Dry Van Dispatch in Georgia
Atlanta is the logistics capital of the Southeast, with more distribution center space than any other city in the region. Georgia offers consistent freight volumes, balanced freight flow, and access to every major market east of the Mississippi.
Why Dry Van Thrives in Georgia
Atlanta has distribution centers for Walmart, Home Depot (headquartered here), Amazon, UPS, and dozens of Fortune 500 companies. I-75, I-85, and I-20 converge here, providing loads to every major East Coast and Midwest market. Port of Savannah — the largest single-terminal container port in the US — adds massive import freight.
Top Dry Van Lanes in Georgia
Southeast's busiest short-haul lane via I-85. 245 miles at $3.00-$3.50/mile with quick turnaround.
Consumer goods heading south via I-75. 660 miles at $2.60-$3.00/mile with strong year-round volume.
Port containers heading to Midwest distribution. 800 miles at $2.80-$3.20/mile.
Retail distribution via I-20. 780 miles with consistent demand from Fortune 500 DCs.
August through December is peak season as holiday retail distribution surges through Atlanta's warehouse corridor. Port of Savannah sees import spikes October-November, pushing drayage rates up 25-30%. Spring is strong for construction materials. January-February is softest but Atlanta's distribution base keeps rates more stable than most states.
Dry Van Freight in Georgia
Avoid I-285 and the Downtown Connector during rush hours (6:30-9:30 AM, 3:30-7:00 PM) — traffic delays cost 45+ minutes per trip.
Dry Van Rates in Georgia
Avoid the I-285 Perimeter and the I-75/I-85 Downtown Connector during rush hours (6:30-9:30 AM, 3:30-7:00 PM). Traffic delays can cost 45+ minutes. Schedule pickups and deliveries during off-peak windows. FF Dispatch knows every warehouse's gate times and congestion patterns.
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 Georgia
- ✓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 Georgia & 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 Georgia
Why is Atlanta the best freight market in the Southeast?
Atlanta has more distribution center space than any Southeast city. Home Depot is headquartered here, and Walmart, Amazon, and UPS all have massive operations. Three interstates converge, providing loads to every major market. Freight flows in every direction with minimal deadhead.
How do Port of Savannah loads work?
Savannah is the largest single-terminal container port in the US. You need a TWIC card ($125) and GPA registration. Drayage pays $250-$450 per container. Long-haul loads from port to Midwest average $2.80-$3.20/mile. FF Dispatch handles all port appointment coordination.
Is Atlanta good for home-time carriers?
Atlanta is excellent for regional runs — Charlotte (245 mi), Nashville (250 mi), Jacksonville (345 mi), and Miami (660 mi) are all within 1-day round trips or easy 2-day runs. Many FF Dispatch carriers based in Atlanta run regional loops and sleep home most nights.
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 Georgia Today
Join Georgia carriers earning $2.85/mile with FF Dispatch. No setup fees, no contracts, no hidden charges.