4 Car Garage Dimensions (with Drawings)

Whether you’re a car junkie or have a big family, having multiple cars takes up lots of space. If you plan to keep all of your vehicles protected, you might be curious about four car garage dimensions.

The minimum size for a 4 car garage is 20 feet deep and 40 feet wide, which can just fit four regular-size cars. If you have an SUV or truck, 24 feet deep by 48 feet would be a better fit and allow for storage or work space. A deeper stacked garage positions two cars behind two cars, roughly 20 to 24 feet wide and 36 to 42 feet deep.

There aren’t any definitive measurements for a 4 car garage, and you can go as big as you want. After all, you can never have too much storage. But, since you probably don’t have unlimited space to build a garage, what’s the ideal size for you?

Before diving too deep into the wonderful world of garage dimensions, let’s consider some basics. At a minimum, a 4 car garage should be 40 feet wide and 20 feet deep. This size would allow you to fit four small cars (barely).

Plus, with four small cars, you would still have enough space to get in and out of the cars. However, you would likely not end up with too much space left over for things like storage or a workbench.

The general rule is a minimum of 30 inches between cars to open the door and enter or exit the vehicle. You should also have this amount of space on the side of the end car between it and the wall or cabinets, etc.

The only real way you could get away with some storage and work space is if you only parked 3 cars in this garage. Then, with the leftover 10 to 12 feet, you could create storage and work areas.

Now, if you have the room to build (and the room in your budget), you can construct a larger garage. A more practical 4 car garage would be closer to 48 feet wide and 24 feet deep. This larger size enables you to fit four vehicles and a few extras.

This size 4 car garage is a better option if you plan to use your garage for more than just a parking spot. So, you could keep your bike, some lawn equipment, and storage in there too. You would also have some space for a small workbench and work area.

If you plan to do a lot of work in your garage, then you should consider going deeper if you can. A 30-foot deep garage would give you more than enough space along the back wall to create a nice work zone. Either way, the width gives you room for four vehicles and the appropriate spacing between them.

The best way to determine your ideal 4 car garage dimensions is to think about your vehicles first. Cars, trucks, SUVs, etc., all come in a wide range of sizes. But, don’t just plan your garage around your current vehicles, either.

Unless you plan to drive the same car for the rest of your life (highly unlikely), you want to keep your options open. For example, what if you currently drive a compact car and build your garage to barely fit it?

What happens when five years from now, you decide you need a pickup truck because you started a landscaping business? Get the idea?

However, if you’re someone who has a truck and will always have a truck, make sure to build a more oversized garage. You can always look up specific dimensions for your vehicle online, but here are a few examples to give you an idea.

As you can see, the type of vehicle you have in your garage makes a big difference. Certain makes and models can make your garage feel cramped, while others will make it roomier.

For example, imagine you had four compact cars in a minimum-sized 20’0 x 40’0 garage. You would have a width of 480 inches. At about 70 inches wide per vehicle, that takes up 280 inches. Then, ideally, you would have 30 inches of space between each vehicle and on the ends between the car and the wall.

This minimum spacing accounts for another 150 inches. Add it together, and you’re at 430 inches. You would have about 50 inches leftover, which is 4’2”. You might think, okay, 4 extra feet; that’s enough room to add some storage.

True, but then what happens if one of those small cars breaks down and you decide you want that pickup truck? Or, what if you have a mix of cars?

Now, picture that same 20’0” x 40’ garage, but you have a pickup truck, SUV, sedan, and compact car. The small car is 5’9”, the SUV is 6’9”, the truck is 6’8”, and the sedan is 7’2”.

Now, you have vehicles taking up 316 inches of your overall 480 inches. Plus, you still need the minimum spacing, accounting for 150 inches.

Now, you’re already at 466 inches, can you say squished? Not to mention your truck is probably too long for the 20-foot depth.

This example shows that going slightly bigger (at least) is better. Those same vehicles in a garage that is 48’0 x 24’0” would give you about 9 extra feet to play with. This extra space would allow for some storage and work areas.

If you don’t have the space to go wider, can you build deeper? While not the most convenient, a stacked garage can be an option. It positions two cars in front of two cars so that you can fit four vehicles in a narrower space.

The minimum for a stacked garage would be 36’0 deep and 20’0 wide. A more ideal size would be 42’0 deep and 24’0. But, having a garage like this requires some extra considerations.

You need to plan out who leaves first, be prepared to back out for others if they need to leave, etc. But, if you want to keep all your vehicles in the garage and have a narrow drive, at least you have an option.

Related Questions

What size garage is best for two full-size trucks?

A basic two-car garage isn’t enough if you own two full-size trucks. A minimum 2-car garage is usually about 20 feet by 20 feet. This would leave you barely any room to get out of the truck on the wall side. Plus, the depth would be incredibly tight. A better bet for two large trucks is a minimum of 24 feet by 24 feet. You can access the vehicles comfortably and even have some room for storage space.

My car barely fits in my small garage. How can I get some storage space in my garage?

If you don’t have the available space for a large garage, you need to get creative with the space you do have. When trying to maximize storage space in a tiny garage, go vertical. The average garage has a minimum 8’0 ceiling height. You can add racks on the ceiling to hold storage bins, bikes, and things like kayaks and other equipment. You can even suspend a lawnmower from the ceiling with the right supplies.When initially building your garage, consider making it taller with an attic or loft space. This is especially good if you only have room for a single-car garage. Maximizing your vertical space can effectively double or even triple your storage.