Drive Up Storage Units in Johnstown, CO | Fast and Convenient Storage
Storage facilities in Johnstown are not all built the same way. Some put every unit behind a hallway, an elevator or a long walk from the parking lot. Drive-up units skip all of that. You park at the door, open the unit and carry things a few feet instead of a few hundred. Lockaway Storage offers drive-up storage on Venture Dr in Johnstown, and this guide covers who it works best for, how to pick a size and how to get the most out of the space.
At a Glance
- Lockaway Storage in Johnstown at 4560 Venture Dr has drive-up units from 5x10 to 10x30, plus a small indoor option, depending on availability.
- Rentals are month to month and can be started online, and you open the gate and your unit from a Bluetooth enabled smartphone.
What are Drive-Up Storage Units?
Drive-up units sit at ground level with the door facing outside. There is no building to walk through, so you can pull a car, truck or trailer right up to your door, load or unload, and leave. At our Johnstown location the drive-up units run from a 5x10 up to a 10x30, so there is a size for a handful of boxes and a size for a full household.
The practical difference shows up on moving day. Carrying a couch down a hallway and around a corner is a different job than carrying it ten steps from a pickup. Fewer doors, fewer carts and fewer trips mean you finish sooner. If you want the general version of this, our post on the benefits of drive-up storage units covers how drive-up works at any Lockaway location, and our drive-up storage page lists the details.
Why Does Drive-Up Storage Matter in Johnstown, CO?
Johnstown has grown fast. The 2020 census counted 17,303 residents, and the 2025 estimate is 22,433, according to the Johnstown, Colorado Wikipedia page. The same page lists a growing mix of employers, including Scheel's, a Kroger fulfillment center and Buc-ee's. New homes, new jobs and new businesses all mean more stuff that does not fit where it needs to.
That growth also means a lot of people are moving in, upsizing or running a business out of a garage. Drive-up access fits that kind of life, because most of these jobs involve a truck, a trailer or a loaded car. When you are loading a vehicle anyway, a unit you can back up to is the least work.
Built for Real Life Storage Needs
Most people who rent a drive-up unit are doing one of a few things. Some are moving and need a place for furniture between homes. Some are clearing a garage so a car can fit again. Some run a small business and need tools, inventory or equipment close to their jobs. Others keep seasonal items like patio furniture, holiday decor, camping gear and sports equipment that only come out a few months a year.
A drive-up unit works for all of these because you load it the way you would load a trunk. Bulky things like a lawn mower, a bike or a rolled up rug are easier to handle when you can get right to the door. If you are storing for a business, our commercial self storage page covers what to think about, and our post on how Lockaway Storage supports contractors shows how trades use drive-up units day to day.
Easy Move-Ins and Easy Access
You can look at the live unit list for Johnstown, choose a size and rent online. A reservation is not required, so you can rent the day you need the space. Our rentals are month to month, which means no long contract, and you can end the rental when you no longer need the space.
At this location you open the gate and your unit from a smartphone using Bluetooth, so there is no key to carry. The property is gated and fully fenced, with well lit storage areas. Insurance or a protection plan is required for the items you store, so ask about the options when you rent.
When you are ready to load, a simple order helps. Bring your biggest items first and set them along the back wall. Stack boxes on top of or beside them, and keep a clear path to the door. Then make your second and third trips without climbing over anything. Because you are parked next to the unit, extra trips cost minutes and not an afternoon.
When Drive-Up Makes More Sense Than Climate Controlled
Climate controlled storage is a good choice for some things. Photos, documents, electronics, instruments and anything that warps or cracks with temperature swings belong in a conditioned space. We have a climate controlled storage page that explains how it works.
For many other household items, drive-up storage is the better fit. Furniture, tools, lawn equipment, outdoor gear, seasonal decor and most boxed household goods do well in a standard unit, and you get more space and easier loading than a small indoor unit. The two options also work together. Some people rent a drive-up unit for the bulky items and a small climate controlled unit for the things that need it. At our Johnstown location, the 5x5 indoor unit and the 5x10 drive-up unit are the two climate controlled sizes, so ask the office which unit suits which items before you rent.
If you are not sure what to put where, call the Johnstown office and describe what you have. We would rather help you pick the right unit than have you move twice.
Vehicles, Trailers and Larger Items
Drive-up storage is not only for boxes. Our Johnstown page also lists vehicle storage for cars, trailers and RVs, which is useful in a growing town where driveways and HOA rules limit what you can park at home. If you have a trailer or a camper that has nowhere to live, read our vehicle storage and parking page, and call the office with your length and height so we can tell you what fits.
The largest drive-up unit at this location is a 10x30. Some people use a unit this size for a project vehicle, a classic car or a trailer, but unit access, door height and local rules vary, so confirm with the office before you plan around it. Do not assume a measurement from a listing is exact. Our site notes that advertised sizes are approximate, so measure what you are storing and ask.
Why Choose Lockaway Storage in Johnstown, CO
Our Johnstown facility is at 4560 Venture Dr, near Larimer Parkway and I-25. From I-25, take exit 257 toward US-34 and E Eisenhower Blvd, turn onto Larimer Parkway, then onto Venture Drive, and the facility is on the left. That puts it within easy reach for people in Johnstown, and for neighbors in Loveland, Windsor, Berthoud, Timnath and Fort Collins who work or live along the I-25 corridor.
Here is what you get: drive-up access, a range of sizes, a gated and fenced property with well lit storage areas, Bluetooth gate and unit access, online rentals and bill pay, and a local team you can call at (970) 591-9380. The Johnstown office can walk you through sizes and what fits. If you work or live closer to another location, we also have Lockaway Storage NoCo in Timnath, and a Loveland location as well.
Ask the office about any current move in offers. They change from time to time, and the team can tell you what applies to the unit you want.
Choosing the Right Unit Size
The easiest way to size a unit is to start with your biggest item and work out from there. A 5x10 holds roughly what a small closet or a few pieces of furniture would. A 10x10 is a common choice for a one bedroom apartment's worth of belongings or a garage clear out. A 10x15 or 10x20 gives you room for a larger household or a business, and a 10x25 or 10x30 is for full household moves, bigger equipment and vehicles. These are general guides and not exact measurements, so check them against your own list.
Our storage unit size guide shows what typically fits in each size. If you are between two sizes, ask whether you can switch later. Since rentals are month to month, it is easier to start with the size you need now and adjust.
For a longer walk through the rental process, our post on how to rent a storage unit in Johnstown covers move in day, what to ask and the questions people usually have.
Tips for Maximum Efficiency Using Your Drive-Up Storage Unit
A little planning goes a long way once the unit is full. Put the things you need most often near the door, and the things you rarely touch at the back. Use shelving where you can, since it keeps boxes off the floor and makes use of the height. Label every box on the side that faces out, and keep a list of what is inside on your phone. Leave a clear path down the middle so you can reach the back without moving everything.
Put heavy items on the bottom and lighter ones on top. Break down furniture where you can. Cover furniture and mattresses, and keep things off the ground to guard against dust and moisture. Wrap anything fragile. Remember that our units do not allow combustibles, firearms, living things, food of any type, including pet food, or illegal items, so check your boxes before you load.
Drive-up units are outside, so give the contents a thought during a Colorado summer. Skip anything that melts, warps or goes bad in the heat, or ask the office about a climate controlled option for it.
Final Thoughts
A drive-up unit is a practical choice for people who load and unload by vehicle, which in Johnstown is most people. You get easy access, a range of sizes and month to month terms, with no long contract to worry about. Start by listing what you plan to store, pick the size that fits, and rent online. If you would rather talk it through first, call the Johnstown office at (970) 591-9380.
When you are ready, take a look at the live units for Lockaway Storage in Johnstown and choose the one that suits you.
