Skip to main content

Eau Claire, WI

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

643

Carriers Based Here

Fair

Truck Parking

Midwest

Region

Who Operates Out of Eau Claire

643 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Eau Claire. 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.

329

Owner-operators (1 truck)

201

Small fleets (2-5)

49

Mid fleets (6-20)

19

Large fleets (20+)

51% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 57 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$2.47
Reefer$2.83
Flatbed$3.04

Rates by Equipment Type

Key Highways

I-94US-53US-12WI-37WI-93

Top Industries

Healthcare
Manufacturing
Retail distribution
Technology
Higher education

Major Distribution Centers

Menards distribution center
Amazon delivery station
Marshfield Clinic supply DC

Top Shippers

M
Menards
P
Phillips Medisize
C
Charter NEX Films
M
Marshfield Clinic

Nearby Ports

Nearest major port accessible via I-94

Truck Stops

Kwik Trip (I-94 & US-53)
Pilot Travel Center (I-94 Exit 59)
Holiday (US-53 & Clairemont Ave)

Challenges

  • Severe winter weather from November through March, ice on Chippewa River bridges, and limited services on US-53 north of town.
  • Winter weather creates hazardous driving conditions November through March
  • Spring flooding can close river-adjacent highways
  • High competition from large carrier fleets based in the region

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 Eau Claire — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Eau Claire: Dry Van $2.47, Reefer $2.83, Flatbed $3.04. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.
Truck parking in Eau Claire is rated "fair." Popular stops include Kwik Trip (I-94 & US-53), Pilot Travel Center (I-94 Exit 59), Holiday (US-53 & Clairemont Ave). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.
Top shippers operating in the Eau Claire freight market include Menards, Phillips Medisize, Charter NEX Films, Marshfield Clinic. Key industries driving freight demand are healthcare, manufacturing, retail distribution.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Eau Claire include: Severe winter weather from November through March, ice on Chippewa River bridges, and limited services on US-53 north of town.; Winter weather creates hazardous driving conditions November through March; Spring flooding can close river-adjacent highways. However, opportunities include central location provides access to loads heading in every direction.

Nearby Freight Hubs

Other Cities in Wisconsin

Running freight in Eau Claire? Get dispatched.

Our dispatch team books loads, negotiates rates, and handles the paperwork so you can keep your wheels turning in and out of Eau Claire.