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Kingsport, TN

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

208

Carriers Based Here

Fair

Truck Parking

Southeast

Region

Who Operates Out of Kingsport

208 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Kingsport. 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.

85

Owner-operators (1 truck)

64

Small fleets (2-5)

36

Mid fleets (6-20)

6

Large fleets (20+)

41% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 39 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$2.42
Reefer$2.86
Flatbed$2.97

Rates by Equipment Type

Key Highways

I-26US-11WUS-23SR-93SR-126 (John B. Dennis Highway)

Top Industries

Specialty chemicals
Military and defense manufacturing
Paper and packaging
Glass manufacturing
Printing

Major Distribution Centers

Eastman Chemical Kingsport distribution hub
Food City DC Abingdon VA (nearby)

Top Shippers

E
Eastman Chemical Company
B
BAE Systems
D
Domtar Paper
A
AFG Industries (glass)

Nearby Ports

Nearest major port accessible via I-26

Truck Stops

Pilot Travel Center (I-81 Exit 57 near Kingsport)
Love's Travel Stop (I-81 Exit 69 Abingdon VA)

Challenges

  • Hazmat transportation risks through residential areas near the Eastman complex, mountainous terrain with steep grades on I-26, fog in the Holston River valley during morning hours, narrow industrial roads requiring careful maneuvering near chemical plants, and limited truck parking in the immediate Kingsport area.
  • 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 Kingsport — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Kingsport: Dry Van $2.42, Reefer $2.86, Flatbed $2.97. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.
Truck parking in Kingsport is rated "fair." Popular stops include Pilot Travel Center (I-81 Exit 57 near Kingsport), Love's Travel Stop (I-81 Exit 69 Abingdon VA). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.
Top shippers operating in the Kingsport freight market include Eastman Chemical Company, BAE Systems, Domtar Paper, AFG Industries (glass). Key industries driving freight demand are specialty chemicals, military and defense manufacturing, paper and packaging.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Kingsport include: Hazmat transportation risks through residential areas near the Eastman complex, mountainous terrain with steep grades on I-26, fog in the Holston River valley during morning hours, narrow industrial roads requiring careful maneuvering near chemical plants, and limited truck parking in the immediate Kingsport area.; 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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