Dry Van

A dry van is a fully enclosed trailer that protects freight from weather but does not have temperature control (unlike a reefer). Dry vans are the workhorses of the trucking industry, making up approximately 60-70% of all semi-trailers on US highways. They are used to haul a vast range of non-perishable goods including consumer electronics, clothing, household goods, paper products, auto parts, and non-perishable food items.

Standard dry vans are 53 feet long, 8.5 feet wide, and 9 feet tall inside, with a capacity of approximately 45,000 pounds and 2,000-2,400 cubic feet. Freight is loaded through rear swing doors or roll-up doors, typically on pallets using a forklift. Because they are so common, dry van loads are widely available on load boards, but competition among carriers is also highest.

Dry van rates average around $2.85/mile with professional dispatch, compared to approximately $2.10/mile for self-dispatched owner-operators. The key to dry van profitability is volume and efficiency — minimizing deadhead, avoiding long detention times, and running consistent weekly miles. Markets like Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, and Los Angeles are major dry van freight hubs with abundant outbound loads.