Which U-Haul Truck Size Do You Really Need? A Professional Driver's Guide

Most 2-bedroom moves fit best in a 15’ U-Haul truck, 3-bedroom homes typically require a 20’ truck, and 4–5 bedroom moves usually need a 26’ truck — assuming average furniture, proper packing, and no oversized items.

However, real-world moves often break these rules.

Large sectionals, appliances, garage storage, improper loading, or towing a vehicle can reduce usable space by 20–30%, meaning many moves require a larger truck than online calculators recommend.

👉 That’s why professional driver services assess your actual inventory, not just bedroom count, to recommend the safest truck size and avoid costly re-rentals or overflow trips.

Always rent it yourself. Here's why:

1. U-Haul's pricing is dynamic and location-dependent. You may get better rates booking from your city than we would from ours. Prices vary by $50-200 depending on pickup location.
2. You maintain full control over pickup/dropoff times. If your closing gets delayed or your apartment isn't ready, you control the truck reservation.
3. Insurance is in your name (as the renter), which some customers prefer. You choose your coverage level.
4. You can inspect the truck before loading. Walk around it, check for damage, test everything before you commit.

The only exception: If you're doing a one-way move and having trouble finding availability in your pickup city, sometimes we can secure trucks through our commercial relationships. But in most cases, renting directly works better.

Yes, but do it BEFORE pickup day. Here's what happens:

If you upgrade: Usually just a small price adjustment in our driver fee, depending on the new truck size. The bigger issue is U-Haul's change fee and rate difference.

If you downsize: We adjust our rate down proportionally, but U-Haul may not refund the difference if you're within 24 hours of pickup.

Pro tip: Call us before you finalize your truck reservation. We can give you a professional assessment based on your inventory list. This is free and prevents expensive day-of changes.

This is the nightmare scenario we help you avoid. Here's what happens:

1. You call U-Haul to upgrade
   2. They charge you a change fee
   3. You pay the price difference
   4. You drive to U-Haul, swap trucks
   5. You reload everything from scratch
   6. You've wasted 3-4 hours minimum

Total damage: extra fees + 4 hours of your life + stress

This is why we offer free pre-move assessments. A quick quote request prevents this.

10' Truck holds:

• 1 bedroom of furniture (bed, dresser, nightstand)
• 1 small living room (loveseat, chair, TV, coffee table)
• 20-30 boxes
• NO appliances (unless you sacrifice furniture space)

15' Truck holds:

• 2 bedrooms of furniture
• 1 full living room (couch, loveseat, tables)
• 1 dining set (table + 4-6 chairs)
• 1-2 appliances (washer/dryer OR fridge)
• 40-60 boxes

20' Truck holds:

• 3 bedrooms of furniture
• Full living room + family room
• Dining room + home office
• 2-3 large appliances
• 60-80 boxes
• Garage basics (tools, bikes, lawn equipment)

26' Truck holds:

• 4-5 bedrooms of furniture
• Multiple living spaces
• All appliances
• Full garage/workshop
• 100+ boxes
• Outdoor furniture

These are PROFESSIONAL packing estimates. If you're loading yourself, reduce capacity by 20-30%.

You need insurance regardless of who's driving. Here's the breakdown:

U-Haul's insurance options:

• SafeMove: damage waiver for most accident damage to the truck, cargo protection (collision, fire, windstorm, overturn), and medical/life coverage for people in the cab
• SafeMove Plus: everything in SafeMove, plus a $0 deductible on accidental truck damage (including overhead) and supplemental liability coverage for the first $1,000,000

Prices vary by location. U-Haul doesn't offer SafeMove Plus in some states, including New Jersey and New York, or for pickups and cargo vans; check when you book.

Our recommendation: Get at least SafeMove. If you're doing a long-distance move with a driver you've never worked with, get SafeMove Plus.

Important: Our drivers are licensed and insured.

For truck rental: 2-4 weeks for best selection and pricing. Peak season (May-September) requires 4-6 weeks.

For hiring a driver: 1-3 weeks minimum. Peak season requires 3-4 weeks. We can often help on short notice.

Pro tip: Book the truck first, then book the driver. Why? Truck availability is harder to predict, and drivers can usually adjust to your specific dates more easily than U-Haul can find you a truck.

• Cargo Van: 1,000 miles ÷ 18 MPG = 56 gallons × $3.50 = $195
• 10' Truck: 1,000 miles ÷ 12 MPG = 83 gallons × $3.50 = $291
• 15' Truck: 1,000 miles ÷ 10 MPG = 100 gallons × $3.50 = $350
• 20' Truck: 1,000 miles ÷ 10 MPG = 100 gallons × $3.50 = $350
• 26' Truck: 1,000 miles ÷ 8 MPG = 125 gallons × $3.50 = $438

The jump from 15' to 20' has minimal fuel impact (both ~10 MPG). The big jumps are cargo van to truck, and 20' to 26'.

Reality check: For long-distance moves, the fuel difference between sizes can be $150-300. That's real money. Don't rent a bigger truck "just in case" without factoring this in.

Yes, U-Haul offers auto transport options:

Tow dolly: Front wheels up, rear wheels roll. Works for most FWD vehicles. U-Haul charges a daily rental fee.

Auto transport (car carrier): All four wheels off the ground. Works for any vehicle. U-Haul charges a daily rental fee.

Impact on driver cost: Towing a car may add a fee; we include it in your quote. Towing takes more care because:

• Longer vehicle to maneuver
• Slower speeds (55 MPH max)
• More careful driving required
• Backing up becomes extremely difficult

Pro tip: If your move is under 500 miles, consider driving your car separately. It's often cheaper and less stressful than towing.