How to Choose a Moving Truck for a Two-Bedroom Apartment

You’re booking a moving truck, and the smaller option looks like a bargain.

Maybe the larger truck costs $40 more to rent. Maybe you’ve already driven a smaller rental truck before and feel more comfortable with it. Or perhaps you don’t think you have enough furniture to justify a bigger vehicle.

Then you start doing the math.

What if everything doesn’t fit?

Could you simply make two trips?

And would that actually be cheaper than renting the larger truck in the first place?

For many local moves, one properly sized moving truck can be cheaper than making two trips with a smaller truck, especially when you’re paying movers by the hour.

But not always.

If you’re moving a short distance, handling the loading yourself, and have plenty of time, two trips with a smaller truck might make financial sense.

The key is comparing the total cost of the move, not just the truck’s advertised rental price.

Here’s how to figure out which option makes more sense for your budget, your belongings, and your moving schedule.

Quick Answer: Is One Large Moving Truck Cheaper Than Two Trips?

One larger moving truck is often the better value when it eliminates a second round of driving, loading, and unloading.

That’s particularly true when:

• You’re hiring professional movers by the hour.
• Your new home is more than a few miles away.
• Your rental includes mileage charges.
• You have a limited moving window.
• You’re moving from an apartment with stairs or difficult parking.
• You need to return the rental truck by a specific time.

However, two trips can be cheaper when the distance is short, the smaller truck costs substantially less, and the extra trip doesn’t require much additional paid labor.

There’s also an important distinction:

Two trips don’t necessarily mean loading and unloading everything twice.

If your belongings are divided into two loads, each item may only be loaded and unloaded once. The extra cost comes from repeating the drive, parking, truck positioning, and any additional labor or delays associated with the second cycle.

That distinction matters when estimating the real savings.

Why the Cheapest Moving Truck Isn’t Always the Cheapest Move

Rental truck prices can make a smaller vehicle look attractive.

For example, imagine you’re choosing between:

• A smaller truck with a base rental price of $60.
• A larger truck with a base rental price of $100.

At first glance, the smaller truck saves $40.

But that comparison ignores several expenses:

1. Additional mileage.
2. Fuel for the second trip.
3. Extra time driving between homes.
4. More time positioning and accessing the truck.
5. Additional hourly moving labor.
6. Potential rental extensions or late-return charges.

If the extra trip costs more than the $40 you saved on the truck, the larger vehicle becomes the cheaper choice.

The rental price is only one part of your moving budget.

Cost Comparison: One Large Truck vs. Two Trips With a Smaller Truck

Let’s compare two hypothetical local moves.

Assume you’re moving between homes 15 miles apart.

You can fit everything in one large truck, but the smaller truck would require two trips.

Both options involve renting a truck for the same day and hiring a moving crew.

These numbers are illustrative, not current rental quotes or Bellhop prices.

Expense	One Large Truck	Smaller Truck, Two Trips
Base truck rental	$110	$70
Mileage charges	$24	$48
Fuel	$35	$45
Moving labor	$600	$750
Estimated total	$769	$913

In this example, the larger truck costs $40 more to rent.

But making two trips increases mileage, fuel, and labor expenses.

The larger truck ends up saving $144 overall.

Your actual numbers may be very different. Rental pricing, mileage policies, fuel consumption, labor rates, and travel distances vary.

The point is to compare the entire move rather than the vehicle rental alone.

The Five Costs That Determine Which Option Is Cheaper

1. Truck Rental Price

Start by comparing the complete rental quotes for both truck sizes.

Look beyond the advertised base rate.

Check:

• Rental duration.
• Included mileage, if any.
• Additional mileage charges.
• Applicable taxes and fees.
• Optional coverage.
• Fuel requirements.
• Return location and deadline.

A larger truck may have a higher daily rate, but the difference could be smaller than the cost of a second trip.

2. Mileage Charges

Mileage can make two trips more expensive.

Suppose your old apartment and new apartment are 20 miles apart.

With one truckload, you drive from the old apartment to the new one.

With two truckloads, you must return to the old apartment for the second load and drive back to the new apartment again.

That’s an additional 40 miles between the properties.

Depending on your rental arrangement, those miles may be billable.

And the difference becomes more significant as the distance increases.

3. Fuel Costs

A larger truck may consume more fuel per mile than a smaller one.

But a smaller truck driven over a longer total distance can still use more fuel overall.

For example, a larger truck completing a 25-mile route might consume less total fuel than a smaller truck making repeated trips over a much longer route.

The result depends on each vehicle’s fuel efficiency, total mileage, traffic, and load.

Don’t assume smaller automatically means cheaper at the gas pump.

4. Moving Labor

If you’re hiring movers, this may be the most important factor.

Many moving services price local jobs based partly on crew size and labor time.

A second trip can increase paid time through:

• Additional driving.
• Repositioning the truck.
• Waiting for parking.
• Reentering buildings.
• Repeated elevator access.
• Additional setup and coordination.

If you’re paying a crew by the hour, even one extra hour can outweigh the difference between rental truck sizes.

5. Your Time

If you’re moving yourself, you may not have a direct hourly labor charge.

But your time still has value.

A second trip might mean:

• Finishing several hours later.
• Losing time needed to clean your apartment.
• Returning the rental truck late.
• Missing an elevator reservation.
• Having less time to unpack.
• Needing additional childcare or pet care.

Sometimes the larger truck is worth the money because it makes the day more manageable.

How Much Extra Driving Does a Second Trip Add?

The answer depends on the distance between your old and new homes.

Assume both truck sizes are picked up and returned at the same rental location, and the only difference is the additional trip between homes.

If the homes are 5 miles apart, a second load generally adds approximately 10 miles of driving: 5 miles back to the old home and another 5 miles to the new one.

If the homes are 25 miles apart, the second load adds approximately 50 miles.

If they’re 60 miles apart, the extra round trip adds approximately 120 miles.

Distance Between Homes	Additional Driving for Second Load
2 miles	4 miles
5 miles	10 miles
10 miles	20 miles
25 miles	50 miles
50 miles	100 miles

These figures exclude any differences in rental pickup, return routes, detours, or parking access.

The longer the distance, the harder it becomes for two trips to compete financially.

When Two Trips With a Smaller Truck Might Be Cheaper

There are situations where renting the smaller truck is reasonable.

You’re Moving Just a Few Blocks Away

If your new apartment is only half a mile from your current one, the additional driving distance is minimal.

You may be able to make two trips without spending much extra on mileage or fuel.

However, loading and unloading still take time.

You’re Moving Everything Yourself

If you aren’t paying movers by the hour, the second trip may not add direct labor costs.

You still need to consider your time, physical effort, and rental return deadline.

The Smaller Truck Is Significantly Cheaper

Sometimes there’s a substantial price difference between vehicle sizes.

If the savings exceed the added fuel, mileage, and other expenses, the smaller truck may win.

You Have Flexible Access to Both Properties

If you can move throughout the day without strict deadlines, two trips may be easier to manage.

Your Furniture Fits Comfortably in the Smaller Truck

If your large furniture fits safely and the second trip is only for a modest number of boxes, a smaller truck may be practical.

But don’t base your decision on a guess about what will fit.

When One Large Moving Truck Is Usually the Better Choice

You’re Paying Movers by the Hour

This is one of the strongest reasons to avoid unnecessary trips.

The additional time can quickly erase the savings from a smaller rental truck.

You’re Moving More Than 10–15 Miles

As distance increases, repeated driving becomes more expensive and time-consuming.

There isn’t a universal mileage cutoff, but longer distances make the extra trip increasingly important.

Your Apartment Has Stairs or Long Hallways

Moving from a third-floor apartment can take considerably longer than loading from a ground-floor home.

A second truckload may require repeating building access procedures and coordinating another loading window.

You Have a Reserved Elevator

Some apartment buildings only allow moving during a scheduled period.

If you need to make two trips, confirm that your reservation is long enough.

You Need to Finish Before a Deadline

If your lease ends that afternoon or your rental truck must be returned by evening, a single-trip move may reduce scheduling risk.

You’re Moving Bulky Furniture

A larger truck may offer a more practical loading configuration for beds, sofas, dressers, and other furniture.

But larger doesn’t mean unlimited capacity. Every truck has weight and space restrictions.

How Do You Know What Size Moving Truck You Actually Need?

This is where many people make an expensive mistake.

They estimate their moving truck size based only on the number of bedrooms.

But two one-bedroom apartments can have very different amounts of furniture.

One person might have a bed, desk, couch, and 15 boxes.

Another might have a sectional, dining set, large dresser, bookcases, exercise equipment, and 50 boxes.

Both live in one-bedroom apartments, but their moving needs are not the same.

Start With a Furniture Inventory

Write down every large item:

• Beds and mattresses.
• Sofas and sectionals.
• Dressers.
• Dining tables.
• Desks.
• Bookshelves.
• Entertainment centers.
• Appliances being moved.
• Exercise equipment.
• Patio furniture.

Then estimate the number of boxes and smaller items.

Check the Rental Company’s Capacity Guidance

Rental providers typically publish approximate truck capacities and suggested home sizes.

Use those guidelines as a starting point, not a guarantee.

Pay attention to both cargo volume and maximum payload weight.

Account for Awkwardly Shaped Furniture

A truck can have enough theoretical cargo space but still be difficult to load efficiently.

Long sofas, oversized mattresses, and furniture that cannot be stacked may limit usable space.

Leave Room for Proper Loading

Don’t plan to fill every inch without considering safe weight distribution, securing belongings, and protecting fragile items.

If you’re unsure between two truck sizes, compare the cost difference with the financial and logistical consequences of needing another trip.

Can You Fit a One-Bedroom Apartment Into One Moving Truck?

Often, yes.

Many one-bedroom apartment moves can fit into an appropriately sized rental truck.

However, the required size depends on the actual inventory.

A lightly furnished apartment may fit into a smaller vehicle.

A heavily furnished one-bedroom apartment may require a larger truck than expected.

The safest approach is to create an inventory and use the rental provider’s sizing guidance.

If you’re hiring professional loading help, you can also describe your inventory when booking so the provider understands the scope of the move.

What If Your Truck Is Too Small on Moving Day?

This is a frustrating situation, especially when your lease deadline is approaching.

You load the mattress, couch, dresser, and boxes.

Then you realize there’s still a dining table, two chairs, and several boxes left inside.

Before deciding to make another trip, assess your options.

Option 1: Make a Second Trip

This may be practical for a short local move with flexible scheduling.

Confirm that you have enough time and that the additional mileage and fuel are manageable.

Option 2: Exchange for a Larger Truck

Contact the rental provider to ask whether a larger vehicle is available.

Availability, pricing, and exchange policies vary.

This option may be less practical once the truck is already loaded.

Option 3: Arrange Additional Transportation

If only a few smaller belongings remain, a personal vehicle or another suitable vehicle might help.

Don’t overload a vehicle or transport items that cannot be secured safely.

Option 4: Arrange an Authorized Temporary Storage Solution

If you can’t complete the move immediately, temporary storage may be an option.

But consider the additional handling, transportation, and storage costs.

Don’t force belongings into a truck that has reached its space or weight limits.

Can Professional Movers Help You Fit More Into a Rental Truck?

Professional movers may be able to load a truck more efficiently than someone with limited moving experience.

Experienced crews understand how to arrange furniture, protect belongings, distribute weight, and use available space.

That can sometimes make the difference between a well-organized load and a truck that appears full too early.

However, professional loading doesn’t change the truck’s actual capacity.

If your belongings exceed its safe space or weight limits, you’ll still need another transportation solution.

What Is Labor-Only Moving?

Labor-only moving lets you hire professional movers to help load or unload a truck that you rent and drive yourself.

It’s a useful option when you want to manage transportation but don’t want to handle the physically demanding work alone.

For example, you might:

1. Rent a truck sized for your apartment.
2. Pack your belongings.
3. Hire a moving crew to load the truck.
4. Drive to your new home.
5. Arrange unloading assistance.

Bellhop offers labor-only moving services in participating markets, making it an option worth considering when you’re planning a rental-truck move.

Does a Larger Truck Always Mean Fewer Movers?

No.

Truck size and crew size are separate decisions.

A larger truck doesn’t automatically require a larger moving crew.

Likewise, a smaller truck doesn’t guarantee that fewer movers will be sufficient.

The appropriate crew size depends on:

• The amount of furniture.
• The number of boxes.
• Stairs and elevators.
• Carrying distances.
• Heavy or specialty items.
• The time available.

For many ordinary apartment moves, two movers may be a reasonable starting point.

But a larger inventory or difficult access may justify additional labor.

Ask the provider to assess your move rather than choosing crew size solely from truck dimensions.

The Break-Even Formula: When Does the Bigger Truck Pay for Itself?

You don’t need a complicated spreadsheet to compare your options.

Use this simple calculation.

Extra cost of the larger truck = Larger truck rental cost − Smaller truck rental cost

Then calculate:

Extra cost of two trips = Additional mileage + Additional fuel + Additional paid labor + Other incremental charges

If the extra cost of two trips exceeds the price difference between the trucks, the larger truck is financially preferable.

Example

Suppose:

• Larger truck costs $50 more to rent.
• A second trip adds $18 in mileage.
• Extra fuel costs $12.
• Additional moving labor costs $120.

The second trip adds:

$18 + $12 + $120 = $150

The larger truck costs only $50 more.

Estimated savings from choosing the larger truck: $100.

This example assumes both options can be completed within the same rental period and that all other costs are equal.

Your actual comparison should use your rental quotes and estimated labor time.

Five Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Truck Size

Before booking, answer these questions.

1. Can everything fit safely in the smaller truck?

If you’re unsure, don’t assume it will.

2. How far apart are the homes?

The longer the route, the more expensive the extra trip may become.

3. Are you paying movers by the hour?

Additional driving and coordination can increase labor costs.

4. Do you have enough time for two trips?

Consider building rules, rental return deadlines, and move-out requirements.

5. What’s the total price difference?

Compare rental, mileage, fuel, labor, and other relevant charges.

These five questions will usually reveal which option makes more sense.

A Smarter Option: One Truck, Professional Loading Help

If you’re trying to keep costs down, you don’t necessarily have to choose between an expensive full-service move and doing everything yourself.

A hybrid approach may offer a useful middle ground.

You rent the right-sized truck and drive it yourself.

Professional movers handle the loading, unloading, or both, depending on the service you book.

This can help you avoid difficult lifting while keeping control over transportation.

For example, if you’re moving from a second-floor apartment, you might hire movers to carry furniture downstairs and load the rental truck.

Once you arrive at your new home, you can arrange unloading help if needed.

The goal is to avoid paying for services you don’t need while still getting assistance with the hardest parts of moving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to rent a bigger moving truck or make two trips?

A larger truck is often cheaper overall when it avoids additional mileage, fuel, and paid moving labor. Two trips may be cheaper for very short moves with minimal added costs.

Does a bigger moving truck use more gas?

Larger trucks often consume more fuel per mile, but total fuel cost depends on how far you drive. A smaller truck making multiple trips can sometimes use more fuel overall.

How much extra mileage does a second moving trip add?

For two homes separated by a distance of D miles, a second load generally adds approximately 2D miles: the return to the old home and another drive to the new one.

Is it worth renting a larger truck for a one-bedroom apartment?

It depends on your inventory. A heavily furnished one-bedroom apartment may need a larger truck than a minimally furnished apartment. Compare the rental price difference with the potential cost of a second trip.

Can movers load a truck that I rented myself?

Yes. Labor-only moving services can help load customer-rented trucks, subject to provider availability and booking terms.

Can professional movers make everything fit in a smaller truck?

Experienced movers may improve loading efficiency, but they cannot exceed the truck’s physical capacity or weight limits.

Does making two trips take twice as long?

Not necessarily. Each belonging may only need to be loaded and unloaded once. However, a second trip adds driving, truck positioning, and other logistical time.

What happens if I underestimate my truck size?

You may need another trip, a larger vehicle, or additional transportation. The best option depends on remaining inventory, availability, cost, and your moving deadline.

The Bottom Line: Compare the Entire Move, Not Just the Truck Rental

One large moving truck is often cheaper than making two trips with a smaller truck, especially when you’re paying for moving labor or traveling a significant distance.

But if you’re moving a few blocks away, handling everything yourself, and saving substantially on the rental, two trips may be perfectly reasonable.

The right decision comes down to the numbers.

Compare the rental prices.

Estimate the additional mileage and fuel.

Account for moving labor.

And consider the time required to complete the move.

Most importantly, choose a truck that can safely accommodate your belongings.

Saving $40 on a smaller rental isn’t a bargain if it adds $150 to the rest of your move.

Got the Truck? Let Bellhop Handle the Heavy Lifting.

Whether you’re renting a large moving truck or planning a smaller DIY move, Bellhop can help with the physically demanding part.

From loading heavy furniture to unloading boxes at your new home, Bellhop offers labor-only moving services in participating locations, along with other moving options.

Spend less time struggling with furniture and more time getting settled.

Get Your Free Moving Quote from Bellhop

Prefer to speak with someone? Call Bellhop at 1-888-836-3939.

Make your next move feel like a fresh start.