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Dayton, OH

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

1,611

Carriers Based Here

Fair

Truck Parking

Midwest

Region

Who Operates Out of Dayton

1,611 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Dayton. 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.

829

Owner-operators (1 truck)

380

Small fleets (2-5)

130

Mid fleets (6-20)

60

Large fleets (20+)

51% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 184 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$2.45
Reefer$2.82
Flatbed$3.03

Rates by Equipment Type

Key Highways

I-75I-70I-675US-35US-40OH-4

Top Industries

Defense & aerospace
Automotive parts
Healthcare
Advanced manufacturing

Major Distribution Centers

Amazon DAY1 Monroe
Walmart DC Brookville
FedEx Ground Dayton hub

Top Shippers

W
Wright-Patterson AFB
D
Delphi Technologies
C
CareSource
E
Emerson Climate Technologies

Nearby Ports

Nearest major port accessible via I-75

Truck Stops

Pilot Travel Center (I-70 Exit 29 Englewood)
Love's Travel Stop #351 (I-75 Exit 63 Vandalia)
TA Huber Heights (I-70 Exit 36)

Challenges

  • Wright-Patterson AFB security creates delays on surrounding roads.
  • I-70/I-75 interchange area is frequently congested.
  • Snow squalls in winter can quickly close I-70 corridor.
  • Construction on I-75 modernization is ongoing.

Opportunities

  • Central location provides access to loads heading in every direction
  • Massive intermodal and rail hub infrastructure in Chicago area
  • Strong agricultural freight during harvest season
  • Lower cost of living and operating costs improve net margins

Seasonal Freight Patterns

Harvest season (August-November) generates enormous grain and produce volume. Holiday retail peaks September through December. Winter weather (November-March) causes delays but also rate spikes. Spring flooding can disrupt river-adjacent routes.

Trucking in Dayton — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Dayton: Dry Van $2.45, Reefer $2.82, Flatbed $3.03. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.
Truck parking in Dayton is rated "fair." Popular stops include Pilot Travel Center (I-70 Exit 29 Englewood), Love's Travel Stop #351 (I-75 Exit 63 Vandalia), TA Huber Heights (I-70 Exit 36). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.
Top shippers operating in the Dayton freight market include Wright-Patterson AFB, Delphi Technologies, CareSource, Emerson Climate Technologies. Key industries driving freight demand are defense & aerospace, automotive parts, healthcare.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Dayton include: Wright-Patterson AFB security creates delays on surrounding roads.; I-70/I-75 interchange area is frequently congested.; Snow squalls in winter can quickly close I-70 corridor.. However, opportunities include central location provides access to loads heading in every direction.

Nearby Freight Hubs

Other Cities in Ohio

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