Storage guide

Drive-up storage units

A drive-up unit has a roll-up garage door that opens straight onto the drive aisle, so you can park at the door and unload with no hallways, carts or elevators. It's the fastest way to move heavy or bulky things in and out.

When a drive-up unit makes sense

Drive-up units are usually outdoor, ground-level and not climate-controlled. That makes them a great fit for tools, equipment, outdoor gear and anything you access often, but a weaker one for heat- or humidity-sensitive items.

Best for

  • Moving day: unload straight from the truck
  • Contractors, landscapers and tradespeople
  • Lawn equipment, tools, bikes and outdoor gear
  • Business stock you pick up often
  • Furniture and appliances that are hard to cart indoors

What to look for

Questions worth asking before you choose a drive-up unit.

Aisle width

Wide aisles make it easier to back in a moving truck or trailer. Ask whether 26-foot trucks fit.

Door size

Check the door width and height against your biggest item, especially on smaller units.

Access hours

Drive-up renters often come early or late. Look for long gate hours or 24-hour access.

Snow and drainage

Where winters are snowy, ask how fast the aisles are plowed, and check that water drains away from the doors.

Common sizes

5×10Bikes, tools, seasonal gearSize guide 10×10A one-bedroom's worth, or equipmentSize guide 10×20A household, a car, or a contractor's stockSize guide 10×30A large household or a small businessSize guide

Find drive-up units near you

Search by city or ZIP above, or start from a state below. Unclaimed listings don't list their features yet, so ask in your free request whether they offer what you need.

Texas 1,108California 878Washington 675Florida 537Georgia 485Pennsylvania 463Arizona 436Illinois 429Virginia 394Colorado 357Ohio 351New York 344North Carolina 337Oregon 313Michigan 270South Carolina 247Montana 224Wisconsin 216Tennessee 210New Jersey 207Oklahoma 202Maryland 196Minnesota 175Alabama 166Indiana 163Massachusetts 157Utah 157Nevada 145Missouri 131New Mexico 125Louisiana 117Kansas 100New Hampshire 95Arkansas 90Connecticut 86Kentucky 78Mississippi 69Iowa 68Maine 65Nebraska 58West Virginia 45Wyoming 35Delaware 34Hawaii 24Alaska 24Vermont 20Rhode Island 20North Dakota 17Idaho 13District of Columbia 13South Dakota 2

Tips from the pros

  • Put a tarp or pallets on the floor. Outdoor units can see water at the threshold in heavy rain or snowmelt.
  • Keep things you use often near the door, and long-term items at the back.
  • Pick a unit near the gate if you'll come and go often with a trailer.

Drive-up storage units: common questions

Are drive-up units climate-controlled?
Usually not. Most drive-up units are outdoor buildings. Some facilities offer heated or climate-controlled drive-up units, so check each listing's features.
Can I store a car in a drive-up unit?
Often yes, in a 10×20 or larger, if the car is registered and insured. Some facilities require you to list the vehicle on your lease.
Can I work out of a drive-up unit?
Most leases allow storage only, not working, running a business from the unit, or using power tools inside. Ask the facility about its rules.
Self storage unitsMoving between homes or leasesCar & vehicle storageSeasonal cars, convertibles and classicsBusiness storageE-commerce and retail inventory

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