Now it’s time to figure out what carport size you need and approximately how much it will cost. The chart below gives you a rough idea of the appropriate carport size for your needs.
| Size | Dimensions | Carport Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small one-car carport | 12′ x 20′ | $1,400+ |
| RV carport | 18′ x 35′ | $3,100+ |
| Small two-car carport | 20′ x 20′ | $1,900+ |
| Large two-car carport | 24′ x 25′ | $2,800+ |
| Three-car carport | 30′ x 25′ | $4,200+ |
| Four-car carport | 24′ x 40′ | $5,700+ |
Planning a Custom Carport
If you want a carport tailored to your exact needs, spend some time planning to determine the best size for you. Here is the easiest way to figure out the ideal width of your carport:
- Park your cars side-by-side (if you have more than one car)
- Open the doors
- Measure the total distance from the tip of one open door to the tip of an open door on the far side
- Add one to three feet to account for the width of the frame and give you a little extra space so you don’t ding your doors when you open them
To calculate the ideal depth, measure the length of your longest vehicle and add four to six feet so the roo will be long enough to adequately protect your vehicles from the sun and rain.
If you don’t have a tape measure, you can estimate lengths by stretching out your arms in a “T” shape next to your car (the length between the tips of your fingers is about the same as your height).
Another way to decide the size of your carport is to draw a sketch. This helps you visualize how it will look and allows you to use math or a calculator to figure out the dimensions you need.
If you want to design your carport to fit future vehicles you might buy, here is a chart that shows the approximate sizes of some common vehicles:
| Vehicle Type | Width | Length | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports Car | 5′ ½ – 6′ ½ | 13′ – 16′ | 4′ – 4′ ½ |
| Compact Car | 6′ | 14′ – 15′ | 5′ |
| Mid-Size Car | 6′ | 15′ – 16′ | 5′ |
| Full-Size Car | 6′ | 16′ – 17′ | 5′ |
| Minivan or SUV | 6′ ½ | 16′ – 17′ | 5′ ½ – 6′ ½ |
| Full-Size Truck | 6′ ½ | 17′ – 22′ | 6′ ½ |
| Class A RV | 8′ ½ | 29′ – 45′ | 12′ – 14′ ½ |
| Class B Camper Van | 8′ | 17′ – 23′ | 9′ – 11′ |
| Class C RV | 8′ – 8′ ½ | 21′ – 41′ | 10′ – 12′ |
* Widths do not include the width of rear-view mirrors.
And that’s all you need to know in order to plan and size your carport! Once you do these simple measurement exercises and calculations, you’ll know the precise dimensions of your new carport.
In the next chapter, I’ll show you how to use an online carport designer to design and price your carport.
