Tell us your home size and what you're hauling and get the right rental truck class — van, 10, 15, 20 or 26 ft — with its real cargo capacity and what it typically holds.
Rental trucks are sold by box length (10, 15, 20, 26 ft) but what actually matters is cargo volume in cubic feet. We estimate the volume of your load, then match it to the smallest truck class whose published capacity fits.
Capacities are the manufacturers' published cargo volumes (U-Haul: 10 ft ≈ 402 cu ft, 15 ft ≈ 764, 20 ft ≈ 1,016, 26 ft ≈ 1,682). Penske and Budget offer near-equivalent classes at slightly different exact sizes, so treat the class — not the exact foot length — as the answer.
Estimates vary, so round up if you're on the fence. One bigger truck is almost always cheaper and faster than two trips in a smaller one, especially for a long-distance move. When your load exceeds the biggest single truck, we'll say so and suggest a 26 ft plus a trailer or two trips.
| Truck class | Cargo volume | Typical home size | What it holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo van (9–11 ft box) | 245 cu ft | Studio (light) | A dorm or studio with few large pieces, or a run to the furniture store |
| 10 ft truck (10 ft) | 402 cu ft | Studio–1BR | Studio to small 1-bedroom — a bed, dresser, small sofa and ~15 boxes |
| 15 ft truck (15 ft) | 764 cu ft | 1–2BR | 1–2 bedrooms with appliances — furniture for a couple or small family |
| 20 ft truck (20 ft) | 1,016 cu ft | 2–3BR | 2–3 bedrooms — a full apartment or a small house |
| 26 ft truck (26 ft) | 1,682 cu ft | 3–4BR+ | 3–5 bedrooms — a full house with appliances and a garage |
A 2-bedroom home usually fits a 15 ft truck (about 760 cu ft). If you have a lot of bulky furniture, full-size appliances and a packed garage, step up to a 20 ft. Enter your details above for a volume-based match.
Most 3-bedroom homes need a 20 ft truck (about 1,016 cu ft); a heavily furnished one with appliances and garage items pushes into a 26 ft. If you're between the two, book the 26 ft — one trip beats two.
For anything but a very short local move, one bigger truck almost always wins. Two trips doubles your drive time, fuel and mileage charges, and rental trucks are priced so the next size up costs only a little more. Round up when you're on the fence.
Yes — they're the most commonly forgotten volume. A fridge plus a washer and dryer add well over 100 cu ft, and a full garage or workshop can add another 180. Both can bump you up a whole truck class, which is why the calculator asks.
It's a solid planning estimate, not a guarantee — how densely you load matters as much as what you own. We build in an 8% loading margin, but if you pack loosely or aren't sure, go one size up. You can also enter an exact cubic-foot figure if you've measured your inventory.
Roughly. Each brand's classes are close but not identical — a Penske 16 ft (~800 cu ft) sits between a U-Haul 15 and 20 ft, for example. Match on the capacity in cubic feet rather than the exact foot length printed on the door.