You can pick on a garage your own size (and for your needs)
The smallest one-car garage is typically no less than 180 square feet.
The average garage size for a two-car garage is 18 feet wide by 20 feet long.
The number and size of vehicles and attached/detached garages will affect the size and price.
The national average for building a garage is $28,307.
Garages are one of the most flexible areas of a home. Whether it’s attached to your house or stands a few feet away, it bends and shapes to fit your storage needs which, for most homeowners, goes beyond the typical car. A garage does more than add value to your home—a value you won’t feel until it’s time to sell. With some planning, you can figure out the right size that lets you experience the value of your garage while you’re still there.
| Number of Cars | Average Garage Dimensions | Average Square Footage |
|---|---|---|
| One-car | 12x20 | 240 |
| Two-car | 18x20 | 360 |
| Three-car | 32x22 | 704 |
When building or rebuilding your garage, you need to start with its size, and everything else (siding, garage doors, paint colors) will follow. Two-car garages seem to be the norm, but many homeowners opt for a one-car garage or sometimes even a three-car garage if there’s a need for it. While other factors change whether you choose a two-car garage over a one-car garage—which we discuss later—standard garage sizes change depending on whether they fit one, two, or three cars.
The average size of a one-car (or single-car) garage is 240 sq. ft. or 12x20. When sizing your garage, take the word “average” with a grain of salt. There are several common sizes for one-car garages that fit smaller sedans to larger trucks. The smallest is 10x18 (or 180 sq. ft.), and while this wouldn’t comfortably fit most cars, you could get away with parking microcars like a Smart Car or VW Beetle.
Other common single-car garage sizes with extended lengths are 264 sq. ft. (12x22) and 288 sq. ft. (12x24). For added width, your options are wider alternatives that measure 308 sq. ft. (14x22) and 336 sq. ft. (14x24).
Two factors—one obvious and the other not-so-obvious—determine the average size of a two-car garage. First, you need to make sure two cars fit inside. Second, both cars need to have enough space in between them (around two to three feet) so you’re not bumping the doors into each other every time you open them. The average two-car garage measures at 360 sq. ft. (18 feet wide by 20 feet long). They’re not meant to fit anything larger than two midsize cars, but like one-car garages, there are extra options if you’re into big cars: 400 sq. ft. (20x20), 440 sq. ft. (20x22), and 484 sq. ft. (22x22).
Most houses in US suburbs come with two-car garages. Some households, especially those with multiple drivers, might need to redesign to fit the extra car. The average three-car garage size is 32 feet wide by 22 feet long (704 sq. ft.). This would fit three cars just perfectly, and in this case, “perfect” might mean hitting your cars against each other or the walls. For a better fit, 36x24 is ideal. And if you need more space for larger, longer cars, other popular garage sizes include 32x24, 34x24, and 36x28.
The first question you need to answer is, how many cars do you own? That answer is your starting point. If you have two cars, start with a two-car garage. After, consider their size. The average car is about 6 to 7 feet wide. The sedan is 15 feet long while SUVs and trucks come in at about 16 feet and 20 feet long, respectively. If your car is oversized, expand beyond the standard.
Your garage is one big storage space. Whether you use it to store cars, tools, clothes, and more is up to you. The walls are ideal locations to add shelving, but the ceiling—depending on the design of your garage door—can house bins and boxes.
You can choose between one-, two-, or three-door garages, each of which comes with its own price point. The more doors you have, the higher the cost will be. Additional garage doors will also require additional width in your garage, which will increase the price of your garage as a whole.
When building or remodeling a garage, there are pros and cons to choosing an attached vs. detached garage. An attached garage makes it easy to get in and out of your home. Just think—you won’t have to brave any extreme weather on your way to your car. With a detached garage, you’re likely to get caught in a downpour, but you tend to have more flexibility with changing or expanding the structure.
Consider this: a small house with a large attached garage. It can be an eyesore. A smaller garage could give you more curb appeal, but if you need more space, a detached garage—tucked behind your house—is a common solution for getting the space and look you want.
In your decision between attached and detached, just remember that you can consider a detached garage its own “mini-home” while an attached garage is an extension of your home. Any changes made to it are changes you also make to your house.
Don’t feel chagrined if you plan to use your garage for everything but parking your car. Similar to basements and attics, a garage is flexible. If you plan to convert your garage into a workspace, you’ll need to consider what extra space (if any) you’ll need for your setup. Homeowners tend to use the extra space as a workshop—tailored to special crafts or hobbies like painting and woodworking—or as a home office. You can also create an at-home gym in your garage to squeeze in some convenient workouts throughout the day.
The average cost to build a garage is around $28,670, though it can range from $16,500 to $40,860 depending on several factors, including its size. The bigger the garage, the bigger the price tag. Labor fees, and whether it's attached or detached will also affect your overall cost. The average prices for building a garage by size are:
One-car garage: $10,500-$27,000
Two-car garage: $14,500-$40,300
Three-car garage: $28,200-$57,100
Garages are highly customizable. Keep the average costs and sizes as a starting point, but a local garage builder can help design and build a garage that fits all your needs—working, storage, or regular parking.
