Salem, OR
Freight hub guide — rates, shippers, parking, and opportunities for owner-operators in Salem.
1,160
Carriers Based Here
Truck Parking
West Coast
Region
Who Operates Out of Salem
1,160 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Salem. 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.
586
Owner-operators (1 truck)
336
Small fleets (2-5)
122
Mid fleets (6-20)
28
Large fleets (20+)
51% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 96 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 | $2.68 |
| Reefer | $3.13 |
| Flatbed | $3.31 |
Rates by Equipment Type
Key Highways
Top Industries
Major Distribution Centers
Top Shippers
Nearby Ports
Truck Stops
Challenges
- Extreme retail traffic congestion on NH-28 and Rockingham Park Boulevard, especially weekends and holidays.
- I-93 is heavily congested through Salem.
- Very limited truck parking and staging areas.
- Tight delivery windows at retail locations.
Opportunities
- Port-driven import freight creates consistent outbound load demand
- Produce freight runs nearly year-round from California's Central Valley
- Premium rates compensate for higher operating costs
- Tech sector growth fuels e-commerce distribution expansion
Seasonal Freight Patterns
California produce runs nearly year-round, with peak harvest June through October. Holiday retail surge is strong September through December. Wildfire season (July-October) can disrupt routes. Winter mountain pass closures affect I-80 and I-70 corridors.
Trucking in Salem — FAQ
Nearby Freight Hubs
Other Cities in Oregon
Running freight in Salem? Get dispatched.
Our dispatch team books loads, negotiates rates, and handles the paperwork so you can keep your wheels turning in and out of Salem.