Dry Van vs Flatbed Transportation — Choosing the Right Service for Your Freight

If you are moving freight across regional or national lanes, picking the correct mode is not a minor detail. It drives on-time performance, damage rates, and cost per mile. This guide breaks down dry van and flatbed transportation in plain language, built for logistics leaders who want fast, correct decisions. Use it to qualify loads, set expectations with your team, and engage a carrier that can execute at scale.

Executive Summary

• Dry van protects palletized, packaged freight from weather and road debris. Best for high-velocity replenishment, consumer goods, and any cargo that should stay enclosed.
• Flatbed handles freight that is oversized, irregular, heavy, or requires cranes or forklifts from the sides or above. Best for building materials, metals, and capital equipment headed to jobsites.
• Pick the mode by the handling plan you need at pickup and delivery. If the freight must be side loaded, top loaded, or cannot fit through a van door, choose flatbed. If it must be protected and fits on standard pallets, choose dry van.
• 2025 budgeting guardrails to frame conversations, then price each lane precisely: dry van 2.25 to 2.60 per mile; flatbed 2.50 to 3.10 per mile.
• MigWay positioning: asset-based fleet with 269 trucks and 450 trailers. 24/7 dispatch. Zero outsourcing. Live tracking included. Documented SOPs for flatbed securement and photo-at-pickup/photo-at-delivery for accountability.

Who This Guide Is For

Decision makers and operators who own freight performance:

• Director of Transportation
• Logistics Manager
• Shipping Manager
• Supply Chain Manager
• DC Manager
• Plant Manager
• Project Manager in construction
• 3PL Operations Manager
• Procurement for transportation

Dry Van: Where It Wins

Ideal Shippers and Freight

Manufacturers:

• CPG, food and beverage that is non temperature controlled
• Paper and packaging
• Plastics
• Appliances and electronics
• Furniture that is boxed or crated
• Automotive aftermarket parts

Distributors and wholesalers:

• Grocery center-store
• Beverage
• Industrial supply
• Janitorial and sanitation
• Office supplies
• OTC pharma
• Medical disposables

Retail and e-commerce:

• Big box replenishment
• Regional chains
• DTC brands shipping from 3PLs
• Returns to DCs or 3PLs

3PLs and brokers:

• Overflow and seasonal surges
• Retail compliance programs
• Pop-up DCs and swing capacity

Printers and packaging converters:

• Corrugated, folding cartons, labels, film

Best Fit Freight Profile for Dry Van

• Palletized, non hazmat freight, typically 20,000 to 45,000 pounds
• 53 foot vans, live load or drop trailer programs
• Facilities running FCFS or appointment windows
• Recurring East and Midwest lanes, with seasonal volume swings

Operational Advantages

• Protection. Enclosed trailer protects from weather and road debris.
• Speed at docks. Standardized dock processes with pallets and forklifts.
• Network density. High lane density reduces empty miles and helps OTP.

Constraints and Risks to Manage

• Frequent floor loads without compensation will slow turns and increase dwell.
• Chronic dwell beyond 3 hours without detention agreement will reduce carrier interest.
• Implied temperature control or hazmat without proper terms creates service risk.

Flatbed: Where It Wins

Ideal Shippers and Freight

Building materials:

• Lumber and OSB
• Drywall and roofing
• Bricks and masonry
• Rebar and fabricated sections

Metals:

• Coil, plate, bar, pipe
• Fabricated steel and structural assemblies

Industrial and energy:

• Machinery and heavy equipment
• Compressors and generators
• Transformers and switchgear

Construction projects:

• Jobsite deliveries
• Infrastructure and utility components

Specialized manufacturers:

• Precast and tanks
• Oversized skids and crated equipment

3PLs with industrial clients:

• Project cargo and seasonal surges

Best Fit Freight Profile for Flatbed

• Pieces from 8 to 48 feet, 20,000 to 48,000 pounds
• Standard 48 or 53 foot flatbeds
• Step-deck upon request for taller loads
• Securement options: chains, binders, straps, edge protectors, V-boards, coil racks, dunnage
• Tarping options: 4 foot and 8 foot; conestoga upon request where available
• Jobsite capable with clear delivery notes and a contact on arrival

Operational Advantages

• Access. Side and top loading with cranes or forklifts.
• Dimensional flexibility. Handles oversized or irregular freight that will not fit a van.
• Jobsite readiness. Drivers accustomed to real-world site conditions and staging.

Constraints and Risks to Manage

• Unsafe jobsite access or no equipment to unload is a hard stop.
• Chronic last-minute tarp spec changes without compensation erode schedule and cost control.
• Coil loads without proper skids or racks present safety risks.
• Oversize without permits and lead time creates legal and schedule risk.

How To Choose: A Simple Decision Framework

1. Start with handling and access. If side or overhead loading is required or the freight cannot fit through a 53 foot van door, choose flatbed.
2. Assess protection requirements. If product integrity depends on enclosure from weather or road debris, choose dry van.
3. Confirm securement needs. Coils, plate, machinery, or anything that needs chains, racks, or specialized dunnage points toward flatbed.
4. Map the delivery environment. Retail DCs and 3PLs prefer vans. Jobsites, yards, and plants with cranes prefer flatbeds.
5. Check appointment discipline. Tight retail appointments favor drop programs with vans. Jobsite windows require flatbed drivers trained for variability.
6. Balance cost vs risk. Do not force an ill-fitting mode to save pennies. Mode misalignment costs more in damages, delays, and claims.

Priority Verticals With NAICS Pointers

Dry van: 311, 312, 322, 325, 326, 333 to 336, 423, 424, 454, 493.

Flatbed: 321, 327, 331, 332, 333, 237 for heavy civil, 238 for specialty trades, 423 for durables.

Buying Triggers You Can Act On

• New DC or plant start-up or a construction project kickoff
• Service failures, missed appointments, or rising dwell with incumbent carriers
• Mode shift from LTL to FTL or to flatbed due to dimension, handling, or damage rates
• Retail compliance changes and tighter on-time targets
• Port, rail, or weather disruptions that require fast reroutes and new carriers

Qualify Fast: Nine Questions That Save Time

Ask these for both modes on the first call or email. You will get to a real plan in minutes.

1. Origin and destination ZIP codes and shipping days per week
2. Load count and weekly cadence
3. Average weight and packaging or piece sizes
4. Live versus drop for vans, or securement and tarping needs for flatbed
5. Dock or jobsite constraints, appointment windows, after-hours or weekend access
6. Accessorials: detention, lumper, driver assist, tarping, coil handling, stop-offs
7. Tender method: EDI, portal, or email
8. KPIs: on time pickup, on time delivery, tracking compliance, POD timing
9. Contract term, start date, and surge expectations

Service-Level Design: What Good Looks Like

For Dry Van Programs

• Trailer strategy. Mix of live loads and drops where volume supports it. Drop pools compress dwell and improve OTP.
• Appointment discipline. Confirm FCFS windows and advance appointment rules by facility.
• Retail compliance. Align to each retailer’s labeling, ASN, and arrival timing to avoid chargebacks.
• Tracking and reporting. Live tracking, geofencing, and milestone updates to meet customer scorecards.

For Flatbed Programs

• Securement plan. Document chains, binders, straps, edge protection, coil racks, and dunnage by commodity.
• Tarp policy. Define 4 foot or 8 foot tarp requirements up front. Use conestoga where available to speed turns and reduce claims.
• Jobsite briefing. Share access notes, contacts, staging, and PPE. Confirm site equipment for unload.
• Photo protocol. Capture photo-at-pickup and photo-at-delivery to verify condition and securement compliance.

Pricing Guardrails for 2025

Use these figures to frame conversations. Each lane should be priced precisely based on distance, dwell risk, season, and equipment needs.

• Dry van: 2.25 to 2.60 per mile
• Flatbed: 2.50 to 3.10 per mile

Red Flags That Signal You Should Qualify Out

Dry Van

• Frequent floor loads without pay
• Chronic dwell beyond 3 hours with no detention terms
• Implied temperature control without proper trailer spec
• Hazmat requirements without proper terms and documentation

Flatbed

• Unsafe jobsite access with no mitigation plan
• No equipment on site for unload
• Chronic last-minute tarp spec changes without compensation
• Coil loads without proper skids or racks
• Oversize loads requested without permits or lead time

Mode-by-Mode Playbooks

Dry Van Playbook

1. Confirm freight profile. Palletized, boxed, non hazmat, with weight and cube.
2. Lock the dock process. Live or drop, pallet configuration, forklift availability, and FCFS or appointment.
3. Define the tender flow. EDI or portal setup, fallback to email, and a named escalation path.
4. Align KPIs. OTP, OTD, tracking compliance, ASN adherence where applicable, POD turnaround time.
5. Surface risk. Retail blackout periods, seasonal ramps, and buffer trailers for peak.

Flatbed Playbook

1. Engineer securement. Chains versus straps, edge protection, coil racks, dunnage. Validate piece count and center of gravity.
2. Set tarping rules. 4 foot or 8 foot tarps. Conestoga availability where fit makes sense.
3. Brief the jobsite. Access, ground condition, staging area, contact name, and PPE requirements.
4. Schedule with reality. Allow for crane or forklift timing. Define after-hours or weekend options when needed.
5. Verify permits. Oversize dimensions, route surveys, escorts if required.

Industry Scenarios: Quick Guidance

CPG Producer Shipping to Regional DCs

Choose dry van. Palletized, enclosed, EDI tenders, and strict appointment windows. Drop trailers at volume locations to neutralize dwell. Track live with geofencing and deliver PODs within 24 hours.

Steel Service Center Shipping Coils

Choose flatbed. Coil racks, chains, and edge protection are mandatory. 8 foot tarps usually required. Validate skid specs. Confirm crane availability and sling plan at both ends.

OEM Equipment Maker Shipping a 30 foot Skid

Choose flatbed or step-deck depending on height. Design securement points during packaging, not at the dock. Provide drawings. Brief the jobsite on unload equipment and safe access.

E-commerce Brand Shipping From a 3PL

Choose dry van. Standard pallet builds, ASN and label compliance, rapid turns. Focus on appointment adherence and return programs for unsellable goods.

Roofing Supplier Delivering to Jobsites

Choose flatbed. Side unload with forklift or crane. Tarping to spec. Confirm surface conditions and staging area. Provide driver with jobsite contact and alternate number.

How MigWay Executes

• Asset-based, modern fleet. 269 trucks and 450 trailers.
• 24/7 dispatch. Zero outsourcing. Live tracking included for full visibility.
• OTP discipline. Low breakdown risk with rigorous maintenance.
• Drop capability where volume supports it to reduce dwell and improve compliance.
• Flatbed competence. Documented SOPs for securement, plus photo-at-pickup and photo-at-delivery to protect your product and your claims record.
• Surge and project coverage. Teams that plan seasonal ramps and construction timelines so your schedule holds.

What We Need To Quote Precisely

Send these details. You will get a clean plan and a reliable number.

• Origin and destination ZIPs and shipping days per week
• Weekly load count and cadence
• Average weight and pallet or piece dimensions
• Live versus drop for vans, or securement and tarp needs for flatbed
• Dock or jobsite constraints, appointment windows, after-hours access
• Accessorials: detention, lumper, driver assist, tarping, coil handling, stop-offs
• Tender method and EDI or portal credentials if applicable
• KPIs and reporting cadence
• Contract term, start date, and surge expectations

FAQ

How do I decide between dry van and flatbed for a new lane?

Start with handling. If the freight requires side or top loading, irregular dimensions, or crane access, choose flatbed. If the freight is palletized, boxed, and benefits from enclosure, choose dry van. Then validate dock or jobsite conditions and securement needs.

Can a flatbed shipment be tarped to protect the load like a van?

Yes. Use 4 foot or 8 foot tarps per commodity or a conestoga where available. Tarping protects against weather and road debris. Confirm tarp specs during tender to avoid delays and unexpected costs.

When is a step-deck necessary instead of a standard flatbed?

Use a step-deck when load height would exceed legal limits on a standard flat. Tall machinery, tanks, and packaged equipment with height constraints typically require a step-deck. Share exact dimensions during quoting.

What are realistic 2025 per-mile guardrails for budgeting?

For framing only, use 2.25 to 2.60 per mile for dry van and 2.50 to 3.10 per mile for flatbed. Each lane should be priced precisely based on distance, dwell risk, season, and equipment or securement requirements.

What KPIs should I hold my carrier to?

On time pickup, on time delivery, tracking compliance at agreed milestones, and POD turnaround time. For retail programs, include ASN and label compliance. For projects, include milestone updates and photo verification.

What red flags should cause me to pause a tender?

For vans: frequent floor loads without pay, dwell beyond 3 hours without detention, implied temperature control, and hazmat without proper terms. For flatbed: unsafe jobsite access, no unload equipment, last-minute tarp spec changes without compensation, coil handling without proper racks, and oversize loads without permits or lead time.

Can MigWay support drop trailer programs and construction projects simultaneously?

Yes. We maintain an asset-based fleet to support drop pools where volume supports them and flatbed project work with documented SOPs, securement standards, and photo verification. Dispatch is available 24 by 7 with live tracking included.

Next Step

You do not need another vendor. You need a carrier that thinks like you and executes under pressure. Share your lane or project details. We will plan it and run it with precision.