How-To Guide · Moving

What Size Moving Truck Do I Need?

Q: What size moving truck do I need for a 2-bedroom?

A 15 to 17 ft truck fits most one-to-two-bedroom apartments; a densely furnished two-bedroom or a two-bedroom house may need a 20 to 22 ft truck.

Q: What size truck for a 3-bedroom house?

A 20 to 22 ft truck for a smaller or lightly furnished 3-bedroom, and a 26 ft truck for a fully furnished 3 to 4 bedroom home.

Q: Is it better to get a bigger truck or make two trips?

Usually a bigger truck. One trip saves time, fuel, and labor, especially if the two homes aren't close. Two trips only make sense for very short, local moves.

Rent a truck that's too small and you're making two trips; too big and you're paying for empty space and fighting a harder drive. Here's how to size a moving truck to your home — and how to get it loaded right.

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Quick answer

As a rule of thumb: a 10–12 ft truck suits a studio or small one-bedroom, a 15–17 ft truck a one-to-two-bedroom, a 20–22 ft truck a two-to-three-bedroom home, and a 26 ft truck a three-to-four-bedroom house. When in doubt, size up — one trip in a slightly larger truck beats two trips in a small one. Heavy furniture and appliances fill space fast, so factor those in.

Moving truck sizes at a glance

Truck size	Roughly fits	Best for
10–12 ft	A few rooms of furniture + boxes	Studio / small 1-bedroom
15–17 ft	1–2 bedrooms of furniture	1–2 bedroom apartment
20–22 ft	2–3 bedrooms of furniture	Small house / large apartment
26 ft	3–4 bedrooms of furniture	Larger house

Capacities vary by rental company; these are general guidelines. Check the truck's listed cubic feet and load limit before you book.

How to size it right

Count by bedrooms, then adjust. A sparsely furnished 3-bedroom may fit a 20-ft truck; a densely packed one needs the 26-ft.
Heavy furniture eats space. Sectionals, mattresses, dressers, appliances, and exercise equipment fill a truck faster than boxes.
Avoid two trips. If your old and new homes are far apart, a single larger truck almost always wins on time and fuel.
Mind access and parking. A 26-ft truck can be hard to maneuver on tight intown streets or in some apartment complexes — check before you reserve.

Loading the truck efficiently

Load heaviest items first and against the cab — appliances, dressers, and the heaviest furniture — then stack boxes by weight with the heaviest on the bottom. Stand mattresses and tabletops along the walls, fill gaps with soft items, and use straps to secure each tier so nothing shifts in transit. Good loading protects your belongings and lets a smaller truck hold more.

Don't want to load it yourself?

Renting the truck but dreading the heavy lifting is one of the most common moving situations. LIOO offers labor-only movers and loading & unloading help — professional crews who load, unload, or both, by the hour, whether you've rented a truck or a U-Haul or moving container. It's the affordable middle ground between a full-service move and doing everything yourself.

Moving truck size FAQ

What size moving truck do I need for a 2-bedroom?+

A 15–17 ft truck fits most one-to-two-bedroom apartments; a densely furnished two-bedroom or a two-bedroom house may need a 20–22 ft truck.

What size truck for a 3-bedroom house?+

A 20–22 ft truck for a smaller or lightly furnished 3-bedroom, and a 26 ft truck for a fully furnished 3–4 bedroom home.

Is it better to get a bigger truck or make two trips?+

Usually a bigger truck — one trip saves time, fuel, and labor, especially if the two homes aren't close. Two trips only make sense for very short, local moves.

Can I hire movers just to load a rental truck?+

Yes. Labor-only and loading/unloading crews handle exactly that — you provide the truck or container, and the crew loads and/or unloads it by the hour.

How do I load a moving truck so nothing breaks?+

Load heaviest items first against the cab, stack boxes heaviest-on-bottom, stand mattresses along the walls, fill gaps with soft items, and strap each tier so nothing shifts.

Rented the truck? Let us load it.

LIOO's labor-only crews load and unload rental trucks, U-Hauls, and containers by the hour — licensed, insured, and fast. Get a free quote.

Get my quote in writing ☎ (888) 611-5351