How to Choose the Right Moving Truck Size
Quick answer: Moving trucks come in a variety of sizes, from small cargo vans to large 26-foot box trucks. The right size for you will depend on the amount of belongings you need to move, the distance of your move, and your comfort level driving a large vehicle.
Our advice? A little planning goes a long way. The right truck size keeps your move efficient, affordable, and as smooth as possible. Below, you’ll find size charts, recommendations, and resources to help you choose the best truck size for your move.
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Moving truck size chart: Quick comparison
Most rental companies offer a similar range of sizes. Here’s a side-by-side look at key dimensions, capacity, and what each size typically fits:
| Truck size | Interior (L x W x H) | Cubic feet | Max load | Capacity | Storage unit equivalent | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pickup truck | 6′ x 4.5′ x 1.5′ | ~76 | 2,000 lbs | Single room | 5×5 | Single items, quick hauls |
| Cargo van | 9’6″ x 5’7″ x 4’7″ | ~245 | 3,700 lbs | Studio/1 bed | 5×10 | Small apartments |
| 10 ft. truck | 9’11” x 6’4″ x 6’2″ | 402 | 2,850 lbs | Studio/1 bed | 5×10 | College moves |
| 15 ft. truck | 15′ x 7’8″ x 7’2″ | 764 | 6,385 lbs | 1–2 beds | 10×10 | 2-bed apartments |
| 17 ft. truck | 16’9″ x 7’8″ x 7’2″ | 865 | 6,160 lbs | 2–3 beds | 10×15 | Small homes |
| 20 ft. truck | 19’6″ x 7’8″ x 7’1″ | 1,016 | 5,700 lbs | 3 beds | 10×20 | Large apartments |
| 26 ft. truck | 26’2″ x 8’2″ x 8’3″ | 1,682 | 10,000 lbs | 4+ beds | 10×25+ | Large homes |
*Dimensions and capacities may vary slightly by model year or exact configuration.
Pro tip: Most truck rental websites include sample photos and diagrams to help you visualize the space.
How to choose the right moving truck size
Here are a few tips to help you chose the right size moving truck for your needs:
- Home size: To determine the best truck size, start by estimating based on the number of rooms you are moving.
- Inventory: Create a detailed inventory of your belongings, including measurements for any large items.
- Calculator: Use an online moving cost calculator to estimate the necessary cubic footage based on your inventory. Remember to stay within the truck’s weight limit and distribute weight evenly when loading.
- Distance: For shorter distances, multiple trips with a smaller truck might be cost-effective, while a larger truck is generally better for long-distance moves to avoid multiple trips.
- Driving: Also, consider your comfort level driving a larger vehicle, especially in urban areas. Adding a little extra capacity can also be beneficial for unexpected items.
What fits in each truck size?
Here’s a quick reference for typical loads per truck size to give you an idea of how much stuff you can fit in different sized trucks:
- Pickup: Twin mattress, small dresser, 5–8 boxes
- Cargo van: Queen bed, nightstand, 10–15 boxes
- 10 ft.: Queen bed, loveseat, dining set, 20 boxes
- 15 ft.: 2 beds, sofa, washer/dryer, 30 boxes
- 17 ft.: 3 beds, living/dining furniture, 40 boxes
- 20 ft.: 4 beds, appliances, 50 boxes
- 26 ft.: Full house, 5+ beds, outdoor gear, 50+ boxes
Want help figuring out how many boxes you need? Try our free packing and moving box calculator for quick tailored estimates.
What size moving truck do you need?
When it’s time to plan your move, you can choose from pickup trucks, cargo vans, and small, medium, and large trucks.
Pickup trucks
A pickup truck rental is an excellent option. This is ideal if you’re moving from dorm room to dorm room or if you need to move the contents of a small studio apartment.
The upside is that pickups are easier to drive and much cheaper than a full-sized truck. The only downside to a pickup truck rental is that it doesn’t have a low deck or EZ-load ramp, like a moving truck.
- Typical size: Around 76 cubic feet
- Weight limit: Max load is 2,000 pounds
- Ideal for: Small, local moves for a one-bedroom home or apartment
- Price range: $130 – $300 total
Cargo vans
A more weather-proof option for small, local moves is a cargo van, which gives you a little more space than you’d get with a pickup truck. The upside? You don’t have to try maneuvering a giant 10-foot truck around town
If you’re making a local move and don’t have too much stuff, this option might work for you. As a bonus, cargo vans are one of the most fuel-efficient moving truck options.
- Typical size: Around 250 cubic feet
- Weight limit: Max load is 3,700 pounds
- Ideal for: Small homes and local moves with more space and extra protection
- Price range: $50 per day, but it depends on the provider.
Small moving trucks
If you have a larger studio or one-bedroom apartment, you might need a small truck instead of a pickup or cargo van.
These trucks offer more space than a cargo van and give you better protection than a pickup truck. Small moving trucks are ideal if you’re moving a long distance. You can pick them up and drop them off at U-Haul locations across the United States.
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- Typical size: 400 cubic feet with a weight limit of around 3,500 pounds
- Weight limit: Max load is 2,810 pounds
- Ideal for: Small long-distance moves
- Price range: $50 – $200
Medium moving trucks
If you’re moving belongings from a larger apartment or a small one- to two-bedroom home, a medium-sized moving truck might fit the bill.
Medium moving trucks work well for local and long-distance moves. They’re relatively easy to drive, while still offering quite a bit of space for your belongings.
- Typical size: Around 800 cubic feet
- Weight limit: Max load is 5,000 pounds
- Ideal for: Small households moving either locally or long-distance
- Price range: $130 – $3,000
Large moving trucks
This is the biggest moving truck you can rent for a DIY move. It’s perfect for a larger apartment or home with three or more bedrooms.
If you have a lot of belongings and hate the thought of making multiple trips, a large moving truck will probably have enough capacity to do the job.
- Typical size: Around 1,500 cubic feet
- Weight limit: Max load is 10,000 pounds
- Ideal for: Long-distance or local moves for a lot of household goods
- Price range: $150+
Moving truck sizes by company
Enterprise has the best selection of sizes, but they’re typically only available for in-town, round-trip moves. Meanwhile, Penske, Budget Truck Rental, and U-Haul offer standard sizes.
| Company | Sizes (ft.) | Features | MPG | Age to rent | One-way? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U-Haul | 10–26 | EZ-load ramps, wide network | 8–12 | 18+ | Yes |
| Penske | 12–26 | Diesel options, newer fleet | 8–12 | 21+ | Yes |
| Budget | 12–26 | Roadside help, discounts | 8–10 | 24+ | Yes |
| Enterprise | 15–26 | Commercial trucks, local only | 8–10 | 21+ | No |
*Dimensions and capacities may vary slightly by model year or exact configuration.
Why choosing the right size truck matters
Before booking a moving truck, understand how much stuff you have and whether it will fit into the truck of your choosing. This matters because:
- It saves you money: You want a truck that’s just right so you don’t bust your moving budget. By picking the right size, you’ll reduce empty weight while scoring the best rental rates for your move.
- It minimizes trips: Small loads are easier to carry into your new home, but require more trips. Since many moving trucks charge gas mileage, it’s often a better deal to book an appropriately-sized truck for just a few trips, max.
- The right truck protects your belongings: Picking the right-sized truck keeps your stuff packed tightly enough that it won’t jostle during transport.
Need more space than a moving truck offers?
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If you’re planning your move and realize you need more space than what a 26-foot truck will provide, you have a few options.
- Full service movers: Full-service moving company will handle everything for you, from loading to transportation to unloading. Some moving companies even offer packing services to streamline moving day.
- Moving container: Another option is a moving container company. You pack and load them yourself, saving money, but the professionals handle the driving so you can move a larger home without as much hassle.
Compare moving truck rental companies
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We’ve outlined the best moving truck rental companies that offer a wide variety of sizes to choose from.
If you like the affordability and convenience of a truck but don’t want to drive, moving containers (like U-Box or PODS) are a great alternative, while a full-service mover can manage everything for you.
Using a moving cost calculator should be the first step in planning any move, giving you accurate quotes and insight into your options. Check out our our moving cost calculator now to get free estimates for moving truck rentals.
FAQs about truck sizes
How do I estimate truck space?
What if everything doesn’t fit?
Can I drive a 26-foot truck?
Do I need special insurance?
What are alternatives to large trucks?
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