If you’re preparing for a move, one of the most common—and stressful—questions is: “What size moving truck or container do I need for a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom home?” Choosing a truck or container that’s too small can force multiple trips (wasting time and money). Choosing one that’s too big means you’re paying for unused space. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to estimate the right size moving truck or container for your home, what moving companies commonly offer, and tips to optimize your load.
We’ll also point you to trusted calculators, rental size charts, and packing strategies. By the end of this post, you should feel confident picking the right rental (truck or container) and avoid surprises on moving day.
How to Estimate Your Needed Space (for Truck or Container)
Before jumping into truck models or container lengths, let’s talk about how to estimate the volume you’ll need. This is the foundation to answering “what size do I need” in your specific situation.
Use Cubic Feet per Furnished Room
A common rule of thumb is that a fully furnished room (bedroom, living room, etc.) generally requires 150–200 cubic feet of space when packed efficiently. This accounts for boxes, furniture, appliances, plus buffer room for safe loading.
Some moving calculators also estimate 100–150 cubic feet per room for lighter loads.
You should:
- List major furniture (beds, dressers, sofas, appliances). You can use Movana’s smart inventory builder for a quick furniture.
- Add up approximate box volume
- Add 10–20% margin for inefficiencies or irregular shapes
Once you have a ballpark cubic feet volume, you can map that to truck/container sizes.
Use Moving Truck / Container Size Guidelines
Here are standard size guidelines based on number of bedrooms, drawn from rental company data:
| Bedrooms | Typical Truck / Container | Volume / Rooms Capacity | Notes / Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom / small home | 12–17 foot box truck or cargo van | ~800–1,200 cu ft | U-Haul’s 10′ is good for 1-bedroom apartments U-Haul International |
| 2 Bedroom | 15′ or 16′ box truck | ~1,200–1,800 cu ft | Many 2-bedroom households fit in 15′ trucks |
| 3 Bedroom | 20′ to 22′ trucks | ~1,500–2,500 cu ft | Often recommended for a 3-bedroom house |
For example, Penske lists that a 16′ truck is suitable for 2-3 rooms; a 22′ for 3–5 rooms. Penske Truck Rental
On the container side, common container sizes are 8 ft, 12 ft, and 16 ft in length.
A 16-foot container often handles 3–4 rooms of furniture.
Thus, if your estimate of cubic feet lands you in a range corresponding to those trucks / containers, that helps you choose.
What Size Moving Truck / Container for 1-Bedroom Home?
If you live in a modest 1-bedroom home, here’s what to expect and recommendations.
Truck Sizes for 1 Bedroom Moves
A 10′ box truck is often listed by U-Haul as suitable for a one-bedroom apartment. U-Haul International
Some guides push a 12′ or 14–17′ truck to provide extra margin if you have large furniture or many boxes.
If your furniture is minimal—or you’re downsizing—you might even get away with a cargo van or small box truck.
Container Option for 1 Bedroom
- A 8- or 12-foot moving container usually suffices for a 1-bedroom load.
- If your container provider only offers 16′ units, that also gives plenty of cushion for growth.
Tip: If you’re borderline between sizes, always upgrade to the next size up — extra space is usually worth the budget buffer.
What Size Moving Truck / Container for 2-Bedroom Home?
2-bedroom homes tend to have more furniture, more boxes, and sometimes bulky items (like wardrobes, couches, appliances). Here’s how to plan.
Truck / Box Sizes for 2 Bedrooms
A 15′ or 16′ truck is often seen as the sweet spot for 2-bedroom homes in many rental lineups.
If you have extra items or expect heavier volume, stepping up to 17′ or 20′ gives you headroom.
Some guides even suggest using a 20′ box truck for 2–3 bedroom homes to avoid multiple trips.
Container Options for 2 Bedrooms
- A 16′ container is commonly used for 2-bedroom loads.
- If many large pieces or awkward items exist, you might combine a 12′ + 8′ container or just go to a 16′ + 8′ setup.
What Size Moving Truck / Container for 3-Bedroom Home?
For 3-bedroom homes (or 2-bedroom with lots of stuff), your moving needs scale significantly.
Truck Sizes for 3 Bedrooms
A 20′ or 22′ truck is most commonly recommended for a 3-bedroom home.
In some cases, especially for large houses, you might go up to a 26′ truck, though that’s more commonly used for 4+ bedrooms
Be cautious: bigger trucks are harder to drive and park; ensure you have space access.
Container Options for 3 Bedrooms
A 16′ container may still work if you pack tightly, but is tight for many three-bedroom households.
Alternatively, two 16′ containers or a 20′ (if available) may give safer margins. Some container providers offer custom larger sizes.
Key Considerations & Tips When Choosing Size
Always Add a Cushion
It’s smart to oversize slightly rather than underestimate. Many people underestimate box counts, odd shapes, or large furniture.
A little extra room helps with maneuvering, stacking, and avoiding damage.
Consider Load Efficiency & Packing Strategy
Your packing strategy affects how much space you need. Here are some tips:
- Disassemble large furniture (beds, tables) to conserve space
- Nest small boxes inside larger, heavier ones
- Place flat items (mirrors, artwork) along walls
- Use tie-downs and straps to avoid shifting
- Pack heavy items low and lighter ones on top
Even a well-packed smaller truck can outperform a poorly packed larger one.
Distance & Trip Count
If you’re doing a long-distance move, you’ll likely want one trip if possible. That pushes you to pick a safer oversize margin. For local moves, sometimes using a smaller truck and doing two runs can still be economical—but it’s more labor.
Road Access, Permits & Driveability
- Larger trucks may require permits in tight streets
- Check driveway heights, turns, overhead wires
- If you’re uncomfortable driving large trucks, stick to 20′ or under if feasible
Weight Limits & Legal Constraints
Even if the box fits, trucks or containers have weight limits. Overloading can be unsafe or illegal. Be aware of maximum payload ratings from rental providers.
Quick Summary: Recommended Sizes by Bedroom
| Bedrooms | Recommended Truck | Recommended Container |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | 10′ – 15′ box truck / cargo van | 8′ or 12′ container |
| 2 Bedroom | 15′ – 17′ box truck | 16′ container (or combine 12′ + 8′) |
| 3 Bedroom | 20′ – 22′ truck (or possibly 26′) | 16′ container or two containers |
Reminder: These are guidelines. Always estimate your own volume, add margin, and decide based on your furniture, boxes, and loading efficiency.
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If you want help planning or automating your relocation schedule, our Movana.ai platform can guide you with timing alerts, mover comparisons, and route optimization. Download our app on Google Play or Apple App Store and let Movana assist you in scheduling your next move with confidence.
