{"id":11871,"date":"2026-06-11T16:50:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T16:50:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/?p=11871"},"modified":"2026-06-11T17:33:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T17:33:05","slug":"how-far-are-customers-willing-to-travel-for-self-storage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/how-far-are-customers-willing-to-travel-for-self-storage\/","title":{"rendered":"How Far Are Customers Willing to Travel for Self-Storage?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!-- VideographyWP Plugin Message: Automatic video embedding prevented by plugin options. --><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-3315 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Calvary-Realty.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"203\" height=\"135\" \/>When evaluating a self-storage investment, one of the most important questions to ask is: <b>How far are customers willing to travel to access their storage unit?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Understanding tenant travel patterns can help owners, operators, and investors make better decisions about site selection, marketing strategies, facility amenities, and pricing. While convenience remains a major factor for most renters, customer behavior shows that many are willing to travel farther when a facility offers the right combination of value, security, and features.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Let\u2019s take a closer look at how far tenants are willing to travel for self-storage and what these trends mean for facility owners.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>The Majority of Customers Stay Within 20 Minutes<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The data shows that nearly 70% of self-storage customers travel less than 20 minutes to access their unit.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>33% Travel 10 Minutes or Less<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The largest segment of renters prefers a facility located within 10 minutes of their home or workplace. For these customers, convenience is the primary deciding factor.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">These tenants often need frequent access to their belongings and place a premium on quick entry, easy navigation, and a convenient location. Facilities located along major roads, near residential neighborhoods, or close to commercial centers often benefit from this demand.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">To attract these customers, operators should focus on:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Easy access and visibility<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Drive-up units<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Extended access hours<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Fast move-in processes<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Strong online presence for local searches<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>36% Travel Between 10 and 19 Minutes<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Another significant portion of tenants are willing to drive slightly farther if the facility offers competitive pricing, good service, or desirable amenities.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">For many renters, this represents the \u201csweet spot\u201d between convenience and value. They may be willing to pass by a closer competitor if they perceive a better overall experience.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Facilities serving this market should emphasize:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Competitive rates<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Clean and secure properties<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Online rentals and payments<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Friendly customer service<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Well-maintained facilities<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Some Customers Will Travel for Better Value<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">While convenience drives most rental decisions, a substantial percentage of customers are willing to travel farther when they believe they are receiving greater value. 18% Travel Between 20 and 29 Minutes<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Nearly one in five tenants will drive 20 to 29 minutes to access their storage unit.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">These customers often prioritize factors such as affordability, availability of larger units, climate-controlled options, RV and boat storage, or specialized storage solutions.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">For operators, this means that unique offerings can expand the facility\u2019s customer base well beyond the immediate trade area.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Examples include:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Climate-controlled storage<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Vehicle, RV, and boat storage<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Enhanced security systems<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Business storage solutions<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Long-term storage discounts<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Premium Facilities Can Draw Customers From Longer Distances<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The data also shows that some customers are willing to travel significantly farther for the right facility.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">6% Travel Between 30 and 44 Minutes<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">6% Travel 45 Minutes or More<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Combined, approximately 12% of self-storage tenants travel more than 30 minutes to access their units.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">These customers are often seeking something specific that isn\u2019t available closer to home. This could include premium security features, climate-controlled storage, specialized vehicle storage, or simply a facility with a strong reputation and competitive pricing.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">For facilities located in rural markets or secondary locations, this is encouraging news. A property does not necessarily need to be located in the center of a major population hub to attract tenants. Facilities that provide exceptional service and unique features can successfully pull customers from a much larger geographic area.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>What This Means for Self-Storage Investors<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Many investors automatically assume that a facility must be located in a dense urban market to succeed. While location certainly matters, the data suggests that customers are often willing to travel farther when a facility offers compelling advantages.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">When evaluating a storage investment, consider:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The quality of competing facilities nearby<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The availability of climate-controlled units<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Security and access features<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Online rental capabilities<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Specialized storage options<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Pricing relative to the local market<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">A facility with strong amenities and excellent management may be able to attract customers from well beyond its immediate neighborhood.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Key Takeaway<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The numbers tell an interesting story:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">33% of tenants travel 10 minutes or less<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">36% travel between 10 and 19 minutes<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">18% travel between 20 and 29 minutes<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">6% travel between 30 and 44 minutes<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">6% travel 45 minutes or more<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">While convenience remains the biggest driver for most self-storage customers, a significant percentage are willing to travel farther for better value, enhanced security, specialized storage options, and superior customer service.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">For facility owners and investors, the lesson is simple: location matters, but delivering a better customer experience can dramatically expand your market reach.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>Looking to Buy or Sell a Self-Storage Facility?<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Calvary Realty specializes in the acquisition and disposition of self-storage facilities nationwide. Whether you\u2019re looking to purchase your next investment, evaluate a facility, or maximize the value of an asset before selling, our team is here to help.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b><u>Contact<\/u>:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Brandon Robinson (<\/b>National Director) and <b>Ingla Robinson (<\/b>Vice President of Operations)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #222222;\"><span style=\"font-family: Lato, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.listselfstorage.com\/us\/vendors\/profile\/Calvary-Realty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Calvary Realty<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When evaluating a self-storage investment, one of the most important questions to ask is: How far are customers willing to travel to access their storage unit? Understanding tenant travel patterns can help owners, operators, and investors make better decisions about site selection, marketing strategies, facility amenities, and pricing. While convenience remains a major factor for most renters, customer behavior shows that many are willing to travel farther when a facility offers the right combination of value, security, and features. Let\u2019s take a closer look at how far tenants are willing&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":3315,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6,21],"tags":[],"gutentor_comment":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11871"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11871"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11871\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11872,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11871\/revisions\/11872"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3315"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11871"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11871"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/listselfstorage.com\/us\/industry-insights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11871"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}