What size moving truck do I need? Choosing the right moving truck is crucial for saving both time and money when moving to a new home. Whether you’re planning a full residential move or a commercial move, getting the truck size right saves you money. Use our moving truck size calculator to help make the right decision for your moving truck rental! Prefer to skip the rental altogether? Our hourly moving labor and local moving teams can handle the truck and the heavy lifting for you.

Home Sizes:

Studio/Dorm (0-500 sq. ft.)

1 Bedroom (500-1,000 sq. ft.)

1-2 Bedroom (1,000-1,500 sq. ft.)

2-3 Bedroom (1,500-2000 sq. ft.)

3-4 Bedroom (2,000-2,500 sq. ft.)

3-5 Bedroom (2,500-3,000 sq. ft.)

4-5 Bedroom (3,000-3,500 sq. ft.)

4-6 Bedroom (3,500-4,000 sq. ft.)

4-7 Bedroom (4,000-4,500 sq. ft.)

5-7 Bedroom (4,500-5,000 sq. ft.)

5-8 Bedroom (5,000-5,500 sq. ft.)

6-8 Bedroom (5,500-6,000 sq. ft.)

WHAT SIZE MOVING TRUCK DO I NEED?

We calculate moving truck size according to the number of rooms in your house, square footage of your home, and how many belongings you have. Take a look at our moving truck size chart for how much can fit in a moving truck based on home size.

Home Size Recommended Truck Size

3-BR Apt/House ➔ 17-22ft moving truck 

4-BR Apt/House ➔ 20-26ft moving truck 

TIPS FOR RENTING A MOVING TRUCK 

The right moving truck size for you depends on the size of your home, the number of rooms, and the amount of belongings you have. A good rule of thumb is to have 100-150 cubic feet of space in the moving truck per fully furnished room in your home. When choosing a moving truck rental size, consider these points:

• Count all the rooms in your home—including bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, and garages—and consider the size of each.

• Take inventory of your items. Start by counting boxes and noting their sizes, then measure any large items that won’t fit in a box.

• Use a moving calculator like the one above to calculate how big of a moving truck you need.

• For smaller apartments with minimal belongings, consider renting a pick-up truck or van instead of a moving truck, or check out our small moves service instead.

• Determine whether you are able to transport some items in your own vehicle.

• If you’re moving a short distance, consider renting a smaller truck and making multiple trips.

• Leave a 10-15% space margin for miscalculations, unexpected items, and less-than-perfect packing.

WHAT BOX TRUCK SIZES ARE AVAILABLE?

Box truck sizes typically range from as small as 10 feet to as large as 26 feet. Take a look at our box truck size chart to see how big of a moving truck you need and what can fit.

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A MOVING TRUCK SIZE

From the belongings you have to the distance you need to travel, here are some things to think about before choosing a box truck rental.

Cost

Moving truck rentals are charged per day and include a fee per mile. The larger the size and the longer the rental period, the more expensive the truck. Additionally, most moving truck companies require you to fill up the gas tank after use, which increases the overall cost—and the larger the truck, the more fuel it takes. If you need a large truck to transport your belongings, it might be helpful to schedule your pick-up and drop-off times within the same day to reduce costs.

Distance

If you’re moving within the same city and don’t mind making more trips, you can save some money on your rental by selecting a smaller moving truck. However, if you’re relocating to another city with a one-way truck rental, our long-distance moving team can take the guesswork out of sizing entirely, or it would be a better option to select a larger truck. That way, you have buffer space to make sure all of your items can fit without having to make multiple trips.

Towing Capacity 

Thinking of towing a cargo trailer or personal vehicle with your moving truck? You’ll need to rent a large enough truck with proper towing capacity. Make sure to check with your moving truck company to see what size requirements are for towing additional weight.

Amount & Size of Items

How big are the items that you’re planning to move? Consider a larger truck if you have bulky items to transport, such as a refrigerator, a king-size bed, large bookshelves, or sectional couches. Similarly, think about the number of rooms in your home, as this can help you estimate the amount of items you need to move. If you’re in a one-bedroom apartment, for example, you can probably get away with renting a smaller 10-foot or 12-foot box truck.

Passengers 

Standard moving trucks hold two to three passengers, including the driver. If you have more than that number of passengers, you may have to consider making multiple trips or commuting to your final destination separately. This is something to keep in mind if you’re moving long distances.

TIPS FOR PACKING YOUR MOVING TRUCK

Loading your moving truck properly helps ensure that your items arrive safely and in good condition at your destination. Here are some tips to make this process smoother!

Get Packing Supplies 

It’s important to get good packing supplies for your move so your items are sealed and well-protected during transportation. Pick up packing essentials like moving boxes, moving blankets, bubble wrap, packing tape, furniture wrap, and more, or let our packing services team handle it for you.

Disassemble Furniture 

To maximize your moving truck space, disassemble furniture and appliances, if possible. This also reduces the weight of each individual piece and makes it easier to carry heavy items. Take the legs off your dining table, desks, couches, and dressers, and take apart bed frames and shelving units.

Use Moving Straps

With moving straps, you can keep all items secure so that they don’t slide around in the back of your moving truck during transport. Not only does this protect your items, but it also makes maneuvering your moving truck rental easier, as cargo weight won’t be constantly shifting. Be sure to strap your items one tier or layer at a time to better secure items in the truck.

Load Heavy Items First 

To ensure items won’t get crushed, you should start loading the heaviest and largest items first. These would be things like bed frames, mattresses, tables, couches, appliances, and heavy boxes. Then, load in your lighter items like moving boxes and small home decor. Additionally, try to distribute the weight evenly so that one side of the truck isn’t heavier than the other.

Leave Room to Close the Door 

Make your loading and unloading process easier by leaving some space near the door so you can close and open it without difficulty. This also ensures that your items won’t topple over or fall out of the truck during transit or when you open the door to unload later.

Related Guides: Moving Truck Size Calculator

This article is part of our Local Moving Guide, our complete resource on local moving. These related articles cover the next steps:

• PODS vs U-Haul
• How to Load a Moving Truck
• How to Pack a Moving Truck
• Moving Inventory

Need a hand? Explore our move size calculator and local moving services or get a free moving quote. Before you hire any mover, you can verify its USDOT number with the FMCSA’s Protect Your Move resource.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What size moving truck do I need?

The moving truck size you need often depends on the number of rooms you have in your home, as well as the number and size of your items. In general, the more things you have, the larger the truck you’ll need. For instance, a 10-foot moving truck is typically big enough for a studio apartment, while a large home with multiple bedrooms may require a 20-foot or larger truck.

What size moving truck is needed for a 10×10 storage unit?

A typical 10×10 storage unit has about 100 square feet or 800 cubic feet of storage space, so a 15-foot moving truck is generally the best option for fitting everything from a storage unit of this size. You should generally be able to fit the contents of a one-to-two bedroom apartment in a 15-foot moving truck.

What size moving truck is needed for a 10×15 storage unit?

A 10×15 unit offers 150 square feet of floor space, and typically 1,200 cubic feet of total space. A 20-foot or 22-foot moving truck should be able to fit everything from a 10×15 storage unit—with close to 150 square feet of space in a 20-foot truck, and around 177 square feet in a 22-foot truck. However, for a larger 10×20 storage unit, a 26-foot moving truck is recommended. 

What size moving truck does the average American home require?

The average U.S. home is 2,286 square feet with 2-3 bedrooms, typically requiring a 15 to 22-foot moving truck. To determine what size truck you need for your home, consider how many bedrooms and bathrooms you have, along with the living room, kitchen, dining room, and any other furnished rooms. Measure your furniture and estimate how many moving boxes you’ll need for your belongings. Additionally, be sure to leave a 10-15% margin of error to prevent running out of truck space. 

How much furniture will fit in a 26-foot truck?

A 26-foot truck is the largest truck rental available, and it can typically fit the contents of five or more rooms. This allows you to transport large items together in one trip, such as a couch, entertainment center, dining table and chairs, refrigerator, mattresses, and more.

What is the gas mileage of a rental moving truck?

Moving trucks typically offer an average of 10-18 miles per gallon, depending on the size and weight of your load. This mileage may also vary depending on the moving truck company.

What should you not pack in a moving truck?

Items that you should not pack into a moving truck include hazardous materials and high-value items that aren’t easy to replace. These items include but are not limited to: aerosols, ammunition, guns, explosives, fertilizer, financial or medical records, jewelry, family heirlooms, oil or gas, paint, poison or pesticides.

Get a FREE Quote: (561)-788-5070

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Ready to move? Get an instant estimate with our Moving Cost Calculator, check our current pricing, follow our Weekly Moving Checklist, and estimate your boxes with our Moving Supplies Calculator. Get a free quote in under 5 minutes or call us at (561) 788-5070 for fast, friendly service.

Atlanta | Budget Moving Services

Local Moving and Storage Company Owner since 2010 in Metro-Atlanta and Gwinnet County for Residential, Commercial, and Specialty Moves such as Senior Moving, Military Moving Services, and more. The agents at Budget Moving and I also work as Real Estate Agents in Atlanta, Florida, and North Carolina. We also work with agents in various industries relating to Real Estate Property Development for Residential and Commercial Properties, Moving and Storage, and Logistics in order to understand and offer a stress-free full-service moving and storage service-based solution. Which is also why we specialize in residential, commercial, military, senior, and junk removal services and gather different POVs in multiple industries to provide our past, present, and future consumers with as much information as possible.Moving industry professional.