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Size Guide Unit Amenities Unit Pricing Preparing Your Car For Storage

Sparefoot Car Storage Size Guide

Unit Amenities

Select an amenity, enter your zip code, and find a unit in your area that has what you need:

An Outdoor Uncovered unit is a parking space similar to a traditional parking lot.

You'll typically park your vehicle under a standalone roof alongside other vehicles like a carport.

You won't get as much protection as an enclosed unit, but the roof structure will protect from the harshest elements.

Car storage units that essentially act as a garage that you drive straight into, and are accessed via a large roll-up door.

Car Storage Unit Prices

Self-storage rental rates are typically charged on a monthly basis. The price of storage will depend on a number of factors, but mainly the unit size.

Search your area for the most accurate pricing:

Storage Unit Size	Monthly Price
10' x 15'	$80.65
10' x 20'	$77.19
10' x 30'	$84.99

Parking Unit Size	Monthly Price
15' Long	$79.56
20' Long	$77.17
25' Long	$80.04
30' Long	$85.01
35' Long	$94.44
40' Long	$106.98

Frequently asked questions

What are the main factors that affect the price of a storage unit?

The biggest factor is definitely the size of the unit. Smaller storage units are often cheaper than larger ones, and generally the more amenities you have the higher the cost.

The location of the unit within the facility is also important. Interior units, units on the first floor, and units near the elevator will typically cost more than other storage units. For car storage, the type of amenities you choose may increase the price. For example, a fully enclosed unit might cost more than an outdoor unit.

The location of the facility matters as well. Self-storage tends to cost more in big cities and less in rural areas. Prices will also depend on whether or not the facility is located near the city center or on the edge of town.

The last thing most people don't think about is the level of demand in the area (and the occupancy rate at the facility). If no one is renting storage in your area, then odds are the facility will mostly be empty. As a result, the storage facility is probably willing to let units go at a cheaper rate. The opposite is also true. If occupancy is high, the cost of the remaining units will likely increase.

What is the average price of a car storage unit?

The average price to store a car is about $90/month.

How can I guarantee I find the lowest price on storage?

Shopping around and comparing different options is the best way to find affordable storage. Besides that, if you know you're staying for a longer period of time, some storage facilities allow you to negotiate a lower monthly rate to ensure a longer tenancy. Other facilities may offer discounts for referrals, meaning if you can get a friend to also rent with them, they'll cut you a deal.

Unfortunately, some facilities might not budge on the price but may be willing to throw in a few perks for free. See what you can do to negotiate for free boxes, storage locks or a moving truck rental.

For more info, check out our blog post on how to get discounts on self storage.

Can the storage facility raise my rent?

Yes. Rent increases are common in the storage industry and depend on market prices in your area. If you're concerned about a rent increase during your tenancy, go through the lease carefully with your storage facility. Make sure you're clear on notification procedures, should a rent increase occur.

Will there be any additional fees?

An administrative fee or 'admin fee' is a one-time fee that the facility will charge at the time of move-in. This is very common and is used to offset the costs of setting up your tenant account and processing paperwork. Usually, the admin fee is between $15-$25, although in some cases it can be more. Sometimes this fee may even replace your security deposit charge.

Tax amounts will vary depending on where you're renting and you'll also need to provide your own lock for your unit, which can range from $5-$50. Additional things you may be charged for include dumpster service, electrical charges, etc.

What information do I need to reserve a car storage unit?

Many car storage facilities require that you bring the following documents with you when you bring your car to move-in to the unit:

Proof of auto registration
Proof of car insurance
Vehicle title
The car must be drivable

How to Prepare Your Car for Storage

Parking your car in storage without any preparation is a bad idea no matter what type of storage you're renting. Doing so will almost certainly cause issues with the vehicle that will be expensive to repair down the line. Following these steps will help ensure your car comes out of storage in the same condition it was when you left it.

Change the oil, filter, brake fluid and coolant.

Engine oil contains contaminants that, if not changed frequently enough, can damage the engine. The rest of these chemicals can cause the parts that use them to corrode or oxidize.

Fill your gas tank.

Gasoline will absorb the moisture in your tank that would otherwise accumulate and cause the tank to rust. It will also prevent the tank's seals from drying out. If you're storing your car for several months or longer, use a fuel stabilizer. Fuel stabilizers prevent gas from deteriorating and are effective for about one year.

Disconnect the battery.

Cars drain their battery even when the engine is off, and you don't want to have to replace the battery once you retrieve your car from storage. If possible, try to drive the car for 15 minutes every two weeks, which will help maintain the battery and keep your car's components lubricated. If you're unable to do so, disconnect the battery. You won't need to entirely remove the battery from the vehicle, just disconnect the negative battery cable. If you do want to keep the car battery charged in your absence for a long period of time and you've rented a storage unit with electrical access, use a trickle charger. This will connect your car battery to an electrical outlet and send a trickle of energy through to the battery--just enough to keep it charged.

Take care of your tires.

If your car sits on its tires in the same position over a long period of time, your tires will develop flat spots and require replacement. This is particularly an issue if the storage location experiences cold temperatures.

The most basic precaution you can take to prevent flat spots from developing is getting your tires rotated and over-inflated. If you're storing your vehicle long-term, it's a good idea to raise your car up on jack stands and remove the wheels if possible.

Remove your windshield wipers.

The rubber on your windshield wipers can start to stick to your windshield, leaving hard-to-remove residue. One way to prevent this is by placing a plastic cover between the windshield and wipers. But the ideal is to remove the wipers entirely.

Prevent dust, dirt, and unwanted guests from getting inside.

Dust and dirt can damage your car's components, while pests like rodents and insects can wreak havoc inside your car. The best way to prevent any damage is to use a car cover. At the very least, you can also plug any openings, particularly your tailpipe. If you're concerned with keeping your car in top condition, we recommend renting an interior storage unit with electrical access so you can use a car storage bubble. This device uses a small electric fan to inflate a clear plastic capsule that envelopes the car, offering unparalleled protection for your vehicle, and are commonly used for the storage of exotic and collector cars.

Release your parking brake.

If you leave your parking brake pads on for too long, they can fuse with the rotors. While it may sound like a good idea to engage your parking brake while storing the vehicle for a long period of time, the threat of fusion outweighs any added safety. Stick chocks under the wheels (if you left the wheels on) instead-these prevent movement better than the parking brake does.

How to Prepare Your Car for Outdoor Storage

Since the elements can put a great amount of wear and tear on your vehicle there are a few extra precautions you'll need to take to protect your car when storing it outside.

The two greatest risk of storing your car outside are sunlight and precipitation. Sunlight can cause damage to paint and tires, while precipitation can cause parts of your car to corrode. The best way to protect your car when storing it outside is to buy a high-quality car cover. Make sure the cover protects from moisture, preferably by incorporating ventilation or by using a wicking "dri-fit" material, covers that trap in moisture can actually cause more damage to your car.

If you decide against a car cover, there are a few other measures you can take to protect your car. The sun can damage the car's paint, causing it to fade over time. Waxing your car will act as a protective coating against the sun, as well as dirt and dust. You can also use paint protection film kits to protect areas that receive a lot of direct sunlight, like the hood. Protective films are also useful for covering your headlights.

Direct sunlight over a long period of time will cause your tires to crack and lose their elasticity, making them dangerous to drive on. the best way to prevent sun damage is by keeping your tires covered and out of the sun.

Taking Your Car Out of Storage

Not only is it extremely dangerous to drive your car once out of storage without checking it thoroughly, it can also worsen damage that might have occurred. Here are a few things you should look over before taking your car back out on the road:

Clean your car out.

Clean your car out, wiping dirt and dust off of important components. Check for evidence of pests-you don't want to start your car up with a mouse in the exhaust pipe.

Check fluids.

Check fluids and make sure they're at the adequate level and appear to be in a good condition. Refill anything that appears low.

Check for cracks in rubber.

Check over the rubber parts of your vehicle for any cracks. Tires and windshield wipers are particularly vulnerable.

Check tire pressure.

Check tire pressure and look over tires for flat spots.

Reattach your battery.

Reattach your battery and see if you can start your car.

Allow the car to run for a few minutes.

Allow the car to run for a few minutes to make sure that everything is functioning smoothly.

Slowly drive your car around.

Slowly drive your car around the storage facility. Test out the brakes. Your brakes may have accumulated rust, and unless the damage is extreme that rust should wear away after a bit of use.

Be cautious in your driving.

Be cautious in your driving after long-term storage, taking things slow and easy. Be especially attentive to any signs of damage during the few days of driving.

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