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Worcester, MA

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

935

Carriers Based Here

Fair

Truck Parking

Northeast

Region

Who Operates Out of Worcester

935 active motor carriers are registered with a physical address in Worcester. 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.

515

Owner-operators (1 truck)

245

Small fleets (2-5)

65

Mid fleets (6-20)

20

Large fleets (20+)

55% of carriers based here run a single truck, and 120 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$2.76
Reefer$3.18
Flatbed$3.36

Rates by Equipment Type

Key Highways

I-90I-290I-190I-395US-20

Top Industries

Healthcare/Biotech
Higher Education
Manufacturing
Distribution/Logistics

Major Distribution Centers

Amazon BOS7 (nearby)
FedEx Ground (Auburn)
Polar Beverages DC

Top Shippers

U
UMass Memorial Health
A
AbbVie
S
Saint-Gobain
P
Polar Beverages

Nearby Ports

Nearest major port accessible via I-90

Truck Stops

Petro Stopping Center (I-90 Exit 10)
Pilot (I-90 at Sturbridge nearby)

Challenges

  • I-290 through Worcester is narrow and heavily congested.
  • Massachusetts Turnpike tolls add to operating costs.
  • Winter weather can shut down operations for days.
  • Many downtown streets have low bridges and tight turns.

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 Worcester — FAQ

Average rates per mile out of Worcester: Dry Van $2.76, Reefer $3.18, Flatbed $3.36. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.
Truck parking in Worcester is rated "fair." Popular stops include Petro Stopping Center (I-90 Exit 10), Pilot (I-90 at Sturbridge nearby). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.
Top shippers operating in the Worcester freight market include UMass Memorial Health, AbbVie, Saint-Gobain, Polar Beverages. Key industries driving freight demand are healthcare/biotech, higher education, manufacturing.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Worcester include: I-290 through Worcester is narrow and heavily congested.; Massachusetts Turnpike tolls add to operating costs.; Winter weather can shut down operations for days.. However, opportunities include highest population density in the us creates constant consumer freight demand.

Nearby Freight Hubs

Other Cities in Massachusetts

Running freight in Worcester? Get dispatched.

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