Moving across town or across the country? One of the biggest decisions you’ll face is figuring out how to get your belongings from Point A to Point B. Should you hire professional movers, rent a moving truck and do it yourself, or maybe try to cram everything into your sedan (spoiler alert: that 65-inch TV won’t fit)?
If you’re considering the DIY route, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about moving truck rentals—from deciding whether you need one at all to choosing the perfect size and packing it like a pro.
Jump Links
- Do I Really Need a Moving Truck?
- What Size Moving Truck Do You Need?
- Types of Moving Trucks and When to Use Them
- How to Pack Your Moving Truck Like a Pro
- Cost-Saving Tips for Your Moving Truck Rental
- Common Moving Truck Mistakes to Avoid
- Your Moving Day Success Checklist
Do I Really Need a Moving Truck?
Before diving into truck sizes and packing strategies, let’s start with the fundamental question: do you need to rent a moving truck?
When a Moving Truck Makes Sense
You’re Moving More Than Just a Few Boxes
If you’re hauling anything larger than what fits comfortably in your car—think mattresses, furniture, appliances, or that collection of vintage arcade games—a moving truck is probably your best bet.
Cost Considerations Are Important
Even a cross-town move with professional movers can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on how much you must move. Renting a moving truck and enlisting friends (with the promise of pizza and cold drinks) can save you serious money while turning moving day into a social event.
You Want to Consolidate Multiple Trips
Anyone who’s tried to move using just their personal vehicle knows the drill: load the car, drive across town, unload, repeat. And repeat. And repeat some more. A moving truck lets you load everything once and be done with it.
You Need Temporary Storage Solutions
Sometimes your move isn’t straightforward—maybe you’re building a new home and living in a temporary apartment, or your new place isn’t ready when your lease ends. Combining a moving truck rental with temporary storage lets you pack once and unpack when you’re finally settled.
When You Might Skip the Moving Truck
- College dorm moves with minimal furniture
- Tiny apartment moves where everything fits in a few carloads
- Local moves where making multiple trips isn’t a big deal
- When you have access to a pickup truck or large SUV
The Morningstar Storage Advantage
Here’s something most people don’t know: Morningstar Storage facilities offer a free 4-hour moving truck rental when you rent a self storage unit. That means you can get both temporary storage and a moving truck without breaking the bank. It’s our way of making moving and storing as simple as possible, saving you money, stress, and time.
What Size Moving Truck Do You Need?
Now that you’ve decided a moving truck is right for your move, the next big question is sizing. Get too small, and you’ll be making multiple trips or leaving furniture behind. Get too large, and you’ll pay more than necessary while wrestling with a truck that’s harder to drive and park.
Factor 1: How Big is Your Current Home?
The most straightforward way to estimate truck size is based on your current living situation:
- Studio or 1-bedroom apartment: 10–12-foot truck
- 2-bedroom apartment or small house: 15–17-foot truck
- 3-bedroom house: 20-foot truck
- 4+ bedroom house: 26-foot truck (the largest commonly available)
Factor 2: Take Inventory Room by Room
Get more precise by asking yourself:
- How many rooms are full of furniture?
- Do you have a garage, shed, or basement with large items (lawn mowers, tools, seasonal storage items)?
- How many boxes do you estimate per room?
- Are you taking major appliances like washers, dryers, or refrigerators?
Factor 3: Consider Your Distance
Local Moves (Under 50 Miles)
If you’re moving across town, you might be able to save money with a slightly smaller truck and make two trips if needed. Calculate the time and gas costs to make sure this makes sense.
Long-Distance Moves
For cross-country moves, getting the size right is crucial. You don’t want to discover your truck is too small when you’re 500 miles from home. When in doubt, size up.
Factor 4: Budget Considerations
Moving truck pricing varies based on:
- Base truck size (your biggest cost factor)
- Mileage between pickup and drop-off
- Pickup and drop-off locations (especially for one-way rentals)
- Additional equipment (furniture pads, dollies, tie-downs)
- Peak moving times (summer months, weekends, end/beginning of month)
Types of Moving Trucks and When to Use Them
Not all moving trucks are created equal.
Pickup Truck
- Best for: College moves, small apartments, light loads with minimal furniture
- Capacity: A few pieces of furniture plus boxes
- Pros: Easy to drive, widely available, good for short distances
- Cons: Limited space, no weather protection
Cargo Trailers
- Best for: When you have a vehicle capable of towing
- Capacity: Similar to a pickup truck but enclosed
- Pros: Your own vehicle does the pulling, enclosed protection
- Cons: Need proper towing setup, weight limitations
Cargo Van
- Best for: Small moves without large, bulky furniture
- Capacity: Lots of boxes, small furniture pieces
- Pros: Easy to drive like a large van, good fuel economy
- Cons: Height restrictions for mattresses and tall furniture
10-12 Foot Box Truck
- Perfect for that first apartment move
- Best for: Studio to 2-bedroom apartments
- Capacity: About 1-2 rooms of furniture plus boxes
- Loading space: Approximately 400-500 cubic feet
15-17 Foot Box Truck
- Our most popular size for good reason
- Best for: 2-3 bedroom apartments or small houses
- Capacity: Full apartment worth of furniture and belongings
- Loading space: Around 750-850 cubic feet
20 Foot Box Truck
- Big enough for most family moves
- Best for: 3-4 bedroom houses
- Capacity: Multiple rooms of furniture, appliances, lots of boxes
- Loading space: About 1,000-1,200 cubic feet
26 Foot Box Truck
- These are big rigs—make sure you’re comfortable driving something this size
- Best for: Large houses (4+ bedrooms) or long-distance moves where you’re taking everything
- Capacity: Entire large household
- Loading space: 1,500+ cubic feet
How to Pack Your Moving Truck Like a Pro
You’ve got your truck, you’ve got your boxes, and you’ve got your crew ready to help. Now comes the crucial part: loading everything in a way that maximizes space, protects your belongings, and keeps the truck balanced on the road.
Heavy to Light, Back to Front for The Best Loading Order in a Moving Truck
Step 1: Load Heaviest Items First
Start with your biggest, heaviest pieces right behind the driver’s cab:
- Refrigerators, washers, dryers
- Mattresses and box springs
- Heavy furniture (dressers, bookcases, dining tables)
- Major appliances
Step 2: Fill in with Medium-Weight Items
- Chairs and smaller furniture
- Medium-sized boxes
- Office equipment
- Exercise equipment
Step 3: Light Items Last
- Lamp shades and fragile items
- Pillows and linens
- Light boxes
- Plants (if moving locally)
Packing Strategies That Prevent Damage
Create Walls with Boxes
Stack boxes from floor to ceiling to create solid walls. This prevents items from shifting during transport and maximizes your space.
Use Furniture as Containers
- Pack books and heavy items inside dresser drawers
- Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
- Fill hollow furniture with soft items
Protect and Secure Everything
- Wrap furniture in moving blankets or pads
- Use tie-downs and straps to secure loads
- Put fragile items between mattresses for protection
- Keep the truck bed as full as possible to minimize shifting
Don’t Forget the Details
- Keep essentials in the truck cab (important documents, phone chargers, snacks)
- Take photos of valuable items before packing
- Make sure someone rides in back periodically to check that nothing has shifted
Choosing the Right Storage Size for Moving
Just like moving trucks, storage units come in different sizes. Here’s how to match your moving situation with the right storage space:
Small Storage Units (25-75 sq ft)
Perfect for storing items from one room—think seasonal decorations, extra clothing, or those boxes of stuff you can’t bring yourself to throw away but don’t need right away. Also great for small businesses getting started who need file storage and inventory space.
Medium Storage Units (100-150 sq ft)
Our most popular size, and for good reason. These can easily hold the contents of a 1–2-bedroom apartment, including mattresses, sofas, dining table, and all your boxes. Small business owners love these for equipment, office furniture, and organized inventory storage.
Large Storage Units (200-300+ sq ft)
About the size of a one-car garage, these spaces can fit 3–5-bedroom house contents, including large appliances like washers, dryers, and refrigerators. Perfect for storing that antique car, boat, or just lots and lots of boxes.
Cost-Saving Tips for Your Moving Truck Rental
Moving expenses add up quickly, but there are smart ways to keep costs under control.
Timing Your Move
Avoid Peak Times
- Summer months (May-September) are most expensive
- End and beginning of months cost more
- Weekends typically cost more than weekdays
- Holiday weekends are premium pricing
Book Early
Truck availability gets scarce during peak times, and prices go up. Reserve your truck as soon as you know your moving date.
Smart Rental Strategies
Compare Total Costs, Not Just Base Rates
Factor in mileage charges, insurance, equipment rentals, and fuel costs when comparing options.
Return with Same Fuel Level
Most companies charge premium rates for fuel, so fill up before returning.
Bring Your Own Equipment
Dollies, straps, and moving blankets from hardware stores often cost less than rental company prices.
Take Advantage of Free Options
Remember, Morningstar Storage offers a free 4-hour moving truck rental with storage unit rentals—a serious money-saver if you need both services.
Enlist Help Smartly
Friends and Family
A few strong friends motivated by pizza and cold drinks can save you hundreds compared to professional movers.
Partial Professional Help
Consider hiring pros just for loading/unloading heavy items while you handle the driving and lighter work.
Common Moving Truck Mistakes to Avoid
Sizing Mistakes
Renting Too Small
It’s tempting to save money with a smaller truck, but multiple trips or abandoned items usually cost more in the end.
Underestimating Your Stuff
Most people have more belongings than they think. When in doubt, size up.
Driving Mistakes
Not Practicing
Large trucks handle differently than cars. Practice in an empty parking lot before loading up.
Forgetting About Height
Those drive-through coffee shops and parking garages aren’t made for moving trucks.
Ignoring Weight Distribution
Poor loading can make trucks dangerous to drive. Keep weight forward and balanced.
Planning Mistakes
Last-Minute Reservations
Especially during peak moving season, trucks get scarce. Book early.
Forgetting Insurance
Check whether your auto insurance covers rental trucks, or purchase coverage through the rental company.
Not Reading the Fine Print
Understand fuel policies, return time requirements, and damage policies before you drive away.
Your Moving Day Success Checklist
Before Pickup
- Confirm reservation and pickup time
- Bring required documentation (license, credit card, insurance info)
- Check truck thoroughly for existing damage
- Understand all rental terms and return requirements
- Load your phone with GPS directions and rental company contact info
During Loading
- Load heaviest items first, lightest last
- Secure everything with straps and tie-downs
- Fill truck completely to minimize shifting
- Keep essentials accessible in the cab
- Take photos of valuable items
During Transport
- Drive more slowly and carefully than usual
- Make wider turns and allow more braking distance
- Check load occasionally on long drives
- Keep rental paperwork accessible
After Unloading
- Return truck on time and with same fuel level
- Remove all personal belongings
- Get receipt confirming return condition
Ready to Make Your Move?
Moving doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right planning and the right-sized truck, you can handle your move efficiently and affordably.
Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, from a studio apartment or a five-bedroom house, following our tips will help to ensure your moving day goes smoothly. After all, moving is stressful enough without having to worry about whether your truck is the right size or if your couch will actually fit through the door.
Visit a Morningstar Storage location near you to learn more about our moving truck rental options and storage solutions that can make your move as simple as possible.
