Match truck size to what you're actually moving, not to your home's square footage

The right moving truck size depends on how much furniture and boxes you have, not on how many bedrooms your house has. A 10-foot truck holds roughly the contents of a studio or one-bedroom apartment. A 15-foot truck fits a two-bedroom home. A 20-foot truck works for a three-bedroom, and a 26-foot truck handles a four-bedroom or larger home. But these are starting points — your actual load might be smaller or larger than average.

The best way to size your truck is to walk through your home and count what's actually going. List your large pieces: sofa, bed frames, dressers, dining table, refrigerator, washer and dryer if you're taking them. Count how many boxes you expect to pack. Then use that list to talk to the rental company or a moving company, not a guess about your home's size.

Renting a truck that's too small forces you to make a second trip or leave things behind. Renting one that's too large costs more money and is harder to drive. Getting it right the first time saves both.

Key Takeaways

  • A 10-foot truck holds a studio or one-bedroom apartment; a 15-foot truck holds a two-bedroom; a 20-foot truck holds a three-bedroom; and a 26-foot truck holds a four-bedroom or larger home.
  • The most accurate way to size your truck is to list your large furniture pieces and estimate your boxes, then call the rental company with that list.
  • Renting too small means a second trip or abandoned items; renting too large costs extra money and is harder to maneuver.
  • Most rental companies charge by the day and by mileage, so a larger truck increases both costs even if you don't fill it.
  • If you're unsure between two sizes, the smaller one usually works if you pack efficiently and stack boxes to the ceiling.

How truck sizes break down by volume and typical household

Moving truck sizes are measured in cubic feet, and rental companies use standard categories. A 10-foot truck holds about 1,500 cubic feet and works for someone moving a studio, one-bedroom apartment, or a couple with minimal furniture. A 15-foot truck holds roughly 2,500 cubic feet and fits a two-bedroom home with average furniture. A 20-foot truck holds about 3,500 cubic feet and handles a three-bedroom home. A 26-foot truck holds roughly 4,500 to 5,000 cubic feet and is designed for a four-bedroom house or larger.

These sizes assume you're moving most of your furniture and a normal amount of boxes and personal items. If you're leaving behind a lot of furniture or selling pieces before the move, you might need a smaller truck than your home's size suggests. If you're a collector, have a lot of books, or are moving a garage full of tools and equipment, you might need a larger one.

Rental companies also offer 5-foot and 7-foot trucks for small moves — a single room, a dorm, or a studio with minimal belongings. These are cheaper but won't fit a full bedroom set or a sofa. Know the difference before you book.

Count your furniture and boxes to size accurately

The most reliable method is to physically inventory what you're moving. Walk through your home room by room and write down each major piece: sofa, loveseat, dining table, bed frames (count each one), dressers, nightstands, bookshelves, TV stand, kitchen table, desk, office chair, and any appliances you're taking. Include items in the garage, basement, or attic.

Then estimate how many boxes you'll pack. A typical bedroom generates 15 to 20 boxes. A kitchen generates 20 to 30. A living room with books and decorations generates 15 to 25. Add these up and you have a rough box count. Most moving companies estimate that a fully packed box weighs 50 pounds, so if you have 100 boxes, that's 5,000 pounds of weight — which fits in most truck sizes but takes up significant space.

Call the rental company or moving company with this list. Tell them your furniture pieces and your estimated box count. They can tell you which truck size will hold it all without wasting space or money. Many rental companies offer this consultation for free over the phone.

Understand how rental pricing works for different sizes

Moving truck rentals charge two ways: a daily or weekly rate, and a mileage rate. A 10-foot truck might cost $30 to $50 per day plus $0.50 to $1.00 per mile. A 26-foot truck might cost $80 to $150 per day plus $1.00 to $2.00 per mile. The larger the truck, the higher both charges.

If you're moving 500 miles, the difference in mileage charges alone can be $250 to $500 between a 10-foot and a 26-foot truck. That's a real cost for space you might not use. Renting the smallest truck that fits your load saves money on both the daily rate and the mileage charge.

Some rental companies offer discounts for one-way moves (you pick up in one city and drop off in another) or for weekend rentals. Ask about these when you call. Also ask whether the quoted price includes insurance, fuel, or equipment like dollies and furniture pads — some companies charge extra for these, and some include them.

Account for packing efficiency and how items stack

A truck's cubic footage is only useful if you pack efficiently. Boxes stack well and fill vertical space. Furniture doesn't — a sofa takes up a lot of floor space but doesn't reach the ceiling. If you have a lot of boxes and a few furniture pieces, you can often fit more than you'd expect in a smaller truck by stacking boxes to the roof.

Conversely, if you have a lot of large furniture pieces and few boxes, you might need a larger truck even if the total cubic footage seems small. A sectional sofa, a king bed, a large dresser, and a dining table for eight take up floor space that boxes can't fill.

When you call the rental company, mention both your furniture and your boxes. Tell them if most of your load is boxes (which stack) or furniture (which doesn't). They can adjust their recommendation based on how efficiently your specific load will pack.

Know the difference between truck rental companies

U-Haul, Penske, Home Depot, and Budget all rent moving trucks, and their sizes and pricing vary slightly. U-Haul and Penske are the largest networks and usually have the most size options. Home Depot rents trucks through U-Haul, so availability and pricing are similar. Budget often has competitive pricing but fewer locations.

Availability matters — if you're moving on a popular weekend, the truck size you want might be booked. Call early and ask what sizes are available on your move date. If your preferred size is unavailable, you might have to choose a larger truck (and pay more) or a smaller one (and make two trips). Booking a week or two in advance usually gives you more options.

Compare prices across companies for the same truck size and dates. Prices vary by location and season, and a company that's cheaper in one city might be more expensive in another. Get quotes from at least two companies before you book.

When to rent a smaller truck and make two trips

Sometimes renting a smaller truck and making two trips costs less than renting a larger one, especially if you're moving locally. If you're moving 20 miles and a 10-foot truck costs $40 per day but a 15-foot truck costs $70 per day, two days with the 10-foot truck ($80) might be cheaper than one day with the 15-foot truck ($70 plus mileage). The math changes if you're moving 500 miles — then the mileage charges make a second trip expensive.

Two trips also make sense if you have time and don't need to move everything in one day. You can move your furniture and heavy items on day one, return the truck, and move boxes on day two. This works well for local moves where you're not paying for a hotel or taking time off work.

If you're considering two trips, calculate the total cost: truck rental for two days, plus mileage for both trips, plus your time and fuel. Compare that to renting a larger truck for one day. Usually, one larger truck is cheaper for long-distance moves, and two smaller trucks are cheaper for local moves under 50 miles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I'm not sure whether I need a 15-foot or 20-foot truck?

Call the rental company with your furniture list and box count. If they say you're borderline, rent the smaller truck — most people pack more efficiently than they expect, and boxes stack to the ceiling. If you run out of space, you can always make a second trip for the overflow, though that's inconvenient. Renting too large wastes money.

Do I need to reserve a truck in advance, or can I rent one the day I move?

Reserving a week or two ahead gives you the best selection of sizes and often better pricing. Renting the day of the move is possible but risky — your preferred size might be booked, forcing you into a larger (more expensive) truck or a smaller one that doesn't fit your load. For popular moving weekends, book at least two weeks early.

Are there hidden fees I should know about?

Ask the rental company whether the quoted price includes insurance, fuel, equipment rental (dollies, furniture pads, straps), and mileage. Some companies charge extra for these; others include them. Also ask whether there's a fee if you return the truck late or with damage. Get the full price in writing before you book.

What if my load is smaller than I expected after I've rented the truck?

Most rental companies allow you to downsize to a smaller truck if you haven't picked it up yet, though you may lose part of your deposit. If you've already rented and packed less than expected, you can't get a refund, so it's worth calling before pickup if your load is significantly smaller than you planned.

Should I rent a truck or hire a moving company?

Renting a truck costs less if you do the packing and loading yourself. A moving company costs more but handles the heavy lifting and packing. If you have a lot of fragile items, heavy furniture, or a long-distance move, a moving company might be worth the extra cost. For a local move with friends or family to help, a rental truck is usually cheaper.