Rent a truck that's too small and you're making two trips (or leaving things behind); too big and you're paying for empty air and harder parking. Here's how to size it right the first time.
The sizing chart
Truck rental companies bracket their fleet roughly by home size. A 10–12 ft van or truck handles a studio or a one-room move. A 15–16 ft truck fits a small one- to two-bedroom apartment. A 20 ft truck suits a larger two-bedroom, and a 26 ft truck — the biggest most people can drive without a special license — covers three- to four-bedroom homes.
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When in doubt, go bigger
Undersizing is the more expensive mistake. A second trip across LA means more hours, more fuel, and more double-back drive time — far more than the small price difference between truck sizes. One well-loaded larger truck almost always beats two trips in a smaller one.
Think in cubic feet, not just length
Length is the headline number, but interior volume (cubic feet) is what actually matters. A truck with a tall box or an "attic" space over the cab fits far more than its length suggests. Heavy, dense loads (books, tools, appliances) fill weight limits before they fill space, so don't assume a big truck means you can pile it endlessly.
The LA reality
A bigger truck is harder to park on tight LA streets and in apartment lots, and a 26-footer can't fit some hillside or older-neighborhood blocks at all — which is why our crews bring the right-sized truck and a smaller shuttle when access demands it. If driving a big rental through LA traffic sounds rough, compare truck rental vs. hiring movers, or let our labor-only crew load your rental. See also how to pack a moving truck.
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Related questions
What size moving truck do I need for a 1-bedroom apartment?
A 12–16 ft truck handles most one-bedroom apartments. If you have a lot of furniture or a packed closet, size up to 16 ft to avoid a second trip.
Is it better to get a bigger or smaller moving truck?
Bigger, if you're unsure. A second trip in a too-small truck costs far more in hours, fuel and drive time than the small price difference of the next size up.
How many boxes fit in a 16-foot truck?
Roughly a one- to two-bedroom apartment's worth — a few hundred cubic feet — but furniture eats most of the space, so plan by home size rather than box count.
Should I rent a truck or hire movers?
Renting is cheaper upfront but you do the driving, loading and risk; movers cost more but include the truck, labor, equipment and insurance. For most LA moves the time and back saved is worth it.
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