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Johnson City, TN

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

228

Carriers Based Here

Fair

Truck Parking

Southeast

Region

Who Operates Out of Johnson City

228 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Johnson City. 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.

105

Owner-operators (1 truck)

72

Small fleets (2-5)

25

Mid fleets (6-20)

10

Large fleets (20+)

46% 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$2.35
Reefer$2.78
Flatbed$2.90

Rates by Equipment Type

Key Highways

I-26I-81 (nearby)US-321US-11EUS-19E

Top Industries

Chemical manufacturing
Healthcare
Advanced manufacturing
Higher education
Nuclear fuel processing

Major Distribution Centers

Food City DC Abingdon VA (serves region)
Ballad Health supply chain DC

Top Shippers

E
Eastman Chemical (Kingsport)
B
Ballad Health
N
Nuclear Fuel Services (Erwin)
G
General Shale Brick

Nearby Ports

Nearest major port accessible via I-26

Truck Stops

Love's Travel Stop (I-26 Exit 24 Johnson City)
Pilot Travel Center (I-81 Exit 57 Kingsport)

Challenges

  • Steep mountain grades on I-26 toward Asheville with Sam's Gap elevation changes, winter weather including ice and snow from November through March, fog in mountain valleys during morning hours, narrow roads through historic small towns on alternate routes, and limited truck parking in the mountainous terrain.
  • 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 Johnson City — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Johnson City: Dry Van $2.35, Reefer $2.78, Flatbed $2.90. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.
Truck parking in Johnson City is rated "fair." Popular stops include Love's Travel Stop (I-26 Exit 24 Johnson City), Pilot Travel Center (I-81 Exit 57 Kingsport). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.
Top shippers operating in the Johnson City freight market include Eastman Chemical (Kingsport), Ballad Health, Nuclear Fuel Services (Erwin), General Shale Brick. Key industries driving freight demand are chemical manufacturing, healthcare, advanced manufacturing.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Johnson City include: Steep mountain grades on I-26 toward Asheville with Sam's Gap elevation changes, winter weather including ice and snow from November through March, fog in mountain valleys during morning hours, narrow roads through historic small towns on alternate routes, and limited truck parking in the mountainous terrain.; 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 Tennessee

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