Choose the right moving truck size for your home

You reserved a 15-foot moving truck because it seemed big enough for a two-bedroom apartment. Then you loaded the sofa, the bed frames, and all the boxes — and realized you're only 60% packed with no room left. Now you're making a second trip that doubles your fuel cost and rental time. The mistake? Guessing instead of measuring.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Situation: Jenna is moving from a 2-bedroom, 950 sq ft apartment across Phoenix. She owns typical furniture (queen bed, sofa, desk, small dining table) and considers herself an average packer. She doesn't want to make two trips.

Result: The 20-ft truck fits everything in one trip at 91% capacity — tight but doable. The 15-ft would require two trips, adding $40+ in extra fuel. The 26-ft would work with room to spare but costs $50 more to rent. Jenna picks the 20-ft.

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.