What size moving truck do I need? Moving Truck Size Calculator
Choosing the right moving truck size comes down to one thing: fitting everything in one trip without paying for more space than you need. Use the calculator below for a quick recommendation, then scroll for a truck size chart, overview of what fits in each truck, and tips to avoid the most common sizing mistakes.
If you’re comparing DIY vs. hiring movers, you can also use our moving cost calculator to estimate your total move cost.
Find the right truck size
Answer a few quick questions and get an instant recommendation for your move.
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Moving truck size chart
Use this chart as a quick rule of thumb. If you’re between sizes (or moving bulky furniture), sizing up is usually cheaper than taking a second trip.
| Home size | Recommended truck size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 10-ft truck | Small apartment moves with an average amount of furniture |
| 1 bedroom | 12-ft truck | One-bedroom homes with typical furnishings and boxes |
| 2 bedroom | 15–17 ft truck | Two-bedroom homes with average furniture (or small 3-bedroom moves) |
| 3 bedroom | 20–22 ft truck | Three-bedroom homes with average furnishings |
| 4 bedroom | 22–26 ft truck | Larger households, more furniture, or a full garage/storage load |
| 5+ bedroom | 26-ft truck | Large homes, big furniture sets, or multi-room household moves |
Don’t forget about weight limits: Truck size is mostly about space, but rental trucks also have payload limits. Heavy items like appliances, exercise equipment, tool chests, books, and garage supplies can add up quickly. If you’re moving a lot of dense or unusually heavy items, check the truck’s weight capacity before booking, even if everything seems like it will fit.
What fits in each moving truck size?
Truck size recommendations work best when you think in terms of fully furnished rooms (and bulky items), not just bedrooms. Here’s a practical breakdown of what each size truck is typically best for.
10-foot moving truck
Best for: Studio apartments and very small moves.
- Typical fit: 1–2 rooms of furniture, plus boxes.
- Common items: Full/queen bed, dresser, small sofa or loveseat, TV stand, small table, boxed kitchen items.
- When to size up: You have a sectional, large appliances, or you’re moving a packed storage space.
12-foot moving truck
Best for: 1-bedroom apartments (or studios with more stuff).
- Typical fit: 1–3 rooms of furniture.
- Common items: Bedroom set, compact living room set, boxed kitchen items, several medium/large boxes.
- When to size up: You’re moving bulky furniture, have a lot of boxes, or you’re including a garage, attic, or storage unit.
15–17-foot moving truck
Best for: Most 2-bedroom moves with average furnishings.
- Typical fit: About 3–4 rooms of furniture.
- Common items: Two bedroom sets, a living room set, dining table, plus boxes.
- When to size up: You have a packed garage or storage space, oversized furniture, or want extra room for easier loading.
20-foot moving truck
Best for: 2–3 bedroom homes, especially with average furnishings.
- Typical fit: About 5–7 rooms of furniture.
- Common items: Multiple bedroom sets, living room set, dining table, larger boxed load.
- When to size up: Your home is fully furnished, you’re moving bulky items (sectional, large appliances), or you’re including storage space.
22-foot moving truck
Best for: Larger apartments, 2–3 bedroom homes, or lighter 4-bedroom moves.
- Typical fit: About 7–8 rooms of furniture.
- Common items: Multiple bedroom sets, living room set, dining set, plus extra bulky items and boxes.
- When to size up: You’re moving a very full home, a large garage, or want roomier packing to avoid damage.
26-foot moving truck
Best for: 4–5+ bedroom homes, large households, or moves with lots of storage or garage items.
- Typical fit: About 5–7 furnished rooms, or many 3–5 bedroom homes, depending on how full the home is.
- Common items: Full household furniture, many boxes, bulky furniture, garage shelving/bins, outdoor items.
- Heads up: This size is harder to maneuver and park, so you should plan your route and loading time accordingly.
When should you size up?
If you’re on the fence, sizing up is often the safer move. A slightly larger truck can help you avoid last-minute stress, damage from tight packing, and expensive extra trips.
- You’re moving bulky furniture: Sectionals, large dressers, armoires, king beds, or oversized dining tables can eat up truck space quickly. Check our tips on how to move heavy furniture safely.
- You’re including storage space: Garages, attics, and storage units tend to be packed with awkward items that take up a lot of space.
- You want to finish in one trip: This is especially important for long-distance moves where a second trip isn’t realistic.
- You’re not a “Tetris” packer: Perfect packing takes time and experience. See our guide on how to pack a moving truck for pointers, or give yourself a little extra space to make loading faster and easier.
- You’re moving appliances: Fridges, washers, dryers, and large grills are bulky and often need to be transported upright.
Common moving truck size mistakes
Most truck-size regrets come from a few predictable mistakes. Avoid these and your move day will go a lot smoother.
- Thinking “3 bedrooms” means “3 rooms of stuff”: Most moves include a living room, dining area, kitchen items, bathrooms, closets, and boxes.
- Forgetting the “hidden” spaces: Garages, attics, basements, and storage units are where bulky items live.
- Underestimating boxes: Even minimalist homes can produce a surprising number of boxes once you pack cabinets and closets.
- Leaving no loading margin: Packing too tightly increases the odds of damaging your furniture and wasting time reorganizing the truck.
- Not planning for access: Narrow streets, steep driveways, or limited parking can make larger trucks harder to use.
How to choose the right truck size in 5 minutes
If you want to sanity-check the calculator result, here’s a quick way to make sure you choose the right size.
- Walk your home once: Count fully furnished rooms (bedrooms + living + dining/office) and note bulky pieces.
- Think in “loads,” not just rooms: A packed garage or big sectional can push you up a size. (If you’re weighing a container instead of a truck, our moving container sizes guide can help.)
- Consider your move distance: For local moves, a second trip is annoying. For long-distance moves, it can be a dealbreaker.
- Decide your comfort level: If you don’t want to tightly pack or disassemble everything, a larger truck gives you breathing room.
- If you’re between sizes, go up: Extra space is usually cheaper than last-minute surprises.
Frequently asked questions
What size moving truck do I need for a 2 bedroom apartment?
A 15–17 foot moving truck is typically a good fit for a 2-bedroom apartment with average furnishings. If you have a garage/storage unit, large appliances, or bulky furniture, consider a 20-foot truck for extra room.
Is a 20-foot truck enough for a 3 bedroom house?
Often, yes. A 20-foot truck usually works for a 3-bedroom home with average furnishings. If you’re moving a fully furnished home, including storage space, or you want easier loading, a 22-foot truck can be a better choice.
What fits in a 26-foot moving truck?
A 26-foot truck is commonly used for 4-bedroom homes and larger moves. It can typically handle a full household’s furniture, a large number of boxes, and bulky garage/storage items—but it’s also harder to maneuver and park, so plan accordingly.
Should I rent a bigger truck if I’m not sure?
If you’re between sizes, sizing up is usually the safer choice. Extra space makes loading faster, reduces the risk of damage from overpacking, and helps you avoid needing an extra trip, especially for long-distance moves.
What if I don’t feel comfortable driving a large truck?
If driving a big truck makes you nervous, you can choose a smaller size and plan to pack more tightly, or make multiple trips for local moves. Check out our guide to driving a moving truck for tips on handling a larger vehicle. Another option is to compare full-service moving costs so you can decide whether hiring help makes more sense.
Why trust moveBuddha?
We help people plan smarter moves by comparing options, costs, and real-world advice—so you can choose what works best for your budget and timeline.
Next steps
Now that you have a truck size recommendation, here are the fastest ways to turn that estimate into a real plan.
- Compare rental truck options: See our roundup of the best rental truck companies to find the right provider for your move, or go straight to our Penske vs. U-Haul comparison if you’ve already narrowed it down. Don’t forget to check rental truck insurance options before you book.
- Compare moving quotes: Use our moving cost calculator to estimate your total move cost.
- Plan your move timeline: Follow our moving checklist so you don’t miss key steps.
- Want help choosing a mover? Browse vetted options on our moving company directory.
