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Great Falls, MT

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

298

Carriers Based Here

Fair

Truck Parking

Mountain West

Region

Who Operates Out of Great Falls

298 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Great Falls. 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.

149

Owner-operators (1 truck)

85

Small fleets (2-5)

30

Mid fleets (6-20)

14

Large fleets (20+)

50% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 51 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$2.59
Reefer$2.98
Flatbed$3.27

Rates by Equipment Type

Key Highways

I-15US-87US-89

Top Industries

Military
Agriculture
Healthcare
Mining support

Major Distribution Centers

McLane distribution
Associated Food Stores regional

Top Shippers

M
Malmstrom Air Force Base
M
Montana Specialty Mills
P
Pacific Steel & Recycling

Nearby Ports

Nearest major port accessible via I-15

Truck Stops

Town Pump Travel Center (I-15 Exit 278)
Cenex (US-87/US-89)

Challenges

  • Extreme wind (gusts 70+ mph) regularly topples high-profile loads on I-15.
  • Severe winter weather with extended road closures.
  • Very remote location with long distances between services.
  • Canadian border traffic can create customs delays.

Opportunities

  • Elevated rates compensate for longer distances and deadhead risk
  • Growing population centers (Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City) drive demand
  • Energy sector creates premium-rate specialized freight opportunities
  • Less carrier competition than coastal and Midwest markets

Seasonal Freight Patterns

Ski resort supply season runs October through March. Construction peaks April through October. Mining and energy freight is relatively steady year-round. Winter mountain pass closures can create significant delays and rate spikes.

Trucking in Great Falls — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Great Falls: Dry Van $2.59, Reefer $2.98, Flatbed $3.27. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.
Truck parking in Great Falls is rated "fair." Popular stops include Town Pump Travel Center (I-15 Exit 278), Cenex (US-87/US-89). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.
Top shippers operating in the Great Falls freight market include Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana Specialty Mills, Pacific Steel & Recycling. Key industries driving freight demand are military, agriculture, healthcare.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Great Falls include: Extreme wind (gusts 70+ mph) regularly topples high-profile loads on I-15.; Severe winter weather with extended road closures.; Very remote location with long distances between services.. However, opportunities include elevated rates compensate for longer distances and deadhead risk.

Nearby Freight Hubs

Other Cities in Montana

Running freight in Great Falls? Get dispatched.

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