While Memorial Day weekend is considered the unofficial “start of summer” for most people, the associates at Penske Truck Rental consider it the official start of the do-it-yourself moving season.

Don Mikes, vice president of rental, has overseen 13 previous season openers. “We’re excited for the start of the busy season – the energy level rises across the company,” Mikes explained. “There is a sense of anticipation leading up to this, after getting through all the planning during the winter months. Our seasonal part-time associates are trained and ready to provide an excellent customer experience, our hours are expanded, new trucks are ready, and the accessories are in place.”

Last year, customers booked rental trucks and accessories during one of the busiest weekends of the year through Penske locations and agents via PenskeTruckRental.com and through dedicated call centers in Reading, Pa.

For Penske, the busy period stretches across four months, through Labor Day weekend.

The company restocks its fleet annually with new rental trucks to ensure the maximum number of trucks are available and running during the summer.

“We have to ensure that we’re setting our fleet in the right places, where there is a demand,” Mikes continued. “It is vital to have enough trucks in the New York metropolitan area, and in the Chicago and Detroit markets. Over the last few years, the most popular destinations for those movers were to the Sun Belt states.”

Mikes noted the best deals to be had are for do-it-yourself movers departing the Sun Belt, to other points across the United States. Here’s a list of top moving destinations.

A special new wrinkle in this moving season is Penske’s rental trucks are now also available from select Home Depot stores. To find a participating Home Depot location near you, simply use Penske’s rental location finder and look for the bright orange icon.

There are discounts available for members of both AAA and CAA, and for members of the U.S. military, and college students. Penske works with industry leaders to offer do-it-yourself movers with great discounts. Visit PenskeTruckRental.com today or call 1-888-236-3560 to make your reservation.

By Alen Beljin