Jacksonville, FL
#15 US freight hub — owner-operator guide to rates, shippers, parking, and opportunities.
#15
Freight Rank
949,611
Population
Good
Truck Parking
Southeast
Region
Average Rates Per Mile
| Equipment Type | Rate / Mile |
|---|---|
| Dry Van | $2.15 |
| Reefer | $2.60 |
| Flatbed | $2.80 |
Key Highways
I-95I-10I-295US-1US-17SR-9B
Top Industries
Railroad logistics
Port operations
Financial services
Healthcare
Military (NAS Jacksonville)
Major Distribution Centers
Amazon JAX2 (Jacksonville)
CSX Corporate HQ (Jacksonville)
Southeastern Grocers HQ & DC (Jacksonville)
Publix Distribution (Jacksonville)
Johnson & Johnson Vision DC (Jacksonville)
Gate Petroleum HQ (Jacksonville)
Top Shippers
C
CSX TransportationS
Southeastern GrocersJ
Johnson & JohnsonG
Gate PetroleumC
Crowley MaritimeNearby Ports
JAXPORT (Jacksonville Port Authority)Blount Island Marine Terminal
Truck Stops
Pilot Travel Center (Baldwin)
Love's Travel Stop (Yulee)
TA Petro (Baldwin)
Flying J (Becker, off I-95)
Gate Fuel Stops (multiple)
Challenges
- Dead-end geography — Florida is a peninsula, creating backhaul challenges
- I-95/I-10 interchange congestion during peak hours
- Hurricane evacuation creates freight shutdowns during storms
- Long repositioning distances to get back to freight-rich areas
Opportunities
- CSX HQ and major intermodal terminal create consistent drayage demand
- JAXPORT auto import terminal — vehicle hauling opportunities
- Gateway to all of Florida — everything heading south passes through here
- Military freight from NAS Jacksonville and nearby bases
Seasonal Freight Patterns
Snowbird season (October-March) increases consumer goods demand. Hurricane season (June-November) risk but also creates emergency freight. Produce outbound from Central Florida runs October through May. Tourism freight is heaviest December-April and summer.
Trucking in Jacksonville — FAQ
Average rates per mile out of Jacksonville: Dry Van $2.15, Reefer $2.60, Flatbed $2.80. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions. Jacksonville is ranked #15 among US freight hubs by volume.
Truck parking in Jacksonville is rated "good." Popular stops include Pilot Travel Center (Baldwin), Love's Travel Stop (Yulee), TA Petro (Baldwin). Parking availability is generally reliable, but popular stops still fill up on busy nights.
Top shippers operating in the Jacksonville freight market include CSX Transportation, Southeastern Grocers, Johnson & Johnson, Gate Petroleum, Crowley Maritime. Key industries driving freight demand are railroad logistics, port operations, financial services.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Jacksonville include: Dead-end geography; I-95/I-10 interchange congestion during peak hours; Hurricane evacuation creates freight shutdowns during storms. However, opportunities include csx hq and major intermodal terminal create consistent drayage demand.