Answer two quick questions — your home size and your big items — and get the right truck (10 / 15 / 20 / 26 ft) with the cubic-foot math shown. No signup. No guesswork at the rental counter.
Tap a preset to start fast, then fine-tune the checklist. Your recommendation updates as you change things — or press Calculate.
Have multiples (two dressers, three beds)? The base volume already covers typical boxes and small furniture — check each big-item type once, then size up if you are near the limit.
Local move: if you are close to full, a second short trip is usually fine — no need to over-size.
Same nominal sizes across U-Haul, Penske, and Budget. Usable cargo volume varies a little by model year and company — confirm cargo dimensions when you reserve.
| Truck | Capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | ~400 cu ft | Studio or small 1-bed with few large items |
| 15 ft | ~800 cu ft | Most 1- to 2-bed apartments |
| 20 ft | ~1,000 cu ft | Large 2-bed or 3-bed homes |
| 26 ft | ~1,600 cu ft | 3- to 4-bed houses, full-house moves |
How we estimate: base volume covers boxes, small furniture, and everyday belongings for the home size. Each checked large item adds its standard packed volume. We add a 10% margin for imperfect packing, then pick the smallest truck that still fits.
Most 2-bedroom apartments need a 15 ft truck (about 800 cubic feet). A typical 2-bed load runs roughly 500–700 cu ft before a safety margin, which fits comfortably in a 15 ft truck. If you have many large items — a king bed, multiple dressers, or appliances — consider a 20 ft truck.
Approximate usable cargo volumes are: 10 ft truck ≈ 400 cu ft, 15 ft truck ≈ 800 cu ft, 20 ft truck ≈ 1,000 cu ft, and 26 ft truck ≈ 1,600 cu ft. Exact dimensions vary slightly by rental company (U-Haul, Penske, Budget), so always confirm the cargo dimensions on your reservation.
For one-way moves, yes — size up if you are close to the limit, because you cannot make a second trip. This calculator already adds a 10% margin. For local moves you can stay with the recommended size since a quick second trip is usually cheap and easy.
A local rental is returned to the same location, usually billed per day plus mileage, and lets you make multiple trips. A one-way rental is dropped off at your destination and must fit everything in a single load, so choosing enough capacity matters more.
We start with a base volume for your home size (boxes, small furniture, and everyday items), then add a standard cubic-foot estimate for each large item you check — for example a sofa ≈ 50 cu ft and a queen bed ≈ 45 cu ft. We add a 10% packing margin and recommend the smallest truck that still fits.