Choose the right moving truck size for your home

Last Updated: February 12, 2026

Get the Right Truck the First Time

Match your home's volume to truck cubic feet and add a 15 percent buffer. Studio takes a 10-foot, one-bedroom a 15, two-bedroom a 20, three-plus a 26. A sectional or king bed bumps you up one size, and a moving truck booked too small is what forces a second trip.

This guide matches your home size and belongings to a truck that fits in one load. The result tells you which size to book, how full it'll be, and whether multiple trips with a smaller truck might actually save money.

What the Recommendation Shows

Size-to-Home Matching

Studios and single rooms typically fit in a cargo van or 10-foot truck (about 300-400 cubic feet). One-bedroom apartments need a 10 or 15-foot truck (400-650 cubic feet). Two-bedroom homes usually require a 15 or 20-foot truck (650-850 cubic feet). Three bedrooms and up call for a 20 or 26-foot truck (850-1,200 cubic feet).

These are starting points. If you own a sectional sofa, a king bed, or a full home gym, bump up one size. If you're leaving furniture behind or moving mostly clothes and boxes, you might fit a smaller truck.

When to Size Up

Size up if you're bringing outdoor equipment (bikes, grills, patio furniture), garage storage, or multiple large appliances. These items don't stack efficiently and eat truck space faster than boxes do.

Also size up for long-distance moves. A second trip across town costs gas and time. A second trip across the state costs $200+ in extra fuel and another full day. For moves over 100 miles, the bigger truck almost always wins even if it costs $30 more to rent.

Matching Your Inventory to a Size

Step 1: Select your home size (studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, or 3+ bedrooms).

Step 2: Optionally add square footage for a more precise volume estimate.

Step 3: Choose your packing style (minimalist, average, or heavy packer) based on how much you own.

Step 4: Set your maximum trips (1 trip for long-distance, 2-3 if you're moving locally).

Items That Eat Space Fast

Mattresses and box springs are the worst offenders. A king mattress takes up nearly 50 cubic feet on its own and can't be stacked under anything. Sofas come second. A sectional might consume 100+ cubic feet because of its awkward shape.

Dressers, desks, and dining tables fill space quickly too. These don't compress. If you have two dressers and a dining table for six, add 30% to your base volume estimate just for these pieces. Boxes and small items fill the gaps, but big furniture sets the floor.

Example Move: 2-Bedroom Apartment in Phoenix

A 2-bedroom, 950 sq ft apartment, average packer, typical furniture (queen bed, sofa, desk, small dining table). Volume works out to (0.6 × 800) + (0.4 × 475) = 670 cu ft, and a 15 percent buffer brings it to 770 cu ft. The real choice sits between two sizes.

Result: the 20-ft wins. It clears everything in one trip without paying for the 26-ft's empty space, and it avoids the 15-ft's second trip. When one option needs two trips and the next size up fits in one, the one-trip size almost always costs less once fuel and a lost half-day are counted.

Common Sizing Mistakes

• Forgetting the garage: Tools, holiday decorations, bikes, and lawn equipment add 100-200 cubic feet that people often forget until they're loading.
• Underestimating kids' stuff: Cribs, strollers, toy bins, and bikes take up more space than adult furniture per item. Add 15-20% for each child's room.
• Ignoring load height: A 26-ft truck has 8+ feet of vertical space. If you can't stack boxes high or don't have help lifting, you won't use the full capacity.
• Mixing rental company sizes: A "20-ft truck" from U-Haul might have different interior dimensions than a Penske "20-ft." Check actual cubic footage, not just length.
• Planning for one-way pickup availability: The exact truck size you need might not be available for one-way rentals. Book early or have a backup size in mind.

Trip Count Trade-Offs

For local moves under 20 miles, two trips in a 15-ft truck can beat one trip in a 26-ft truck. The smaller truck rents for $30-50 less, uses less gas, and is easier to park. You lose 2-3 hours on the second trip, but you pocket the savings.

For moves over 50 miles, every extra trip costs real money. A 100-mile round trip burns $25-40 in gas depending on the truck. That doesn't count the extra rental day if you can't do both trips in one day. At distance, the bigger truck is almost always cheaper overall.

Truck size questions

What size truck do I need for a 1-bedroom apartment?

Usually a 10-ft or 15-ft truck. A studio with minimal furniture fits a cargo van. A fully furnished 1-bedroom with a queen bed and sofa needs the 15-ft.

Can I tow my car behind a moving truck?

Yes, but it changes your truck choice. Towing requires a larger truck (typically 15-ft+) with a hitch package. You'll also pay for the car trailer separately, usually $100-150 each way.

How do I know if everything will fit?

You won't know for certain until you load. Build in a 15-20% buffer. If the calculator says 750 cubic feet, book a truck with at least 850 cubic feet capacity.

What if I reserved the wrong size?

Most rental companies let you upgrade on pickup day if a larger truck is available. Downgrading is harder because you've already reserved the space. Call ahead if you think you misjudged.

Is a 26-ft truck hard to drive?

It's longer and wider than anything most people have driven, but it's still a standard transmission and mirrors. Go slow in parking lots, watch your height clearance (usually 11-12 feet), and avoid tight U-turns.

Related Moving Tools

• Moving Cost Estimator. Get total move costs including truck rental, gas, and supplies
• Packing Materials Estimator. Calculate how many boxes and tape rolls you need
• Relocation Allowance Planner. Allocate employer relocation funds across moving expenses
• Road Trip Fuel Cost Calculator. Estimate gas costs for your moving route

Sources

• FMCSA Protect Your Move. Federal guidelines for hiring movers and renting trucks
• Consumer Reports Moving Guide. Independent advice on truck rental and moving costs
• DOT Truck Safety. Safety guidelines for operating rental trucks