A practical 2 car carport runs 20 to 24 feet wide and 20 to 24 feet deep for side-by-side parking.
Most common “standard” references land at 24×20 ft or 20×20 ft, with 20×18 ft as the tightest footprint for two standard cars. The right dimensions for your two-car carport depend on what you park, how much door clearance you want, and whether you park side-by-side or in tandem.
Standard 2 Car Carport Dimensions By Layout
The biggest decision isn’t width or depth in isolation — it’s parking layout. Side-by-side parking needs roughly twice the width of one car, while tandem parking stacks the vehicles front-to-back and needs much more length.
For side-by-side parking, three size tiers cover most situations:
- 18 ft wide: Fits two compact cars, but door-opening clearance gets tight.
- 20–22 ft wide: Comfortable for most passenger cars and smaller SUVs.
- 24 ft wide: The preferred width for two larger vehicles or extra door clearance.
Depth follows the same logic. A 20 ft deep carport is a common standard; 18 ft is the cited minimum for two standard cars. Jumping to 22–24 ft deep buys room for walking space, mirrors, and accessories. Engineered Metal Buildings lists common examples spanning 18×20 ft, 20×20 ft, and 22×24 ft, which tracks exactly with these tiers.
How Wide And Deep Should A Two-Car Carport Be?
If you park two typical sedans or crossovers side-by-side, 24×20 ft is the dimensions most builders and guides treat as comfortably standard. The Angi guide calls this out as the side-by-side standard, with 20×18 ft as the minimum footprint for two ordinary cars.
The gap between minimum and comfortable is mostly about doors. Moving to 24 ft wide adds a meaningful amount of door-swing room on each side — the main reason the jump exists.
Legacy Carports guide uses 20×20 ft as its standard reference, but advises staying within an 18–24 ft width range for two-car use. That range is flexible because vehicle mixes vary: two compacts fit fine at 18 ft, while full-size pickups will strain a 20×20 ft footprint. If you drive large vehicles or want future flexibility, the wider end of the range is the honest recommendation.
Tandem Parking: A Different Dimension Entirely
Tandem parking stacks one car behind the other rather than side-by-side, and it changes the numbers completely. A standard tandem layout runs 12×40 ft, which fits two vehicles nose-to-tail in a narrow, deep footprint. Larger tandem layouts around 18×36 ft appear too, when you want extra storage space or more walking room between the cars.
Tandem carports make sense on narrow lots or long driveways where width is the constraint. The trade-off is access: the front vehicle usually has to move to get the rear one out. That’s the core reason tandem layouts are a minority choice among carport buyers despite their useful footprint.
Height is worth sizing up regardless of layout. Several builders recommend 9–10 ft of height to accommodate larger vehicles, roof racks, or lift kits. A standard 8 ft eave can feel cramped once a truck with a roof rack rolls in.
Real Carport Examples And What They Show
Concrete examples make the abstract numbers click.
Engineered Metal Buildings lists 18×20 ft, 20×20 ft, and 22×24 ft as its common two-car configurations. That spread confirms the core lesson: there is no single “standard” size, only a range shaped by your vehicles. When you’re ready to compare ready-made options, our roundup of the best 2 car carport models breaks down what each footprint actually fits.
The most common sizing mistakes come from treating one dimension as universal. A 20×20 ft carport is fine for many households, but it gets tight fast with full-size vehicles. Skipping the side-by-side versus tandem question forces a wrong purchase. And measuring only vehicle body length without accounting for door swing, mirrors, and walking space guarantees a cramped fit. Builders consistently say the same thing: measure your actual vehicles, add door-swing clearance on both sides, and buy up rather than down if you’re between sizes.
| Carport Size | Best Fit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20×18 ft | Two compact cars | Cited minimum for two standard cars |
| 20×20 ft | Most sedans | Common “standard” reference; tight for full-size vehicles |
| 24×20 ft | Sedans and smaller SUVs | Popular comfortable side-by-side standard |
| 22×24 ft | Larger vehicles | Extra depth for walking room and accessories |
| 24×30 ft | Full-size trucks | Eagle Buildings example; roomiest option |
| 12×40 ft (tandem) | Two cars nose-to-tail | Standard tandem layout; narrow and deep |
The final decision comes down to measuring first. Pull your two largest vehicles into the space you’re considering — or mark out the footprint with tape — and open every door fully. If not, bump up one tier. Choosing 24 ft wide over 20 ft costs a little more upfront but eliminates the regret that comes from a carport that technically fits and practically doesn’t.
FAQs
What is the minimum width for a two-car carport?
The narrowest practical width is 18 ft, which accommodates two compact cars side by side with tight clearance. For two standard passenger cars, most guides cite 20 ft as the working minimum, and 24 ft becomes the comfortable choice once you want real door-opening room.
Is a 20×20 carport big enough for two cars?
Yes, for most sedans and smaller SUVs, but it leaves little extra clearance. Full-size pickups or vehicles with wide mirrors will feel cramped. If your household includes larger vehicles, stepping up to 24×20 ft provides noticeably better access.
What is a good carport depth for two cars?
Twenty feet is the most common and practical depth for side-by-side parking, covering most sedans and SUVs. Deeper layouts at 22–24 ft add room for walking space, stored items, or longer vehicles. For tandem parking, plan on roughly 40 ft of length.
References & Sources
- Engineered Metal Buildings. “Two Car Carports.” Lists common size configurations including 18×20 ft, 20×20 ft, and 22×24 ft.
- Eagle Buildings. “24×30 Standard 2 Car Carport.” Product example showing a 24 ft wide, 30 ft long, 9 ft tall two-car footprint.
- Alan’s Factory Outlet. “What is the Typical Size for Two Cars?” Details the 24×20 ft side-by-side standard and the 12×40 ft tandem layout.