What Size Storage Unit Do I Need for a Car?
If you're wondering what size storage unit for a car is right, a 10x20 storage unit is a good starting point for most standard sedans and compact cars.
Vehicles such as a Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, or similar-sized car are generally well under 20 feet long, making a 10x20 a practical size to consider.
Larger SUVs and pickup trucks may need a 10x25, 12x25, 12x30, or larger unit. Oversized trucks, vans, or vehicles stored alongside additional belongings may benefit from even more space.
Storage Kings offers vehicle storage options ranging from traditional 10x20 units to extra-large 14x40, 14x50, 18x50, 18x55, 20x60, and 24x50 spaces, depending on location and availability.
Storage Kings also offers month-to-month rentals at all facilities, giving you flexibility whether you're storing a vehicle for a season or need a longer-term solution.
What Size Storage Unit Do I Need for a Car?
For most standard passenger cars, start with a 10x20 storage unit or a comparable larger space.
The right size depends on the type of vehicle you're storing, its exact dimensions, and how much room you want around it.
Car Storage Size Starting Points
Compact Car
Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla
Approximately 14–16 feet long
Start with: 10x20
Midsize Sedan
Toyota Camry, Honda Accord
Approximately 16–17 feet long
Start with: 10x20
Full-Size Sedan
Approximately 17–18+ feet long
Start with: 10x20 or larger
Compact SUV
Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V
Approximately 15–16 feet long
Start with: 10x20
Midsize SUV
Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander
Approximately 16–17 feet long
Start with: 10x20 or larger
Full-Size SUV
Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition
Approximately 17–19 feet long
Start with: 10x25 or larger
Midsize Pickup
Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma
Approximately 17–18 feet long
Start with: 10x20 or larger
Full-Size Pickup
Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ram 1500
Approximately 19–21+ feet long
Start with: 10x25, 12x25 or larger
Heavy-Duty or Long-Bed Pickup
F-250/F-350, Silverado HD, Ram HD
Approximately 20–22+ feet long
Start with: 12x25, 12x30 or larger
These are starting points, not guaranteed fits. Vehicle dimensions vary by model year, cab configuration, bed length, mirrors, accessories, modifications, and trim level. Always compare your specific vehicle's measurements with the actual storage unit and door opening before reserving.
Storage Unit Size for a Car
When choosing a storage unit size for a car, don't look only at the vehicle's length.
You also need to consider the vehicle's width and height, the storage unit's overhead-door opening, and how much usable space you'll have once the vehicle is parked inside.
- Length: Will the entire vehicle fit without being pressed against the front or rear wall?
- Width: Is there enough room for the vehicle, mirrors, and clearance?
- Height: Will the vehicle clear the overhead door, including racks, toppers, or other accessories?
- Usable space: Can you comfortably get out of the vehicle after parking it?
That's why a vehicle that measures 16 feet long doesn't necessarily belong in the smallest unit that's slightly longer than 16 feet.
Extra room can make parking, opening the driver's door, and accessing the vehicle much easier.
10x20 Storage Unit for a Car
A 10x20 storage unit for a car is one of the most practical starting points for compact cars and standard sedans.
A traditional 10x20 storage unit provides:
- 10 feet of width
- 20 feet of depth
- 200 square feet of floor space
For comparison, a typical sedan may be approximately 15–17 feet long. A 20-foot-deep unit gives you more usable length than trying to fit the same car into a space that's close to the vehicle's exact length.
Compact cars such as a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla and midsize sedans such as a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord are the types of vehicles for which we'd start by investigating a 10x20.
Compact SUVs may also fit within a 10x20 footprint, although vehicle height and the actual overhead-door clearance become especially important.
Storage Kings offers 10x20 storage options in Bismarck. If you're searching in Fargo, the 12x20 drive-up unit provides the same 20-foot nominal depth with two additional feet of width and 240 square feet of floor space.
Want a closer look at this size? Read our 10x20 Storage Unit Guide .
Car Size Storage Unit
Different vehicles require different amounts of storage space. The larger the vehicle gets, the more important it becomes to leave additional room around it rather than choosing a unit based only on whether the vehicle can technically fit inside.
Compact Cars and Midsize Sedans
A 10x20 or comparable larger unit is a practical starting point.
Compact SUVs
A 10x20 may provide enough floor space, but always verify the SUV's height and the actual overhead-door opening.
Midsize SUVs
A 10x20 may work for some vehicles, although additional width or depth can make parking and access easier.
Full-Size SUVs
Start comparing 10x25 or larger storage spaces.
Midsize Pickups
A 10x20 may work depending on the truck's cab and bed configuration, although additional space can be worthwhile.
Full-Size and Long-Bed Pickups
Start looking toward 10x25, 12x25, 12x30, or larger units depending on the truck's actual dimensions.
If you're new to storing a vehicle, you may also want to read our guide on storing a car in a storage unit for additional information before choosing your space.
What Size Storage Unit Fits a Car?
The simple starting point is:
Most compact cars and sedans: Start around 10x20.
Larger SUVs and pickups: Start around 10x25, 12x25, 12x30, or larger.
Your vehicle's actual measurements should determine the final choice.
Before choosing a unit, measure:
- Length: From the front bumper to the farthest point at the rear.
- Width: Include mirrors if they don't fold.
- Height: Measure to the highest point, including roof racks, toppers, antennas, lifts, or other accessories.
Then compare those measurements with the actual interior dimensions and overhead-door opening of the storage unit you're considering.
A unit can have enough floor space for your car and still have a door that's too narrow or too low, so both the vehicle dimensions and door clearance matter.
What Size Storage Unit for a Sedan?
For a typical sedan, a 10x20 storage unit is a practical starting point.
Compact sedans such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are generally shorter than midsize sedans such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, but both vehicle classes are commonly well under 20 feet long.
A 20-foot-deep unit gives you more room than trying to squeeze the car into a space that's close to the vehicle's exact length.
Example: If your sedan is approximately 16 feet long, a 20-foot-deep storage unit provides approximately four additional feet of total depth. Actual usable clearance depends on where the vehicle is positioned inside the unit.
What Size Storage Unit for an SUV?
For a compact SUV such as a Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V, a 10x20 is a reasonable starting point.
Midsize SUVs such as a Ford Explorer or Toyota Highlander may also fit within a 20-foot-deep space, although additional room can make parking and access easier.
For a larger SUV such as a Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition, start comparing 10x25 or larger storage units.
SUV owners should pay particular attention to height. Roof racks, cargo carriers, antennas, lifts, and other accessories can affect whether a vehicle clears the overhead door even when its length and width work.
What Size Storage Unit for a Pickup Truck?
Pickup trucks vary significantly in length, so the right storage unit depends heavily on the truck's cab and bed configuration.
A midsize pickup such as a Toyota Tacoma or Ford Ranger may be around 17–18 feet long depending on its configuration. A 10x20 may work for some midsize trucks.
A full-size pickup such as a Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, or Ram 1500 can reach approximately 19–21 feet or more depending on cab and bed configuration.
For those trucks, start looking toward a 10x25, 12x25, 12x30, or larger unit.
Heavy-duty and long-bed trucks can be longer still. An F-250, F-350, Silverado HD, Ram HD, or similar truck may be better suited to one of Storage Kings' larger storage units.
Don't Forget Truck Accessories
When measuring a pickup, account for anything that changes its overall dimensions, including toppers, ladder racks, toolboxes, lift kits, aftermarket bumpers, antennas, and other accessories.
Is a 10x15 Storage Unit Big Enough for a Car?
For a typical car, we wouldn't recommend starting with a 10x15.
Some very small vehicles may physically fit within a 15-foot-deep space, but many modern passenger vehicles are around 15 feet long or longer.
Even if a car technically fits, you may have very little room in front of or behind the vehicle.
For most passenger cars, start with a 10x20 or comparable larger unit instead. The additional depth provides a more practical amount of room for parking and accessing the vehicle.
How Much Extra Space Should You Leave Around a Car?
A storage unit doesn't simply have to contain the vehicle. You also have to get the vehicle inside, park it, and get yourself back out.
Additional room can make it easier to:
- Open the driver's door
- Walk around the vehicle
- Avoid parking too close to the walls
- Access the vehicle while it's stored
- Comfortably position the car inside the unit
This is one reason choosing a slightly larger unit can be worthwhile even when the vehicle technically fits inside a smaller space.
If you're also planning to store tires, tools, seasonal belongings, boxes, or other approved items alongside the vehicle, account for that additional space before choosing your unit.
Car Storage in Fargo, ND
If you're looking for car storage in Fargo, ND, Storage Kings offers several larger drive-up storage options that can work for vehicle storage.
Fargo drive-up sizes include:
- 12x20 — 240 square feet
- 12x30 — 360 square feet
- 14x30 — 420 square feet
- 14x40 — 560 square feet
- 14x50 — 700 square feet
- 18x50 — 900 square feet
The 12x20 is particularly relevant for passenger cars because it provides the same 20-foot nominal depth as a traditional 10x20 while increasing the width from 10 feet to 12 feet.
That gives you 240 square feet of floor space, compared with 200 square feet in a traditional 10x20.
The additional width can be useful when maneuvering a vehicle, opening the driver's door, and getting in and out.
For larger vehicles or customers who want significantly more room, Fargo also offers larger heated and drive-through storage options.
Explore Storage Kings Fargo storage units to compare the storage options available at our Fargo facility.
Car Storage in Bismarck
Storage Kings also offers a wide range of larger storage unit sizes in Bismarck.
North Bismarck has drive-up sizes including:
- 10x20
- 12x20
- 14x20
- 12x25
- 14x25
- 12x30
- 14x30
- 14x40
- 14x50
South Bismarck offers drive-up options including:
- 12x20
- 12x22
- 12x24
- 10x25
- 12x26
- 12x30
- 24x30
- 14x40
- 14x50
- 12x52
South Bismarck also has a large 20x60 heated storage option.
The variety of sizes allows vehicle owners to choose a unit based on the dimensions of the actual vehicle rather than trying to make one standard size work for everything.
Explore our Bismarck storage options to compare available unit types and sizes.
What About Classic and Seasonal Cars?
If you're storing a classic car, collector vehicle, sports car, convertible, or seasonal vehicle, size may not be your only consideration.
You may intentionally choose a larger storage unit because you want additional room around the vehicle for easier parking and access.
Indoor storage also gets the vehicle out of direct exposure to snow, hail, wind, and sun while it's stored.
Storage Kings offers select heated storage options for customers looking for additional protection from North Dakota's extreme winter temperatures.
Seasonal storage without the long-term commitment: Storage Kings offers month-to-month rentals at all facilities, giving seasonal vehicle owners flexibility based on how long they actually need storage.
Measure Your Car Before Choosing a Storage Unit
Vehicle examples are a useful starting point, but your car's actual measurements should make the final decision.
Before choosing a storage unit, measure your vehicle's:
Length
Measure from the front bumper to the farthest point at the rear.
Width
Measure the overall width and include the mirrors if they don't fold.
Height
Measure from the ground to the highest point, including roof racks, toppers, antennas, lifts, or other accessories.
Then compare those measurements with the storage unit's interior dimensions and the actual overhead-door opening.
A 10x20 may be a sensible starting point for a Toyota Camry, while a long-bed heavy-duty pickup may require substantially more space.
The vehicle type narrows your options. The measurements confirm them.
If you're still deciding whether indoor vehicle storage is right for you, read our guide on storing a car in a storage unit .
Find the Right Storage Unit for Your Car
For most compact cars and standard sedans, start around a 10x20 or comparable larger unit.
For larger SUVs, consider a 10x25 or larger space. For full-size pickups, look toward 10x25, 12x25, 12x30, or larger options depending on the truck.
If you're looking for vehicle storage in Fargo, Storage Kings' 12x20 drive-up unit provides 240 square feet, giving you more width and floor space than a traditional 10x20.
Storage Kings Fargo also offers significantly larger drive-up, heated, and drive-through options for oversized vehicles and larger storage needs.
If you're unsure which size to start with, use our Storage Unit Size Guide to compare your options.
Measure your vehicle's length, width, and height, then compare those measurements with the unit and overhead-door dimensions before choosing your storage space.
Find the Right Storage Unit
Compare current Storage Kings availability and find the size and storage type that fits what you need to store.
