Why Cargo Vans Are the Sweet Spot for Small Moves
Cargo vans sit between an SUV and a moving truck in both size and capability. They're easier to drive and park than a box truck, have weather-protected enclosed space (unlike pickups), and offer enough room for a studio or 1-bedroom move. They're also the go-to vehicle for single large-item deliveries — a couch, mattress, or appliance.
Major Cargo Van Models Compared
Ford Transit (Full-Size)
- Cargo volume: 246–480 cu ft (varies by wheelbase and roof height)
- Cargo length: 10'6"–13'6"
- Cargo width: 70 inches between wheel wells
- Cargo height: 56–81 inches (low/medium/high roof)
- Rear door opening: 60 × 72 inches (W × H, standard); wider with swing-out doors
Ram ProMaster (Full-Size)
- Cargo volume: 256–460 cu ft
- Cargo length: 10'6"–12'11"
- Cargo width: 70 inches between wheel wells — widest in class
- Cargo height: 65–76 inches
- Rear door opening: 61 × 68 inches
Mercedes Sprinter (Full-Size)
- Cargo volume: 233–488 cu ft
- Cargo length: 10'9"–14'11"
- Cargo width: 70 inches between wheel wells
- Cargo height: 64–78 inches
- Rear door opening: 61 × 66 inches (standard), wider options available
Ford Transit Connect / Ram ProMaster City (Compact)
- Cargo volume: 104–130 cu ft
- Cargo length: 6'–7'6"
- Cargo width: 48 inches between wheel wells
- Cargo height: 45–49 inches
- Rear door opening: 48 × 45 inches
Compact vans are suitable for boxes, small furniture, and flat-pack items. For full-size furniture, you need a full-size van.
What Fits in a Full-Size Cargo Van
A standard-wheelbase, high-roof cargo van (approximately 260–320 cu ft) handles:
- Queen mattress and box spring (flat on floor)
- 2-seat sofa
- Small dining table + 4 chairs
- 1 dresser
- 20–25 medium boxes
That's roughly the contents of a studio apartment or large dorm room — similar to a 10-foot moving truck but in a vehicle that drives like a large van, not a box truck.
Use the vehicle fit calculator to check whether specific items fit your van's cargo dimensions.
The Rear Door Opening Is the Real Constraint
Cargo volume means nothing if the item can't get through the rear doors. Most full-size cargo vans have rear openings of 60–61 inches wide and 66–72 inches tall. That's wide enough for most furniture but can be tight for:
- Full-size sofas (wider than 60 inches — need to angle in)
- Large appliances on a dolly (dolly adds height)
- Assembled furniture that can't be tilted
If the rear doors are the bottleneck, some cargo vans offer sliding side doors (typically 49–52 inches wide) that provide an alternative loading angle.
Cargo Van vs. Moving Truck
- Parking: Cargo vans fit in standard parking spaces and most garages. Moving trucks don't.
- Driving: Cargo vans handle like large vehicles, not trucks. No CDL or special experience needed.
- Fuel: Cargo vans get 15–20 MPG vs. 8–12 MPG for moving trucks.
- Capacity: A 10-foot moving truck (~370 cu ft) and a high-roof full-size cargo van (~320 cu ft) are comparable.
- Cost: Cargo van rentals are often cheaper ($60–$100/day vs. $50–$120+/day for trucks, but vans have lower mileage fees).
Rental Availability
Most major rental companies offer cargo vans:
- U-Haul: 9-foot cargo van (~245 cu ft) — the most commonly available
- Enterprise/National: Full-size cargo vans with higher availability on weekends
- Home Depot: 75-minute or full-day cargo van rentals — good for single-item moves
- Penske/Budget: Usually only offer box trucks, not cargo vans
Compare cargo dimensions across all vehicle types in the vehicle cargo dimensions reference.
FAQ
Can I fit a queen mattress in a cargo van?
Yes. A queen mattress (60 × 80 inches) fits flat on the floor of any full-size cargo van. You'll have significant space remaining above and beside it for other items. Even compact cargo vans can handle a queen mattress if loaded at an angle.
Is a cargo van better than a pickup for moving furniture?
For protected, enclosed transport: yes. For oversized items that won't fit through the rear doors (like a very tall bookcase): a pickup wins because there's no door constraint. For most moves, the cargo van's enclosed space and weather protection make it the better choice.