How to pack a moving truck efficiently
Four rules, one table of truck sizes, and a free 3D planner that does the thinking for you.
The four rules
1. Heavy on the bottom and against the walls
Sofas, dressers, appliances, and heavy boxes go in first, tight against the truck walls. They form a stable base. Nothing heavy should sit on top of something fragile.
2. Fill every gap
Use pillows, blankets, and small boxes to fill voids between large items. Every air pocket is wasted space and allows shifting during transit — which causes damage.
3. Use the full height
Stack boxes to the ceiling when safe. Lighter boxes on top. Flat items (mattresses, mirrors, artwork) go vertically along the walls above furniture.
4. Load in reverse delivery order
If you're making multiple stops, load the last stop's items first (deep in the truck) and the first stop's items last (near the door). This avoids unloading and reloading at each stop.
Common truck sizes
| Truck | Cargo volume | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft (cargo van) | ~11 m³ / 400 ft³ | Studio or 1-bedroom apartment |
| 15 ft | ~22 m³ / 764 ft³ | 1–2 bedroom apartment |
| 20 ft | ~33 m³ / 1,170 ft³ | 2–3 bedroom house |
| 26 ft | ~45 m³ / 1,611 ft³ | 3–4 bedroom house |
Let the calculator plan it for you
List your furniture and boxes — the planner figures out what fits and shows you a 3D loading order.
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