Moving Truck Size Calculator

Find the right rental truck for your move (by home size) so you don't book too small (two trips) or too big (wasted money).

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What size truck do you need?

Home size

Recommended truck

17-ft truck

Sized to finish your move in one trip. When you're between sizes, size up: a second trip costs far more than a slightly bigger truck.

Capacity~865 cu·ft
Typical local rental$30 – $40 / day + mileage

Local rentals are day rate plus per-mile plus fuel. For a long-distance DIY move, book a one-way rental: a flat rate that bakes in the mileage. Trucks 15 ft and up usually include a loading ramp.

What size moving truck do you need?

Renting one size too small means two trips (or a stuffed truck and broken furniture); one size too big wastes money and is harder to drive. Rough guide by home size:

Studio / few items

Cargo van or 10-ft truck

1 – 2 bedroom apartment

15 – 17-ft truck

2 bedroom home or 3 bedroom apartment

20-ft truck

3 – 4 bedroom home

26-ft truck

Local rental cost (U-Haul)day rate by truck size, October 2026; per-mile fees ran $0.99 to $2.49 by city and day; fuel extra

$19.95 – $49.95 / day + mileage

The calculator above maps your home size to a recommended truck and shows the cubic-foot capacity, so you can sanity-check against how much you actually own.

How to choose the right moving truck size

Round up, not down

When you're between sizes, size up. A little extra space costs a few dollars; a truck that's too small means a second trip or leaving things behind. One trip almost always wins.

Local vs one-way

Local rentals are day rate plus per-mile plus fuel. One-way (different pickup and drop-off cities) is a flat rate that already bakes in the mileage, and it's the right choice for long-distance DIY moves.

Loading ramp and cab space

Larger trucks include a loading ramp and sometimes an over-cab 'Mom's Attic' for extra volume. If you have heavy furniture, a ramp is worth the size bump on its own.

Driving comfort

A 26-foot truck drives very differently from your car: wider, taller, longer stopping distance, and no rear window. If you're not comfortable with that, a smaller truck plus two trips, or a container, may be the better call.

How the Moving Truck Size Calculator works

This recommendation maps your home size to a truck by cubic-foot capacity, using standard rental-fleet sizes (cargo van, 10, 15, 17, 20, and 26-foot trucks) and typical furniture volumes. It errs toward sizing up so you complete the move in one trip. Actual fit depends on how much you own and how efficiently it's loaded.

Moving truck size FAQ

What size moving truck do I need for a 3-bedroom house?+

A 26-foot truck is the standard choice for a three- to four-bedroom home. A well-packed three-bedroom can sometimes fit in a 20-foot truck, but if you have a garage, appliances, or a lot of furniture, size up to the 26-foot.

Is it better to get a bigger or smaller truck?+

When in doubt, go bigger. A truck one size up costs marginally more but saves you a second trip or the frustration of leaving items behind. Too small is the more expensive mistake.

How much does it cost to rent a moving truck?+

U-Haul's in-town day rate runs $19.95 for a 10-foot truck to $49.95 for a 26-foot, plus a per-mile fee and fuel. One-way rentals are a flat quote by lane: HireAHelper's customer-paid averages for a 3-bedroom home run $472 to $820 at about 500 miles and $1,789 to $3,355 at about 2,400, before fuel.

What size truck for a 1-bedroom apartment?+

A 15- to 17-foot truck comfortably handles a one- to two-bedroom apartment. A studio or a very light one-bedroom can fit in a 10-foot truck or even a cargo van.

Do bigger moving trucks come with a ramp?+

Most trucks 15 feet and larger include a loading ramp; cargo vans and some 10-foot trucks do not. If you're moving heavy furniture or appliances, choose a size that includes a ramp.