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Moving Truck Size Guide: Cargo Van vs 10, 15, 20, 26-Foot Trucks

Cargo vans hold about 300 cubic feet, 10-foot trucks about 400, 15-foot trucks about 750, 20-foot trucks about 1,000, and 26-foot trucks about 1,700 cubic feet, which roughly maps to a studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and 4-5 bedroom home respectively.

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Cargo van: studios and small loads

At roughly 300 cubic feet, a cargo van suits a studio apartment, a partial load, or a college dorm move. It's also the easiest size to drive and park in dense cities.

10-foot truck: one-bedroom apartments

With about 400 cubic feet of cargo space, a 10-foot truck is the standard choice for a one-bedroom apartment, including a bed, sofa, and 15-25 boxes.

15 and 20-foot trucks: two to three bedrooms

A 15-foot truck (roughly 750 cubic feet) fits most 2-bedroom homes, while a 20-foot truck (roughly 1,000 cubic feet) generally covers a 3-bedroom home including major appliances.

26-foot truck: full houses

At around 1,700 cubic feet, a 26-foot truck is the largest common rental class and typically handles a 4-5 bedroom home in a single load, assuming efficient stacking.

Rule of thumb for choosing

Total your belongings' cubic footage using published item estimates, then pick the smallest truck class that clears your total: renting one size larger than needed is far cheaper than a second trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to rent one large truck or make two trips in a smaller one?

Almost always the single larger truck, once fuel, time, and labor for a second trip are factored in.

Do truck rental prices include mileage?

Often not; base daily rates commonly exclude a per-mile fee, so always check the total estimated cost, not just the daily rate.