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Elyria, OH

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

174

Carriers Based Here

Fair

Truck Parking

Midwest

Region

Who Operates Out of Elyria

174 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Elyria. 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.

76

Owner-operators (1 truck)

54

Small fleets (2-5)

15

Mid fleets (6-20)

6

Large fleets (20+)

44% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 31 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$3.05

Rates by Equipment Type

Key Highways

I-90I-80 (Ohio Turnpike)OH-57US-20OH-2 (nearby)

Top Industries

Medical devices
Automotive parts
Fastener manufacturing
Commercial vehicle systems

Major Distribution Centers

Dollar Tree Lorain County DC (nearby)
FedEx Ground Amherst terminal

Top Shippers

I
Invacare Corporation
B
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems
R
Riddell Sports

Nearby Ports

Nearest major port accessible via I-90

Truck Stops

Pilot Travel Center (I-90 & OH-57)
TA Elyria (I-80 Exit 145)

Challenges

  • Ohio Turnpike toll costs for east-west movement.
  • Heavy snow belt — Lorain County gets significant lake-effect snow.
  • Aging industrial roads with weight restrictions near foundry district.

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 Elyria — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Elyria: Dry Van $2.47, Reefer $2.83, Flatbed $3.05. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.
Truck parking in Elyria is rated "fair." Popular stops include Pilot Travel Center (I-90 & OH-57), TA Elyria (I-80 Exit 145). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.
Top shippers operating in the Elyria freight market include Invacare Corporation, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Riddell Sports. Key industries driving freight demand are medical devices, automotive parts, fastener manufacturing.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Elyria include: Ohio Turnpike toll costs for east-west movement.; Heavy snow belt; Aging industrial roads with weight restrictions near foundry district.. However, opportunities include central location provides access to loads heading in every direction.

Nearby Freight Hubs

Other Cities in Ohio

Running freight in Elyria? Get dispatched.

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