Storage unit size for a car
A car needs at least a 10x20 storage unit. Compact cars fit a 10x15 with almost nothing to spare, while full-size sedans, SUVs and trucks need a 10x20 or larger. The door width matters as much as the unit length.
Size guide
| What you are storing | Unit size |
|---|---|
| Compact car (under 15 ft) | 10x15 minimum, 10x20 comfortable |
| Mid-size sedan (15–16 ft) | 10x20 |
| Full-size SUV or truck (17–20 ft) | 10x25 or 10x30 |
| Car plus household goods | 10x20 minimum, 10x25 comfortable |
Advertised unit sizes are nominal. Real interiors are often a few inches under, and the door opening is always narrower than the unit — measure both before you commit.
What the facility needs from you
- A drive-up unit — interior units with a corridor are rarely usable for a vehicle
- A roll-up door at least 8 ft wide; measure your mirrors, not your wheelbase
- Proof of registration and insurance, which most US facilities require
- Written confirmation that the facility permits vehicle storage at all
How to prepare it for storage
Fill the tank to limit condensation, change the oil, over-inflate the tyres slightly, disconnect or trickle-charge the battery, and leave it out of gear with the parking brake off if it will sit for months.
If household goods are going in too
A vehicle sets a floor on the unit size, but belongings stored alongside it still have to fit around the footprint. Work the volume out with size it from your own item list, then check the result against 10×20 storage unit size guide — the size most vehicle-plus-household loads land on.
For what that unit holds beyond the vehicle, the full item list for a 10×20 lists a worked inventory, and 10×20 price ranges covers what it costs per month.
Check the size against your own list
Related questions
What size storage unit do I need for a car?
A car needs at least a 10x20 storage unit. Compact cars fit a 10x15 with almost nothing to spare, while full-size sedans, SUVs and trucks need a 10x20 or larger. The door width matters as much as the unit length.
Do storage facilities allow this?
Most do, with conditions. Expect to show registration and insurance, and expect the facility to require a drive-up or ground-floor unit. Confirm in writing before you pay — policies differ between branches of the same chain.