3-Car Garage Dimensions: The Complete Guide

If you’re tired of parking your extra vehicles outside, squeezing around your spare freezer just to enter your car, and having no extra room in your garage for your lawnmower, you may want to consider buying a three-car garage.

You may be asking, but how big should my three-car garage be? Whether you’re looking for a three-car garage in Maine, NY, or any other state, you don’t want to build your garage and later wish you had more space! Let me walk you through all the things you should consider when deciding on the dimensions of your three car garage.

HOW BIG IS A THREE-CAR GARAGE?

We understand the need to know three-car garage dimensions for your brand-new building. After all, this is the most basic and important element to the planning process. Simply put, the size of a three-car garage can range anywhere from 20’x30′ to 30’x60′. 

But keep in mind that going with the smallest size will limit space for storing other things. You will want to start by considering the following three things:

• The size of your vehicles 
• How much space you have to build your garage
• What else you intend to do with your new garage space

For a brief breakdown of three-car garage dimensions, take a look at our table. But be sure to read. We’ll help you find the three-car garage size that is right for you, while also providing more details to consider when processing three-car garage dimensions. 

*The square footage in this chart does not take into consideration attics or other apartment space. 

MINIMUM THREE-CAR GARAGE SIZE

At the bare minimum, a three-car garage is 20’x30’. You might choose this size if you have limited land space, and your cars are very small. Or, perhaps you need a place to park small equipment, such as lawn mowers and golf carts. However, if you want to park three cars, you should consider going for something no smaller than 24’×36’. While you may be able to squeeze all three of them into a 20’×30’ three-car garage, it won’t give you much wiggle room or extra storage space.

Think about the times that you rushed to get out of the car. Would there be a risk that you’d scratch another vehicle? Or simply consider the ease that you like to have as you are unloading from a large shopping haul or long vacation. It’s important to be mindful of these things before opting for the smallest and cheapest three-car garage size. 

If you want to search for different sized three-car garages, use our search price tool below to explore various options.

THE AVERAGE SIZE OF A THREE-CAR GARAGE

Your average, everyday 3 car detached garage will be about 24’×36’, with those couple extra feet offering just enough breathing room to snugly fit your three cars.

However, many people opt to go even larger, in order to comfortably give you space to open the doors without hitting the walls or the car in the next bay. It’s also handy to have extra room for bicycles, workbench, or storage space. Below is a average sized three-car garages with added dimension details. Simply click on the photos and learn more.

28×36 Single-Story Saltbox 3-Car Garage in Plymouth, MA

24×36 Legacy 2-Story Workshop 3-Car Garage In Mineral, Va

LARGE THREE-CAR GARAGE DIMENSIONS

Three-car garage sizes can be as large as 30×60. Maybe you have two cars and then a large pick-up. By choosing one of the larger sizes for a three-car garage you’ll be able to easily park both of your vehicles. 

Want another idea for a larger three-car garage?  You may have a smaller house with no budget to add an addition and a garage. But by adding some square footage to your garage, you’ll empower your favorite little people to use their imaginations. Some larger families find that garages can be a space for their children (and their little friends) to have room to do activities during the colder months. Consider adding an art section in the corner, or maybe even a gaming nook. Plus, you’ll know that there will still be room for storage of lawn equipment, Christmas decorations, tools, hobby supplies, and more. 

THREE-CAR GARAGE SQUARE FOOTAGE

You’ve seen the table we created above with dimensions and bare-minimum square footage. But if you decide that you would like to have an office space or an apartment above your three-car garage, then you will need to rethink your overall square footage. 

For example, let’s say you decide to build a three-car garage that is 20’x40’ square feet. However, you have an attic added to the top of the garage. Now, your overall square footage is roughly 1,600 square feet (subtracting the area dedicated to a stairway leading up to the apartment). 

How Big SHOULD MY THREE CAR GARAGE BE?

There are multiple things to ponder when considering the size of your three car garage. Before randomly choosing a specific dimensions consider the following items:

• Number of cars
• The size of each car 
• Storage space needed
• Door sizes 
• Ceiling height 
• Local Building Codes 
• Future Needs 
• Budget 

Number of Cars

First things first, decide how many cars you need to store in your three-car garage. Then after you have determined that, you will need to know…

The Size of Each Car

Measure the length and width of each vehicle so that you know what three-car garage size is necessary. You should leave at least two feet of space in front of and behind your longest vehicle, two feet between each of your vehicles, and two feet between your vehicle and the wall. 

However, sliding in a few extra feet will make things more comfortable for everyone. A width of 36 feet will provide a nice amount of space for three vehicles side-by-side, leaving space to open doors without scratching the vehicles next to you, and room to walk around the vehicles. 

Vehicle length varies much more than width does, so the depth of your garage will vary a lot more depending on the length of your vehicles

Storage Needs 

In addition to the amount of vehicles you hope to park in your brand-new garage, think about your storage needs. How much shelving will you need to add? How much flex space would you like to allow yourself to easily reach storage items? Be realistic so that you aren’t frustrated later by a pile of things that couldn’t make their home in the garage. 

Door Sizes 

Typical garage doors are 9×7 feet each, if you decide to have a separate door for each vehicle. Alternatively, you can opt to have a larger garage door with the dimensions of 18’x8’ and a smaller 9’x8’ door. Regardless of your decisions, make sure that your tallest vehicle can easily enter through each door, otherwise you may have to customize your garage door sizes.

Ceiling Height 

If you would like to add overhead storage or a car lift, consider the ceiling height. Ensure that you have adequate space above to make all your wishes come true. 

Local Building Codes

When deciding on a three-car garage size, it’s important to first check in with your local government to determine what sizes, setbacks and heights are allowed in your jurisdiction. While it can vary extensively at a state, county, and city level, the IRC 2018 states that no garage can be larger than 1,000 square feet. If you need answers regarding garage permits in PA, NJ or MD check out our articles by clicking the state links. 

Future Needs

Don’t just think about today, tomorrow, or next month. What dreams or visions do you have for the future? Would they in any way cause you to want more space in your garage? Consider the size of the largest vehicle you could see yourself driving in the future. With that in mind, remember that the depth of a garage ranges from 20-30 feet. How deep would your garage need to be to accommodate this vehicle? 

HOW DEEP SHOULD A 3 CAR GARAGE BE? 

While we suggest that your 3-car garage should be around 20-30 feet deep, you have to take into account the length of your vehicles and overall purpose of your garage. If you plan to have larger vehicles like a pickup truck, consider a depth of at least 26 feet.

OTHER 3 CAR GARAGE SIZE CONSIDERATIONS

What do you want to do with your garage? How you answer this question will also help you determine how large your three car garage should be.

• Will you need extra space to load or unload a wheelchair?
• Do you want to add storage shelves? Where would you like to place them?
• Do you want to add an extra freezer or refrigerator?
• Do you want space for a workbench?
• Would you like to add a treadmill or workout station?
• Are you interested in rock climbing? Perhaps a rock climbing wall would be a great addition.
• How much lawn and garden equipment will you need to store? Do you have a lawnmower? How about a snow blower? 
• What sports do you enjoy? Your garage will be a great place to store your sporting equipment, so make sure you have space for it.
• Do you have animals that come in and out of your garage? Make sure they have plenty of space to move and roam between your storage and vehicles. 
• Do you often host? If so, you want your garage to be larger and have space to invite a whole passel of folks to parties and gatherings. 

A PREFAB 3-CAR GARAGE

We’ve added this video to offer inspiration and motivation to get the perfect dimensions for your three-car garage space. At Shed’s Unlimited, your dream garage can be added to your property in a matter of days. Don’t believe us? Take a look at this video.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE SIZE OF YOUR THREE-CAR GARAGE

As you look into your three car garages options, remember to allow two feet of wiggle room on all sides of your vehicle, and add extra room for storage as necessary. With your new three-car garage, you will finally have room to store all the things you’ve always needed garage space for, as well as protecting your vehicles from the weather.

Whatever you decide on, we have a three-car garage that will suit your needs. Take some time to read our prefab garage reviews, and then fill out our online form and get a free quote today! Or if you’d rather speak to someone in person, call 717-442-3281 to speak to a friendly sales rep about your three-car garage options. And if you simply want inspiration, read about Renee’s party garage – and excellent place for the whole family to chill!