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Fort Smith, AR

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

1

Carriers Based Here

Fair

Truck Parking

Southeast

Region

Who Operates Out of Fort Smith

1 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Fort Smith. 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.

1

Owner-operators (1 truck)

0

Small fleets (2-5)

0

Mid fleets (6-20)

0

Large fleets (20+)

100% of carriers based here run a single truck.

Source: FMCSA Motor Carrier Census (active carriers, US physical addresses), retrieved 2026-07-18.

Average Rates Per Mile

Equipment TypeRate / Mile
Dry Van$2.57
Reefer$2.98
Flatbed$3.24

Rates by Equipment Type

Key Highways

I-40I-49US-71US-64AR-22

Top Industries

Appliance manufacturing
HVAC systems
Poultry processing

Major Distribution Centers

Whirlpool parts distribution center
OKFoods cold storage DC

Top Shippers

W
Whirlpool Corporation
T
Trane Technologies
A
ABB (Baldor Electric)
O
OK Foods

Nearby Ports

Nearest major port accessible via I-40

Truck Stops

Pilot Travel Center (I-40 Exit 7)
Love's #324 (I-40 Exit 3)
Flying J (I-40 Exit 11)

Challenges

  • State line regulatory differences between Arkansas and Oklahoma, I-40 mountain terrain east toward Ozarks, Arkansas River flooding, and limited truck parking near industrial areas.
  • 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 Fort Smith — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Fort Smith: Dry Van $2.57, Reefer $2.98, Flatbed $3.24. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.
Truck parking in Fort Smith is rated "fair." Popular stops include Pilot Travel Center (I-40 Exit 7), Love's #324 (I-40 Exit 3), Flying J (I-40 Exit 11). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.
Top shippers operating in the Fort Smith freight market include Whirlpool Corporation, Trane Technologies, ABB (Baldor Electric), OK Foods. Key industries driving freight demand are appliance manufacturing, hvac systems, poultry processing.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Fort Smith include: State line regulatory differences between Arkansas and Oklahoma, I-40 mountain terrain east toward Ozarks, Arkansas River flooding, and limited truck parking near industrial areas.; 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 Arkansas

Running freight in Fort Smith? Get dispatched.

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