How Do You Store a Car?
Aug 23, 2026 / Public Storage
Car storage creates more room in your garage, driveway, or residential parking area when an extra vehicle is not part of your everyday routine.
Public Storage locations offer car storage options, including uncovered parking, covered parking, or enclosed spaces for eligible cars. Before you reserve, measure your car and compare options at a nearby location. Space types, dimensions, access hours, and availability vary by location.
Key Takeaways
- Car storage can create more room at home during a move, garage project, household change, or extended trip.
- Public Storage may offer uncovered parking, covered parking, and enclosed spaces at participating locations.
- Measure your car before you reserve. Include mirrors, roof racks, spoilers, and other exterior accessories.
- Stored cars are generally operational, registered, and insured. Contact your selected location for current details.
What Is Car Storage?
Car storage is a rented space where you can park an eligible car when you are not driving it regularly. Depending on the location, the space may be an outdoor parking spot, a covered parking spot, or an enclosed drive-up unit.
Car storage can be helpful when a car is taking up space at home but you plan to use it again later.
When Does It Make Sense to Store a Car?
Car storage can work for temporary plans or longer-term parking arrangements. It can also make it easier to declutter, organize, or revamp a garage or driveway.
Common reasons to store a car include:
- Moving or renovating. Put away an extra car while you pack, clean, and get settled in a new home.
- Organizing the garage. Store a car temporarily to create room for shelving, tools, hobby equipment, or a garage revamp.
- Combining households. Put away an extra household car while everyone adjusts to a new routine.
- Limited residential parking. Car storage can be an option for a second household vehicle.
- Work travel or extended time away. Reserve a parking space while you are away from home.
- A car that is driven less often. A convertible, weekend car, or second household vehicle may not need a driveway spot every day.
- Keeping a car in reserve. Store a car that is driven occasionally until you are ready to use it again.
What Types of Car Storage Are Available?
Public Storage locations may offer different vehicle storage options, making it easier to compare which options work best for your plans.
| Car Storage Type | What It Is | May Be a Good Fit For |
| Uncovered parking | A designated outdoor parking space | Cars that fit the available parking-space dimensions |
| Covered parking | An outdoor parking space with overhead coverage | Drivers looking for coverage from direct sun or precipitation |
| Enclosed storage | A fully enclosed drive-up unit where vehicle storage is available | Smaller cars and drivers looking for an indoor option |
What Is Uncovered Car Storage?
Uncovered car storage is an outdoor parking space where you can put away a car when you need more room at home. It can be a convenient option for clearing space in the driveway or garage while keeping your car nearby.
Before reserving, compare your car’s full length and width with the listed parking-space dimensions.
What Is Covered Car Storage?
Covered car storage is an outdoor parking space with an overhead cover. It can be a good fit when you want to put away your car with some coverage from direct sun and precipitation.
Covered spaces are available at select Public Storage locations.
What Is Enclosed Car Storage?
Enclosed car storage is a drive-up storage unit that can fit some smaller cars. If an indoor option is part of your plans, compare your car’s measurements with the unit size and door opening before reserving.
What Size Storage Space Does a Car Need?
The right car storage space depends on your vehicle’s actual dimensions. Manufacturer specifications can be useful, but measuring your car provides a clearer comparison because mirrors, roof racks, and spoilers can add extra space.
| Car Type | Typical Length | Typical Width* | What to Consider |
| Compact car | 13–15 feet | 5.5–6 feet | Often fits shorter parking spaces |
| Coupe | 14–16 feet | 6–6.5 feet | Measure from bumper to bumper |
| Sedan | 15–17 feet | 6–6.5 feet | Include mirrors and rear spoilers |
| Full-size sedan | 16–18 feet | 6–6.5 feet | Compare the full length with the available space |
| Convertible | 13–17 feet | 5.5–6.5 feet | Include mirrors and exterior accessories |
*Widths are approximate and may not include mirrors.
How Do You Measure a Car for Storage?
Measure your car from front to back, side to side, and ground to roof before choosing a space.
- Measure the length. Start at the front bumper and measure to the rear bumper.
- Measure the width. Include side mirrors and any features extending beyond the car’s body.
- Measure the height. Include roof racks, antennas, or other exterior accessories.
- Compare your measurements with available spaces. Review the dimensions listed for parking spaces or enclosed units.
- Leave room for access. If you choose an enclosed space, consider room for doors and entering or exiting the car.
How Do You Prepare a Car for Storage?
Getting a car ready for storage is simple: clean it out, give it a quick once-over, and review the location’s vehicle guidelines before move-in.
How Do You Clean a Car Before Storage?
Give the interior and exterior a quick once-over before moving the car into storage. Remove personal belongings and loose items from the cabin and trunk so the car is ready when it is time to drive again.
How Do You Prepare a Car Battery for Storage?
Before storing your car, check the owner’s manual for battery-care recommendations. An automotive professional can also help you decide what makes sense for your car.
Does My Car Need to Be Registered and Insured for Storage?
Car storage at Public Storage is available for operational, registered, and insured cars. Contact your local location before reserving to compare available options.
What Are the Access Hours for Car Storage?
You can access your car during the location’s posted access hours. Because hours vary by Public Storage location, check your preferred property before reserving.
What Should I Do Before Storing a Car?
Use this checklist before moving your car into storage:
- Measure the car’s length, width, and height.
- Account for mirrors, roof racks, spoilers, and other exterior accessories in your measurements.
- Confirm the car is operational, registered, and insured.
- Compare uncovered, covered, and enclosed options near you.
- Clean the interior and exterior.
- Review battery care options for longer storage periods.
- Review the location’s access hours.
- Contact the property about vehicle-space dimensions and current details.
- Reserve a space that fits your car and plans.
How Do You Choose the Right Car Storage Space?
The right space starts with your car’s dimensions, your preferred storage type, and how often you plan to visit.
- Measure your car first. Use the complete dimensions instead of relying only on the make and model.
- Compare space types. Look at uncovered parking, covered parking, and enclosed options in your area.
- Compare nearby locations. Available space sizes and features can differ from one property to another.
- Consider your routine. Choose a location and access hours that fit your plans.
- Contact the property. Confirm current vehicle-storage details before reserving.
- Reserve when you find a fit. Availability can change, so reserving online can help you plan ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Storage
Which Car Storage Option Is Right for Me?
The right car storage option depends on your car’s size, how often you plan to visit, and what is available nearby. Uncovered parking can be a simple option for putting away a car, while covered parking adds an overhead cover. At select locations, an enclosed drive-up unit may fit a smaller car.
Can I Store a Car in an Enclosed Storage Unit?
Some Public Storage locations offer enclosed, drive-up units that can fit smaller cars. Compare your car’s dimensions with the unit size and door opening, then contact the location for current vehicle-storage details.
What Size Storage Space Do I Need for My Car?
Most cars are about 13 to 18 feet long, depending on the make and model. Before you reserve, measure your car from bumper to bumper and account for mirrors, roof racks, spoilers, and other exterior accessories.
How Long Can I Keep My Car in Storage?
Car storage can fit a short-term need, like a move or garage revamp, or a longer period when you are not driving your car regularly. Rental terms and availability vary by location. Rental terms and availability vary by location.
Can I Access My Car While It’s In Storage?
Yes. Car access is available during the location’s posted access hours and according to facility procedures. Access hours vary by property.
Find Car Storage Near You
Find a nearby Public Storage location to compare available car storage options, space dimensions, and access hours. When you find a space that fits your car and plans, reserve online.
Vehicle-storage availability, features, space dimensions, access hours, and vehicle details vary by location. Cars stored at Public Storage generally operational, registered, and insured. Contact your selected Public Storage location to confirm current availability and vehicle-storage details before reserving.
