Proven Strategies to Maximize Your Income and Efficiency in the Dry Van Freight Industry

Freight markets are in a state of change, there are cost pressures, and opportunity for astute dry van drivers is rapidly changing. Whether you’re an independent OTR trucking driver or a company driver with a truck dispatch service, the number of earnings for you are dependant on the amount of miles you drive. Understanding dry van freight rates as well as seasonal and market trends are crucial to make as many dollars as possible for your truck driver earnings. At Dexter Dispatch Services, we specialize in supporting those driving in the long-haul logistics world and discover ways to increase income. By this article, I’ll dive in the current dry van freight rates, what are the important factors impacting the current dry van freight rates, inflections on drivers and companies and the actionable ways to increase your earnings by the year 2025.

Current Dry Van Freight Rates in 2025

It is very important to understand where the market is. If you’re a dry van driver who hauls freight over long distances, knowing the benchmark rates and the trends puts you in a position to negotiate better to get paid faster.

What the data shows

• According to ACT research and their analysis for September/October 2025, dry van truckload (TL) LKD spot market rate was holding at around $1.63 per mile net of fuel for the U.S. benchmark. Contract rates for dry van freight were at about $2.13 per mile in September of 2025.
• Another source, DAT Freight & Analytics (via a snapshot in June 2025), found spot dry van rates increased only by three cents up to roughly $2.02 per mile.
• Additional data (October 2025) for the van spot rate of ‘2.08 per mile’ nationally, and range from region to region ($2.25/mile for the Midwest and $1.92/mile for the Northeast).
• Scale Funding
• On the volume side, the dry van market is still challenged: The spot and contract rate recovery is muted, the volume demand is still soft, and capacity is still elevated.

What does that mean for you?

So if you’re a dry van driver working OTR or long haul freight, the amount per mile you’re paid isn’t skyrocketing. The industry is flat or slowly working that way, but not booming. That means increasing earnings isn’t about “rates going up” – rather, it is about working smart, avoiding downtime, keeping control of costs, and capturing premium loads.

Key takeaway

For 2025, on average, the dry van driver can anticipate baseline freight rates of somewhere in this $1.60 – $2.10 per mile (spot market) range, depending on the region, seasonality, fuel costs, and the contract vs. spot arrangements drivers have. If you’re always making more than that, you’re doing something right. If you’re under it, then there’s space for a makeover.

Factors Influencing Rates

To earn more, however, you need to know why rates are the way they are. These are the most important levers and dynamics that are affecting the dry van freight rate environment in 2025.

Supply & Demand for Freight

• Freight demand is still weak in a variety of segments: Many shippers are cautious, thanks to global trade disruptions and high interest rates and subdued consumer spending.
• At the same time, the capacity (number of tractors/trailers and available drivers) is still high, which puts downward pressure on rates. ACT Research mentions the dry van segment is still oversupplied.
• The load-to-truck ratio, an important way of measuring the tightness of capacity, remains quite low for dry vans relative to other stronger segments (like flatbed). When that ratio is low, it means that drivers have more competition for loads and fewer leverage points.

Fuel and Operating Costs

• Fuel is also a major operating expense for drivers and carriers. With a rising price for diesel fuel, carriers want higher rates to offset those increases, and drivers may be able to earn higher pay through fuel surcharge agreements. Although some fuel costs have stabilized, the larger cost base (maintenance, insurance, equipment) is on the increase.
• Equipment and maintenance costs are up: According to ATRI (via C.H. Robinson’s commentary), the cost of operations excluding fuel rose nearly 2% in Q1 2025 vs 2024, adding on to increases of the previous few years.

Contract vs Spot Markets

• Spot market freight (one-off loads) is often more volatile and may at times even pay a premium for time urgency and/or special lanes of travel, but at the same time risk empty miles and deadhead.
• Contract freight (regular lanes under agreement) is where there is more stability, but it will often lock you in lower rates in the event of a better market (and you being stuck with an older contract). Data is showing contract dry van ~ $2.13/mile in September 2025.
• Drivers and trucking companies who negotiate better contracts, review and renegotiate contracts when market shifts, have an edge.

Geography and Lane Dynamics

• Some lanes are paying more because of the scarcity of capacity or longer deadhead. For example, there were higher rates on the Midwest lanes at one point (~$1.89/mile) concerning national averages.
• Boundaries and distributivity within and among different geographic regions: A driver driving mostly in the lower-paying areas may fare less per mile than one working on stronger lanes.
• Long-haul vs regional Long-haul often pays more per mile due to fewer return loads, more deadhead, but also comes with significant higher expenses (lodging, downtime). Smart planning is essential.

Seasonal and Market Events

• Seasonal peaks in freight (eg season for produce, retail peak for adventitious season) may temporarily cause rates for dry vans to rise
• Market events such as large tariff deadlines or trade policy changes have no permanence and may spike demand (and thus rates) for short periods of time, but often subside quickly.

Driver & Carrier Efficiency

• How efficiently a driver uses their time, whether empty to load distances are minimized, whether backhauls can be handled well, and downtime can be kept low cost have a greater effect on earnings than marginal rate improvements.
• Dispatch support, routing, load choice and fleet support (or being your own carrier) all affect net income.

Implications for Drivers and Companies

With the above factors in mind, what do these trends mean for you, whether you’re a dry van driver or are part of a trucking company/dispatch operation?

For Drivers

• Flat rates or very low increasing rates mean that you cannot rely on rates just going up, and you have to concentrate on getting the most out of your yield (income per hour) and not wasting your time
• Being choosy when it comes to loads, negotiating terms (especially on those contract lanes or guaranteed pay), and deadhead can improve earnings.
• It is vital to understand the cost per mile (your own operating cost). If you are being paid $1.80/mile and your cost is $1.50./mile, you have a thin margin. Improve margin by reducing cost or increasing pay.
• The importance of backhauls, constant movement and taking advantage of high-paying lanes increases. Riding on low-paying regional or low-density lanes can damage your earning potential.

For Companies / Dispatchers

• Brokerage/carriers need to be efficient: While the revenues per mile may not grow drastically but cost inflation (equipment, insurance, compliance) eats away at margins. Carriers with smart dispatching, idle time reduction and technology are in the driver’s seat.
• Companies that provide the drivers with good dispatch support, access to premium lanes and lower dead-head can attract and retain better driver talent.
• For dispatch services (such as Dexter Dispatch Services), emphasizing strategic load planning, broker relationships, and technology (for routing, dead-head minimization) will help both the driver and the company to win.

Strategic Implication

• The dry van market in 2025 is not a “boom market”; it is a market of modest growth, but high competition. That means that efficiency, volume and lane choice are more important than any hope of big rate jumps.
• Drivers and companies that are adaptive, plan and optimize will out-earn those that “do the miles”.

Ways to Increase Your Earnings

Now to the meat and bones: some ways that you, as the dry van driver (or the dispatch-driven driver), can make more bucks in 2025. These methods go beyond the simple “drive more miles” – they focus on the optimization of value and reduction of waste.

Choose the Right Loads & Lanes

• Target high-yield lanes: Look for lanes with higher per-mile rates, little dead-head (empty return) or backhaul opportunities. Lanes that are underserved or traffic that carries higher-value freight, for example, might pay better.
• Avoid long dead-head miles: Deadhead is a reduction to your effective per-hour earnings. Prioritise loads where you are loaded on your way return (or where you can quickly pick up the next load);
• Leverage premium or specialty freight: Some dry van loads (e.g., time-sensitive or higher value consumer goods or e-commerce freight) pay better. If you can meet the requirements (timing, level of service), you can make more money.
• Negotiate contract lanes: If you or your carrier are being offered contract lanes with guaranteed volumes and rates, negotiate for favourable terms (rate per mile, minimum pay, dead-head protection).
• Monitor market dynamics: Use load board intel and dispatch support to find out the regional surges (seasonal peaks, produce season, etc). Being prepared to be able to operate in those lanes, should demand be high, gives an advantage.

Increase Utilisation & Cockpit Downtime

• Maximise running time: (more loaded miles running than idle/ waiting = higher earnings). Efficient dispatch and route planning are key.
• Minimise layover and detention: Waiting in the dock wastes your money, while waiting, or you can get delayed. Work with your dispatcher to minimize detention, secure detention pay clauses, and avoid low-pay loads, which will have many delays.
• Efficient reloads/backhauls: Instead of returning empty, make sure to try and pick up a load at the drop location or make it so your return comes loaded up. Dead-head destroys profitability.
• Strategic break scheduling: Optimise scheduling of your rest and service breaks to be aligned with load stops or fuel stops as opposed to dead time.

Control Your Cost Per Mile

• Fuel efficiency: Fuel-efficient routes, well-maintained equipment, monitor idle time, and drive at efficient speeds. Fuel cost reduction has the benefit of improving your net earnings without any change in gross pay.
• Equipment maintenance & uptime: Well-maintained trucks/trailers mean fewer breakdowns, up-time & costly repairs. Choose carriers/dispatchers who focus on maintenance or do it internally as an owner-operator.
• Minimise tolls, fines & inefficient routes: Plan to avoid high cost toll zones, high traffic zones where time would be lost, and also high regulatory cost zones.
• Leverage fuel surcharges/extras: For where applicable, be sure you are getting fair compensation for fuel surcharges. Some carriers load this into their pay model – make sure it’s transparent.
• Cost tracking: Keep a note of the cost that you incur per mile (fuel, maintenance, insurance, etc). If the price of your cost is increasing at a quicker rate than you are being paid, you need to do something.

Diversify & Upskill

• Expand into specialty dry van freight: Some dry van drivers can move into higher value freight (e.g. retail behind major launches, e-commerce fulfilment, dedicated contract freight), which pays better. Being willing to adapt is a premium.
• Get extra endorsements or certifications: The dry van may not always require special endorsements, but being able to handle more types of freight (i.e. hazmat, high-value freight) may help you increase your options.
• Build relationships with dispatch/ broker networks: Good dispatch services (like Dexter Dispatch Services) help you access better loads, quicker pay, premium lanes – invest in that relationship.
• Stay current with market knowledge: Know the market trends (fuel, capacity, rate changes), so you can change direction (pivot) when needed, rather than be tied to low-pay loads that you are stuck loading.

Work Efficiently with Your Dispatch Partner

• Choose a strong dispatch service: A dispatch service that has good relationships with brokers, has access to load boards, and can get you on lanes with good earning potential will increase your earnings potential.
• Communicate your goals: Tell your dispatcher how much you want to earn per mile, which lanes are favourable (or favourable to avoid), and on what days out/return you intend to schedule. It helps get your load selection in line with your earnings goals.
• Negotiate dead-head and layover terms: Make sure that you have favourable terms in your dispatch contract, so that you are not disadvantaged by a long return or a loss of pay due to layover.
• Get rapid pay/invoice support: Delays in pay hurt you. Use of dispatch services that minimize the payment lag should improve your cash flow and ability to reinvest (maintenance, fuel).
• Leverage technology: Use apps/tracking to make sure you are optimizing miles, reducing idles, monitoring fuel, log and accurately track hours so you are not losing pay due to mistakes.

Monitor the Market Conditions & Be Flexible

• Stay tuned to freight market indicators: E.g. DAT load/truck ratios, spot vs contract rates, seasonal peaks, etc. When you see a surge, be ready.
• Be willing to move around for the time being: Some areas may have better rates for a short period of time (because of seasonal spikes, shortages of capacity). At least if you’re able to travel to those parts of the world, you have the chance to earn more.
• Avoid complacency in low-rate markets: If your region is weak, then consider switching lanes, regions or carriers/dispatchers to hunt for better pay.
• Evaluate contract renewal timing: If your current contract lane is locked in and the market is improving, make sure you are negotiating before renewal time to take advantage of better rates.

Review Your Compensation Model

• Understand pay per mile vs revenue share vs hourly models: 1 Some carriers pay a fixed rate per mile, 2 Some pay a percentage of load revenue, 3 Some pay hourly. Compare what is better as a source of net income after cost.
• Incentives and bonuses: Look for bonuses offered by carriers/dispatchers for safe driving, long/complex loads, quick turnaround, and high-value freight. These can significantly increase profits.
• Negotiate minimum pay and dead-head protections: Eg, negotiate and secure a minimum of X no of miles OR dead-head pay if you have to reposition long distance.
• Track your results: Keep a regular log of what you make per mile, per hour, per week and compare running results among lanes, loads, and dispatchers. Use this data to reject low-yielding loads in the future.

Maintain Safety & Compliance

• Stay compliant with hours-of-service (HOS), vehicle inspection, and maintenance: Non-compliance can lead to fines, downtime, and lost earnings.
• Invest in Good Driving Habits: Good records, good safety scores, on-time deliveries, deliver better dispatch options and premium loads.
• Minimise detention and border delays: If you’re hauling cross-border or international loads, keep documentation in hand, keep your loads moving, penny-pinched at customs and minimum delays, which means that you don’t lose time (and money).

Conclusion

Increasing your earnings as a driver in a dry van in 2025 has less to do with waiting for a huge increase in your rate and more to do with getting the business basics right: choosing the right lanes, keeping your utilization to a maximum, getting your costs under control, being smart with your dispatcher, and flexibility in a competitive market. The dry van freight rate environment is stable and challenged. By implementing the strategies above, you get yourself ahead of scores of drivers who “drive the loads that come”.

At Dexter Dispatch Services, we are here to help support drivers and carriers and help them achieve better results. Whether working as a solo, leased on, or part of a fleet, doing more with your load through attention to quality of loads, cost control, and strategic dispatching, will help you earn more – even at modest rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — seasonal peaks (such as the produce season, holiday retail buildup) and certain regions experiencing capacity tightness can offer better pay. Being flexible in your geography and timing helps you capitalise on those opportunities.