Yes, you can hire a van for the day to move in Melbourne, and for a smaller move a single day is usually all you need. Day hire starts from $74.55, the van drives on a normal car licence, and because Turbofleet’s depots are local, you can make two or three trips across the suburbs and still return the van by the end of the day. A studio, an apartment, or a single room fits comfortably into a one day van hire when you plan the run. For a full house, you would either book a bigger truck or allow two days.
Is one day enough to move with a van?
For most small moves, yes. A van suits a studio, a one-bedroom flat, a part move, or shifting a few large pieces, and all of that fits inside a day. The reason a day works is that you are not limited to one load. With a depot nearby, you can load, drive, unload, and come back for a second or third run, all within opening hours.
Where one day gets tight is a full family home with wardrobes, whitegoods, and a lounge suite. That is a lot of trips for a van, so either step up to a truck for fewer loads or split the move across two days. If you are close to the line, booking the largest van keeps your trip count down.
What you can move in a day
A cargo van holds roughly the contents of a studio or a small one-bedroom per trip. Across a full day that usually means the whole home in two or three runs. As a rough guide, in one day a van can move a bed and mattress, a two or three seat sofa, a fridge or washing machine, a dining table and chairs, a desk, and the boxes that go with them. The trick is to group each trip by room, so unloading at the other end is quick and you are not sorting on the footpath.
What a day van hire costs
Day hire in Melbourne starts from $74.55 for the 2 tonne delivery van, $80 for the 1 tonne van, and $90 for the extra large cargo van, which is the one most people pick for a move. A single day rate covers you from pickup to return, so a local move is one clear cost rather than a running meter.
There is a refundable bond, which depends on the van, returned once you bring it back in good order. Ask about the kilometre allowance when you book so a day of back and forth stays within it. If you think you might need it longer, compare car hire by the day so you know the rate either way.
A one day move, start to finish
A move fits into a day when you run it to a simple plan:
- Book the van ahead and take the earliest pickup slot you can, so you have the full day.
- Pack boxes and disassemble bed frames and table legs the night before, not on the day.
- On the morning, load the heaviest items first, low and against the front wall, and strap them in.
- Drive, unload by room, and come straight back for the next load if you need one.
- Do a final sweep of the old place, then return the van to the same depot before closing.
Starting early is the single biggest thing that makes a one day move work, since it leaves room for a second or third trip without rushing.
Van or truck for a one day move?
A van is cheaper, easier to park, and simple to drive, and for a small move the trips add up to less than a truck would cost. A truck moves more in one load, so it wins when you have a whole house and want to avoid several runs. If your move is a studio or one-bedroom, a van is usually the better call. If it is a three or four bedroom house, read the moving truck guide before you decide, or compare a truck hire. Our guide on why truck hire beats the alternatives walks through where the line sits.
What you need to hire a van for the day
You need a full, valid driver’s licence, and the van drives on a standard car licence, so there is no special test. Overseas visitors can drive on a valid licence in English or with an international permit. A refundable bond applies at pickup and comes back when the van is returned. The vans are automatic with power steering, a tow bar, and tie-down points, so they are straightforward to load and drive on moving day.
How to book a van for the day
Booking is quick. Pick your moving date, choose the depot nearest you, and select the van size for your load. Weekends are the busiest days for moving, so reserve a few days ahead to be sure of a van, and take an early slot. You can start on the van hire Melbourne page or contact the Turbofleet team to lock in a day.
Frequently asked questions
Can you move house in one day with a van?
For a studio, an apartment, or a small home, yes. A van does the move in two or three local trips within a day. A full house is better suited to a truck or a two day move.
How much is a van for a day in Melbourne?
Day hire starts from $74.55 for the 2 tonne delivery van, $80 for the 1 tonne van, and $90 for the extra large cargo van. A single day rate covers you from pickup to return.
