2-Car Garage Dimensions: The Complete Guide

We understand the need for perfection. But when looking for the perfect garage, choosing the correct size can be daunting. In this article, we have outlined many different factors to consider in order to choose the perfect two-car garage dimensions. 

Ready for your answers? Let’s continue the conversation! 

HOW BIG IS A TWO-CAR GARAGE?

Great question. Here comes a nuanced answer. The overall size depends on your specific needs and desires for your garage. Are you interested in adding just two small cars? Or do you have greater plans for activities and a place for projects? Most standard two-car garage sizes are 20×20 feet, 22×22 feet, 24×24 feet, or 28×28 feet. 

Below we have created a graph which outlines the standard sizes for two-car garages, ranging from the bare minimum to a more spacious area. 

*All sizes and dimensions are in feet. 

WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM 2-CAR GARAGE DIMENSIONS? 

If you’re looking to cut corners and save some cash, the minimum 2-car garage dimensions are 20×20 feet, which is equivalent to 400 square feet. Some folks might add a bit more space and choose a 22×22 foot garage leading to 484 square feet.  But this comes at a hidden cost. 

Some challenges of the smallest two-car garage include: 

• Less space for storage and accessories. Sure, you might have just enough room for your vehicles, but what about your tools, workbench, storage, and space for other activities? 
• Smaller garage doors. Normally, garage doors are 9 or 10 feet wide. But if the width of your garage is only 20 feet, you will have to downgrade your doors to 8 feet wide. 
• Car doors might hit the walls. When you choose the smallest two-car garage dimensions, you do run the risk of swinging your car’s door into the wall or a vehicle beside yours. 
• Limited Resale Value. I know this might not be on your mind right now. But when it comes time to sell your home, a smaller garage may be a drawback for potential buyers who need more garage space for their vehicles and storage. This limitation could make it harder to sell your property at the desired price.

 Wanting a very specific two-car garage? You can search through our price tool to find prices to your ideal garage size.

WHAT ARE THE AVERAGE 2-CAR GARAGE DIMENSIONS? 

Overall, the average two-car garage dimensions are 24×24 feet (576 sq ft) or 24×30 feet (720 sq ft). When we say “average” we are not meaning a negative connotation, but rather showing a middle ground of sizing options. If you are able, we recommend choosing an average sized two-car garage as it will be able to provide extra space for your needs. However, we understand that your specific needs may require less or more space. To further explain average size dimensions, we will break it down into width, length, height, function, and building code specifications. 

*All dimensions are in feet 

Width

We recommend a width of at least 24 feet. Let us explain our reasoning. The average width of a car is around 6 to 6.5 feet. If you’re wanting to host two cars of that size, you’re already at around 13 feet. Now, we recommend having at least 2 to 3 feet of space on either side of each vehicle, adding a minimum of 6 to 9 feet. Are you keeping up with the math? We’re now hitting a width of about 22 feet, but that hasn’t allowed much extra space for storage or other necessities. 

As a result, if your property has space and your township gives permission, we recommend going at least 24 feet wide. You’ll love the extra width for getting in and out of your car when it is parked inside the garage. If you can’t have a width of 24 feet, you can still have a decent amount of space when choosing a 22 foot wide garage. 

Length/Depth

The length of your two-car garage all depends on the size of your vehicle and what you hope to do inside the garage besides parking vehicles. Most of us want to store more in our two-car garage than Old Bessie and her sidekick. Add an ATV, a motorcycle, or even a few bicycles and your garage can quickly become crowded. Put some shelves on the walls, or add a workbench or two and watch your floor space shrink!

Keep in mind that a typical sedan (here we go again) is about 17 feet long. If you want room to get around the back of your vehicle with the garage door closed you may want to go more than 24 feet deep. You might also consider adding 4 more feet for a workbench so you have space to tinker with the car inside. If you really want space to work on your vehicle inside the garage, then you should consider a 30’ long two car garage.

Height 

Want to know the bottom line? Extra height in your garage means extra storage space. 

It’s easy to assume that all car garages have a standard ceiling height. But even height is adjustable according to your needs. You can see in the portfolios that there is a huge difference between a standard two car garage size and a garage with an attic space. 

However, just to keep it simple, the average ceiling height in a two car garage is about 8 feet and the typical garage door is 7 feet high. If you have a full-sized pickup truck, van, or enclosed trailer to store inside the garage, you may need to go with a larger dimension in both your two car garage and garage door size.

Remember that if you want to install an opener, keep a minimum of two inches of headroom above the garage door where it comes closest to the ceiling during travel. One advantage of looking at a Sheds Unlimited two car garage is that most of our garages have the options of increasing the height dimensions.

Here are a few examples of the height dimensions of our two car garages:

For even more details regarding width, length and doors on two-car garages, click on our portfolios below.

24×24 Attic Workshop 2-Car Garage in Greenwich, CT

24×20 Attic Workshop 2-Car Garage in Greenwich, CT

24×24 Single-Story Workshop 2-Car garage in Centerville, MA

24×30 Single-Story Workshop 2-Car Garage in Malvern, PA

24×24 Single-Story Workshop 2-Car Garage in Osterville, MA

20×24 Single-Story Workshop 2-Car Garage in Palmyra, Va

Function

Before you can definitively decide what two-car garage dimensions to choose, you have to first know the exact function of your garage. If this is simply to host two small vehicles then the answer is simple: try to get a 24’x24’ two car garage. Now, if you’re looking to add more functionality, ask yourself the following questions to determine what all you want from this garage: 

• Do I own a VW Beetle or a full-sized SUV?
• What size are my vehicles?
• Am I planning to store more than two vehicles in this garage?
• Do I need storage shelves in front of my vehicle? What about beside my vehicle? 
• Do I need a workbench?
• Is extra storage space important to me?
• Do I want to use my garage as an extra space to host guests for meals and events? 
• Is there anyone in my household who needs a small apartment or workspace above the garage?
• Do I have room on my property for one of the larger two-car garages?
• Does my budget allow for larger two-car garage square footage?
• Do I need space for a trash and recycling area within the garage?
• Do I anticipate my storage needs increasing in the future?
• Will I need space for a lawnmower, snow blower, or other large outdoor equipment?
• Will I need a separate entrance or exit for convenience or safety reasons?

Building Codes

It’s important that you understand what your local building codes before you plan out the dimensions to your two car garage. Most areas of the United States allow garages under 1,000 square feet which would encompass all of the sizes we have covered in this article. However, it is easy to forget that local jurisdictions have specific laws and regulations regarding the size, set-backs, and location of your garage on your property.

Almost all areas of the United States require that you apply for a building permit for an attached garage with your anticipated plot size before you can begin building with a contractor. Similarly, detached garages also require a building permit (and sometimes a zoning permit) in most areas. Again, contact your local government to ensure that you are not going against any regulations with the 2-car garage dimensions you have chosen. Read our articles on garage codes for permitting answers in New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. 

WHAT IS THE PRICE FOR A 2-CAR GARAGE? 

That’s the question that burns on all of our minds, am I right? When deciding on your two-car garage dimensions, it’s important to know the price differences between each style and size. With you in mind, we have created the following table. You may notice that all of our Legacy Workshop garages are significantly more expensive than our standard Workshop models. This is because our Legacy garages are built with an additional floor which can be converted into a work-out space, apartment for your parents, storage area, craft nook, office space, or so much more!

Okay, enough chatter. Find the prices for your 2-car garage. 

WANT ANOTHER RESOURCE?

If you’re looking for even more information on getting the correct two-car garage dimensions, watch the following YouTube video. It’s a great way to understand the visual layout of a 2-car garage and help you ensure that you are planning for enough space for all of your vehicles. And if you want more inspiration, read about Renee’s party garage.

READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEPS TO YOUR 2-CAR GARAGE?

Now that you’ve found the best 2-car garage dimensions to meet your needs, it’s time to take the next 5 simple steps: 

1. Browse different sized 2-car garages and compare the prices. 
2. Request a free estimate for your chosen garage size. 
3. Find out your township’s requirements for garage approval. 
4. Request a set of free garage plans from Sheds Unlimited.
5. Find a contractor to install your concrete pad. Learn about Pad Preparation through our article. 

We wish you all the best as you plan to build the 2-car garage to store all your beloved vehicles (and most likely, a few possessions)!