Skip to main content

Mobile, AL

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

1,296

Carriers Based Here

Fair

Truck Parking

Southeast

Region

Who Operates Out of Mobile

1,296 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Mobile. 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.

621

Owner-operators (1 truck)

366

Small fleets (2-5)

99

Mid fleets (6-20)

36

Large fleets (20+)

48% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 121 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-10I-65US-90US-98I-165

Top Industries

Port operations and maritime
Aerospace manufacturing
Shipbuilding and steel

Major Distribution Centers

Amazon MOB5
Walmart distribution center
Dollar Tree distribution center

Top Shippers

A
Alabama State Port Authority
A
Airbus Americas
A
Austal USA shipbuilding
A
AM/NS Calvert steel

Nearby Ports

Nearest major port accessible via I-10

Truck Stops

Pilot Travel Center (I-65 Exit 13)
Love's #603 (I-10 Exit 17B)
TA Saraland (I-65 Exit 19)

Challenges

  • Bankhead Tunnel and Wallace Tunnel have truck restrictions, port congestion during peak shipping season, hurricane season (June-November) can disrupt operations, and TWIC card required for port access.
  • 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 Mobile — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Mobile: Dry Van $2.42, Reefer $2.86, Flatbed $2.97. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.
Truck parking in Mobile is rated "fair." Popular stops include Pilot Travel Center (I-65 Exit 13), Love's #603 (I-10 Exit 17B), TA Saraland (I-65 Exit 19). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.
Top shippers operating in the Mobile freight market include Alabama State Port Authority, Airbus Americas, Austal USA shipbuilding, AM/NS Calvert steel. Key industries driving freight demand are port operations and maritime, aerospace manufacturing, shipbuilding and steel.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Mobile include: Bankhead Tunnel and Wallace Tunnel have truck restrictions, port congestion during peak shipping season, hurricane season (June-November) can disrupt operations, and TWIC card required for port access.; 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

Running freight in Mobile? Get dispatched.

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