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Madison, AL

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

270

Carriers Based Here

Fair

Truck Parking

Southeast

Region

Who Operates Out of Madison

270 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Madison. 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.

138

Owner-operators (1 truck)

81

Small fleets (2-5)

15

Mid fleets (6-20)

5

Large fleets (20+)

51% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 18 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$2.43
Reefer$2.87
Flatbed$2.98

Rates by Equipment Type

Key Highways

I-90I-94I-39US-12US-14US-18

Top Industries

Healthcare IT
Biotechnology
Food processing
State government
Higher education

Major Distribution Centers

Amazon MSN1
Certco wholesale grocery DC
UW Health supply chain

Top Shippers

E
Epic Systems
O
Oscar Mayer/Kraft Heinz
S
Sub-Zero/Wolf
U
University of Wisconsin
S
Spectrum Brands

Nearby Ports

Nearest major port accessible via I-90

Truck Stops

Petro Madison (I-90/94 Exit 142)
Pilot Travel Center (I-39 Exit 119 near DeForest)
Kwik Trip (I-90/94 & US-12)

Challenges

  • Beltline Highway congestion restricts east-west crosstown truck movements, isthmus geography limits routing options, and heavy snow from November to March.
  • 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 Madison — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Madison: Dry Van $2.43, Reefer $2.87, Flatbed $2.98. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.
Truck parking in Madison is rated "fair." Popular stops include Petro Madison (I-90/94 Exit 142), Pilot Travel Center (I-39 Exit 119 near DeForest), Kwik Trip (I-90/94 & US-12). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.
Top shippers operating in the Madison freight market include Epic Systems, Oscar Mayer/Kraft Heinz, Sub-Zero/Wolf, University of Wisconsin, Spectrum Brands. Key industries driving freight demand are healthcare it, biotechnology, food processing.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Madison include: Beltline Highway congestion restricts east-west crosstown truck movements, isthmus geography limits routing options, and heavy snow from November to March.; 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 Alabama

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