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Cary, NC

Freight hub guide — rates, shippers, parking, and opportunities for owner-operators in Cary.

283

Carriers Based Here

Fair

Truck Parking

Southeast

Region

Who Operates Out of Cary

283 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Cary. 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.

138

Owner-operators (1 truck)

62

Small fleets (2-5)

19

Mid fleets (6-20)

8

Large fleets (20+)

49% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 26 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 TypeRate / Mile
Dry Van$2.32
Reefer$2.76
Flatbed$2.87

Rates by Equipment Type

Key Highways

I-40I-440I-540US-1/US-64NC-55

Top Industries

Software & analytics
Gaming technology
Financial services
Healthcare
Professional services

Major Distribution Centers

Amazon RDU5 (nearby)
FedEx Ground (Selma, serves Cary)
Target Distribution (nearby)

Top Shippers

S
SAS Institute
E
Epic Games
M
MetLife
V
Verizon

Nearby Ports

Nearest major port accessible via I-40

Truck Stops

Pilot (I-40 Exit 312, Raleigh)
Love's #593 (I-40 Exit 306, Garner)
QT truck lane (US-1 & I-40)

Challenges

  • Strict residential noise ordinances limiting delivery hours, controlled campus access at SAS Institute and other tech facilities, school zone restrictions throughout the suburb, and I-40/I-440 interchange congestion during rush hours.
  • Hurricane season (June-November) poses risk to operations and cargo
  • Summer heat and humidity require attention to temperature-sensitive freight
  • Rapid population growth increases congestion on key corridors

Opportunities

  • Rapidly growing population drives sustained freight demand
  • Automotive manufacturing belt creates steady parts and finished vehicle freight
  • Port of Savannah and Port of Charleston generate strong import volumes
  • Year-round operations without severe winter weather interruptions

Seasonal Freight Patterns

Florida produce season (October-May) drives strong northbound reefer demand. Hurricane season (June-November) creates both risks and emergency freight surges. Holiday retail peaks September through December. Year-round construction keeps flatbed demand steady.

Trucking in Cary — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Cary: Dry Van $2.32, Reefer $2.76, Flatbed $2.87. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.
Truck parking in Cary is rated "fair." Popular stops include Pilot (I-40 Exit 312, Raleigh), Love's #593 (I-40 Exit 306, Garner), QT truck lane (US-1 & I-40). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.
Top shippers operating in the Cary freight market include SAS Institute, Epic Games, MetLife, Verizon. Key industries driving freight demand are software & analytics, gaming technology, financial services.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Cary include: Strict residential noise ordinances limiting delivery hours, controlled campus access at SAS Institute and other tech facilities, school zone restrictions throughout the suburb, and I-40/I-440 interchange congestion during rush hours.; Hurricane season (June-November) poses risk to operations and cargo; Summer heat and humidity require attention to temperature-sensitive freight. However, opportunities include rapidly growing population drives sustained freight demand.

Nearby Freight Hubs

Other Cities in North Carolina

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