Full truckload dry van shipping in 53-foot enclosed trailers across every North American lane. Competitive spot and contract rates, 4,000+ vetted carriers, real-time load tracking, and same-day quotes.
Dry van is the workhorse of the American freight network. Accounting for more than half of all truckload shipments, the standard 53-foot enclosed trailer is the right choice for the vast majority of manufactured goods, consumer products, industrial materials, and packaged commodities. If your freight doesn't require temperature control and fits within standard trailer dimensions, dry van is almost always your most cost-effective option.
MyExpressFreight connects you to a network of 4,000+ vetted dry van carriers operating on every lane in North America — from local regional moves to cross-country hauls — with competitive spot rates, contract pricing, and the reliable service your supply chain demands.
Understanding trailer dimensions and weight limits helps you plan loads efficiently and avoid costly re-bids or reloads at the dock.
Dry van is the standard choice for a wide range of industries and commodity types. If it fits in an enclosed trailer and doesn't need temperature control, dry van is likely the right call.
Packaged consumer products, apparel, footwear, furniture, appliances, and electronics. Dry van keeps your inventory protected and moving from distribution centers to retail destinations nationwide.
Parts, components, raw materials, finished goods, and machinery under 44,000 lbs. Regular production and JIT replenishment lanes served with spot and contract capacity across all US manufacturing corridors.
Corrugated boxes, paper rolls, printing materials, and packaging supplies. High-density, heavy loads optimized for 53-foot trailers with precise weight management to stay under legal limits.
Drywall, flooring, cabinets, doors, windows, and non-oversized construction materials. Dry van protects materials from weather while in transit to job sites, distribution centers, and home improvement retailers.
Canned goods, dry groceries, beverages, snacks, and shelf-stable food products that do not require temperature control. Food-grade dry van trailers available for FSMA-compliant food safety requirements.
Inbound replenishment to Amazon FCs, Walmart DCs, and 3PL fulfillment centers. Dry van handles the bulk of e-commerce supply chain freight with dock-to-dock precision and appointment scheduling.
OEM and aftermarket parts, tires, and components in standard packaging. Dry van serves the automotive supply chain from tier-2 suppliers through assembly plants and distribution centers across the Midwest and Southeast.
Medical devices, non-refrigerated pharmaceuticals, lab supplies, and healthcare products. Secure, clean dry van trailers with chain-of-custody documentation for sensitive but non-temperature-regulated healthcare freight.
We offer a full range of dry van service levels to match every shipment requirement, timeline, and budget — from everyday spot loads to high-priority dedicated moves.
There are hundreds of freight brokers moving dry van loads. Here is what sets MyExpressFreight apart.
Answers to the most common questions about dry van freight — dimensions, rates, service options, and when to choose dry van over other equipment types.
Dry van shipping is the transportation of freight in a standard enclosed trailer — typically 53 feet long — that protects cargo from weather without temperature control. It accounts for the majority of all truckload freight in North America and is the standard choice for manufactured goods, consumer products, industrial materials, and packaged commodities that do not require refrigeration or specialized handling.
Dry van rates typically range from $1.50 to $3.50 per mile for full truckload freight, depending on the lane, distance, seasonality, and current market conditions. Shorter hauls tend to cost more per mile than long-haul lanes. Fuel surcharges, accessorial charges (liftgate, detention, layover), and lane imbalances all affect the final rate. Contact MyExpressFreight for a real-time quote on your specific lane — we return rates same-day on most requests.
A standard 53-foot dry van fits 26 standard 48x40 pallets loaded single-file in two rows. If pallets are light enough to double-stack, you can fit up to 52 pallet positions. Floor-loaded (non-palletized) freight maximizes cubic space — approximately 2,500 to 2,700 cubic feet — but the legal freight weight limit of 44,000–45,000 lbs applies regardless of how the trailer is loaded.
Spot rates are market-priced for a single load and fluctuate daily based on supply and demand. Contract rates are pre-negotiated for ongoing volume on a specific lane, offering pricing stability and guaranteed truck availability. High-volume shippers benefit from contract pricing and avoid the volatility of the spot market during peak seasons. MyExpressFreight offers both — and can help you determine which lanes warrant contract coverage versus spot procurement.
Drop and hook means the carrier drops an empty trailer at your dock so you can load on your own schedule, then returns to hook up the loaded trailer and depart — no driver wait time required. It eliminates detention charges, speeds up throughput at your facility, and works well for high-volume shippers with consistent outbound freight. Ask us about setting up a drop trailer pool at your location.
Use dry van when your freight is non-perishable, non-temperature-sensitive, fits through standard dock doors, and does not exceed standard trailer weight and dimension limits. Choose flatbed when your freight is oversized, unusually heavy, or must be loaded from the side or top. Choose refrigerated (reefer) when your freight requires temperature control. For mixed loads or unusual freight, MyExpressFreight will recommend the right equipment type for your specific shipment.
Click the Get a Quote button on this page and provide your origin ZIP, destination ZIP, freight weight, commodity type, and preferred pickup date. Our team will return competitive dry van rates — typically within minutes during business hours. For contract lane pricing or drop trailer programs, call us directly at (424) 354-3241 to discuss your volume and lane requirements.
"We ship 20–30 dry van loads a week across the Midwest. MyExpressFreight's contract pricing has saved us 18% versus the spot market rates we were paying before. Consistent capacity, consistent service."
"Peak season used to mean scrambling for trucks at any price. Since we moved our dry van volume to MyExpressFreight on contract, we've had guaranteed capacity through every Q4 — no exceptions, no excuses."
"The drop trailer program MyExpressFreight set up on our high-volume outbound lanes has cut dock dwell time in half and eliminated our detention charges entirely. The ROI was immediate."
"Real-time tracking on every dry van load means my team stops chasing carriers for status updates. The visibility MyExpressFreight provides is on par with much larger brokers — but the service is far more personal."
"We had a last-minute dry van need on a Friday afternoon for a Monday delivery 1,400 miles away. MyExpressFreight had a truck confirmed with tracking in under two hours. That kind of response is why we keep coming back."
"Our Amazon FC replenishment runs on a tight schedule. MyExpressFreight hits our appointment windows consistently. On-time delivery percentage with them is 97% — the best we've seen from any broker."
Spot and contract rates on all North American dry van lanes.