Moving Truck Size Calculator
| Truck (rental classes) | Typical capacity | Homes it fits |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | ~280-400 cu ft | studio or sparse 1-BR |
| 12-16 ft | ~400-750 cu ft | 1-2 BR apartment |
| 17-20 ft | ~750-1100 cu ft | 2-3 BR home |
| 22-26 ft | ~1100-1700 cu ft | 3-4+ BR home |
Use this the week you book the rental: pick your home size and how packed the house actually is, and the calculator estimates your cubic feet and names the truck class that fits it all in one trip.
Truck sizing is folklore wrapped around arithmetic: rental classes run 10 to 26 feet, every guide maps bedrooms to trucks, and the two real variables are how much you own and how honestly you count it. Undersize and the second trip doubles your day; oversize and loose freight shifts on the highway - which is why the estimate, the tie-downs and the mid-month booking date all matter more than the brand of truck.
How to use
- Pick the bedroom count of the home you are leaving - the truck cares about volume, not square footage.
- Set the packing style: sparse, average, or packrat - the honest answer saves either a size upgrade or a second trip.
- Read the cubic feet estimate and the recommended class, then book mid-month if the dates are yours to choose.
Frequently asked questions
What size moving truck do I need for a 2-bedroom apartment?
A typical 2-bedroom runs 650-800 cubic feet of belongings, which lands in the 17-20 foot class - the workhorse rental. Sparse loft dwellers squeeze into a 15-footer; the packrat household with garage furniture should step up to 22 feet rather than gamble on a second trip, because the second trip is where the day dies.
What fits in a 10-foot moving truck?
About 280-400 cubic feet: a studio or a sparse one-bedroom - mattress, small sofa, a dozen boxes, maybe a dresser. It is the cheapest class and the most commonly underestimated; if your answer to "how packed is it" is not sparse, size up. Half a garage changes the answer.
Is it better to oversize or undersize a moving truck?
Oversize slightly, never undersize. An underfilled big truck is a comfort problem; an overfilled small one is a safety problem - unsecured freight shifts, and the second trip costs the rest of your day plus the per-mile meter. The convention among movers: take the estimate, then one class up if the number sits near a boundary.
How do I get the cheapest moving truck price?
Mid-month weekdays, booked early: month-end and weekends are the peak the rental calendar prices against. Return the truck to the same location rather than one-way when the move is local, load your own boxes (labor is the real product movers sell), and fuel policy matters - the full-to-full rule beats prepaying the tank.
Do I need a special license to drive a 26-foot truck?
No - rental trucks up to 26 feet are designed to drive on a standard license in the US, and they are not commercial vehicles for licensing purposes. What they do need is respect: they stop longer, corner wider, and clear lower than your car. Check the height against parking garages on your route before the wheel turns.