A local move with one truck may take more than one load. Divide the total volume by the truck's capacity and round up to plan the number of trips.
1,400 cubic feet in a 1,000-cubic-foot truck is 1.4 loads, which rounds up to 2 trips.
The example
Three moves with a total volume and the truck's capacity.
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Move | Volume (cu ft) | Truck (cu ft) | Trips |
| 2 | 1-bed apt | 1,400 | 1,000 | 2 |
| 3 | Studio | 600 | 1,000 | 1 |
| 4 | 3-bed house | 2,600 | 1,000 | 3 |
The formula
Round up because a partial load still needs a trip:
How it works
Trips are a capacity division you round up:
B2is the total volume to move, in cubic feet.C2is the truck's usable capacity, in the same units.- Dividing gives raw loads;
ROUNDUPturns any leftover into one more full trip.
Multiply trips by round-trip drive time to estimate the schedule, especially for long hauls between sites.
Try it: interactive demo
Enter the total volume and the truck capacity in cubic feet.
Variations
Usable capacity
Trucks never pack to 100%. Discount capacity to a realistic fill before dividing.
Pitfalls & errors
Use usable capacity, not the brochure number — awkward items mean you rarely fill a truck completely.
Same units on top and bottom. Cubic feet over cubic feet; never mix in cubic yards.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
Why round up?
Should I use the truck's full capacity?
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