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USA Trucker Choice

Wilmington, DE

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

Part of Delaware trucking network →

859

Carriers Based Here

Fair

Truck Parking

Northeast

Region

Who Operates Out of Wilmington

859 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Wilmington. 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.

374

Owner-operators (1 truck)

218

Small fleets (2-5)

53

Mid fleets (6-20)

28

Large fleets (20+)

44% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 112 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$2.88
Reefer$3.30
Flatbed$3.48

Rates by Equipment Type

Dry Van
Reefer
Flatbed
Step Deck
Hotshot
Box Truck
Car Hauler
Tanker
Power Only
Intermodal
Dump Truck

Key Highways

I-95I-495I-295DE-1US-13US-202

Top Industries

Financial Services/Banking
Pharmaceutical/Chemical
Port/Maritime
Corporate Headquarters

Major Distribution Centers

Port of Wilmington cold storage
Amazon PHL7 (nearby New Castle)
FedEx Ground (nearby)

Top Shippers

P
Port of Wilmington
A
AstraZeneca
D
DuPont
J
JP Morgan Chase
C
Chemours

Nearby Ports

Nearest major port accessible via I-95

Truck Stops

Pilot Travel Center (I-95 at DE-896)
TA Delaware (I-95 at DE-273 nearby Newark)

Challenges

  • I-95 through Wilmington is one of the most congested stretches on the East Coast.
  • Delaware Memorial Bridge tolls and backups affect southbound traffic.
  • Port appointment windows are strict.
  • Urban delivery in downtown requires navigating narrow streets.

Opportunities

  • Highest population density in the US creates constant consumer freight demand
  • Port-driven import freight from major East Coast ports
  • Short-haul distances allow multiple loads per day
  • Premium rates for carriers who can navigate tight urban deliveries

Seasonal Freight Patterns

Produce season runs May through October. Holiday retail surge peaks September through December. Winter nor'easters (December-March) cause significant delays and rate spikes. Spring construction season brings flatbed demand from April onward.

Trucking in Wilmington — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Wilmington: Dry Van $2.88, Reefer $3.30, Flatbed $3.48. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.
Truck parking in Wilmington is rated "fair." Popular stops include Pilot Travel Center (I-95 at DE-896), TA Delaware (I-95 at DE-273 nearby Newark). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.
Top shippers operating in the Wilmington freight market include Port of Wilmington, AstraZeneca, DuPont, JP Morgan Chase, Chemours. Key industries driving freight demand are financial services/banking, pharmaceutical/chemical, port/maritime.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Wilmington include: I-95 through Wilmington is one of the most congested stretches on the East Coast.; Delaware Memorial Bridge tolls and backups affect southbound traffic.; Port appointment windows are strict.. However, opportunities include highest population density in the us creates constant consumer freight demand.

Nearby Freight Hubs

Dover, DE

Northeast market

Newark, DE

Northeast market

Middletown, DE

Northeast market

Bear, DE

Northeast market

New Castle, DE

Northeast market

Other Cities in Delaware

Dover, DE

Northeast market

Newark, DE

Northeast market

Middletown, DE

Northeast market

Bear, DE

Northeast market

New Castle, DE

Northeast market

View all trucking info for Delaware →

Running freight in Wilmington? Get dispatched.

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

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