What Moving Truck Size Do I Need?

Making sense of moving truck sizes

Choosing the right truck size for a long-distance move can be like measuring spaghetti for dinner —there’s a fine line between not enough and way too much. A lot of extra space in the truck can be a waste of money, and too little means you won’t have enough room for all your stuff. 

There is no one-size-fits-all truck size between companies, so it can be frustrating to compare options and prices. But don’t worry — we’ve gathered the info you need to make an informed choice, and we’ll also share an easier option for DIY moving with U-Pack®. 

How big of a moving truck do I need? 

All the major rental truck companies offer multiple sizes to choose from, but the dimensions and services aren’t standard. For example, one company’s 26-ft truck might have less capacity than the other. And not all locations will carry every truck size.

Rental truck sizes 

For comparison, we looked at available truck sizes for these companies: 

• Budget® (12’, 16’, 26’) 
• Enterprise® (15’, 16’, 24’, 26’) 
• Penske® (12’, 16’, 22’, 26’) 
• U-Haul® (10’, 15’, 17’, 20’, 26’) 

Note: You might see Ryder® trucks on the road, but they are no longer available for personal moves. 

Moving truck capacity based on home size 

Most companies offer suggestions based on home size. Below is a general guide, but you might need more space if your home is heavily furnished.

It’s also important to measure any large furniture pieces that may exceed the internal dimensions of the trucks or the openings. For example, the door clearance on some smaller trucks can make loading king-sized mattresses impossible. 

Need to move less stuff a shorter distance? Renting a cargo van might be a better fit. 

Other things to consider before choosing a truck size 

Besides capacity, there are a few other features you’ll need to think about before renting a truck. 

How many passengers need to ride in the truck? 

Most rental trucks can't accommodate everyone if you’re traveling with a family of more than three people. In fact, there are no moving trucks that seat four people.  

While many rental trucks can hold three people, smaller vehicles like Budget’s and Penske’s 12’ and 16’, Enterprise’s 15’ and U-Haul’s 10’ trucks only have room (and seatbelts) for two passengers. 

Do you need to tow a vehicle or trailer? 

When you need to tow a personal vehicle or an enclosed trailer, you’ll want to make sure your rental truck can haul the necessary equipment. While Enterprise doesn’t allow towing, you can rent towing equipment from Budget, Penske and U-Haul for all but their smallest truck sizes (10’ or 12’). 

Are you comfortable driving the largest moving truck? 

Operating a rental truck isn’t as easy as driving a regular car, especially if you’re also towing a trailer. If you’re uncomfortable managing such a large vehicle for hundreds of miles, renting a truck may not be the best option for your move.

Still not sure about a truck size? There’s an easier way to move with U-Pack

With U-Pack, you can get an affordable and flexible DIY move without the hassle of choosing or driving a moving truck (and paying extra for fuel along the way!).  

Our moving trailers are 28’ x 8’ x 9’ (offering space similar in size to a 26’ truck plus a 10’ truck). The difference is you’re only charged for the space you use, down to a minimum of 5 linear feet. You’ll get a quote based on your home size, and you can use more or less space when loading. Then, your final cost will be adjusted up or down depending on the space you use based on the per-foot rate listed on your reservation. It’s that easy! 

Not sold on a moving trailer? We also offer ReloCube® moving containers, and you’ll only pay for the containers you use.

Compare prices today

Get a free, no-obligation quote from U-Pack today — we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised! And when you've settled into the new home, cook that spaghetti dinner for your family (and maybe your neighbors, too!). 

If you have any questions about moving truck sizes or how we compare to truck rental, please let us know in the comments or call us at 844-362-5303844-594-3077. We’re happy to help! 

Budget® is a registered trademark of Budget Truck Rental, LLC. Enterprise® is a registered trademark of Enterprise Holdings, Inc. Penske® is a registered trademark of Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P. Ryder® is a registered trademark of Ryder System Inc. U-Haul® is a registered trademark of U-Haul International, Inc. Use of third-party trademarks or registered trademarks does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by such third party.