Ideal Three Car Garage Size

by Richard
(Denver, CO)

QUESTION:

Thanks for your answer on the 2 car garage. What's the ideal three car garage size? I know there are lots of opinions, but I would like some solid facts before I build my new garage. We have a Suburban, a Toyota Camry and three kids at home.


ANSWER:
You are correct about so many opinions, which is what will also get from me. But, I will also give you some things to consider before you pound the first nail.

In my opinion, the best three car garage size is 36' x 24' minimum. That's 36 feet wide and 24 feet deep. You might think that is huge, but here are some things to consider.

Ideal Depth: You should leave room in front of your vehicles to walk and, better yet, to install garage wall organization systems, like shelving or cabinets, or a garage workbench. Even if you aren't a do-it-yourselfer, a workbench will come in handy. Plus, if you sell your home, a properly sized, well equipped 3 car garage may mean the difference between selling your home and languishing among hundreds of "almost right" homes.

Depending on the year of your Chevy Surburban, it could be just over 222 inches long (2007-present). That's 18.5 feet. Try to fit that in a 20 foot deep garage!

You want to leave at least 30 inches of walking space in front of your vehicle plus another 2 feet or so for a garage workbench. That's 54 inches. Add that to your 18.5 foot long Sub and you are at 23 feet. Add another 1 foot between the bumper and the door and, shazam, you are at 24 feet! If you add 1.5 feet for framing, sheetrock and siding, your overall depth is actually 25.5 feet.


If you don't own a Suburban, a 4 door Ford F-150 is almost 18 feet long. A new 4 door Dodge Ram is just over 19 feet long and a long bed 4 door Chevy Silverado is just under 22 feet long. That's why 24 feet deep is my minimum recommended depth.

Ideal Width: The ideal three car garage size leaves 30 inches beside and between your cars so you can easily enter an exit your cars and add garage shelves. We ALL have stuff to store.

Here comes the math: Your Suburban is over 6.5 feet wide and your Camry is about 6 feet wide. Buy one of your kids a compact car and you'll need another 6 feet or so in width. That's a total of 18.5 feet wide.

Add 18.5 feet in total car width, 10 feet beside and between cars (30 inches x 4) width, and 2 feet along the side walls for shelving, bike storage, etc., and you are up to 32.5 feet in total width.

Three cars = 18.5 Feet
Room between and beside cars = 10 Feet
Room for Shelving = 4 feet minimum
Minimum Ideal Interior Width = 32.5

If you opt for 3 foot wide shelving, you are up to 34.5 feet wide. Add 1.5 feet for framing, sheetrock, and siding and you now own a 36 foot wide 3 car garage.

For a more in-depth discussion, visit the 3 car garage plan page.

Measure twice. Cut once!
Pat