Cargo Van vs. Moving Truck: Which Do You Need?

Cargo Van vs. Moving Truck: 3 Key Differences

Moving trucks and cargo vans both offer great options for a move, since they haul your belongings safely to your new place. However, they feature a few key differences that determine which vehicle makes the most sense for your situation.

What Is a Cargo Van?

A cargo van is an enclosed, full-size van with a cargo area of approximately 230 to 250 cubic feet and a payload capacity of around 3,500 to 4,000 lbs. Unlike a truck, it does not have a separate box, and the cargo area is built right into the vehicle body. These vans typically offer 10 to 12 feet of cargo length inside. Common rental models include the Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster, and Mercedes Sprinter.

Cargo vans are perfect for studio apartments, college dorm moves, small local trips, or delivering single items. The biggest advantage is that they drive like a large SUV, so you can park, maneuver, and navigate narrow city streets with very little stress. Plus, you only need a standard driver's license to rent and operate one.

What Is a Moving Truck?

A moving truck (also called a box truck) is a vehicle with a separate, enclosed cargo box mounted on the chassis. These trucks are available in sizes ranging from 10 to 26 feet long. They feature a rear roll-up door and offer much more room, giving you anywhere from 400 cubic feet up to over 1,600 cubic feet of space, and they can handle payload capacities of 10,000 lbs or more.

These larger vehicles are best for multi-room apartments, full homes, long-distance relocations, and moves involving large furniture and appliances. The major benefit is the large amount of space, so you can usually complete most household moves in a single trip. You can drive most moving trucks with a standard license, though some fully loaded 26-foot trucks start to approach commercial license weight limits depending on their rating.

Cargo Van vs. Moving Truck: 3 Key Differences

The main differences between a cargo van and a moving truck come down to size, fuel efficiency, and how you load your belongings. While both vehicles get your items from point A to point B, their features cater to very different moving needs.

Here is a breakdown of the key features for both vehicles:

Difference #1: Size and Capacity

A standard rental cargo van offers about 230 to 250 cubic feet of cargo space. This is enough room to pack up a studio apartment or a small one-bedroom with minimal furniture. In contrast, a 10-foot moving truck gives you nearly double the cargo space of a van at roughly 400 cubic feet. Truck sizes go up from there, with 15-foot trucks holding about 750 cubic feet for two-bedroom homes, 20-foot trucks holding 1,000 cubic feet for three bedrooms, and 26-foot trucks holding 1,600 cubic feet for four or more bedrooms.

Difference #2: Fuel Efficiency and Drivability

Cargo vans get noticeably better fuel economy than box trucks. A standard cargo van typically gets around 15 to 18 MPG, compared to just 8 to 10 MPG for a 15-foot moving truck. This makes a big difference in fuel costs during a long drive.

Cargo vans also have better drivability and feel similar to a large family SUV. You can park and navigate city streets with ease. Moving trucks require a lot more caution. You have to take wider turns, monitor height clearances for bridges and parking garages, and spend extra time backing into tight spots.

Difference #3: Loading and Access

Cargo vans feature a lower loading floor right at step-in height. This low clearance makes it easier to load boxes and furniture without needing a ramp. You also get the benefit of both side and rear doors.

Moving trucks, on the other hand, sit much higher off the ground. Most 10-foot to 12-foot trucks come with a slide-out loading ramp, while trucks 16 feet and larger often feature a hydraulic liftgate. If you are moving heavy furniture by yourself, a van is physically easier to manage. However, a truck with a ramp or liftgate is a lifesaver when you need to load heavy kitchen appliances or large couches on a dolly.

Cargo Van vs. Moving Truck Cost

Cargo vans are generally cheaper to rent than moving trucks. On average, you can expect base rental rates of $20 to $30 per day for a van, compared to $30 to $40 a day for a 10-foot or 15-foot truck.

Here are some of the factors that affect your final bill:

• Rental Rate: Vans have a lower daily base rate than trucks.
• Mileage Fees: Most local rentals charge per mile. Mileage rates often sit between $0.79 and $1.19 per mile for both, but the combined base rate makes the van cheaper.
• Gas Costs: The better fuel economy of a van keeps your fuel costs down, especially if you have to sit in local traffic.

A cargo van is almost always the most affordable choice for small local moves. But keep total cost in mind. Trucks become much more cost-effective if renting a van forces you to make three or four back-and-forth trips. If you’re still not sure about what your move will cost, you can check out the HireAHelper Moving Cost Calculator before you get a quote. It’s a simple way to see data-backed estimates for your unique move.

Which Should You Choose for Your Move?

Choose a cargo van if you are moving a studio or a small one-bedroom apartment locally, with mostly boxes and a few small pieces of furniture. A van is perfect if you want an easier driving experience and need to keep your budget as low as possible. It is also great for short trips or picking up a few items from a local store.

Choose a moving truck if you have two or more bedrooms, large furniture, heavy appliances, or are planning a long-distance move. A truck gives you the space to fit everything into one trip. For edge cases, such as a large one-bedroom with a lot of oversized furniture, you should rent a 10-foot truck. If you have a small two-bedroom apartment with minimal stuff, a cargo van might work if you are willing to make two trips.

Not sure you want to load everything yourself? HireAHelper lets you find and book local moving labor, where a professional team comes and takes care of getting all your boxes and furniture into whatever vehicle you choose.

Why Trust HireAHelper

HireAHelper has helped hundreds of thousands of people move. Our Rental Truck Cost Database tracks real-world pricing data from thousands of completed rental truck transactions. We base our cost and capacity insights on actual customer experiences, not generic online quotes that often underestimate the final price.

Want the complete dataset? Reach out to our press team at press@hireahelper.com, and we will gladly provide the information you need.