Dry Van Dispatch in Louisiana
Louisiana is the Gulf Coast freight leader with New Orleans serving as a major international port. The state offers diverse dry van opportunities from port distribution, petrochemical industry support, and agricultural freight. Port of South Louisiana is the largest tonnage port in the US.
Why Dry Van Thrives in Louisiana
Port of South Louisiana handles more tonnage than any other US port. New Orleans and Baton Rouge form an industrial corridor packed with petrochemical plants, refineries, and distribution centers. The Mississippi River makes Louisiana a critical shipping hub. Louisiana also allows a 5% weight tolerance on interstates (effectively 84,000 lbs).
Top Dry Van Lanes in Louisiana
Gulf Coast corridor via I-10 hauling port freight, industrial supplies, and consumer goods. 350 miles at $2.80-$3.20/mile with strong year-round demand.
I-49/I-20 corridor moving manufactured goods, agricultural freight, and consumer products. 450 miles at $2.60-$3.00/mile.
Southeast corridor via I-59/I-20 carrying port freight and consumer goods. 470 miles at $2.70-$3.10/mile.
Regional connector via I-20/US-79 hauling industrial products and agricultural freight. 220 miles with steady demand.
Louisiana dry van is influenced by energy prices and agriculture. Sugar cane harvest (October-December) boosts volume. Hurricane season (June-November) creates unpredictable spikes — emergency supply loads pay 30-50% premiums. Mardi Gras season (January-March) increases consumer goods movement to New Orleans. Summer is steady with industrial freight.
Dry Van Freight in Louisiana
Louisiana allows 84,000 lbs on interstates with a 5% weight tolerance — more generous than most states. This can mean more payload per trip on qualifying loads. Verify posted limits on secondary roads.
Dry Van Rates in Louisiana
The Baton Rouge-to-New Orleans industrial corridor along I-10 is nicknamed "Cancer Alley" due to chemical plant density. While the name is unfortunate, the freight reality is excellent — hundreds of industrial facilities generate steady dry van loads for non-hazmat materials like packaging, supplies, and consumer goods. FF Dispatch books carriers on the safest, highest-paying corridor loads.
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 Louisiana
- ✓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 Louisiana & 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 Louisiana
How does hurricane season affect Louisiana dry van?
Hurricane season (June-November) creates both risk and opportunity. When storms approach, emergency supply loads (water, generators, building materials) pay 30-50% premiums with HOS waivers. Normal operations may halt for 1-4 weeks during major hurricanes. Pre-positioning loads pay the best rates.
What port freight is available from Louisiana?
Port of South Louisiana is the largest tonnage port in the US. Dry van loads include containerized goods, packaged chemicals (non-hazmat), and consumer goods. New Orleans port generates $2.70-$3.20/mile loads heading to Houston, Atlanta, and Dallas. TWIC card required for port access.
Does Louisiana really allow heavier loads?
Yes — Louisiana allows a 5% weight tolerance on interstates, effectively 84,000 lbs without penalties. This is more generous than most states' strict 80,000 lb limit. Check posted limits on state and county roads, which may be lower. This extra 4,000 lbs can make a meaningful difference on heavy freight.
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 Louisiana Today
Join Louisiana carriers earning $2.70/mile with FF Dispatch. No setup fees, no contracts, no hidden charges.