How to Choose the Perfect Carport Size for Your Needs

The width of your carport is the most crucial measurement because it determines how many vehicles can park side-by-side.

Single-Car Carports (12 to 18 Feet Wide)

• Best For: A single compact car, sedan, or small SUV.

• Pro-Tip: A standard single-car carport is usually 12 feet wide. However, if you drive a full-sized truck or a large SUV, bumping up to 18 feet wide will give you much more breathing room to open your doors without hitting the steel support posts.

Two-Car Carports (20 to 24 Feet Wide)

• Best For: Side-by-side parking for two standard vehicles.

• Pro-Tip: A 20-foot-wide carport will technically fit two average cars, but it can be a tight squeeze when opening doors. Upgrading to a 22- or 24-foot width provides comfortable walking space between vehicles and ensures your doors won't ding each other.

Three-Car Carports (26 to 30+ Feet Wide)

• Best For: Multi-car families, or households that want to park two cars alongside a lawnmower, ATV, or golf cart.

• Pro-Tip: Consider going 30+ feet wide for maximum versatility.

Carport lengths typically start at 20 feet and increase in 5-foot increments (25’, 30’, 35’, etc.).

• Standard Length (20 Feet): This is the ideal length for almost all standard passenger vehicles, including full-sized crew-cab trucks. It leaves just enough room to walk around the front and back of the vehicle while keeping it completely under the roofline.

• Extended Length (26 to 31 Feet): If you drive an extra-long dually truck, park a trailer behind your car, or want a little extra room at the back to store firewood, a workbench, or your lawn equipment, go with a longer length.

When ordering a carport, the height is measured by the side leg height, not the peak of the roof. Because the roof pitches upward, the center will always be taller than the sides.

• Standard Vehicles (7 to 8 Feet Tall): Perfect for cars, SUVs, and standard pickup trucks.

• Lifted Trucks & Commercial Vans (9 to 10 Feet Tall): Essential if your truck has a lift kit, a roof rack, or if you drive a tall transit/work van.

• RVs, Campers, and Fifth-Wheels (12 to 14+ Feet Tall): RVs require specialized tall clearance. Remember to measure to the very top of your RV’s air conditioning unit or satellite dish before choosing your leg height!

The biggest mistake people make when buying a carport is measuring only the physical size of their vehicle.

💡 The Test: Go out to your driveway, open your driver and passenger doors completely, and measure from the outer edge of the left door to the outer edge of the right door. You’ll be amazed by how much extra space you actually need to comfortably get in and out of your car without squeezing!

Let’s Build Your Custom Carport Today!

Still not 100% sure what size will fit best on your property? That’s what we are here for. At Rocky Top Structures, we specialize in helping you design a durable, certified metal structure engineered to handle Tennessee wind and snow loads.

Whether you need a simple cover for your daily driver or a massive clearance roof for your home away from home, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today or come visit the lot to get a free custom quote!