Houston, TX
Freight hub guide — rates, shippers, parking, and opportunities for owner-operators in Houston.
#5
Freight Rank
23,157
Carriers Based Here
Truck Parking
Southwest
Region
Who Operates Out of Houston
23,157 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Houston. 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.
13,916
Owner-operators (1 truck)
4,835
Small fleets (2-5)
1,045
Mid fleets (6-20)
443
Large fleets (20+)
60% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 1,336 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 | $3.15 |
Rates by Equipment Type
Key Highways
Top Industries
Major Distribution Centers
Top Shippers
Nearby Ports
Truck Stops
Challenges
- Flooding risk during hurricane season (June-November)
- Extreme summer heat (100F+) limits driver hours and stresses equipment
- Port of Houston congestion during peak import seasons
- Beltway 8 and I-610 loop traffic creates long urban transit times
Opportunities
- Petrochemical corridor along I-10 East generates heavy flatbed and tanker demand
- Port of Houston is the #1 US port by foreign tonnage — drayage is massive
- Oil field equipment moves constantly between Houston and the Permian Basin
- Sysco HQ means steady reefer demand for foodservice distribution
Seasonal Freight Patterns
Oil & gas freight fluctuates with crude prices but stays busy year-round. Hurricane season (June-November) causes supply chain disruptions and emergency freight surges. Produce imports peak October through May. Petrochemical shipments steady year-round.
Trucking in Houston — FAQ
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