Choosing a truck size is a guess for most people, and a wrong guess costs a second trip or a day of fighting a truck that's bigger than you need. Here's the quick chart we use when customers ask, plus the things that mean you should go up a size.
The quick size chart
| Vehicle | Usually fits | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo van / pickup | A few big items, or 10–20 boxes | A dorm room, a single couch or bed, a small storage locker |
| 10-foot truck | A studio's worth of furniture and boxes | Studios and very light one-bedrooms |
| 15–16-foot truck | A bedroom set, sofa, table and 40–60 boxes | One-bedroom and small two-bedroom apartments |
| 20–22-foot truck | Two bedrooms of furniture, appliances and 60–100 boxes | Two- to three-bedroom homes |
| 26-foot truck | A full house, including appliances and a garage | Three bedrooms and up |
Rental companies name their sizes a little differently (10, 12, 15, 16, 20, 22 or 26 feet), but they fall into these same groups.
Go one size up if…
- You have bulky furniture. Sectionals, king beds, a china cabinet, a big dining table or a home gym take far more room than their "bedroom count" suggests.
- The garage, shed or basement is full. Tools, bikes, patio sets and storage bins often add up to a whole extra room.
- You're not packing tightly. Half-full boxes and loose items waste space. Square boxes stack; bags and bins with lids that don't close don't.
When you're honestly between two sizes, take the bigger one. A second trip costs more in time, fuel and kilometres than the difference between sizes.
Measure the big pieces first
Measure your three biggest items: usually the sofa, the bed and anything tall like a wardrobe or fridge. Compare them to the truck's inside width and height, which most rental companies list online. Fridges and tall dressers travel standing up, so the height matters.
Pro tip: Count your boxes before you book. As a rough rule, plan on 10 to 15 boxes per room, more for the kitchen. If you're past 60 boxes, you're usually in 20-foot territory.
Bigger isn't always better
A 26-foot truck is a lot to drive and park. It needs wide turns, plenty of room to stop and a spot where it can sit for hours. If you're moving from an apartment with an underground parkade or a tight lane, check the clearance and where the truck can park before you book. Some moves are easier with a smaller truck and one well-planned extra trip.
Packing the space you have
How well you load matters as much as the size you rent. A carefully loaded 20-foot truck can hold what a rushed crew can't fit into a 26. The basics: heavy things at the front, tall things along the walls, build tight tiers from floor to ceiling and fill every gap. Our step-by-step guide on how to load a moving truck walks through the exact order.
Not sure what you need? Tell us what you're moving in a free quote request. If you're renting your own truck, we can do the loading and unloading so every foot of it gets used.
Quick answers
What size truck do I need for a 2-bedroom?
Usually a 15–16-foot truck for a lightly furnished two-bedroom apartment, and a 20–22-foot truck for a two-bedroom with heavy furniture, appliances or a garage.
Is a cargo van enough for a studio?
Sometimes, if you have very little furniture. Most studios with a bed, sofa and 20+ boxes fit more comfortably in a 10-foot truck.
Is it better to rent a bigger truck or make two trips?
If you're honestly between sizes, rent the bigger truck. A second trip costs more in time, fuel and kilometres than the difference in rental price.
