month.
Even if you keep the unit for a full month, the cost is often less than a two-day truck rental — and you don’t pay hidden add-ons. For smaller loads or staggered moves, the savings are even greater.
More Than Money: Reducing Stress
For Divorced Dave or Displaced Dan, cost isn’t the only factor. Stress matters just as much. Driving a cube van through city traffic, navigating narrow streets, and backing into tight spots is intimidating. Add the rush of returning on time, and a move becomes a pressure cooker.
With drive-up storage, you use your own vehicle — whether it’s a pickup, SUV, or even a compact car. Trips are smaller but manageable, and you never risk a late return fee. That peace of mind is worth as much as the savings.
Security and Accessibility
Another advantage: once belongings are in a Storeplex drive-up unit, they’re safe. Lockable containers protect items from theft, vandalism, and Alberta’s unpredictable weather. Unlike parking belongings in a borrowed truck overnight — which risks damage or theft — storage units provide round-the-clock protection with 24/7 access.
That means if you suddenly need something important, you don’t have to dig through a borrowed truck or wait until morning. You just drive up, unlock, and grab it.
The Business Case for Drive-Up Units
It’s not just families who benefit. Small businesses also discover savings when they choose storage over truck rentals. For example:
- Retailers managing seasonal inventory spikes can stage overflow in a secure drive-up unit instead of juggling short-term truck rentals.
- Importers can unload goods into a unit immediately, keeping products safe until orders are ready to ship.
- Contractors can use drive-up storage to hold tools and materials near jobsites without worrying about truck availability.
In all these cases, drive-up units reduce reliance on short-term vehicles and cut wasted hours.
Flexibility That Matches Real Life
The truth is, most moves and transitions don’t follow a perfect schedule. Leases overlap. Possession dates shift. Renovations drag on. A truck rental doesn’t care. Once the 24 hours are up, the costs mount.
Drive-up storage bends with life’s unpredictability. Keep your belongings safe for a week, a month, or longer — and adjust only when you’re ready. No penalties, no rushed timelines, no scrambling to finish before a deadline.
Why Albertans Are Choosing Storeplex
Storeplex drive-up storage is built around three promises: secure, flexible, and simple. That’s exactly what movers in transition need.
- Secure. Belongings are safe from theft, vandalism, and weather.
- Flexible. No long-term contracts. Rent for as long as needed.
- Simple. Drive right up, unload, lock, and go.
For families under stress, or small businesses watching every dollar, that combination saves money and sanity compared to truck rentals.