Moving Truck Sizes Chart: 10, 15, 20 and 26 ft
Approximate cargo space of 10, 15, 20 and 26 ft moving trucks and the size of home each one usually fits.
Most common
15 ft
is the usual size for a 1–2 bedroom home; U-Haul, Penske and Budget all rent a 26 ft truck, and U-Haul now also lists a 29 ft truck
Rental companies describe trucks by the length of the cargo box, but what matters is the cargo space in cubic feet. The figures below are approximate and rounded: each company and model differs a little, and some rent 12, 16 or 22 ft trucks instead of these lengths. Rounded from what U-Haul publishes: 246, 402, 764, 1,016 and 1,682 cu ft.
| Truck | Approx. cargo space | Max load (U-Haul) | What fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo van (9 ft) | about 250 cu ft | 4,030 lb | Dorm, a few pieces, sparse studio |
| 10 ft | about 400 cu ft | 2,850 lb | Studio or 1 bedroom |
| 15 ft | about 760 cu ft | 6,385 lb | 1–2 bedrooms |
| 20 ft | about 1,000 cu ft | 5,700 lb | 2–3 bedrooms |
| 26 ft | about 1,680 cu ft | 12,859 lb | 3–4 bedrooms |
«What fits» assumes a typical amount of furniture and boxes. A home with many boxes, appliances or a full garage moves up a size; a minimal home with few boxes can move down one.
The maximum load column matters as much as the space. It is not proportional to length: U-Haul publishes a higher maximum load for its 15 ft truck than for its 20 ft truck, because both share the same 14,500 lb gross vehicle weight and the larger truck weighs more empty. At the 7 lb per cubic foot constructive-weight convention, a full 20 ft box of ordinary household goods would weigh about 7,100 lb — more than its published load. Check both numbers against your inventory.
Nearest sizes at other rental companies
| U-Haul size | Penske nearest | Budget nearest |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo van, 246 cu ft / 4,030 lb | High-roof cargo van, 404 cu ft / 3,500 lb | Cargo van, up to 3,400 lb |
| 10 ft, 402 cu ft / 2,850 lb | 12 ft, 450 cu ft / 3,100 lb | 12 ft, up to 3,610 lb |
| 15 ft (and 17 ft, 865 cu ft), 6,385 lb | 16 ft, 800 cu ft / 4,300 lb | 16 ft, up to 4,460 lb |
| 20 ft, 1,016 cu ft / 5,700 lb | 22 ft, 1,200 cu ft / 10,000 lb | no size between 16 and 26 ft |
| 26 ft, 1,682 cu ft / 12,859 lb | 26 ft, 1,700 cu ft / 10,000 lb | 26 ft, up to 10,000 lb |
U-Haul also lists a 29 ft truck with 2,057 cu ft and an 11,939 lb maximum load, which it describes for four- to six-bedroom homes. Its largest trucks, the 26 ft and 29 ft, are both rated at 25,999 lb gross vehicle weight, just below the 26,001 lb federal threshold for a heavy commercial vehicle; the license guide explains what that means.
Each truck size in detail
-
Do You Need a CDL to Drive a 26 ft Moving Truck?
What the federal CDL weight classes say, why consumer rental trucks are rated at 25,999 lb, and what state and…
No CDL by federal weight class
Before you book
- Count your boxes Boxes take more space than people expect — 50 medium boxes are about 150 cu ft.
- Measure big items Check that sofas, wardrobes and appliances fit through the cargo door, not just the box.
- Check the deck and ramp Ask how high the loading deck is and whether the truck has a ramp; it matters for heavy furniture and appliances.
- Plan parking and route Larger trucks need a long parking space and clearance under bridges, drive-throughs and parking garages.
Sources checked October 26, 2026. Provider specifications apply only to the equipment described. Model defaults and allowances are planning assumptions, not measured inventory or market prices.
- U-Haul — 9 ft cargo van specifications — Published volume 246 cu ft, inside 9 ft 6 in x 5 ft 7 in x 4 ft 8 in, back door 5 ft 1 in x 4 ft 1 in, max load 4,030 lb, GVW 9,070 lb max; GMC, Ford and Ram models vary by location. (Checked 2026-10-26.)
- U-Haul — 10 ft truck specifications — Published volume 402 cu ft. Assigned equipment may differ. Bedroom-based marketing is not a physical fit guarantee. (Checked 2026-10-22.)
- U-Haul — 15 ft truck specifications — Published approximate volume 764 cu ft, door 7 ft 3 in by 6 ft 5 in and maximum load 6,385 lb; assigned equipment may differ. (Checked 2026-10-22.)
- U-Haul — 17 ft truck specifications — Published volume 865 cu ft, max load 6,160 lb, GVW 14,500 lb max; assigned equipment may differ. (Checked 2026-10-26.)
- U-Haul — 20 ft truck specifications — Published volume 1,016 cu ft. Assigned equipment may differ. Bedroom-based marketing is not a physical fit guarantee. (Checked 2026-10-22.)
- U-Haul — 26 ft truck specifications — Published volume 1,682 cu ft. Assigned equipment may differ. Bedroom-based marketing is not a physical fit guarantee. (Checked 2026-10-22.)
- U-Haul — 29 ft truck specifications — Published volume 2,057 cu ft, max load 11,939 lb, GVW 25,999 lb max, adjustable deck 30–34 in; assigned equipment may differ. (Checked 2026-10-26.)
- Penske Truck Rental — Moving truck sizes and features — Cargo van 404 cu ft / 3,500 lb; 12 ft 450 cu ft / 3,100 lb; 16 ft 800 cu ft / 4,300 lb; 22 ft 1,200 cu ft / 10,000 lb; 26 ft 1,700 cu ft / 10,000 lb ("load capacity"); sized in rooms; specs vary by make, model and year. (Checked 2026-10-26.)
- Budget Truck Rental — Moving trucks and accessories — Cargo van up to 3,400 lb; 12 ft up to 3,610 lb; 16 ft up to 4,460 lb; 26 ft up to 10,000 lb; sized in rooms and medium boxes; cubic feet not published on this page. (Checked 2026-10-26.)
- eCFR — 41 CFR 302-7.8, Methods of shipping HHG and how the weight is determined — Federal Travel Regulation, paragraph (d): when adequate scales are not available, a constructive weight based on 7 pounds per cubic foot of properly loaded van space may be used. Applies to federal-employee relocation entitlement, not to what a commercial mover may bill. (Checked 2026-10-26.)
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