Let’s just come right out and say it, the once great state of California now SUCKS. More people are moving out than are moving in. It’s so bad that companies like U-Haul are having a problem. So many people are moving out of California that there is a shortage of U-Hauls to rent for those leaving the state.

A listener to Wyoming’s only statewide morning radio talk show sent a text after he looked up some rental numbers.

To get a 26’ U-Haul truck on April 15th. From Los Angeles to Newcastle Wyoming is $8,223, but to go to Los Angeles from Newcastle it’s $1,918.

Based on 2025-2026 data, the U.S. states with the highest outbound migration are California, New York, Illinois, and New Jersey, primarily driven by high housing costs, taxes, and a desire for lower-cost, high-quality-of-life areas in the South and West. Alaska also sees high outbound percentages relative to total moves.

U-Haul frequently faces severe truck inventory shortages in California due to high volumes of one-way moves out of the state. A massive net migration to states like Texas and Florida leaves California with limited, and sometimes zero, outbound rental equipment. Customers often experience cancellations, forcing the company to limit one-way, long-distance bookings.

California consistently ranks as a top state for net loss of one-way equipment, according to U-Haul Migration Trends.

Shortages are often critical, leaving few to no trucks available in high-demand areas like the Bay Area.

Smaller trucks (10ft) are typically easier to find, but even they are not guaranteed, especially during peak moving seasons.

Customers are advised to call local scheduling offices (not just 1-800-GO-UHAUL) 2–3 days in advance to confirm, as per Reddit user experiences.

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