Free moving tool
What size moving truck do I need?
Pick your home size and large items. Find your truck size—and the curb space to park it.
Tell us about your move
Your estimate
20-ft moving truck
Cargo box size · About 935 cu ft to move
About 40 ft of curb / 2 spots
Starting reservation for one truck at a time, up to 26 ft
Truck sizes vary. Confirm vehicle length, ramp space, and city rules before booking. Diagram is not to scale.
Got the truck. Save its spot.
Check permit options for your moving address.
Reserve this curb space →Check your city and dates next. Starts with 2 approximate 20-ft spaces; confirm local rules.
The truck size is only half the plan.
Leave room to load, lower the ramp, and keep your move off the street.
Choose your truck
Check your inventory against the truck's cargo space and weight limit.
Plan loading space
Allow for the full truck, ramp, and a safe loading area.
Reserve the curb
Check your city's permit options before moving day.
How this moving truck size calculator works
We estimate boxes and furniture not listed above from your home size. Then we add the large items you counted and 10% for packing space. Each listed item is counted once. We choose the smallest listed truck with enough cargo capacity. Larger loads show the number of runs needed with a 26-ft truck, rounding up. Ask a moving company about a larger vehicle if you prefer one load. These are planning estimates, not an inventory survey or a guarantee that every item will fit.
| Home size | Estimated cu ft |
|---|---|
| Studio | 135 |
| 1 bedroom | 385 |
| 2 bedrooms | 685 |
| 3 bedrooms | 985 |
| 4 bedrooms | 1,235 |
| 5+ bedrooms | 1,635 |
Our planning assumptions
Volume per counted item: sofa or sectional: 80 cu ft; king-size bed: 70 cu ft; dining table: 50 cu ft; desk: 35 cu ft; washer / dryer pair: 60 cu ft; patio furniture set: 60 cu ft. These are our rough allowances, not rental-company measurements.
We start with two spots, or 40 ft of curb, for one truck up to 26 ft. Confirm local rules and the loading area before ordering. For multiple trucks, this assumes one truck at a time; parking them together or adding a trailer needs a separate curb-space plan.
Cargo capacities use U-Haul's 10-ft, 15-ft, 20-ft, and 26-ft specifications, checked October 27, 2026. Other brands and vehicles vary.
Professional movers also use larger vehicles. National Van Lines' truck comparison shows a tractor-trailer alongside a smaller truck. Ask your mover which vehicle will reach your address.
Next: estimate your permit cost or find your city.
Moving truck size questions
Is a 20-ft moving truck actually 20 feet long?
The size name describes the cargo box, not the full vehicle. The cab adds length. We start with 40 feet of curb, or two approximate 20-foot spots, for one truck up to 26 feet. Confirm the actual vehicle dimensions, loading area, and local requirements before booking.
How much curb space should I reserve?
Start with two spots, or about 40 feet of curb, for one moving truck, including a 26-ft truck. This is our standard starting reservation, not a rule for every city or address. Check local requirements and room for loading. If several trucks park at the same time, arrange additional curb space; staggered loads may use the same two spots.
What size moving truck do I need for a 2-bedroom home?
Our starting estimate is a 20-ft truck for a typical 2-bedroom home. A lightly furnished apartment may fit a smaller truck. Extra furniture, poor stacking, and heavy loads may require more capacity. Check your inventory and the rental truck's weight limit before booking.
Should I count every large item I am moving?
Yes. Set each count to the total number you are taking. For example, if you are moving two sofas, enter 2. The starting counts are examples you can change, including setting an item to 0. We estimate boxes and furniture not listed here from your home size, then add the items you count once and a 10% packing allowance.
What if my move is too large for one truck?
The calculator shows how many loads or runs your estimated volume needs with a 26-ft truck. You could use multiple trucks instead, or ask a moving company about a larger vehicle. Professional movers can use larger moving vans and tractor-trailers; confirm their capacity, street access, and parking needs with the mover. The 40-foot curb estimate applies to one truck up to 26 feet at a time, not a larger vehicle or several trucks parked together.