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Most requested equipment

Dry Van Dispatch Service

More loads, better rates for 53' dry van owner-operators.

$2.48/mi
Avg. dry van rate
150+
Active dry van lanes
5-7%
Dispatch fee
24-48h
To first load
Why it works

What Makes Dry Van Dispatch Different

Market rate intelligence

Dispatchers track lane-level rate data across the broker and shipper networks we work with daily, so your truck gets pointed at loads paying above the lane average instead of whatever's sitting at the top of a load board.

High-volume lane focus

Dry van is the deepest freight market in the country. We prioritize the corridors with the most consistent volume so you're rarely choosing between a bad rate and sitting parked.

Fast-pay broker network

We work brokers with a track record of paying on standard or quick-pay terms, and flag anything with a history of slow payment before you ever haul for them.

Direct shipper access

Where the freight and volume justify it, we work directly with shippers rather than only through brokers, cutting out a layer of margin between the rate and what lands in your pocket.

Two-way lane planning

We build a rolling plan two to three loads deep so you're rarely searching cold: when a delivery is close to done, we're already working your next pickup.

National coverage

Dry van freight moves in every region of the country, which means your truck can stay productive whether you run regional or coast to coast.

Deep dive

Dry Van: Everything You Need to Know

Dry van is the backbone of American trucking: general freight, packaged goods, retail replenishment, and everything in between moves in a 53' box trailer. That makes it the most accessible equipment type to start with, and also the most competitive. Here's what actually separates a strong dry van dispatch operation from one that's just filling a load board.

Dry Van Trucking in 2026: The Freight Market Reality

Dry van rates track diesel prices, produce season, and holiday retail cycles closely. Rates tighten in outbound-heavy regions like the Southeast and Texas and loosen where inbound freight outpaces outbound, particularly parts of the Northeast. A dispatcher watching this in real time keeps you positioned in the stronger direction more often than chance would allow, and that difference compounds over a full year of loads.

How a Dry Van Dispatcher Changes Your Bottom Line

The math on dispatch only works if the rate gain and deadhead reduction outweigh the fee. In practice, the biggest lever isn't any single negotiated rate. It's fewer empty miles. A truck running 12% deadhead instead of 20% is effectively earning more per total mile driven even if the loaded rate is identical, and that's the number a dedicated dispatcher is actively managing every day, not just when you happen to ask.

Dry Van Lane Strategy: Where the Money Lives

Not all dry van freight is created equal. Retail distribution lanes into major metros tend to be steady but competitive; manufacturing-to-distribution lanes in the Midwest and Southeast often carry less competition and better rates for carriers willing to learn a specific corridor. We build your lane plan around your home base and equipment rather than pushing generic freight at every truck.

What Dry Van Operators Get Wrong About Rates

The most common mistake is anchoring to a headline per-mile number without accounting for deadhead, detention, and fuel surcharge terms. A $2.60/mile load with 100 empty miles back nets less than a $2.35/mile load with a backhaul already lined up. We quote and compare loads on total-trip economics, not just the posted rate.

Getting Started as a Dry Van Carrier

You'll need a standard 48' or 53' dry van in good working condition (functioning doors, no major floor or wall damage) plus current insurance and MC/DOT authority. Onboarding takes about five minutes, and most carriers are matched with a first load within 24-48 hours once documents are verified.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard 48' or 53' dry van in good working condition (functioning doors, no major floor or wall damage) is all that's required.
Most carriers are matched with their first load within 24-48 hours of completing onboarding, assuming insurance and authority documents are current.
Rates vary by lane and season, but the current national average sits around $2.40-$2.55/mile, and we'll tell you honestly what a specific lane is paying before you commit.
Yes, dry van is one of the easiest equipment types to build a dedicated lane around, since volume is consistent enough to support recurring commitments.
We widen the lane and region search first rather than dropping your rate floor, and steer trucks toward whichever markets are still moving reasonably.
No, dry van freight is enclosed and doesn't require tarping or the securement work flatbed and step deck loads need.
From the road

Dry Van Carriers Already Running With Us

★★★★★

“I stopped guessing which lane was actually paying and started running the ones dispatch already knew were hot. My weekly average went up without working more hours.”

Marcus T.
Dry van owner-operator, Dallas, TX
★★★★★

“The deadhead planning is the real difference. I'm rarely sitting empty wondering where the next load is coming from.”

Denise R.
Dry van owner-operator, Atlanta, GA

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