How to make money with dry van trucking isn’t all about driving. It’s a matter of smart choices. The trucking industry is in a state of constant change, and in order for truck drivers and businesses to stay profitable, they need to stay ahead of the game to keep making money.

Understanding existing freight rates, planning routes, and selecting higher-paying loads, as well as the use of proper tools, can greatly improve one’s earning potential.

Dry van shipping challenges in 2026 Addressing problems in 2026 Dry van shippers have to deal with changing rates, rising fuel costs, and increased competition. Thus, trucking businesses need to work smarter. Whether hauling household goods, building materials or non-perishable food, maximising your income is a matter of planning and who your partners are.

Current Dry Van Freight Rates in 2026

Owner-operators and shipping companies will experience significant changes in the freight rate of the dry van trucking industry in 2026. Understanding what is happening is key to navigating the trucking industry and being as productive as possible in that career field.

According to DAT Analytics, the national average dry van freight rate in February was $1.64 per mile while the national average dry van freight rate in March was $1.66 per mile. This rate has come down from January when it was $1.84 per mile. These rates determine how much money you can make per mile that you drive.

Dry vans can get more earnings on some of the popular routes. For example, the rate is higher in some areas than the national rate, which bodes well for owner-operators and trucking businesses.

Freight shipping rates may depend upon where you are. In the Midwest the rates are generally higher than the national average. Truckers and trucking companies should be mindful of these differences to help them get the most out of their routes.

Factors Influencing Rates

Understanding what drives freight rates is the key to maximising profits in the dry van trucking business. Several factors make the rate owner-operators and trucking companies can expect to earn.

Load-to-truck ratios. A high number of loads versus available trucks may drive rates up.

Fuel costs. Fuel prices have been rising continuously. Thus, truck drivers have to pay a higher amount for each mile than they previously had to, which affects their earnings. However, some strategies can be used to improve fuel usage in order to decrease these expenses.

Market demand. Certain high-demand lanes, including lanes near large distribution centres, are experiencing higher rates. Thus, dry van drivers can optimise their routes and make more money.

Implications for Drivers and Companies

These trends indicate that truck drivers, owner-operators, and trucking companies should concentrate on shipping routes where demands are high and pay attention to dry van shipping requirements. Optimising fuel efficiency, tracking regional changes, and being aware of market factors will help you earn more money. By staying in the loop, drivers can ensure they stay on top of their earnings and prepared to introduce changes to the trucking industry.

Ways to Increase Your Earnings

Making money with dry van trucking does require more than driving from point A to point B. If you want to maximise your earnings, you will want to target high-paying loads, minimise deadhead miles, maximise fuel usage, and make wise business decisions.

Here are some of the best strategies to make more money in the business of dry van shipping. Optimising your dry van trucking income takes strategy as well as planning. However, you can dramatically improve your profits by making good choices, reducing deadhead miles, adjusting fuel and diversifying your freight.

Working with a professional dispatching service like Dexter Dispatch Services comes in handy to make this process easier. With our support you can be free to do what’s important – keep your truck running and earn more money.

Load Selection Discipline

The difference between profitable dry van drivers and struggling drivers is not mileage – it’s load selection discipline.

All freight deliveries are not at the same rate. Some loads may be able to provide better rates than others. Therefore, selecting the right ones can affect your profits.

So how can you find high paying loads?

Focus on high-demand industries. Certain types of freight (e.g., hazardous materials, automobile parts or expedited freight) always pay more. Shipments which will have to arrive at a quick pace and will need special handling tend to have higher pay.

Haul heavier loads. Shipments that have a greater weight capacity often pay better. However, you must make sure that your dry van truck is able to safely transport goods.

Get additional endorsements. Certifications for hazardous materials or certain cargo that must be handled in a special way can open the gates to more lucrative opportunities.

Finding the best opportunities to ship with a load is time-consuming.

Reducing Deadhead Miles

Backload- Deadhead miles: ‘Deadhead’ refers to the miles driven without holding any cargo. This type of mistake is one of the largest profit killers in trucking. All empty miles are a waste of fuel dollars and income. Deadhead is rarely an error by an operator, as this is typically a planning error upstream.

In order to avoid deadhead miles, however, you can:

Plan return loads in advance. Instead of taking your chances and waiting until after delivery to see if you can get a return load, book it beforehand. This so that you have load in both ways is very important.

Choose busy freight lanes. Some regions always experience a need for dry van shipping, and that makes it easier to find backhaul loads.

Work with a centralised dispatcher. Having a professional monitor loads and route availability = fewer wasted miles. We can be the right partner of you.

Fuel Efficiency Strategies

Fuel costs continually grow, so it is essential to have a fuel efficient to increase profits. However, even small steps can result in thousands of dollars’ worth of savings per year.

Here are the more effective ways of improving your fuel efficiency on the road:

Drive at a steady speed. Sudden acceleration and braking consumes more fuel. Cruise control can assist in keeping a fuel-efficient pace.

Keep tyres properly inflated. Underinflated tyres are more resistive, which amounts to more fuel being used in your semi-truck. Reducing the running of your engine while parked will also burn unnecessary fuel. To save more fuel, switch off the truck if possible.

Use the right routes. High traffic areas with more stop and start time also use more fuel. Direct and smooth routes should be planned wherever possible.

Use fuel discount programmes. Many trucking businesses have fuel cards that have diesel discounts.

You can earn more money instead of hauling in extra loads by keeping your fuel cost low.

Diversifying Freight

Relying on only one type of shipment could be risky. If there is a demand fall in one side of the industry, which is yours, your income can suffer. A smart driver has options kept open by hauling different types of cargo.

For example you can ship freight such as:

Consumer goods, such as clothes, electronics, and household goods, are always in demand. Non-perishable food, that doesn’t require temperature control, also is common in dry van shipping.

Building materials. Some of the items that are transported in dry van trailers include lumber, drywall, and flooring.

Automobile parts. Tyres, engines and accessories can be profitable loads.

Dispatchers of Dexter Dispatch Services search for various loads which match your requirements and preferences. Our main aim is to provide you with the best chances and stable jobs.

Utilizing Load Boards and Freight Matching Apps

Technologies have made it easier for truck drivers to look for load shipping opportunities than ever before. Load boards and freight matching apps are available to help drivers connect with brokers and shippers for them in real time.

For effective load board use, you need to check more than one source and not only one. This makes it possible for you to compare the rates for different boards to find the best one.

In addition, it’s important to be able to act fast. High-paying loads go away quickly. Thus, it is important that you move fast to get a favourable offer.

Negotiation Tactics: How to Secure Better Rates

One of the most important skills in truck driving is knowing how to negotiate for higher compensation. If you accept low-paying loads, you won’t be able to make good money.

And how to negotiate for better rates:

Know the market rate. Research steady shipping rates currently to not connect for less than the trip value.

Highlight your experience. If you have a clean driving record, then accentuate it. Reliable drivers can ask for better compensation.

Be willing to walk away. In some cases, refusal of a low offer means access to better-paying opportunities.

Work with professionals. Having an expert work for you can help you settle for more money.

Conclusion

Increasing earnings in dry van trucking isn’t about chasing the next load string – it’s about running an operation where everything is controlled – rates, lanes, costs.

Dexter Dispatch Services gives dry van owner-operators predictable earnings, reduced deadhead, and freight decisions that are linked to real cost per mile – not spot market noise.

When dispatch is a strategy that works, then income is more consistent rather than reactive.

👉 Contact Dexter Dispatch Services at www.dexterdispatchservices.com or call us at [682-336-0385]