Choosing the Right Moving Truck Size
Renting too small means a second trip. Renting too large means wasted money. The difference between a 10-foot and a 26-foot truck can be $100+ per day — and the wrong choice costs you hours.
Here's what actually fits in each truck size, based on interior cargo dimensions and real-world loading experience.
10-Foot Truck (Studio or Small 1-Bedroom)
Interior cargo space: approximately 6'2" × 10' × 6'1" (W × L × H) = ~370 cubic feet.
What fits:
- 1 queen mattress and box spring
- 1 small sofa or loveseat
- 1 dresser
- 1 small table with 2 chairs
- 10–15 medium boxes
A 10-foot truck is ideal for a studio apartment or a single-room move. If you have a full bedroom set plus living room furniture, you'll likely need the next size up.
15-Foot Truck (1–2 Bedroom Apartment)
Interior cargo space: approximately 7'8" × 15' × 7'2" (W × L × H) = ~850 cubic feet.
What fits:
- 1–2 bedroom sets (bed, dresser, nightstands)
- 1 full-size sofa
- 1 dining table with 4 chairs
- 1 desk and office chair
- 25–30 medium boxes
- Small appliances
20-Foot Truck (2–3 Bedroom House)
Interior cargo space: approximately 7'8" × 19' × 7'2" (W × L × H) = ~1,100 cubic feet.
What fits:
- 2–3 bedroom sets
- Full living room set (sofa, loveseat, coffee table, entertainment center)
- Full dining set
- Washer and dryer
- 40–50 medium boxes
26-Foot Truck (3–4 Bedroom House)
Interior cargo space: approximately 8'2" × 26' × 8'1" (W × L × H) = ~1,700 cubic feet.
This is the largest standard rental truck. It handles a full 3–4 bedroom home including garage and outdoor items.
The Width Problem
Cubic footage doesn't tell the whole story. The cargo door width determines what can physically enter the truck:
- 10-foot truck cargo door: typically ~5'10" wide — tight for large furniture
- 15-foot and larger: typically ~7'4" wide — clears most furniture
A couch that's 84 inches long won't slide through a 70-inch cargo door opening without angling. Use the vehicle fit calculator to check whether your specific items fit the truck's cargo dimensions.
Loading Tips That Maximize Space
- Heaviest items first: Appliances and dressers go against the cab wall for weight distribution
- Sofas on end: A couch standing on its arm takes less floor space than laying flat
- Mattresses on edge: Lean mattresses against the wall to save floor space
- Boxes fill gaps: Irregular spaces between furniture are perfect for boxes
- Disassemble what you can: Table legs off, bed frames broken down, shelves removed from bookcases
When a Truck Isn't the Right Vehicle
For smaller moves, a truck may be overkill. Consider:
- Cargo van: Perfect for a few large items — check cargo van dimensions
- Pickup truck: Open bed handles items that won't fit through a cargo door — check pickup capacity
- SUV: For mattresses and flat-pack furniture
- Minivan: Surprisingly capable — check what fits in a minivan
Check vehicle cargo dimensions to compare capacity across all vehicle types.
Cost Comparison
Rental truck pricing (approximate, 2026 rates for local moves):
- 10-foot: $30–$50/day + mileage
- 15-foot: $50–$70/day + mileage
- 20-foot: $60–$90/day + mileage
- 26-foot: $80–$120/day + mileage
The cost difference between sizes is usually less than the cost of a second trip (gas, time, and tolls). When in doubt, size up.
FAQ
Can I fit a king mattress in a 10-foot truck?
A king mattress is 76 × 80 inches. A 10-foot truck interior is about 74 inches wide — the mattress needs to go in at a slight angle but will fit. The bigger question is whether you have room for anything else once the mattress is in.
Should I rent a truck or hire movers?
For a studio or small 1-bedroom, a rental truck is usually cheapest. For 2+ bedrooms, hiring movers (who bring their own truck) often costs only $100–$200 more than the truck rental plus your own labor and lost time. Get quotes for both and compare — the vehicle fit calculator helps you figure out what truck size you'd need.