Standard clearance by garage type
| Garage type | Typical clearance |
|---|---|
| Ordinary space (common code minimum) | 7'0" (84") |
| ADA van-accessible route (federal ADA) | 8'2" (98") min |
| Older / downtown decks | 6'8" – 7'6" |
| Modern / suburban garages | 7'6" – 8'2" |
| Airport & mixed-use structures | 7'0" – 8'2" |
These are typical figures. The actual limit varies by the structure's age, location, and local code — and the posted sign at the entrance is the authoritative number.
Will your vehicle fit?
Approximate stock heights. Measure your own vehicle — roof racks, antennas, cargo boxes, lift kits, and rooftop A/C units all add inches the spec sheet doesn't list.
| Vehicle | Typical height | Fits a 7' garage? |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan | 4'8" – 5'0" | Usually |
| SUV / crossover | 5'6" – 6'0" | Usually |
| Minivan | 5'8" – 5'10" | Usually |
| Pickup (stock) | 5'8" – 6'6" | Usually |
| Cargo van — low roof | 6'8" – 7'2" | Usually |
| Cargo van — medium / standard roof | 8'0" – 8'6" | Close call |
| High-roof van (Sprinter / Transit / ProMaster) | 8'9" – 9'4" | No |
| Class B camper van | 8'6" – 10'0" | No |
| U-Haul / box truck | 9'6" – 13'6" | No |
| Class C RV | 10'0" – 11'6" | No |
"Fits" is a rough guide against a standard 7'0" garage, not a guarantee — measure your own vehicle and check the posted sign. "Close call" means it's worth checking a taller/oversized-friendly garage first.
How to measure your vehicle's height
- Park on flat ground and measure from the pavement to the highest fixed point — usually the roof, a roof rack, an A/C shroud, or an antenna base.
- Add anything you carry on top: kayaks, cargo boxes, bikes on a roof mount.
- Round up to the next inch and keep that number on your dash. The factory spec is a starting point, not your real height once you've added gear or a lift.
Leave yourself margin. A posted clearance is the lowest point on a beam or pipe that may sag, ice up, or sit lower than the sign suggests. We recommend keeping at least 6 inches between your true height and the posted clearance — and never trusting a number you didn't read off the sign yourself. A wrong guess costs a torn-off A/C unit, a peeled roof, or worse.
Why the 7'0" and 8'2" numbers?
The 8'2" (98 inch) figure comes from the federal 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design: van-accessible parking spaces, their access aisles, and the vehicular route serving them must provide at least 98 inches of vertical clearance so wheelchair-lift vans can pass (see the U.S. Access Board's parking guide). 7'0" is the clearance commonly designed for ordinary spaces. Some states go further — California, for example, applies the 8'2" requirement to every accessible space, not just van spaces.
WillIFit.ai tracks 10,000+ parking garages, tunnels, and low bridges across 226 US cities — many with clearances read straight from the posted sign in Google Street View. Enter your height and see what fits.
Check a garage near you →Frequently asked questions
How tall is a standard parking garage?
Most US garages post between 6'8" and 8'2". The common code minimum for an ordinary space is 7'0" (84 inches); garages serving ADA van-accessible parking must provide 8'2" (98 inches) along the route to those spaces. The posted sign is always the authoritative number.
What is the minimum parking garage clearance height?
About 7'0" (84 inches) for ordinary spaces under typical US codes, and 8'2" (98 inches) along ADA van-accessible routes under federal rules. Older garages can be lower — some post as little as 6'8".
Will a high-roof Sprinter or Transit van fit in a parking garage?
Usually not. High-roof Sprinter, Transit, and ProMaster vans stand roughly 8'9"–9'4" — above the typical 7'0"–8'2" garage clearance. Even medium-roof cargo vans (~8') often won't clear. Check the posted limit first.
Will my RV fit in a parking garage?
Almost never. Class B camper vans run ~8'6"–10' and Class C RVs ~10'–11'6", far above typical garage clearances. Look for surface lots or oversized-vehicle parking instead.
How do I find a parking garage that fits my vehicle?
Enter your vehicle's height on WillIFit.ai and it shows the garages, tunnels, and low bridges that clear it across 226 US cities — many AI-verified from Google Street View signage.