A standard two-car carport measures 24 feet wide by 20 feet deep, though 20×20 feet works for two compact cars and 24×24 feet gives the most comfortable clearance for doors and walking space.
Park two mid-size sedans in a 20-foot-wide carport and the doors will hit the posts before anyone gets out. That’s the gap between a carport that fits two cars on paper and one that fits two cars in real life. The numbers below come from manufacturer sizing guides rather than guesswork, and they separate the minimum footprint from the size most households actually want.
What Size Is Right For Two Cars?
Alan’s Factory Outlet lists 24 feet wide by 20 feet deep as the standard two-car carport size, with 20×18 feet as the minimum for side-by-side parking. Anything below 18 feet wide is described as workable only for compact cars with tight door clearance.
Width is the number people get wrong, because it’s the one that determines whether a door can open. A full-size SUV or pickup needs 24 feet to allow normal door swing and a walking path down the middle. Average sedans and crossovers sit comfortably at 20–22 feet. Two compacts squeeze into 20 feet, which is also the budget-friendly option most guides point to.
Depth matters just as much, and it’s the easier mistake to make. Many guides call 20 feet the minimum depth for a standard two-car setup. Trucks, long SUVs, or anything with a tailgate you open inside the carport push that to 22–25 feet. A carport that’s wide enough but too shallow leaves the front bumper or the tailgate hanging in the weather, which defeats the point of owning one.
Height runs 6–10 feet on a typical double carport, with 7.5–8 feet clear height a common target. That clears most SUVs and gives a lifted truck room to spare.
| Carport Footprint | Fits Best | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| 18 × 20 ft | Two compact cars, tight door clearance | Budget tier |
| 20 × 20 ft | Two compact cars, or a cost-conscious two-car option | $1,900+ |
| 20 × 18 ft | Minimum side-by-side footprint | Lowest tier |
| 22 × 20 ft | Average sedans and crossovers with easier door swing | Mid tier |
| 24 × 20 ft | Standard two-car size; full-size vehicles fit | Standard tier |
| 24 × 24 ft | Two large SUVs or trucks with walking room between | Premium tier |
| 24 × 25 ft | Large vehicles plus depth for tailgates | $2,800+ |
Those prices are guide-level examples from current carport planning resources, not fixed market rates. Cost swings with region, roofing material, whether you pour a slab, and whether installation is included. If you’ve settled on a footprint and want to see which pre-built units match it, this roundup of tested 2 car carport picks pairs each size with real models.
Durapedia’s carport FAQ notes that dimensions vary by vehicle width, mirror spread, and how far the doors swing — which is why every sizing guide lands on the same advice. Alan’s Factory Outlet’s carport planning and sizing guide recommends parking the actual vehicles side by side and measuring the space they take up, mirrors and open doors included, before ordering anything.
Side-By-Side Or End-To-End Parking?
End-to-end parking trades width for depth: roughly 10 feet wide by 36 feet deep for two cars in a row. That layout suits a narrow lot where a 24-foot-wide structure won’t fit, but it means driving one car in behind the other. Side-by-side remains the practical choice for most households because either car can leave without moving the other.
The mistake that shows up most often is sizing to the cars’ body width alone. Mirrors add several inches per side, and an open door needs 2–3 feet of swing. Two full-size SUVs or trucks in an 18- or 20-foot carport will technically park and then be miserable to use daily. Measure the widest vehicle in the household, double it, then add clearance for doors and a path. If that total lands near 22 feet, buy at 24 — the extra width costs far less than replacing a carport you outgrow.
What To Measure Before You Order
Measure each vehicle’s width at the mirrors, not the body. Then measure the depth from the front bumper to the rear, and add two feet if you want to open a tailgate or trunk inside the structure. Add 2–3 feet of door-swing clearance per side and at least 2 feet between the two parking spots. A 24 × 24 footprint absorbs all of that for larger vehicles, while 20 × 20 covers two compacts with no room to spare.
FAQs
Can two full-size SUVs fit in a 20-foot-wide carport?
They will physically fit, but door opening becomes tight and you’ll have little walking space between them. Sizing guides recommend 24 feet of width for larger vehicles so both doors open fully. If 24 feet isn’t possible, plan to park one vehicle closer to the outer post.
Is 20 feet deep enough for a pickup truck?
For most full-size pickups, 20 feet is the bare minimum and leaves little room behind the tailgate. Guides suggest 22–25 feet of depth when you own a truck or long SUV. Measure bumper to bumper first, then add clearance for whatever you open at the rear.
Does a carport need a concrete slab?
Not always — gravel, asphalt, or packed dirt can work for many pre-built units, and some are rated for ground installation with anchors. A slab gives the most stable base and the cleanest surface for parking. Check the manufacturer’s anchoring requirements before deciding.
References & Sources
- Alan’s Factory Outlet. “What Is The Typical Size For Two Cars?” Source for standard 24×20 ft two-car sizing and 18-foot minimums.
- Alan’s Factory Outlet. “How To Plan And Size Your Carport.” Depth, clearance, and measuring guidance.
- Durapedia. “2 Car Carport FAQs.” Vehicle-fit caveats and dimension variables.
