Quick Answer
A full truck load in junk removal is typically 10 to 15 cubic yards of material -- roughly equivalent to a one-car garage packed floor to ceiling, or about 6 to 8 pickup truck loads. Nationally, a full load runs $400 to $450 in the published per-load table, depending on item type and location. Most companies price in fractions so you only pay for the space you use.
Standard Truck Dimensions
Most professional junk removal companies use trucks with a cargo area measuring roughly:
Length: 10 to 12 feet
Width: 7 to 8 feet
Height: 4 to 5 feet (with side walls)
This gives a total capacity of approximately 10 to 15 cubic yards. For reference, one cubic yard is a 3-foot by 3-foot by 3-foot cube -- about the size of a standard kitchen stove.
What Fits in a Full Truck Load
Furniture-Based Estimate
A full truck can typically hold:
One couch and one loveseat
A dining table with four chairs
Two dressers
A queen bed frame and mattress
A desk and office chair
Several boxes of miscellaneous items
Room-Based Estimate
One-car garage (packed): Approximately one full truck load
Two-car garage (packed): One and a half to two full loads
One bedroom (all contents): Quarter to half truck
Studio apartment: Half to three-quarter truck
Two-bedroom apartment: One full truck
Three-bedroom house: One and a half to two full trucks
For garage-specific guidance, check out how to clean out a garage.
Understanding Load Fractions
| Load Size | Volume | Pickup Truck Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum (1-2 items) | 1 to 2 cubic yards | Less than half a pickup |
| Quarter truck | 3 to 4 cubic yards | 1 to 2 pickups |
| Half truck | 5 to 7 cubic yards | 3 to 4 pickups |
| Three-quarter truck | 8 to 11 cubic yards | 5 to 6 pickups |
| Full truck | 12 to 15 cubic yards | 6 to 8 pickups |
The pickup truck equivalent shows how many DIY trips one professional visit replaces. For a full pricing breakdown, see our junk removal cost guide.
Estimating Your Load Size
Gather everything in one area: Pile items in your garage or driveway so you can see the total volume.
Measure the pile: A pile roughly 4 feet wide, 4 feet deep, and 4 feet tall equals about 2 to 3 cubic yards -- a quarter load.
Take photos: Most Oregon junk removal companies can give approximate quotes from photos.
Count major items: Each piece of large furniture takes up roughly 1 to 2 cubic yards. A mattress set is about 1.5 cubic yards.
The most accurate method is an on-site estimate, which most services offer for free.
Cost by Load Size in Oregon
The published national table prices each load fraction:
Industry Baseline Range
| What is being priced | Published national range |
|---|---|
| Minimum load (up to 60 cu ft) | $70 to $100 |
| 1/4 load (80 to 120 cu ft) | $100 to $150 |
| 1/2 load (180 to 240 cu ft) | $200 to $300 |
| 3/4 load (300 to 360 cu ft) | $300 to $380 |
| Full load (420 to 480 cu ft) | $400 to $450 |
Source: HomeGuide, "Junk Removal Prices" national cost guide.
These are industry baseline ranges for planning only and may not reflect Otesse's price. Otesse pricing is calculated for your specific home and ZIP code, so enter your ZIP in the price box on this page for your instant price.
Current Market Reality
Local disposal fees, fuel, and the number of haulers in an area all shift the real number. Areas with higher transfer-station fees or longer drives to a facility tend to price above the national table.
Heavy materials like concrete or roofing shingles may cost more per load because they hit truck weight limits before filling the volume.
| Pushes the price up | Pulls it down |
|---|---|
| Stairs, long carries, or tight access | Items staged at the curb or in the garage |
| Heavy or dense material | Light, bulky items |
| Items that need special handling | Items that can be donated or recycled |
| More truck space used | A smaller, consolidated pile |
Every load is different, so the real number depends on volume, weight, access, and what is in the pile. Enter your ZIP in the price box on this page for your instant price.
Tips for Getting the Most Value
Combine loads: If you and a neighbor both need removal, a shared full-truck appointment can spread the cost.
Pre-sort donations: Remove items that donation centers will pick up for free, reducing your volume.
Make items accessible: Having everything on the ground floor or in the driveway speeds up loading.
Be accurate about volume: Overestimating leads to paying for unused space. Underestimating can mean a second trip.
Ready to find out your load size and cost? Otesse calculates pricing for your specific load, with no hidden fees. Enter your ZIP in the price box to see which services are available at your address. Get your free quote today.
