How much does it cost to store a car?

Since most cars will fit into a 10' x 15' or a 10' x 20' storage unit, the average cost per month can range from $130-$200. The biggest factor in the cost is the type of unit; indoor and enclosed units will cost more, while outdoor units are cheaper.

Can you store a car in a storage unit?

While the policy varies from storage company to storage company, you can store a car in a storage unit that's approved and suitable as a vehicle storage unit. Consider whether you want long-term storage or short-term storage, as well as covered or uncovered storage, before inquiring.

Is a 10x20 storage unit big enough for a car?

A 10x20 storage unit is large enough to store most standard-sized cars, minivans, and small-to-midsize trucks. For reference, a standard single-car garage is 12'x22' and offers room for a car and some light storage. A 10’x20’ is two feet shorter than a one-car garage in either direction.

Can a car fit in a 10x15 storage unit?

While a 10’x15’ is large enough for compact cars and motorcycles, it’s not ideal for most standard-sized vehicles. For reference, four-door sedans measure from 12 to 15 feet long. Larger sedans, SUVs, small trucks, and crossovers are 15-19ft. Trucks with extended bed sizes can reach over 22ft.

Is a 10x10 storage unit big enough for a car?

A 10’x10’ storage unit isn’t an ideal storage unit size for a car. Even the most compact two-door sedans require at least a 10’x15’ car storage spot, while most standard-sized vehicles need a 10’x20’.

Is a 10x10 storage unit big enough for a car?

No, nearly all cars are more than 10 feet long–even tiny hatchbacks. Most small cars will still require at least a 10x15 vehicle storage unit, and most 10x10 units aren’t approved or zoned for vehicle storage anyway.

Finding the Ideal Storage Unit Size for a Car

Q: Do I need proof of insurance and vehicle registration?

Yes, you will need to provide proof of insurance and valid vehicle registration when you put your car in a storage unit. Most storage facilities also require that the car is drivable when you put it in storage.

Q: What size storage unit do you need for a car?

The ideal storage unit size for a car is a 10'x20' vehicle storage unit for standard-size cars, trucks, and motorcycles and a 10'x30'-50' unit for larger vehicles like vans, RVs, oversized trucks, specialty vehicles, and large trailers.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

▸ Some storage facilities offer units specifically meant to store vehicles, ranging from 10×15 for compact cars to 10×30 for pickup trucks or transit vans.

▸ Outdoor vehicle storage lots offer less protection from the elements, but are often more cost-effective and can allow you to store oversized vehicles such as buses.

▸ Measure your vehicle with its doors open to determine how much space you’ll need, and identify the features and amenities you need before committing to a purchase.

Saving space in your garage? Moving to a new location where you’ll be walking and using public transport instead of driving? Whatever reason you may have for putting your vehicle in storage, you’ll want to make sure the unit you choose is the right size and serves the right purpose for your needs.

Shopping for car storage can overwhelm you if you’re not prepared. Are you looking for short-term or long-term storage? Do you want to park your vehicle outdoors or invest in an enclosed storage unit? What size will be best for you?

In this article, we’ll go over what storage units are available for vehicle owners and how to make sense of the options out there. We’ll also help you figure out exactly what size you need so you can find the right storage facility without much fuss.

How do I figure out what size storage unit I need?

Before you look at what vehicle storage unit sizes are available, measure your vehicle’s length, width, and height with its doors open. This should give you an idea of how much space you need to comfortably park your vehicle while being able to open the doors and move around it, no matter what storage option you choose.

What unit sizes can I find when looking for enclosed vehicle storage?

If your vehicle is valuable or requires special care, or you just want to give it the maximum level of protection, consider renting enclosed vehicle storage. If you opt for this solution, you’ll be renting a storage unit dedicated to a single vehicle and parking your vehicle inside it.

The most common enclosed vehicle storage unit sizes are 10×15, 10×20, and 10×30. Let’s go over each in more detail so you can make an informed decision.

10×15

A very small compact or subcompact car, a motorcycle, or an ATV can all easily fit inside a 10×15 vehicle storage unit. Make sure you measure your vehicle before making this decision, though; a 2014 Toyota Corolla is about 15.22’ long, meaning it just barely doesn’t fit. As a rule of thumb, a two-door car will most likely fit well in one of these units.

A 10×15 vehicle storage unit will fit:

Motorcycles
ATVs
Subcompact cars shorter than 15 feet
Compact cars shorter than 15 feet

10×20

Standard cars, from four-door sedans to SUVs to most everyday pickup trucks, can easily fit inside a 10×20 unit. For comparison, a single-car garage that can fit most of these vehicles typically measures 12×22. You may want to go one size up if you plan on storing much more than a couple of personal items along with your car, however.

A 10×20 vehicle storage unit will fit:

Sedans
Minivans
Crossovers
SUVs
Small to mid-sized pickup trucks

10×30

From cargo vans to large pickup trucks to the biggest SUVs, a 10×30 vehicle storage unit can fit almost anything you throw at it, especially if a 10×20 unit isn’t quite big enough. Some vehicle storage facilities also offer 10×25 options if you don’t need the extra space.

A 10×30 vehicle storage unit will fit:

Extended pickup trucks
Commercial cargo vans
Small campers

What other options are available for vehicle storage?

If you don’t have the budget for a drive-up storage unit, there are plenty of other options you can choose from to save money while still keeping your vehicle secure. Some of these options allow for oversized vehicles like RVs and buses that can’t fit inside a standard vehicle storage unit.

Indoor vehicle storage. An indoor vehicle storage facility is essentially a large parking garage, structure, or warehouse where you rent a parking space inside. While these facilities don’t isolate your car from the other cars parked there, they still provide protection from the weather and thieves. Indoor vehicle storage isn’t as easily accessible as enclosed vehicle storage, however.
Covered vehicle storage. A covered vehicle storage facility is an open-air structure that allows you to park your car under a standalone roof. These facilities don’t offer as much protection from the elements as indoor facilities, but the roof will still protect the cars under it from rain, snow, and hail.
Outdoor vehicle parking. Outdoor vehicle parking spaces are the most cost-effective options available for car storage, providing you with a secure parking lot to keep your car in for any length of time. These spaces can be on either paved or unpaved lots and provide the least protection from the weather. Car storage parking space sizes range from 11×11 to 11×65.

How do I prepare my car for storage?

Taking steps to get your car ready before storing it will help you protect it from environmental damage, dirt, dust, and scratches, no matter what kind of storage you opt for or how long you’re storing for.

Take time to completely wash and dry the outside and inside of your car before storing it so stains don’t attract pests and odors don’t linger. You should also consider getting a high-quality car cover to protect it from dust and weather damage.

Here are a few more important measures to take before storing your car.

Change oil and other fluids. Old oil and fluids can damage or corrode your car’s systems, so replace them before storing.
Store with a full gas tank and add fuel stabilizer.
Leave the parking brake off. Storing a vehicle with the parking brake locked can lead to “glazing”, or the brakes fusing with the rotors. We recommend using wheel blocks instead to keep the car from rolling.
Disconnect the battery to keep it from draining, and get a battery tender to maintain a good flow of electricity.
Cover air intakes and exhaust pipes to protect your car from rodents and pests.

What features and amenities should I look for in car storage?

Facilities with car storage have all kinds of useful features available to make your storage as easy as possible. Here are a few important ones to look for.

24-hour access. Many storage facilities that handle vehicles offer round-the-clock access for renters, meaning you can get into your car storage and inspect your vehicle when it’s convenient for you, even after office hours.
Drive-up access. Enclosed vehicle storage units that are housed outdoors are often oriented in a way that lets you drive your vehicle into the lot and right into the unit.
Climate control. The most high-end vehicle storage units will offer climate control, keeping the unit in a specific temperature and humidity range so your car won’t be damaged by heat, cold, or moisture.
On-site support. Self-storage facilities employ friendly, knowledgeable staff who can help you find the perfect-sized unit for your vehicle. While you’re renting a unit, a good facility will have attentive security personnel to help protect your car.

How do I find the right car storage in my area?

By now, you should understand what storage options and sizes are out there if you’re looking to put a vehicle of any size away for any length of time. If you’ve measured your vehicle with its doors open and you’ve read all this way, you’re prepared to use our built-in search tool to find the right solution for you!

Put your zip code or current city into SpareFoot’s Car Storage search feature, and we’ll list the best vehicle storage facilities available near you. Research what sizes the facility offers, and consider whether you need to store anything extra alongside your vehicle to decide if extra space is worth it. Use the tips we’ve given in this article to help you figure out which features are most important to you when storing a car, such as 24-hour access, drive-up access, climate control, and on-site security.

Comparing options, features, locations, and price estimates is easy with our search tool. If you need further assistance, browse our blog for more articles on storage and moving tips, or give us a call at (844) 532-6932 to speak to a SpareFoot storage expert and get personalized help.

Do I need proof of insurance and vehicle registration to store a car?

Yes, most car storage facilities require you to have proof of insurance and a valid vehicle registration to store a car in one of their units. This reduces the facility’s liability in case of damage or theft and ensures you are the actual registered owner. Some facilities also require you to prove the car is drivable before you store it.

How much can I expect to pay when storing my car?

The average cost per month when storing a car can range from $130-$200, depending on size, amenities, and type of storage. Outdoor storage parking lots will be your cheapest option, while enclosed indoor car storage units will be the most expensive.

What size storage unit do you need for a car?

The ideal storage unit size for a car is a 10×20 vehicle storage unit for standard-size cars, trucks, and motorcycles, and a 10×30-50 unit for larger vehicles like vans, RVs, oversized trucks, specialty vehicles, and large trailers.

Is a 10×10 storage unit big enough for a car?

No, nearly all cars are more than 10 feet long–even tiny hatchbacks. Most small cars will still require at least a 10×15 vehicle storage unit, and most 10×10 units aren’t approved or zoned for vehicle storage anyway.

Michael Ta’Nous

Michael Ta’Nous is a full-time writer who works and lives with his wife in Taos, New Mexico. “Mikey” spent his early twenties living either out of a van as a touring musician or out of a backpack on motorcycle trips writing from cafes–these rigorous adventure years polished him into a master packer. In addition to managing storage units full of catering supplies and outdoor gear professionally, Michael has used storage units as a band rehearsal space and a motorcycle garage.