How to Calculate What Size Moving Truck You Need
Choosing the wrong truck size means either multiple trips (expensive) or paying for space you don't use. Estimating your belongings' cubic footage before renting saves time, money, and stress.
Common Truck Sizes
| Truck Size | Cubic Feet | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | 368 cu ft | Studio or 1-bedroom apartment |
| 15 ft | 764 cu ft | 1–2 bedroom apartment or home |
| 20 ft | 1,000 cu ft | 2–3 bedroom home |
| 26 ft | 1,700 cu ft | 3–4 bedroom home |
Estimating Room Volumes
Use these rough cubic footage estimates per room:
| Room Type | Cubic Feet (estimated) |
|---|---|
| Bedroom (average) | 250–400 cu ft |
| Living room | 300–500 cu ft |
| Kitchen (appliances + cabinets) | 200–350 cu ft |
| Dining room | 150–250 cu ft |
| Garage/storage | 200–500 cu ft |
Step-by-Step Example
3-bedroom home:
- Master bedroom: 350 cu ft
- 2nd bedroom: 280 cu ft
- 3rd bedroom: 250 cu ft
- Living room: 420 cu ft
- Kitchen: 280 cu ft
- Dining room: 180 cu ft
- Miscellaneous: 200 cu ft
- Total: 1,960 cu ft
Choose the 26-ft truck (1,700 cu ft) and pack efficiently with vertical stacking.
Packing Tip
Professional movers can fit roughly 1,000 lbs per room into 150–200 cu ft when packed efficiently with proper boxes and furniture disassembly. DIY moves are less efficient—plan for 20–30% more space.
Use our moving truck calculator to estimate the right size for your household.