Decatur, AL

Freight hub guide — rates, shippers, parking, and opportunities for owner-operators in Decatur.

Part of Alabama trucking network →

332

Carriers Based Here

Fair

Truck Parking

Southeast

Region

Who Operates Out of Decatur

332 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Decatur. Here is how that base breaks down by fleet size — useful for judging whether you would be competing against owner-operators or against fleets with dedicated freight locked up.

132

Owner-operators (1 truck)

121

Small fleets (2-5)

Mid fleets (6-20)

Large fleets (20+)

40% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 23 are registered to haul hazardous materials.

Source: FMCSA Motor Carrier Census (active carriers, US physical addresses), retrieved 2026-07-18.

Average Rates Per Mile

Equipment Type	Rate / Mile
Dry Van	$2.35
Reefer	$2.79
Flatbed	$2.90

Rates by Equipment Type

Key Highways

I-65US-31US-72 ALTAL-67AL-20

Top Industries

Chemical manufacturing

Aerospace components

Grain and bulk commodities

Major Distribution Centers

Daikin distribution center

3M warehouse facility

Top Shippers

Daikin America

Toray Carbon Fibers

United Launch Alliance

Nearby Ports

Nearest major port accessible via I-65

Truck Stops

Pilot Travel Center (I-65 Exit 328)

Love's #489 (I-65 Exit 325)

Jet Pep (US-31)

Challenges

Hazmat load restrictions on certain routes near residential areas, oversized load coordination for ULA shipments, Tennessee River bridge weight limits, and chemical plant security protocols for pickups.
Hurricane season (June-November) poses risk to operations and cargo
Summer heat and humidity require attention to temperature-sensitive freight
Rapid population growth increases congestion on key corridors

Opportunities

Rapidly growing population drives sustained freight demand
Automotive manufacturing belt creates steady parts and finished vehicle freight
Port of Savannah and Port of Charleston generate strong import volumes
Year-round operations without severe winter weather interruptions

Seasonal Freight Patterns

Florida produce season (October-May) drives strong northbound reefer demand. Hurricane season (June-November) creates both risks and emergency freight surges. Holiday retail peaks September through December. Year-round construction keeps flatbed demand steady.

Trucking in Decatur — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Decatur: Dry Van $2.35, Reefer $2.79, Flatbed $2.90. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.

Truck parking in Decatur is rated "fair." Popular stops include Pilot Travel Center (I-65 Exit 328), Love's #489 (I-65 Exit 325), Jet Pep (US-31). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.

Top shippers operating in the Decatur freight market include 3M, Daikin America, Toray Carbon Fibers, United Launch Alliance. Key industries driving freight demand are chemical manufacturing, aerospace components, grain and bulk commodities.

The biggest challenges for truckers in Decatur include: Hazmat load restrictions on certain routes near residential areas, oversized load coordination for ULA shipments, Tennessee River bridge weight limits, and chemical plant security protocols for pickups.; Hurricane season (June-November) poses risk to operations and cargo; Summer heat and humidity require attention to temperature-sensitive freight. However, opportunities include rapidly growing population drives sustained freight demand.

Nearby Freight Hubs

Birmingham, AL

Southeast market

Montgomery, AL

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Huntsville, AL

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Mobile, AL

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Tuscaloosa, AL

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Other Cities in Alabama

Birmingham, AL

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Montgomery, AL

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Huntsville, AL

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Mobile, AL

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Tuscaloosa, AL

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View all trucking info for Alabama →

Running freight in Decatur? Get dispatched.

Our dispatch team books loads, negotiates rates, and handles the paperwork so you can keep your wheels turning in and out of Decatur.

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Who Operates Out of Decatur

132

Owner-operators (1 truck)

121

Small fleets (2-5)

Mid fleets (6-20)

Large fleets (20+)

40% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 23 are registered to haul hazardous materials.

Source: FMCSA Motor Carrier Census (active carriers, US physical addresses), retrieved 2026-07-18.

Equipment Type

Rate / Mile

Dry Van

$2.35

Reefer

$2.79

Flatbed

$2.90

Challenges

Hazmat load restrictions on certain routes near residential areas, oversized load coordination for ULA shipments, Tennessee River bridge weight limits, and chemical plant security protocols for pickups.
Hurricane season (June-November) poses risk to operations and cargo
Summer heat and humidity require attention to temperature-sensitive freight
Rapid population growth increases congestion on key corridors

Trucking in Decatur — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Decatur: Dry Van $2.35, Reefer $2.79, Flatbed $2.90. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.