Moving Truck Size Calculator
Rent Too Small a Truck and You're Making a Second Trip
Truck size is one of the few moving decisions with no good way to correct mid-move — discovering the truck is too small means either leaving belongings behind or driving the route twice. Matching truck capacity to home size before booking avoids both the wasted cost of an oversized rental and the logistical headache of an undersized one.
Reference Table
Recommended truck size by home size, based on typical furniture and box volume for each:
| Home Size | Recommended Truck | Approximate Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartment | 10-12 ft truck | ~150 cu ft |
| 1 Bedroom | 12-15 ft truck | ~450 cu ft |
| 2 Bedroom | 15-17 ft truck | ~650 cu ft |
| 3 Bedroom | 20-22 ft truck | ~1,000 cu ft |
| 4 Bedroom | 24-26 ft truck | ~1,400 cu ft |
| 5+ Bedroom House | 26+ ft truck (or two trucks) | ~1,800 cu ft |
These are starting points, not guarantees — a home with unusually heavy furniture, a large collection of boxes, or bulky items like exercise equipment may need a size up from the guideline for its bedroom count.
Where This Calculation Matters
- Truck rental booking — reserving the right size in advance, since larger trucks often need to be booked further ahead during peak moving season.
- Budgeting the rental — truck size directly affects daily rental rate, so an accurate estimate avoids overpaying for unused capacity.
- Planning for movers with their own truck — even when hiring full-service movers, knowing the expected truck size helps confirm the quote matches the job scope.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select your home size from Studio Apartment through 5+ Bedroom House.
- Select Calculate to get the recommended truck size and approximate cubic-foot capacity.
Related Calculations
Once truck size is set, estimate driving fuel cost with the Fuel Cost for Moving Calculator, or check how many boxes to plan for with the Packing Box Calculator.