Moving Truck Size Calculator
Estimate the moving truck size you need in cubic feet from the number of rooms in your home, and see which common truck length fits the load.
How it works
Volume needed = rooms × volume per room + extras · Pick the smallest truck whose cargo volume ≥ needed
A rough but reliable way to size a moving truck is to budget a cargo volume per furnished room — a lightly furnished room around 150 cubic feet, a full one closer to 250 — plus a lump for garage, closet and box overflow. Total that and match it to the smallest common rental truck whose advertised cargo volume covers it. Sizing up one step is usually wiser than down: a truck loaded to the ceiling with no working room is slow to pack and risks a second trip.
Worked example
A 3-bedroom home counted as 3 furnished rooms at 200 cu ft each is 600 cu ft, plus 100 cu ft of boxes and garage items for 700 cu ft total. The smallest truck that covers it is a 15 ft truck at about 760 cu ft.
Frequently asked questions
What size moving truck do I need?
Estimate roughly 150–250 cubic feet per furnished room, add space for boxes and garage items, and choose the smallest truck whose cargo volume covers the total. A 1–2 bedroom move often fits a 10–15 ft truck; a 3–4 bedroom house typically needs a 20–26 ft truck.
Is it better to get a bigger truck or a smaller one?
When in doubt, size up. A slightly larger truck gives room to load efficiently and avoids a costly second trip, whereas cramming everything into a truck that is too small wastes time and risks not fitting it all.
Do these volumes include appliances and large furniture?
The per-room figure is an average that folds in typical furniture. Very large items — pianos, big sectionals, extra fridges — add noticeably, so bump the volume per room up or add them to the extras field.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.