Find Drive-Up Storage Near You
Drive-Up Storage: Straight From Your Vehicle
Moving a houseful of furniture, restocking business inventory or swapping out seasonal gear is a lot easier when your unit is just steps from your vehicle. That is the convenience of drive-up storage: easy, ground-level access with no long hallways, stairs or elevators, and less need for a hand cart.
What Is Drive-Up Storage?
Drive-up storage is a ground-level self-storage unit you can park right outside of, so you can load and unload straight from your vehicle. Instead of unloading at a building entrance and moving everything down a hallway on a hand cart, you carry items just a few steps into your unit. That easy access is the main reason people choose drive-up storage. Drive-up units are also called drive-up access, exterior-access or outdoor-access storage units.
Drive-up units are usually in single-story buildings with wide drive aisles, and most have roll-up doors that open to the outside. Because the unit opens to the outdoors, the temperature inside usually follows the weather outside, which makes drive-up storage a great choice for durable items like furniture, tools and equipment. Heat- or moisture-sensitive belongings are better suited to climate-controlled storage. A small number of locations also offer temperature-controlled units with drive-up access, combining easy access with steadier indoor temperatures. That makes them a strong option for a classic or collector car, helping protect paint, interiors, rubber seals and tires from outdoor temperature swings. Use the comparison tables below to decide which option fits what you're storing.
How Drive-Up Storage Units Work
- Easy, ground-level access: Units sit at ground level along the drive aisle, so there are no ramps, stairs or elevators between your vehicle and your unit. Most have roll-up doors, though door styles vary by location.
- Wide drive aisles: Properties are laid out so cars, pickups and larger vehicles can get close to the unit. Aisle widths vary by property.
- Gated access: Enter with your personal gate code, or use Bluetooth gate access in the SmartStop app at app-enabled locations.
- Disc or cylinder lock required: You secure your unit with your own disc or cylinder lock. Not sure which one you need? Ask the on-site manager.
- Video surveillance: Most locations have cameras recording around the clock.
Security features and access hours vary by location. Check the location page for details.
Storage Access Types Compared
"Drive-up" is used loosely across the storage industry. Here is how the common access types compare, so you know exactly what you are reserving.
| Access Type | How You Reach the Unit | Hand Cart or Elevator Needed? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive-up unit | Park right outside the unit and unload from your vehicle | No | Moves, furniture, appliances, business inventory, frequent visits |
| Ground-floor interior unit | Park at a building entrance, then walk a hallway | Usually a hand cart | Ground-level storage, often with climate control |
| Upper-floor interior unit | Building entrance, then elevator or stairs | Hand cart and elevator | Smaller loads and items you visit less often |
| Vehicle parking space | Drive onto an outdoor, covered or enclosed space | No | Cars, RVs, boats and trailers (see Vehicle Storage below) |
Drive-Up Storage vs. Climate-Controlled Storage
A big decision in deciding between unit types is whether you need easy access or protection from the weather. Here is how drive-up storage compares with climate-controlled storage.
| Feature | Drive-Up | Climate-Controlled |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature range | Usually similar to outdoor weather | Maintained ~55°F–85°F year-round* |
| Humidity control | None in most units | Actively managed in most facilities |
| Access | Exterior, easy access from your vehicle | Interior hallway access |
| Loading speed | Fastest: unload straight from your vehicle | Slower: hand carts, hallways and sometimes elevators |
| Best for | Furniture, appliances, tools, equipment, business inventory, outdoor gear | Wood furniture, electronics, documents, photos, instruments, artwork |
| Risk of mold/mildew | Higher | Significantly reduced |
| Price | Typically lower for the same size | Typically higher for the same size |
*Ranges may vary by facility.
Drive-Up Storage Unit Sizes and Price Ranges
Drive-up units come in a range of sizes, from compact 5x5 units for seasonal items to 10x30 units that hold a full household. Size availability varies by location. The ranges below are national industry averages for standard units from our 2026 storage unit cost guide. They are not SmartStop rates. For current pricing and availability, choose a location.
| Unit Size | Approx. Sq. Ft. | What Typically Fits | Industry Avg. Monthly Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5x5 | 25 | Seasonal decor, boxes, sports gear or a few small furniture pieces | $35–$60 |
| 5x10 | 50 | Studio or single bedroom: mattress set, dresser and boxes | $45–$100 |
| 10x10 | 100 | 1-bedroom apartment with furniture, appliances and boxes | $75–$135 |
| 10x15 | 150 | 2-bedroom home, including large furniture and appliances | $110–$175 |
| 10x20 | 200 | 3-bedroom home, or a car where vehicle storage is allowed | $150–$260 |
| 10x25 | 250 | 4-bedroom home, or business inventory and equipment | $185–$290 |
| 10x30 | 300 | Full household or multi-room commercial inventory | $200–$325 |
Sources: SpareFoot, Yardi Matrix and RentCafe reporting, 2026. Not sure which size you need? See the size guide.
Vehicle Storage and Drive-Up Units
Drive-up access makes vehicle storage simple: drive in, park and lock up. At locations that allow vehicle storage, there are usually three ways to store a car, truck, motorcycle, RV, boat or trailer.
- Enclosed drive-up unit: The most protection from sun, hail, snow and dust. A motorcycle typically fits in a 5x10 or 10x10, most compact and midsize cars fit in a 10x20, and larger cars and trucks may need a 10x25 or 10x30.
- Covered parking: A roofed space that shields RVs, boats, trailers and cars from direct sun and precipitation, with open sides.
- Outdoor parking: An uncovered space inside the gated property. Usually the most affordable option for RVs, boats, trailers and work vehicles.
Vehicles typically need to be registered, insured and in running condition. Space types, size limits and rules vary by location, so ask the on-site manager before you move in. Learn more about vehicle storage, car storage, RV storage and boat storage.
Top Benefits of Drive-Up Storage
Why Movers Choose Drive-Up Units
- Easy access, less lifting. Unload from your vehicle straight into the unit.
- Heavy and awkward items go in easily. Sofas, appliances and mattresses never have to clear a hallway corner or elevator door.
- A faster moving day. Fewer steps between your vehicle and your unit means you finish sooner.
- Simple staging between homes. Store everything between move-out and move-in, then load it back up when you are ready. See our moving tips.
Why Businesses and Frequent Visitors Prefer Drive-Up
- Quick inventory runs. E-commerce sellers, sales reps and small retailers can load a van in minutes. Learn more about business storage.
- Tools and equipment. Contractors and landscapers can pull up, grab what they need and get to the job site.
- Seasonal swaps. Patio furniture, holiday decor and winter tires rotate in and out without a hassle.
- Outdoor and hobby gear. Kayaks, bikes, camping gear and sports equipment go straight from the vehicle to the unit.
Regional Guide
A drive-up unit follows the local weather, so where you store matters as much as what you store. Use this guide to decide.
Deep South and Gulf Coast
Long, humid summers are hard on wood, leather, mattresses and paper. Drive-up works well for tools, lawn equipment, metal furniture and items packed in sealed plastic bins. Store anything moisture-sensitive in climate control, and never put away items that are still damp.
Midwest and Northeast
Freeze-thaw cycles can crack liquids, paints and some plastics, and they can damage electronics. Drive-up is a strong fit for furniture, boxed household goods, seasonal gear and equipment. Plan for extra time on winter visits, and keep anything that can freeze out of a drive-up unit.
Southwest and Desert Regions
Summer heat can warp vinyl records, melt candles, damage photos and shorten the life of batteries and electronics. Drive-up handles durable furniture, tools and outdoor gear well. Choose climate control for anything heat-sensitive.
Coastal Areas
Salt air and humidity speed up rust and corrosion. In a drive-up unit, cover metal items, raise everything off the floor on pallets and leave space for air to move.
Canada: Ontario and Quebec
Cold winters, road salt and slush make drive-up access especially handy for winter-tire swaps and seasonal equipment. Liquids, electronics and fine wood furniture are better off in climate control during the deep-freeze months.
Canada: Maritimes and Pacific Northwest
Mild, wet weather means dampness is the main risk. Drive-up works for most durable goods if you use plastic bins instead of cardboard, raise items off the floor and leave a gap between your belongings and the walls.
How to Prepare and Load a Drive-Up Storage Unit
A little planning makes moving day faster and your unit easier to use.
- Measure your largest items and choose a unit size with room to spare. Use our size guide to help you choose the right unit for your needs.
- Check access hours and your gate code before moving day.
- Raise items off the concrete with pallets or a plastic sheet, especially in wet or humid climates.
- Pack in plastic bins rather than cardboard where you can. Bins resist moisture and pests and stack more evenly. Explore our selection of boxes and packing materials in moving supplies.
- Keep the drive aisle clear while you load, so other customers can get through.
- Use a hand cart or dolly for appliances and other heavy items, even over a short distance.
- Load the largest and heaviest items first along the back wall, and keep heavy boxes on the bottom.
- Leave a center walkway. Keep an aisle down the middle of your unit so you can easily get to every item, front to back, without unloading everything.
- Keep frequently used items near the door for quick grab-and-go visits.
- Lock up and document. A disc or cylinder lock is required; the on-site manager can help you choose one. Photograph your belongings for your records and insurance.
Prohibited Storage Items
The following items are prohibited in all SmartStop storage units, including drive-up units. Storing them violates your rental agreement.
- Gasoline, propane, paint thinner and other flammable, combustible or hazardous materials (other than fuel in a vehicle stored where vehicle storage is allowed)
- Perishable food and anything that attracts pests
- Plants, animals or anything living
- Illegal or stolen items
Your rental agreement includes the full list of prohibited items. Questions? Ask your property manager.
Not recommended for drive-up units
Since most drive-up units aren’t climate-controlled, electronics, photos, fine wood furniture and other sensitive items are better kept in temperature-controlled storage.
More Storage Options and Resources
- Climate-Controlled Storage
- Vehicle Storage
- Car Storage
- RV Storage
- Boat Storage
- Business Storage
- Storage Unit Size Guide
- How Much Does a Storage Unit Cost in 2026?
- Moving Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a drive-up storage unit?
A drive-up storage unit is a ground-level self-storage unit you can park right outside of, so you can load and unload straight from your vehicle. It is the easiest-access option in self storage, with no long hallways, stairs or elevators between your vehicle and your belongings.
Is drive-up storage the same as ground-floor storage?
No. A ground-floor (first-floor) unit is on the ground level but is usually reached from inside a building, so you park at an entrance and use a hand cart to get to your door. A drive-up unit is reached from outside, so your vehicle stays just steps from the unit.
Are drive-up storage units climate-controlled?
Almost all drive-up storage units are not climate-controlled, so the temperature inside is usually similar to the weather outside. A small number of locations do offer temperature-controlled units with drive-up access. If your items are sensitive to heat, cold or humidity, compare drive-up with climate-controlled storage or ask the on-site manager what is available.
How much does drive-up storage cost?
Industry averages for standard storage units range from about $35–$60 a month for a 5x5 to about $200–$325 a month for a 10x30, based on SpareFoot, Yardi Matrix and RentCafe reporting. Drive-up units typically cost less than a climate-controlled unit of the same size. Prices vary by market, size and availability, so check your local SmartStop location for current rates.
Can I store a car in a drive-up storage unit?
Yes, at locations that allow vehicle storage. A 10x20 drive-up unit fits most compact and midsize cars, with little room left for anything else. Vehicles typically need to be registered, insured and in running condition, and rules vary by location, so ask the on-site manager before you move in. See our car storage and vehicle storage options.
