What Size Moving Truck Do I Need for a 10x10 Storage Unit?
A 10x10 storage unit holds about 800 cubic feet if packed to the ceiling - but most units are not. Here is how to translate what is actually in your unit into the right truck size, so you rent one truck and make one trip.
Direct answer
Rent a 15-16 ft truck for a full 10x10 storage unit. If your unit is only loosely filled - furniture with walking space, boxes to shoulder height - a 10 ft truck can work. A unit packed floor-to-ceiling with dense boxes may need a 17-20 ft truck to load with any margin.
The volume math
| How full is the 10x10 unit? | Approx. volume | Truck that fits it |
|---|---|---|
| Half full, walking space inside | 300-400 cu ft | 10 ft truck |
| Mostly full, stacked to ~6 ft | 500-650 cu ft | 15 ft truck |
| Packed wall-to-wall, near ceiling | 700-800 cu ft | 15-16 ft minimum, 17-20 ft comfortable |
Trucks never load as efficiently as storage units: wheel wells, the height taper, and the need to strap tiers all cost usable space. Renting one size above your raw volume estimate is the practical rule.
Standard truck sizes for reference
| Truck size | Cargo volume | Typical load |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft truck | ~400 cu ft | Studio or small 1-bedroom, no large sofa |
| 15-16 ft truck | ~750-800 cu ft | 1-2 bedroom apartment |
| 17-20 ft truck | ~850-1,000 cu ft | 2-bedroom home, small 3-bedroom |
| 26 ft truck | ~1,600 cu ft | 3-5 bedroom house |
Tips for the storage-to-truck move
- Photograph the unit before unloading it. The photo answers 'will it fit' arguments at the truck.
- Load the truck in the reverse order you emptied the unit. Heavy furniture first against the cab, box walls behind it.
- Check the truck's ceiling height. Some 10 ft trucks are noticeably shorter inside; tall furniture that stood upright in the unit may need to lie flat.
- Reserve a truck with a ramp. Storage-unit moves are all carrying - a ramp saves more time here than on a house move.
Use the Storage Unit Size Calculator
Frequently asked questions
Will a 10x10 storage unit fit in a 15 ft truck?
Yes, in most cases. A 15 ft truck carries about 750 cubic feet, and most 10x10 units hold 500-700 cubic feet of actual contents.
Can I move a 10x10 unit with a 10 ft truck?
Only if the unit is half full or less. A packed 10x10 holds nearly twice what a 10 ft truck carries.
How many boxes fit in a 10x10 storage unit?
Around 100-150 medium boxes if stacked high with minimal furniture, or 40-60 boxes alongside the furniture of a small apartment.
Is a cargo van enough for a 10x10 unit?
No - cargo vans carry roughly 250-400 cubic feet, so plan on two to three trips or rent a box truck instead.