The Florida Homeowner's Guide to Carport Sizing
Getting the size wrong on a carport is one of the most frustrating outcomes in this business — and it's almost always avoidable. The most common problem isn't ordering something too large (that rarely happens), it's ordering something too small and realizing it doesn't fit what you need. Here's how to get the dimensions right before you order.
Width: The Most Important Dimension
The width of a carport is measured from outside of leg to outside of leg. Here are the key minimums:
- Single vehicle (standard car or truck): minimum 12' wide, but 14' is strongly recommended. A 12' carport works for a compact car; try to open your door fully with 6' on each side and you'll see why 14' feels much better. - Single vehicle (full-size truck, SUV, or extended cab): 14' minimum, 16' recommended - Two vehicles side by side: 20' minimum, 22'–24' recommended for comfortable door clearance - Three vehicles: 30' minimum
A very common mistake: customers order a 20' double carport, then realize their two trucks plus the space to open both doors comfortably actually needs 24'. Measure your vehicles and add at least 3' per side for door clearance.
Length: Longer Than You Think
Carport length is measured front-to-back (the direction the vehicle faces when it pulls in).
- Standard passenger car: 16' minimum, 20' gives comfortable room for front and rear - Full-size truck (short bed): 20' minimum - Full-size truck (long bed or crew cab + long bed): 22'–24' - Large SUV or van: 20'–22' - Boat on trailer: measure your rig's total length and add 4'–6' — you want room to walk around the back
If you're covering a boat or RV, length is where people most often underestimate. Measure the full length of the rig with the trailer hitch, then add at least 4 feet.
Height: Clear and Leg Height
Carport height is specified in two ways: leg height (how tall the vertical legs are) and clear height (the minimum clearance from the ground to the lowest point of the roof structure).
For most vehicles: - Standard cars and trucks: 7' leg height is the absolute minimum; 8' is standard and recommended - Lifted trucks and SUVs: 10'–12' leg height - Large vans and Class B RVs: 10'–12' leg height - Class A motorhomes: 13'–14' leg height minimum — measure the top of your rig and add 18–24 inches - Semi trucks: 14'–16' leg height
A common regret: ordering 8' legs and then getting a lifted truck or buying a camper van. If there's any chance you'll need more clearance down the road, build to 10' or 12'. The incremental cost is small.
Open vs. Enclosed vs. Partially Enclosed
Fully open carports are the most affordable and require the least permitting in most Florida counties. But depending on your situation, partial or full enclosure may be worth considering:
- Open sides: maximum airflow, lowest cost, no privacy - One enclosed end: common for carports attached to a fence or wall, or to block prevailing wind from one direction - Two enclosed sides: good wind and rain protection while still being open at front and rear - Fully enclosed: essentially a garage — great protection, requires a permit, more expensive
For Florida's summer thunderstorms, having at least the sides enclosed helps significantly with wind-driven rain. A carport that's open on all four sides will still get your vehicle wet in a sideways storm.
Sizing for Multiple Vehicles or Mixed Use
Many carports serve double duty — two vehicles plus a workbench, or a vehicle plus lawn equipment plus a chest freezer. When sizing for mixed use, think about all the functions you want the space to serve:
- Two vehicles + storage: consider going to 24'×26' or 24'×30' to give yourself a dedicated storage zone at the back - Vehicle + boat on trailer: the boat often needs more length than the vehicle; size for your longest item - Vehicles + ATV or golf cart: add a 10'×12' lean-to or bump the length up by 10'–12'
The difference in cost between a 20'×20' and a 24'×26' carport is often $800–$1,500. That's a small premium for a significantly more functional space.
Not sure what size fits your situation? Our team sizes carports every day across Florida. Call (863) 296-3400 — we can walk through your vehicles and give you a specific recommendation in a few minutes.
Size up, not down. The most common feedback we hear after installation is 'I wish I had gone bigger.' A carport that's too small is a daily frustration; one that's slightly larger than you needed is barely noticeable.
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