Carport Dimensions: Single vs Double Carport Size Guide
Quick answer: A typical single carport is about 12 feet wide and 20-24 feet long. A double carport is usually 20-24 feet wide and 20-24 feet long, with 24x24 feet giving the most room for doors and storage. Plan 7-9 feet of clearance for cars and SUVs, and 10-12 feet or more for lifted trucks, vans and RVs.
Getting carport dimensions wrong is an expensive mistake: posts that block a car door, a roof edge that a roof rack clips, or a beam too low for next year's truck. This guide is for homeowners sizing a wood or metal-roof carport for one or two vehicles. You will find standard sizes, a vehicle-by-vehicle table, roof style tradeoffs and the load and permit questions to settle first.
Key Takeaways
- Single carports run about 12x20 to 12x24 feet; doubles run about 20x20 to 24x24 feet.
- Allow roughly 3 feet beside each vehicle so doors open fully without hitting posts.
- Measure your tallest vehicle with racks or accessories, then add at least 12 inches of clearance under the lowest beam.
- Gable roofs handle snow well; skillion roofs are simpler; polycarbonate pergola roofs let light through.
- Snow and wind design loads are set locally, so confirm requirements with your building department before you build.
What Are Standard Carport Dimensions?
There is no single legal standard, but most carports fall into a few common sizes. Width matters most for door clearance, length matters for bumper overhang and walking room, and height matters for tall vehicles and roof racks.
Single carport size
A 12x20 single carport fits most cars and small SUVs. Stepping up to 12x24 covers a full-size pickup and leaves room to walk around the front or rear bumper. If you want space for bikes or a workbench along one side, consider 14-16 feet wide.
Double carport size
A 20x20 double carport fits two compact or midsize cars, but door clearance is tight. Most homeowners are happier at 22-24 feet wide, which leaves room to open doors on both vehicles and to unload kids or groceries. A 24x24 double comfortably handles a pickup and an SUV side by side.
Height clearance
Most sedans and SUVs are under 6.5 feet tall, so a 7-9 foot clearance under the beams works for everyday vehicles. Lifted trucks, high-roof vans and vehicles with roof boxes need 10-12 feet. RVs and travel trailers commonly need 12-14 feet or more, so measure to the top of the air conditioner or antenna.
Carport Size by Vehicle Type
Vehicle dimensions vary by model, so treat these as planning ranges and check your own vehicles with a tape measure before finalizing a design.
| Vehicle type | Typical length | Typical height | Recommended carport (W x L) | Suggested clearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact or midsize car | 14-16 ft | 4.5-5 ft | 12 x 20 ft | 7-8 ft |
| Midsize or full-size SUV | 16-18.5 ft | 5.5-6.5 ft | 12 x 22 ft | 8-9 ft |
| Full-size pickup (crew cab) | 19-21 ft | 6-6.5 ft | 12 x 24 ft | 8-9 ft |
| Lifted truck or high-roof van | 19-22 ft | 7-9 ft | 14 x 24 ft | 10-12 ft |
| Two cars | 14-18 ft each | under 6.5 ft | 20-22 x 20-22 ft | 7-9 ft |
| Truck and SUV | up to 21 ft | under 6.5 ft | 24 x 24 ft | 8-9 ft |
| Travel trailer or RV | 20-40 ft | 10-13 ft | 14-16 ft wide, 4-6 ft longer than the RV | 12-14+ ft |
Two practical rules help with any vehicle. First, allow about 3 feet between a vehicle and a post or another vehicle so doors swing open. Second, add 2-3 feet of length beyond the bumpers so you can walk around without squeezing past a post.
Which Carport Roof Style Is Best?
The roof style changes how a carport looks, how it handles weather and how hard it is to build. The three most common styles for DIY wood carports each have clear strengths.
Gable roof
A gable roof has two slopes meeting at a ridge. It sheds rain and snow well, blends with most houses and gives extra headroom in the center. It is the most work of the three, since it involves rafters or trusses and a ridge. This 24x22 carriage house carport with a double gable roof is an example of the style matched to a traditional home.
Skillion (single-slope) roof
A skillion roof slopes in one direction, usually toward the back. It is quicker to frame, suits modern houses and lets you control where water drains. The tradeoff is that the low side has less clearance, so set the low beam height by your tallest vehicle. Always follow the roofing manufacturer's minimum pitch for the panels you choose.
DIY Skillion Carport Plans: 22x20 Modern Double Carport, Wood and Metal Roof PDF: instant PDF download with illustrated steps, a shopping list and cut lists.
Flat or pergola roof with polycarbonate panels
A pergola-style carport uses beams and rafters with clear or tinted polycarbonate panels on top. It keeps rain off while letting daylight reach nearby windows, which makes it a good fit next to a house. It still needs a slight slope for drainage and is usually less suited to heavy snow regions than a steeper metal roof. See the 24x20 pergola carport with a polycarbonate roof for this approach.
Snow Loads, Wind Loads and Footings
A carport is a large roof on a few posts, which makes it sensitive to snow weight and wind uplift. Design snow loads vary enormously across the United States, from little or none in parts of the South to very high values in mountain areas. Your local building department can tell you the ground snow load and design wind speed for your address.
- Snow: steeper roofs and metal roofing help snow slide off, but framing must still be sized for local loads.
- Wind: open structures can lift in strong gusts. Use post bases and hurricane ties or similar connectors so the roof is tied to the posts and the posts to the footings.
- Footings: posts usually sit on concrete footings that extend below the local frost line to prevent heaving. A concrete slab or compacted gravel underneath gives you a clean, level parking surface.
If your area has heavy snow or high wind requirements, have the framing reviewed by your building department or a local professional before building.
Do You Need a Permit for a Carport?
In many areas, yes. Carports are often treated as accessory structures, and their size usually exceeds the small-building exemptions that cover garden sheds. Even where a permit is not required, setback rules, lot coverage limits and HOA guidelines may still apply, especially for a carport near a property line or in front of the house.
The process is similar to permitting other backyard buildings, which we cover in do you need a permit to build a shed. Call your local building department early with your planned dimensions and location. For the rest of your prep, from utility locates to material delivery, use our backyard project checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How wide should a double carport be?
A double carport should be at least 20 feet wide, but 22-24 feet is more comfortable. The extra width lets you open doors on both vehicles without hitting posts or the other car. Choose 24 feet if one of the vehicles is a full-size pickup or large SUV.
How tall should a carport be for a pickup truck?
Most stock full-size pickups are about 6-6.5 feet tall, so a carport with 8-9 feet of clearance under the beams works well. Lifted trucks, trucks with racks or campers, and high-roof vans usually need 10-12 feet. Measure your tallest vehicle with accessories installed before you set beam heights.
Is 12x20 big enough for a single carport?
A 12x20 carport fits most cars and small to midsize SUVs. It is tight for a crew-cab pickup, which can be 19-21 feet long. If you drive a full-size truck or want walking room around the bumpers, choose 12x24 instead.
What is the best roof for a carport in snow country?
A gable roof or a steep skillion roof with metal panels is usually the best choice in snowy areas, because steeper slopes and smooth metal help snow slide off. Low-slope pergola roofs with polycarbonate panels tend to hold more snow. In every case, the framing must be designed for your local snow load.
How much space do you need between vehicles in a carport?
Plan about 3 feet between vehicles, and about 3 feet between each vehicle and the nearest post. That spacing lets doors swing open and gives you room to load passengers and cargo. It is the main reason double carports narrower than 20 feet feel cramped.
Choose Your Carport Size, Then Your Style
Start with your vehicles: measure their length, width and height, add door and walking clearance, and pick the size that leaves room for the next vehicle you might own. Then choose the roof style that suits your house and climate. When you are ready, our carport plans include single-slope, gable and pergola designs from KRMPLANS with framing drawings, cut lists and step-by-step instructions.
