Dry Van Shipping

Safe, secure, and reliable transport for non-perishable freight — delivered on time, every time across all 48 states.

dry van shipping runs on the same dispatch, safety program and professional dry van drivers that keep our refrigerated fleet on schedule

Protected. Reliable. On Time.

Our dry van shipping fleet is built for the full range of non-perishable freight — from retail merchandise and groceries to industrial goods and consumer products. As one of our four freight transportation services, dry van shipping runs on the same dispatch, safety program and professional dry van drivers that keep our refrigerated fleet on schedule. Every load is secured in a fully enclosed trailer, protected from the elements and delivered on time using dry van shipping.

Sealed 53' Trailers Across All 48 States

US Cargo Enterprise provides dry van shipping across all 48 contiguous states. Freight moves in fully enclosed,
sealed 53-foot trailers with GPS tracking and chain-of-custody documentation — protecting retail merchandise, packaged foods, manufactured goods and e-commerce freight from weather, damage and theft, backed by the same dispatch and driver standards as our refrigerated fleet. We pride ourselves on our ability to adapt our dry van shipping services to the specific needs of our clients.

What Fits in a 53' Dry Van

Interior dimensions run roughly 52’6″ long, 98–102″ wide and 110″ high, with rear door openings sized for dock-height loading. If your freight is palletized, floor-loaded or slip-sheeted, a dispatcher will confirm fit and weight before you book. Choosing dry van shipping means opting for a solution that combines versatility with cost-effectiveness.

53 ft Trailer length

The standard for full truckload freight.

26 Pallet positions

Single-stacked 40″ × 48″ pallets.

45,000 lbs Max payload

Typical ceiling; varies with equipment weight.

3,900 cu ft Cargo capacity

Usable interior volume.

A Dry Van Trucking Company With Reefer-Grade Standards

US Cargo Enterprise built its name in refrigerated freight, where a late or mishandled trailer isn’t an inconvenience — it’s a rejected load. Dry van is the growing side of our fleet, and it runs to the same standard: clean, inspected trailers, sealed doors, GPS visibility and drivers vetted the way cold-chain work demands. As an FMCSA-registered interstate carrier, we document every handoff so your chain of custody survives an audit.

If your lanes repeat weekly, ask about dedicated trucking services with reefer equipment assigned to your freight. And if a load absolutely cannot wait, our expedited freight service runs reefer too.

We understand that dry van shipping is crucial for businesses that rely on timely and secure transportation of their goods.

Our dry van shipping services have been trusted by numerous industries for their reliability and consistent performance.

Industries We Haul For

Eight dry freight categories, one carrier — every load sealed, tracked and documented.

Dry van shipping allows for efficient transportation of various freight types while maintaining compliance with industry standards.

Grocery & Food

Non-perishable packaged foods, canned goods, snacks, and dry pantry items distributed to supermarkets and warehouses nationwide.

Retail & Apparel

Clothing, footwear, accessories, and general merchandise transported to retail distribution centers and store locations.

Manufacturing

Raw materials, components, and finished goods moved between production facilities and distribution hubs across the country.

E-Commerce & Fulfillment

Consumer goods and packages moved efficiently from fulfillment centers to last-mile distribution points.

Building Materials

Hardware, lumber products, fixtures, and construction supplies delivered to job sites and home improvement distributors.

Electronics & Technology

Packaged electronics, appliances, and tech products shipped securely with full chain of custody documentation.

Health & Beauty

Personal care products, cosmetics, and household goods distributed to big-box retailers and regional wholesalers.

Automotive Parts

Auto components, aftermarket parts, and accessories moved on precise just-in-time schedules to assembly plants and retailers.

How Reefer Shipping Works With US Cargo

Our commitment to quality is reflected in our dry van shipping operations, ensuring that your goods reach their destination in perfect condition.

1
Get Your Rate

Enter your ZIP codes in the instant freight quote tool, pick Refrigerated, and see an estimate in seconds, or call dispatch for multi-stop and special-handling loads.

2
We Pre-Cool & Pick Up

A pre-cooled trailer at your required set point arrives in your pickup window, and the driver verifies pulp temperature at loading.

3
Monitored Transit

The reefer unit holds and records your set point across the route; you get updates, not surprises.

4
Delivery With Documentation

Your receiver signs, and you get proof of delivery with the full temperature log.

Reefer or Dry Van? A 30-Second Answer

Whether you are a small business or a large enterprise, our dry van shipping solutions are tailored to meet your needs.

It belongs in a reefer if…

…heat, cold or humidity can damage it: food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, florals, some chemicals and cosmetics. The refrigeration unit protects freight from both summer heat and winter freezing.

Dry van fits if…

…it is shelf-stable and just needs to stay clean, dry and secure. Dry van shipping costs less and books faster because the equipment is more plentiful.

Reefer rates typically run higher than dry van on the same lane because of fuel for the refrigeration unit and tighter equipment supply. Not sure which your product needs? Send us the commodity and lane and a dispatcher will tell you straight. With dry van shipping, you can count on transparent pricing and no hidden fees, ensuring you stay within budget.

Refrigerated Transport FAQ

What fits in a 53' dry van trailer?

A standard 53′ dry van holds 26 single-stacked pallet positions (40″ × 48″), roughly 3,900 cubic feet of cargo space, and a typical maximum payload of 43,000–45,000 lbs depending on equipment weight. Interior dimensions run about 52’6″ long, 98–102″ wide and 110″ high.

If your freight is shelf-stable and needs protection from weather, dust and theft rather than temperature control, dry van is the right choice and costs less. If heat or cold can damage the product, use refrigerated transport. When in doubt, send us the commodity and a dispatcher will tell you which trailer it needs.

Both. Live load is standard for spot shipments. On recurring lanes with enough volume, we can stage trailers for drop-and-hook so your dock crews load on their own schedule — ask dispatch whether your lane qualifies.

Rates are built from mileage on the actual truck route, the lane’s regional base rate, fuel, and the current balance of demand and capacity. Spot rates move with the market; dedicated rates are fixed by contract. Our instant quote tool estimates both from origin and destination ZIP codes.

US Cargo Enterprise runs dry van freight across all 48 contiguous states, with regular lanes through the Midwest, South, Southeast and Northwest. For recurring shipments we can set up dedicated dry van capacity on your specific lanes.

Ship Dry Van with Confidence

Get an instant dry van rate in seconds, or talk to a dispatcher about your lanes, volumes and delivery windows.
Trucks are available for spot loads and standing schedules alike.

Contact us today to learn more about how our dry van shipping services can benefit your business.

Other US Cargo Trucking Transportation Solutions

Refrigerated Transport

We are committed to ensuring that our dry van shipping processes are efficient and effective for all our clients.

Temperature-controlled shipping for perishable items including produce, meat, dairy, and beverages. Modern reefer units with precise temperature management throughout transit.

Dedicated
Service

Consistent, scheduled lanes tailored specifically to your business. A long-term logistics partnership designed to keep your supply chain reliable and cost-effective.

Choose our dry van shipping for a seamless transportation experience that prioritizes safety and reliability.

Expedited
Service

We pride ourselves on our ability to adapt our dry van shipping services to the specific needs of our clients.

When speed is critical, our expedited team moves fast. Priority handling, direct routes, and dedicated drivers ensure your time-sensitive freight arrives when it must.