Moving is a daunting task, and one of the most important decisions is selecting the proper size moving truck. Choosing incorrectly leads to frustrating situations like running out of space mid-move or wasting money on an oversized vehicle. In this guide, I will discuss determining the correct moving truck size for your needs. This can help you save time, money, and stress during your relocation.

Factors To Consider When Choosing a Moving Truck Size

When selecting a moving truck, there are a few factors to consider. The size of your current home, the number of belongings you’re transporting, and large or bulky items influence the ideal truck size. Take a close look at these elements to pick a vehicle that comfortably fits all your possessions.

Bedroom Count

One standard method for estimating truck size is calculating the number of bedrooms in your home. Many moving companies provide charts that recommend truck sizes based on bedroom count. This method isn’t always accurate since room sizes and what’s in them vary greatly.

Cubic Feet

A more accurate approach involves calculating the total cubic feet of your belongings. Measure your large items and estimate the space needed for packed boxes to determine the cubic feet of your possessions.  While more time-consuming, it provides a reliable estimate of the space you’ll need in your moving truck.

Additional Considerations

Many forget to account for items stored outside of bedrooms, such as garages, attics, or storage units. Also, consider any bulky or awkwardly shaped items that require extra space or special handling.

Types of Moving Trucks and Their Capacities

Becoming familiar with the different moving truck sizes makes choosing the right one easier. Each truck has its own capacity and works best for certain types of moves.

Box Trucks

Moving companies commonly offer box trucks in various sizes.

Small Moving Trucks

Typically 10-12 feet long, these trucks offer 380-450 cubic feet of storage. They’re suitable for studio apartments or small one-bedroom homes. While they can accommodate most furniture, they may not fit oversized items like king-size beds or large sofas.

Medium-Sized Moving Trucks

Medium trucks range from 14-17 feet long and provide 760-865 cubic feet of storage. They’re ideal for small homes or two-bedroom apartments and typically fit king-size mattresses and large furniture pieces.

Large-Sized Moving Trucks

The largest rental trucks available, 20-26 foot vehicles offer up to 1,700 cubic feet of storage. They’re designed for three to five-bedroom homes and can handle most household moves, including large appliances and bulky furniture.

Pickup Trucks

For minimal moves, pickup trucks are a cost-effective option. They provide around 80 cubic feet of storage and work well for moving a few pieces of furniture or a dorm room’s worth of belongings.

Cargo Vans

Cargo vans provide a middle ground between pickup trucks and small box trucks. With about 250 cubic feet of storage, they’re suitable for studio apartments or small-scale moves.

Cargo Trailers

You can find cargo trailers in various sizes, providing up to 400 cubic feet of storage space. They make an excellent choice for smaller moves and tow easily behind your vehicle.

Portable Containers

While not trucks, portable containers are worth considering for your move. Companies deliver these containers to your home, allowing you to pack at your own pace. They’re particularly useful when there’s a gap between move-out and move-in dates.

Portable containers often come with more extended rental agreements, allowing you to keep them for a day, a week, or even longer, depending on your needs. They provide an ideal solution when you need to store your belongings temporarily without the hassle of moving items in and out multiple times.

How to Estimate the Right Truck Size for Your Move

Choosing the correct truck size requires planning and estimation. Here are steps to decide the correct size:

  1. Take inventory of your belongings, paying particular attention to oversized items.
  2. Estimate the number of boxes you’ll need for smaller items.
  3. Use a moving company’s room count chart as a starting point.
  4. Add extra space for items stored outside of bedrooms.
  5. Use online moving calculators for a rough estimate.
  6. When in doubt, choosing a slightly larger truck is better than running out of space.

Tools like online calculators give you a visual representation of your space requirements by allowing you to input the dimensions of your items. Using these calculators may take more time, but they clearly show how much space your belongings will occupy.

Book a truck slightly larger than your initial calculations — estimating can sometimes underestimate the space required. Factors like irregularly shaped furniture or the need for careful stacking to safeguard valuable items may take up more room than expected.

Tips for Maximizing Moving Truck Space

Once you’ve chosen your truck, you must make the most of the available space. Here are tips to help you pack efficiently:

  1. Disassemble furniture when possible to save space.
  2. Use soft items like clothing and linens as padding between fragile objects.
  3. Fill hollow items (like dressers) with smaller boxes or soft goods.
  4. Load heavier items first and distribute weight evenly.
  5. Use vertical space by stacking boxes and standing mattresses upright.

When loading your truck, always start with bulky and large items, such as appliances and furniture. This method keeps items stable and maximizes the use of floor space. After the big items, methodically fill in the spaces around them with smaller boxes and lightweight, flexible items like cushions or blankets.

Label your boxes with their contents, indicating the room in which they belong. This step makes the unloading process efficient, so movers can directly place the boxes in their corresponding rooms at your new location.

Balance the weight distribution evenly across the truck to maintain safe driving conditions and prevent boxes from toppling over when making turns or sudden stops.

Cost Considerations for Different Truck Sizes

The size of the truck you choose adds to your moving costs. While it might be tempting to opt for a smaller, less expensive truck, running out of space and needing to make multiple trips will cost you more in the long run.

Small trucks typically cost $20 to $30 daily, plus mileage fees. Our research shows that medium trucks range from $40 to $80 per day, while large trucks can cost $60 to $100 daily. Fuel expenses increase with the truck size you select.

Additional costs include tolls for your moving routes and insurance coverage for the truck, which can increase your initial rental expense. Assess the value of the belongings you’re transporting to decide if you need to purchase insurance. Most rental companies offer insurance packages, from basic liability coverage to comprehensive protection plans for long-distance moves.

Insurance Considerations

Don’t overlook insurance — it’s an important cost consideration when renting a moving truck. Rental agencies offer insurance options to protect their vehicles and your belongings against unforeseen events that can happen during your move.

Check with your provider to see if your auto insurance policy covers truck rentals before you rent a truck. Some credit card companies provide insurance for rental vehicles, offering a cheaper alternative.

Never underestimate the cost of potential damages or accidents during a move. I recommend determining the value of your possessions and considering the risks involved in transporting them to guide your decision.

When To Consider Professional Moving Services

Using professional moving services is often more cost-effective and less stressful than renting a truck for very large homes or long-distance moves. If your move requires a truck longer than 26 feet or if you’re uncomfortable driving a large vehicle, I recommend getting quotes from full-service moving companies.

These companies provide complete moving solutions, including packing, loading, transportation, and unpacking. This approach significantly alleviates the burden and stress on moving day. Evaluate the trade-off between convenience and costs, especially if you’re dealing with limited time or valuable items that require special handling.

Consult several moving companies to compare prices and ensure you get the best value and service for your move.

Final Thoughts About Choosing the Right Moving Truck Size

Selecting the right moving truck size is an important step for your move. Carefully considering your needs and understanding the available truck options helps you make an informed decision that saves you time, money, and stress.

It’s better to have a little extra space than not enough. If you need more clarification, consult with moving professionals who provide personalized recommendations based on your moving situation. With the right truck size, you’ll be well on your way to a successful move and a fresh start in your new home.

Editorial Contributors
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Sam Wasson

Staff Writer

Sam Wasson graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Film and Media Arts with an Emphasis in Entertainment Arts and Engineering. Sam brings over four years of content writing and media production experience to the Today’s Homeowner content team. He specializes in the pest control, landscaping, and moving categories. Sam aims to answer homeowners’ difficult questions by providing well-researched, accurate, transparent, and entertaining content to Today’s Homeowner readers.

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Lora Novak

Senior Editor

Lora Novak meticulously proofreads and edits all commercial content for Today’s Homeowner to guarantee that it contains the most up-to-date information. Lora brings over 12 years of writing, editing, and digital marketing expertise. She’s worked on thousands of articles related to heating, air conditioning, ventilation, roofing, plumbing, lawn/garden, pest control, insurance, and other general homeownership topics.

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