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. In Oregon, a full truck load costs between $550 and $800 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 | Oregon Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum (1-2 items) | 1 to 2 cubic yards | Less than half a pickup | $75 to $150 |
| Quarter truck | 3 to 4 cubic yards | 1 to 2 pickups | $150 to $250 |
| Half truck | 5 to 7 cubic yards | 3 to 4 pickups | $250 to $400 |
| Three-quarter truck | 8 to 11 cubic yards | 5 to 6 pickups | $400 to $550 |
| Full truck | 12 to 15 cubic yards | 6 to 8 pickups | $550 to $800 |
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
- Portland: Full loads run $600 to $850 due to higher Metro disposal fees
- Salem: Full loads typically $550 to $750
- Eugene: Full loads usually $500 to $700 with competitive Lane County rates
- Bend: Full loads may reach $650 to $850 due to fewer providers and longer haul distances
Heavy materials like concrete or roofing shingles may cost more per load because they hit truck weight limits before filling the volume.
Tips for Getting the Most Value
- Combine loads: If you and a neighbor both need removal, a shared full-truck appointment saves both of you money.
- 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 offers free on-site estimates throughout Oregon. We quote by volume with no hidden fees. Get your free quote today.
