Denver, CO
Freight hub guide — rates, shippers, parking, and opportunities for owner-operators in Denver.
#20
Freight Rank
6,736
Carriers Based Here
Truck Parking
Mountain West
Region
Who Operates Out of Denver
6,736 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Denver. 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.
3,673
Owner-operators (1 truck)
1,878
Small fleets (2-5)
447
Mid fleets (6-20)
176
Large fleets (20+)
55% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 378 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 | $2.30 |
| Reefer | $2.70 |
| Flatbed | $3.00 |
Rates by Equipment Type
Key Highways
Top Industries
Major Distribution Centers
Top Shippers
Truck Stops
Challenges
- I-70 mountain corridor west of Denver is one of the most dangerous freight routes in the US
- Eisenhower Tunnel (I-70) has hazmat restrictions and size limits
- Winter closures on I-70 mountain passes can strand trucks for hours
- Altitude (5,280 ft) affects engine performance on turbocharged rigs
Opportunities
- Gateway to the Mountain West — everything heading west or east through Colorado passes through Denver
- Craft beer and Coors Brewing create steady beverage freight
- Growing tech sector (Denver Tech Center) increasing high-value freight demand
- Outdoor recreation industry (Patagonia, REI, VF Corp in Denver) drives retail distribution
Seasonal Freight Patterns
Ski season freight (equipment, supplies) peaks November through March. Construction materials peak April through October. Beer shipments steady year-round with summer peaks for grilling season. Winter storms on I-70 cause periodic shutdowns and rate spikes.
Trucking in Denver — FAQ
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