Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
#2 US freight hub — owner-operator guide to rates, shippers, parking, and opportunities.
#2
Freight Rank
7,637,387
Population
Good
Truck Parking
Southwest
Region
Average Rates Per Mile
| Equipment Type | Rate / Mile |
|---|---|
| Dry Van | $2.35 |
| Reefer | $2.75 |
| Flatbed | $3.05 |
Key Highways
I-35EI-35WI-30I-20I-45I-635US-75
Top Industries
Technology
Aerospace & defense
Consumer goods distribution
Oil & gas equipment
Food distribution
Major Distribution Centers
Amazon DFW7 (Dallas)
Amazon FTW6 (Fort Worth)
Walmart Distribution Center (Midlothian)
Procter & Gamble (Dallas)
FedEx Ground Hub (Fort Worth)
UPS Dallas Hub (Mesquite)
Top Shippers
A
AT&TT
Texas InstrumentsL
Lockheed MartinF
Frito-LayD
Dr Pepper Snapple GroupNearby Ports
Port of Houston (250 mi)Inland Port of Dallas
Truck Stops
Pilot Travel Center (Wilmer)
Love's Travel Stop (Weatherford)
Buc-ee's (Fort Worth)
TA Petro (Terrell)
Flying J (Denton)
Challenges
- I-35 corridor is chronically congested through the metroplex
- Summer heat causes tire blowout risk and driver fatigue
- Urban sprawl means long drayage moves between warehouses
- Construction zones on I-635 and I-30 cause frequent delays
Opportunities
- Central location provides 1-day drive to 93% of the US population
- Massive new warehouse construction along I-20 and I-45 corridors
- Strong cross-border freight from Mexico via I-35
- Growing tech sector creating steady high-value freight demand
Seasonal Freight Patterns
Retail freight surges from August through December. Construction materials peak spring through fall. Produce loads from the Rio Grande Valley run October through May. Summer sees steady general freight but extreme heat slows operations.
Trucking in Dallas-Fort Worth — FAQ
Average rates per mile out of Dallas-Fort Worth: Dry Van $2.35, Reefer $2.75, Flatbed $3.05. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions. Dallas-Fort Worth is ranked #2 among US freight hubs by volume.
Truck parking in Dallas-Fort Worth is rated "good." Popular stops include Pilot Travel Center (Wilmer), Love's Travel Stop (Weatherford), Buc-ee's (Fort Worth). Parking availability is generally reliable, but popular stops still fill up on busy nights.
Top shippers operating in the Dallas-Fort Worth freight market include AT&T, Texas Instruments, Lockheed Martin, Frito-Lay, Dr Pepper Snapple Group. Key industries driving freight demand are technology, aerospace & defense, consumer goods distribution.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Dallas-Fort Worth include: I-35 corridor is chronically congested through the metroplex; Summer heat causes tire blowout risk and driver fatigue; Urban sprawl means long drayage moves between warehouses. However, opportunities include central location provides 1-day drive to 93% of the us population.