Can You Store a Car in a Storage Unit?
Can you store a car in a storage unit? Yes. If the facility allows vehicle storage and the unit is large enough for your vehicle, an enclosed storage unit can be a practical way to store a car.
The key is choosing the right space. A unit needs enough length, width, height, and door clearance for the vehicle—not just enough square footage on paper.
At Storage Kings, we offer car and vehicle storage options in Fargo and Bismarck, including drive-up, heated, and larger enclosed spaces depending on location.
We also offer month-to-month rentals at all Storage Kings facilities, making vehicle storage useful for seasonal cars, classic cars, extra vehicles, or longer-term storage.
Before renting, measure your vehicle and confirm that the specific storage unit and overhead door will accommodate it.
Storing a Car in a Storage Unit
Storing a car in a storage unit gives you an enclosed space dedicated to your vehicle.
That can be particularly appealing in North Dakota when you're putting away a summer car, classic car, collector vehicle, or extra vehicle for part of the year.
Unlike outdoor parking, an enclosed unit keeps the vehicle out of direct exposure to snow, ice, hail, wind, sun, and other outdoor conditions.
Before storing your car, make sure the unit is large enough for more than the vehicle itself. You'll need enough clearance to get through the overhead door, park safely, and get out of the vehicle.
Storing your car for an extended period? Follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for long-term storage, including any guidance related to the battery, tires, fluids, and fuel system.
Parking a Car in a Storage Unit
When parking a car in a storage unit, measurements matter.
Start by measuring the complete vehicle:
- Length: bumper to bumper
- Width: include mirrors when appropriate
- Height: include roof racks, antennas, accessories, or other equipment
Then compare those measurements with both the storage unit's interior dimensions and the actual door opening.
A vehicle may technically be shorter than the unit but still be difficult to park if there isn't enough width to comfortably maneuver or open the driver's door.
For many standard passenger cars, a 10x20 or comparable larger unit is a common starting point.
At Storage Kings Fargo, the 12x20 drive-up unit provides 240 square feet and gives you two additional feet of nominal width compared with a traditional 10x20.
Can a Car Fit in a 10x10 Storage Unit?
For most passenger cars, a 10x10 storage unit is too small.
A 10x10 unit provides 100 square feet and only 10 feet of nominal depth. Most modern passenger vehicles are considerably longer than that.
Even if you're storing an unusually small vehicle, physical length isn't the only concern. You still need adequate width, height, door clearance, and maneuvering space.
For most standard cars, it's better to begin your search around a 10x20 or comparable larger storage unit rather than trying to squeeze the vehicle into a unit that's too short.
Storage Kings Fargo doesn't offer an exact 10x20, but our 12x20 drive-up unit provides 240 square feet and is a much more natural size to consider for many passenger cars.
Always verify your exact vehicle measurements before renting.
Can You Keep a Car in a Storage Unit?
Yes, you can keep a car in a storage unit when vehicle storage is permitted and the vehicle meets the facility's requirements.
This can work particularly well for:
- Seasonal vehicles
- Classic and collector cars
- Summer cars
- Extra household vehicles
- Vehicles stored while traveling or relocating
- Project or specialty vehicles that simply need storage
How long you store the car depends on your needs.
Storage Kings offers month-to-month rentals, so you can store a vehicle for a season or keep the unit longer without needing a traditional long-term commitment.
If the car will remain parked for an extended period, prepare it according to the manufacturer's long-term storage recommendations before leaving it.
Can You Work on a Car in a Storage Unit?
A traditional storage unit should not automatically be treated as an automotive workshop simply because a vehicle fits inside.
If you need more than vehicle storage, talk with Storage Kings about what you intend to do in the space before renting.
For customers who need a more functional space for approved business or work uses, Storage Kings Shop Condos may be a better option than a traditional storage unit.
Shop Condo features include:
- 220-amp electrical service
- Heat and air conditioning
- Water
- Full bathroom
- Dedicated office space
- Large overhead door
- Month-to-month rental
They provide significantly more functionality than a traditional self storage unit and can be a strong option for contractors, small businesses, or other approved uses involving vehicles and equipment.
Approved uses vary. Talk with Storage Kings about what you plan to do in the space before renting. Storage units and Shop Condos are not residential spaces.
What Size Storage Unit Do You Need for a Car?
For many compact cars and standard sedans, a 10x20 or comparable larger unit is a useful starting point.
Larger vehicles require more room.
A midsize SUV may fit in a 10x20 or comparable unit depending on its dimensions, while a full-size SUV or pickup may need a 10x25, 12x25, 12x30, or larger space.
Long-bed and heavy-duty pickups can require even more room.
Don't choose based solely on the vehicle category. Two pickup trucks can differ significantly in overall length.
Measure and confirm:
- Vehicle length
- Vehicle width
- Vehicle height
- Storage-unit dimensions
- Overhead-door dimensions
- Room needed to enter and exit the vehicle
A few extra feet of space can make parking and retrieving the vehicle much easier.
For a more detailed breakdown by vehicle type, see our guide on what size storage unit you need for a car .
Can You Put a Car in a 10x20 Storage Unit?
Many compact cars and standard sedans can potentially fit in a 10x20 storage unit, assuming the vehicle's exact dimensions and the unit's door opening provide adequate clearance.
A 10x20 provides 200 square feet of floor space and 20 feet of nominal depth.
Storage Kings North Bismarck has exact 10x20 storage options.
In Fargo, our 12x20 drive-up unit provides 240 square feet, giving you the same nominal 20-foot depth with two additional feet of width.
That extra width can be useful when you're parking a car and need room to get out after pulling into the unit.
Car Storage in Fargo, ND
Storage Kings Fargo offers a range of storage options that can work for vehicle storage depending on the size of your car.
Fargo drive-up options include:
- 12x20
- 12x30
- 14x30
- 14x40
- 14x50
- 18x50
For customers looking for a different storage environment, Fargo also offers select 18x50 and 20x50 heated storage.
For substantially larger vehicle-storage needs, Fargo also has 18x55 and 24x50 drive-through units.
The right size depends on the vehicle.
A standard passenger car may need far less space than a full-size pickup, specialty vehicle, or multiple-vehicle storage setup.
You can compare local options on our Fargo storage page .
Is Heated Storage Better for a Car?
Heated storage may be worth considering for certain vehicles, particularly if you're storing a classic, collector, seasonal, or specialty vehicle through a North Dakota winter.
Storage Kings Fargo offers select 18x50 and 20x50 heated units.
Heated storage doesn't eliminate the need to properly prepare a vehicle for long-term storage.
Battery care, tires, fluids, fuel, cleaning, and other manufacturer-recommended procedures can still matter.
Think of heated storage as another storage option—not a replacement for proper vehicle preparation.
Whether heated storage is worth it depends on the car, how long you'll store it, and your priorities.
Can You Store a Car and Other Belongings in the Same Unit?
If the unit is large enough, you may have room for additional belongings alongside your vehicle.
That's one reason some customers choose a unit larger than the minimum dimensions needed for the car.
Extra space may be useful for appropriately stored tires, seasonal belongings, boxes, equipment, or other permitted items.
If you're storing belongings alongside a vehicle:
- Keep items stable and organized.
- Don't stack belongings where they could fall onto the vehicle.
- Keep the overhead door area clear.
- Leave enough room to safely enter and exit the car.
- Consider a larger unit if you need substantial storage around the vehicle.
Outdoor Parking vs. Enclosed Car Storage
Outdoor parking and enclosed storage solve different problems.
Outdoor parking can be a lower-cost option when you primarily need somewhere to keep a vehicle.
Enclosed storage provides another level of separation from outdoor conditions by keeping the vehicle inside a storage unit.
For a daily driver or less-sensitive vehicle, outdoor storage may meet your needs.
For a classic, collector, summer, or specialty vehicle, you may place greater value on enclosed or heated storage.
Consider your vehicle, budget, length of storage, and desired level of protection when deciding between outdoor parking and enclosed storage.
How to Prepare a Car for Storage
If the vehicle will sit for an extended period, don't simply park it and forget about it.
Clean the vehicle and remove food, trash, and valuables before putting it into storage.
Check the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations for long-term storage, including battery care, tire pressure, fluids, fuel, and other maintenance considerations.
Before storing your car:
- Clean the interior and exterior.
- Remove food, trash, and valuables.
- Check manufacturer recommendations for battery care.
- Review recommended tire pressure and tire-storage guidance.
- Check fluids and manufacturer recommendations for the fuel system.
- Follow any vehicle-specific long-term storage procedures.
Different vehicles can have different storage requirements, particularly EVs, hybrids, diesels, classics, and vehicles with specialized electrical systems.
For model-specific instructions, follow your owner's manual or consult a qualified automotive professional.
If your vehicle will be stored for an extended period, our guide on how to prepare a car for long-term storage goes into more detail about preparing a vehicle before putting it away.
Find Car Storage at Storage Kings
Can you park a car in a storage unit? Yes—and choosing the right unit is what makes it work.
Start by measuring your vehicle. Compare its dimensions with the storage unit and overhead door, and give yourself enough room to comfortably park and exit the vehicle.
Storage Kings Fargo offers options ranging from 12x20 drive-up storage to large heated and drive-through spaces, giving customers choices for everything from standard passenger cars to much larger vehicles.
And with month-to-month rentals at all Storage Kings facilities, you can store your vehicle based on how long you actually need the space.
Explore our car and vehicle storage options or check current availability to find a space that works for your vehicle.
Find the Right Storage Unit
Compare current Storage Kings availability and find the size and storage type that fits what you need to store.
