Abilene, TX
Freight hub guide — rates, shippers, parking, and opportunities for owner-operators in Abilene.
547
Carriers Based Here
Truck Parking
Southwest
Region
Who Operates Out of Abilene
547 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Abilene. 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.
273
Owner-operators (1 truck)
166
Small fleets (2-5)
53
Mid fleets (6-20)
20
Large fleets (20+)
50% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 46 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 | $2.54 |
| Reefer | $2.95 |
| Flatbed | $3.21 |
Rates by Equipment Type
Key Highways
Top Industries
Major Distribution Centers
Top Shippers
Nearby Ports
Truck Stops
Challenges
- Long distances between major freight hubs (isolated from DFW by 180 miles), limited backhaul opportunities from West Texas, extreme weather including ice storms and high winds, and military security requirements for Dyess AFB deliveries.
- Extreme summer heat can cause tire blowouts and equipment stress
- Cross-border freight at Laredo and El Paso creates long wait times
- Oil price volatility affects freight demand in energy-dependent areas
Opportunities
- Cross-border NAFTA freight through Laredo and El Paso is enormous
- Texas is the highest freight-generating state in the US
- Year-round operations with minimal weather disruptions
- Oil and gas industry creates premium-rate flatbed and hotshot demand
Seasonal Freight Patterns
Cross-border produce peaks January through April. Oil and gas freight follows rig counts year-round. Holiday retail surge runs September through December. Summer heat (June-August) requires attention to tire and equipment maintenance.
Trucking in Abilene — FAQ
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