Renting self storage and wondering if you need drive-up access? Whether you’re planning to store large, heavy items or simply want the convenience of ground-level storage that you can pull right up to, drive-up access could be the perfect choice for you! Here’s why you should rent drive-up storage.
Benefits of Drive-Up Storage
Drive-up access can make your overall storage experience easier. With convenient loading, a variety of storage unit sizes, and more, drive-up self storage is an excellent feature to have!
Convenient Loading & Unloading
The greatest benefit of drive-up access is that you can pull a car or moving truck right up to your storage space to unload and load items—eliminating the need to make multiple trips. This is especially convenient for those who plan to make frequent visits to drop off and pick up their stored belongings, such as business owners storing inventory or families utilizing seasonal or winter storage. Unlike a standard indoor storage unit that’s located inside a building, a drive-up unit is exterior-facing, so you don’t have to worry about walking through tight hallways or up flights of stairs when storing belongings. This ground-level design not only reduces your risk of injury while storing difficult items, but also reduces the chance of items getting damaged during the process.
Can Be Lower Cost
Compared to the cost of renting an indoor unit, outdoor storage units with drive-up access tend to be more affordable. This is partly because drive-up storage doesn’t often overlap with amenities that are usually found indoors, such as climate control. Similarly, while drive-up access units are typically protected by security features like video surveillance and locks, they don’t have the additional layer of security that being located inside a building offers—which also contributes to their lower rental rates.
More Storage Unit Size Options
In many cases, drive-up access storage units come in a wider range of sizes, from small 5x5 units and medium 10x10 units to 10x30 and larger! With the convenience of multiple storage unit size options, you can choose the drive-up unit that best matches your unique self storage needs. Before reserving a drive-up unit with Extra Space Storage, check out our storage unit size guide or call our team of self storage experts to see which unit is right for you.
Easier to Store Large Items
When storing large items like household appliances, recreational equipment, mattresses, and more, a drive-up storage unit is going to be your best bet! Not only can you find outdoor drive-up storage units in larger sizes to accommodate these items, but you’ll have the convenience of pulling your vehicle right up to your unit to move items in and out as well!
Convenient for Business Storage
A drive-up access storage unit can be useful for commercial storage, especially if you’re storing inventory, materials, or equipment for your business. Drive-up access is also ideal for business owners who need quick and easy access to various supplies and documents. Renting a storage unit near your business location or in your customer service area can make picking up and dropping off items easier.
How to Use a Drive-Up Storage Unit
While there are many ways drive-up access can make your self storage experience easier, drive-up units can also be used to store a variety of items.
Vehicle Storage
Drive-up storage units provide an affordable and convenient vehicle storage solution! At many Extra Space Storage locations, you can store different types of vehicles—including cars, motorcycles, and small recreational vehicles like jet skis. Some facilities may even have oversized drive-up units that can accommodate larger vehicles like boats, RVs, campers, or trailers. The garage-like, drive-up design of these units makes it easy to drop off and retrieve your vehicles as needed. If you wish to store a car and other belongings, it’s best to calculate the right size of storage unit for your vehicle in advance, so you know how much additional space to add for your other items.
Furniture Storage
If you’re using self storage while moving, having a drive-up access unit can be more convenient for furniture storage needs. Because it require less effort, drive-up storage is ideal for moving heavy, bulky items—like large couches, beds, dining tables, desks, appliances, patio furniture, and more. With a drive-up storage unit, you can load and unload furniture right from your moving truck—eliminating the hassle of hauling pieces across long distances or up flights of stairs.
Recreational Equipment Storage
Recreational equipment comes in many sizes—and while smaller items can often be stored at home, many larger items might take up too much space in a garage, shed, basement, or attic. Items like camping gear, kayaks, bikes, skis, snowboards, and tailgating equipment can be difficult to store at home and could be better stored in a drive-up self storage unit nearby. Drive-up access storage is a worthwhile consideration for these seasonal or year-round storage needs as it can help free up valuable space at home and allow you to easily access items when you need them.
Business Inventory & Document Storage
Drive-up access can save time when transporting and storing business inventory and supplies like heavy appliances, machines, tools, and more. You can also use a drive-up unit for secure business document storage. Additionally, renting a storage unit with drive-up access can help you quickly retrieve and swap out items based on client needs. Plus, many Extra Space Storage locations accept deliveries, so managing small business inventory in self storage can be easier, too!
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Looking for drive-up storage near you? Extra Space Storage has storage facilities across the U.S. that offer a wide range of unit sizes with drive-up access. Find convenient drive-up units near you!
