Why Refrigerated Freight Costs More Than a Dry Van Move
A refrigerated shipment can cover the same distance as a dry van load yet require a different rate. The premium is not a fixed surcharge that applies to every lane. It reflects the equipment, energy, handling and capacity needed to protect temperature-sensitive cargo from pickup through delivery.
Temperature control changes operating cost
A reefer unit requires energy, maintenance and inspections in addition to the truck’s ordinary operating expenses. Loads may call for pre-cooling, temperature monitoring and specific set points. The carrier also assumes operational responsibilities that do not apply to an ordinary dry shipment. Those costs need to be recovered, but they do not produce a universal rate-per-mile premium.
The product itself matters. Frozen cargo, chilled food and temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals can impose different handling and documentation requirements. A rate comparison should match the service specification, not just the trailer label.
Produce season can concentrate demand
Harvest patterns can create surges in refrigerated freight in particular regions. When many shippers need reefers at the same time, available equipment becomes more valuable at those origins. A market that is tight during a shipping window may ease when the seasonal volume moves elsewhere.
This is why an annual national average can conceal meaningful week-to-week differences. Origin, destination, pickup date and reload prospects should all be considered together.
A reefer premium is lane-specific
To compare a reefer move with a dry van movement, use the same lane, direction, time period and mileage definition. The difference between the two quotes can then be expressed as a dollar amount or percentage. If the dates or markets differ, the comparison may say more about geography and timing than refrigeration.
For equipment-specific benchmarking, use the reefer freight rates per mile page. Its figures should be reviewed alongside the dry van spot rates today page only when the lane and observation period are comparable.
Quote the service, not just the distance
Before accepting a refrigerated load, confirm the set point, loading temperature, required monitoring, washout obligations, appointment windows and any special cargo instructions. Add fuel, reefer operation, total miles and likely waiting time to the cost estimate. Build margin around the actual work rather than a generic refrigerated-rate assumption.
Bottom line: refrigerated freight can carry a premium because it involves specialized equipment and service constraints. The meaningful premium is the one measured on the relevant lane at the relevant time.