Dry Van Dispatch in Florida
Florida is the third-largest trucking state with major freight flowing through Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Orlando. The state serves as a critical hub for Latin American imports and domestic consumer goods distribution across the Southeast.
Why Dry Van Thrives in Florida
Florida is the gateway for Latin American trade — Miami alone handles billions in imports. Jacksonville is the largest container port in the Southeast by auto imports. Orlando and Tampa are booming distribution markets. The challenge is that Florida is a net-inbound state (more freight enters than leaves), but smart routing eliminates deadhead problems.
Top Dry Van Lanes in Florida
Southeast's busiest lane carrying Latin American imports and consumer goods via I-75. 660 miles at $2.60-$3.00/mile.
Port freight, auto parts, and retail distribution via I-95. 400 miles with consistent year-round demand.
Building materials, produce, and manufactured goods via I-75. 670 miles with growing demand from Nashville's distribution boom.
Tourism supplies and consumer goods via I-95. 280 miles with quick turnaround opportunities.
Winter snowbird migration (October-March) drives strong southbound consumer freight. Hurricane season (June-November) creates unpredictable demand spikes — emergency freight pays 30-50% premiums. Summer is the slowest period for general freight. The key to Florida dry van success is always booking a backhaul before heading south.
Dry Van Freight in Florida
Never head to Florida without a booked outbound load — Miami is notorious for inbound/outbound freight imbalance. FF Dispatch always pairs both legs.
Dry Van Rates in Florida
Florida's deadhead problem is real — always book outbound loads before accepting inbound freight. The Miami-to-Atlanta produce lane is your best bet for northbound backhauls. FF Dispatch pre-books outbound loads so you never sit empty in Miami.
Best Dry Van Lanes Nationwide
Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis to Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis. High volume consumer goods and automotive parts. Rates: $2.50-3.20/mile.
Los Angeles, San Francisco to Dallas, Houston. Heavy retail and consumer product flow. Rates: $2.80-3.50/mile.
New York, Philadelphia, Boston loop. Dense population centers with consistent demand. Rates: $2.60-3.00/mile.
Dallas, Houston, San Antonio circuit. Strong industrial and retail freight. Rates: $2.40-2.90/mile.
Dry Van Equipment for Florida
- ✓53-foot dry van trailer (most common)
- ✓Standard commercial insurance ($1M liability minimum)
- ✓No special certifications required
- ✓Air ride suspension preferred but not required
Dry Van Challenges in Florida & How We Solve Them
High Competition
Dry van is the most common equipment type, leading to intense competition for loads and pressure on rates.
Our exclusive broker relationships and premium load board access get you loads other carriers never see. We negotiate rates 20-30% higher than posted rates.
Rate Volatility
Dry van rates fluctuate significantly with seasonality, with slow periods in Q1 and peaks in Q4.
We track seasonal patterns and position you in high-demand lanes before peak seasons. We also secure contract lanes for consistent income during slow periods.
Deadhead Miles
Finding quality backhauls can be challenging, especially from less populated areas.
Strategic load planning and our network of shippers reduces your deadhead by 40%, keeping you loaded and profitable.
Detention Time
Dry van loads frequently experience delays at warehouses and distribution centers.
We negotiate detention pay upfront ($50-75/hour) and aggressively pursue detention claims, averaging $400-600/month in recovered fees.
Dry Van Dispatch FAQs for Florida
How do I avoid deadhead miles in Florida?
The #1 rule: never head to Florida without a booked outbound load. Miami is notorious for imbalanced freight. FF Dispatch always pairs inbound and outbound loads so you maximize revenue on both legs. Best outbound lanes are Miami-to-Atlanta and Jacksonville-to-Charlotte.
Does hurricane season affect dry van rates?
Yes — when storms approach, emergency freight rates spike 30-50%. HOS rules are waived for supply carriers. Pre-positioning loads of water, generators, and building materials pay premium rates. Some carriers earn a month's income in two storm weeks.
Is Florida good for new owner-operators?
Florida has no state income tax, abundant freight, and mild weather year-round. The challenge is managing the inbound/outbound imbalance. With professional dispatch (like FF Dispatch), new operators can earn $4,000-$5,200/week consistently.
What makes dry van dispatch different from other equipment types?
Dry van is the most versatile and common freight type, meaning more load availability but also more competition. Our dispatch service gives you an edge by accessing loads and rates that self-dispatching carriers can't find. We specialize in dry van freight patterns and have relationships with brokers who prefer working with professional dispatch services.
What are typical dry van rates in 2024?
National average for dry van is $2.10-2.30/mile for spot market loads, but rates vary significantly by lane and season. Our dispatchers consistently negotiate $2.60-3.20/mile by leveraging market data and broker relationships. High-demand lanes like CA to TX or Midwest to Southeast can command $3.00-3.50/mile during peak seasons.
Start Dry Van Dispatching in Florida Today
Join Florida carriers earning $2.75/mile with FF Dispatch. No setup fees, no contracts, no hidden charges.