What Size Moving Truck Do I Need? 10/15/20/26 ft Capacity Guide

How to Choose the Right Moving Truck Size

Renting the wrong size moving truck is one of the most common — and most expensive — moving mistakes. Too small, and you're making multiple trips or leaving furniture behind. Too large, and you're paying for space you don't need, plus burning more fuel for a heavier truck.

This guide covers the four standard moving truck sizes available from most rental companies (U-Haul, Penske, Budget). For each size, you'll see the exact cargo dimensions, what household items fit, and which home size it's designed for. If you're loading a personal vehicle instead, check the mattress in SUV or fit in car calculators.

10-Foot Truck — Studio to Small 1-Bedroom

The smallest moving truck available from most rental companies. Ideal for a studio apartment, a dorm room move, or transporting a few large items.

• Cargo length: 9' 11" (119")
• Cargo width: 6' 4" (76")
• Cargo height: 6' 2" (74")
• Cargo volume: ~402 cubic feet
• Max payload: 2,810 lbs
• Fuel economy: 12–14 MPG

What fits in a 10ft truck

• Queen or full-size mattress and box spring
• Small sofa or loveseat
• Dresser
• Small dining table with 2 chairs
• 10–15 medium moving boxes
• A few lamps, suitcases, and personal items

Best for: Studio apartments, dorm rooms, or moving a single large item (like delivering a couch from a furniture store).

15-Foot Truck — Full 1-Bedroom to Small 2-Bedroom

The mid-small option. This truck handles a fully furnished one-bedroom apartment and can squeeze in a small two-bedroom if you pack efficiently.

• Cargo length: 15' 0" (180")
• Cargo width: 7' 6" (90")
• Cargo height: 6' 5" (77")
• Cargo volume: ~764 cubic feet
• Max payload: 4,300 lbs
• Fuel economy: 10–12 MPG

What fits in a 15ft truck

• Everything in a 10ft truck, plus:
• Full-size sofa
• Queen bed frame, mattress, and box spring
• Dresser and nightstands
• Dining table with 4 chairs
• Desk and office chair
• Bookshelf
• 25–30 medium moving boxes
• Kitchen appliances and kitchenware

Best for: A fully furnished 1-bedroom apartment. Can handle a lightly furnished 2-bedroom if you don't have large items like a sectional or multiple dressers.

20-Foot Truck — 2 to 3 Bedrooms

The workhorse of residential moves. A 20-foot truck handles most 2–3 bedroom apartments and small houses comfortably.

• Cargo length: 19' 6" (234")
• Cargo width: 8' 0" (96")
• Cargo height: 7' 0" (84")
• Cargo volume: ~1,015 cubic feet
• Max payload: 5,700 lbs
• Fuel economy: 8–10 MPG

What fits in a 20ft truck

• Everything in a 15ft truck, plus:
• Sectional sofa or two regular sofas
• Two complete bedroom sets (bed, dresser, nightstands)
• Full dining room set (table with 6 chairs, buffet/sideboard)
• Washer and dryer
• Multiple bookshelves
• 40–50 medium moving boxes
• Outdoor furniture (patio set, grill)

Best for: A well-furnished 2-bedroom apartment or a typical 3-bedroom house. This is the most popular truck size for residential moves.

26-Foot Truck — 3+ Bedrooms or Full House

The largest truck available without a commercial driver's license. This is the truck for a full house move — 3, 4, or even 5 bedrooms with a garage worth of accumulated stuff.

• Cargo length: 26' 6" (318")
• Cargo width: 8' 0" (96")
• Cargo height: 8' 0" (96")
• Cargo volume: ~1,611 cubic feet
• Max payload: 9,010 lbs
• Fuel economy: 6–8 MPG

What fits in a 26ft truck

• Everything in a 20ft truck, plus:
• Third and fourth complete bedroom sets
• Large sectional sofa and additional loveseat
• Piano (upright)
• Home gym equipment
• Full garage contents (tools, workbench, storage)
• 70–80+ medium moving boxes
• Bicycles, sporting equipment

Best for: A fully furnished 3–5 bedroom house with garage. If you have a lifetime of accumulated belongings, this is the truck.

Truck Size Comparison Chart

Spec

10ft

15ft

20ft

26ft

Cargo length

9' 11"

15' 0"

19' 6"

26' 6"

Cargo width

6' 4"

7' 6"

8' 0"

8' 0"

Cargo height

6' 2"

6' 5"

7' 0"

8' 0"

Volume

402 cu ft

764 cu ft

1,015 cu ft

1,611 cu ft

Max payload

2,810 lbs

4,300 lbs

5,700 lbs

9,010 lbs

Fuel economy

12–14 MPG

10–12 MPG

8–10 MPG

6–8 MPG

Home size

Studio / small 1BR

1BR / small 2BR

2–3 BR

3–5 BR

How to Load a Moving Truck

Choosing the right truck size is half the equation. Loading it correctly is the other half. A poorly loaded truck wastes space and risks damage during transit.

Loading order (back to front)

1. Heaviest items first, against the back wall. Dressers, appliances (washer, dryer, refrigerator), and large furniture go in first, pushed tight against the back wall and side walls. This creates a stable base.
2. Mattresses and box springs on edge. Stand them vertically against a side wall. They take up minimal floor space when upright and act as padding for other items.
3. Sofas and large furniture next. Sofas often fit best standing on end or on their back. Fill the interior cavity with soft items like pillows or bags of clothes.
4. Tables and desks upside down. Flip dining tables upside down and stack chairs (legs up) on the tabletop. Desks go upside down with the drawers removed.
5. Boxes in the middle and front. Stack heavy boxes on the bottom, lighter boxes on top. Fill gaps between furniture with boxes. Use every cubic inch — air space is wasted money.
6. Fragile and light items last. Lamps, plants, electronics, and anything breakable goes in last, near the front (cab end) where it's most protected from shifting.

Loading tips

• Use moving blankets between furniture. Wrap every piece that could scratch or dent another piece.
• Strap items to the wall rails. Most rental trucks have E-track rails and tie-down points. Use ratchet straps to secure tall items and prevent shifting during turns and stops.
• Distribute weight evenly. Don't load all the heavy items on one side. The truck should be balanced left-to-right to prevent swaying during driving.
• Fill furniture interiors. Pack clothes, linens, and soft items inside dresser drawers, wardrobe interiors, and appliance cavities. This saves box space and protects the furniture.
• Create tiers. Think of the truck in layers: heavy base tier, medium middle tier, light top tier. Each tier should be relatively flat so the next tier sits stable.

Rental Cost Comparison

Truck rental costs vary by company, distance, and season. For a local move (under 50 miles), here are typical base rates:

• 10ft truck: $30–$50/day + $0.69–$0.99/mile
• 15ft truck: $40–$60/day + $0.69–$0.99/mile
• 20ft truck: $50–$70/day + $0.69–$0.99/mile
• 26ft truck: $60–$90/day + $0.69–$0.99/mile

One-way and long-distance moves have flat-rate pricing that's significantly higher. Insurance, dollies, blankets, and fuel are extra. Budget tip: moving mid-week and mid-month is usually 20–40% cheaper than weekends or month-end.

FAQ

What size truck do I need for a 1-bedroom apartment?

A 10ft truck works for a minimally furnished studio or 1-bedroom. If you have a full-size sofa, bed set, and dining table, go with the 15ft truck to be safe. It's better to have a little extra room than to leave items behind or make a second trip.

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

A 20ft truck handles most 3-bedroom homes. If you have a garage full of items, a workshop, or an unusually large amount of furniture, step up to the 26ft truck. When in doubt, call the rental company and describe your inventory — they deal with this question hundreds of times a week.

Can I drive a 26ft truck with a regular license?

Yes, in all U.S. states. A 26ft moving truck has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 14,500–16,000 lbs, which is under the 26,001 lb threshold that requires a CDL. However, if you've never driven anything larger than a sedan, practice in a parking lot first. The truck is 26 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 12+ feet tall — clearance matters at gas stations, drive-throughs, and low bridges.

Should I rent a truck or hire movers?

For local moves (same city), renting a truck and doing it yourself is typically 50–75% cheaper than hiring full-service movers. A 20ft truck rental for a local move costs $80–$150 including mileage. The same move with full-service movers costs $800–$2,000. The trade-off is your time and physical effort. A middle-ground option: rent the truck yourself and hire labor-only helpers through apps like Dolly, Lugg, or TaskRabbit to handle the lifting.