REEF · national · Oct 2026

Reefer rates per mile

Name: 53' refrigerated truckload rates per mile, United States
Creator: Lane Cost

A temperature-controlled 53-foot trailer for produce, meat, dairy and pharma.

$4.16/mi

−0.2% from last month

3 months: +1.7%
1 year: +35.9%
52-week range: $3.24–$4.47
Fuel per mile: $1.02

Reefer · national · monthly since 2003

Reefer rate history

All-in rateFuel cost per mile

53' refrigerated freight in the United States averaged $4.16 a mile all-in in October 2026, down 0.2% from the month before and up 35.9% from a year earlier. That is inside a twelve-month range of $3.24 to $4.47. Fuel accounts for about $1.02 of each mile at current diesel prices.

Price a reefer load

Reefer rates by state

Outbound reefer rate per mile$3.10$5.71

Reefer rate per mile by state
State	Outbound	Inbound
California	$5.71	$3.51
Oregon	$5.61	$3.51
Washington	$5.23	$3.50
Illinois	$5.15	$3.45
Minnesota	$5.02	$3.88
Nebraska	$5.01	$3.53
Michigan	$5.00	$3.64
Indiana	$4.96	$3.59
North Dakota	$4.96	$3.97
South Dakota	$4.96	$3.70
Wisconsin	$4.96	$3.62
Kansas	$4.92	$3.64
Ohio	$4.89	$3.67
Iowa	$4.73	$3.53
Missouri	$4.73	$3.49
Alabama	$4.44	$4.12
Mississippi	$4.27	$4.15
New York	$4.27	$4.70
Tennessee	$4.26	$3.99
Kentucky	$4.21	$3.79
New Jersey	$4.21	$4.40
Arkansas	$4.15	$3.70
Maryland	$4.11	$4.57
District of Columbia	$4.09	$4.78
Virginia	$4.09	$4.67
West Virginia	$4.09	$4.56
Louisiana	$4.07	$4.00
Delaware	$4.05	$4.56
Oklahoma	$4.03	$4.02
Texas	$4.02	$3.63
Idaho	$3.94	$4.33
Maine	$3.93	$5.29
Georgia	$3.88	$4.14
North Carolina	$3.82	$4.20
New Hampshire	$3.81	$5.08
South Carolina	$3.80	$4.27
Pennsylvania	$3.79	$4.48
Rhode Island	$3.69	$5.06
Vermont	$3.69	$5.08
Massachusetts	$3.68	$4.85
Montana	$3.62	$4.33
Connecticut	$3.47	$5.14
Nevada	$3.41	$3.97
New Mexico	$3.35	$4.33
Arizona	$3.28	$3.87
Utah	$3.28	$4.40
Wyoming	$3.28	$4.68
Florida	$3.24	$5.28
Colorado	$3.10	$4.90

Reefer rates on major lanes

Estimated 53' refrigerated cost on major US lanes
Lane	Miles	Estimate	Per mile	Typical range	Transit
Los Angeles, CA → Dallas, TX	1,474 mi	$6,424	$4.36	$5,589 – $7,259	3 d
Chicago, IL → Atlanta, GA	691 mi	$3,620	$5.24	$3,149 – $4,090	2 d
Dallas, TX → Houston, TX	263 mi	$1,360	$5.17	$1,183 – $1,537	1 d
Atlanta, GA → Miami, FL	716 mi	$3,571	$4.99	$3,107 – $4,035	2 d
Los Angeles, CA → Phoenix, AZ	430 mi	$2,720	$6.33	$2,367 – $3,074	1 d
Chicago, IL → Dallas, TX	942 mi	$4,016	$4.26	$3,494 – $4,538	2 d
New York, NY → Chicago, IL	847 mi	$2,918	$3.44	$2,538 – $3,297	2 d
Seattle, WA → Los Angeles, CA	1,135 mi	$4,576	$4.03	$3,981 – $5,171	3 d
Houston, TX → Atlanta, GA	826 mi	$3,227	$3.91	$2,808 – $3,647	2 d
Memphis, TN → Chicago, IL	568 mi	$2,174	$3.83	$1,892 – $2,457	2 d
Columbus, OH → New York, NY	565 mi	$3,390	$6.00	$2,949 – $3,831	2 d
Denver, CO → Dallas, TX	779 mi	$2,089	$2.68	$1,818 – $2,361	2 d
Los Angeles, CA → Seattle, WA	1,135 mi	$4,989	$4.40	$4,340 – $5,637	3 d
Charlotte, NC → Philadelphia, PA	537 mi	$2,432	$4.53	$2,116 – $2,748	1 d
Kansas City, MO → Denver, CO	652 mi	$3,778	$5.79	$3,287 – $4,269	2 d

Observed, not modeled

USDA reported reefer rates, week of 2026-11-10

What brokers and carriers told USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service they charged to haul produce that week. These are survey figures published by USDA, shown as reported.

USDA reported refrigerated truck rates
Origin region	To	Miles	Low	High	Per mile
Arizona	Atlanta	2,100	$9,375	$10,025	$4.62
Arizona	Baltimore	2,600	$11,020	$11,795	$4.39
Arizona	Boston	2,900	$11,780	$12,600	$4.20
Arizona	Chicago	2,030	$8,155	$8,725	$4.16
Arizona	Dallas	1,300	$6,230	$6,600	$4.93
Arizona	Miami	2,600	$11,300	$12,095	$4.50
Arizona	New York	2,700	$12,685	$13,460	$4.84
Arizona	Philadelphia	2,650	$11,455	$11,905	$4.41
Arizona	Seattle	1,300	$6,715	$6,980	$5.27
California	Atlanta	2,100	$9,375	$10,025	$4.62
California	Baltimore	2,600	$11,020	$11,795	$4.39
California	Boston	2,900	$11,780	$12,600	$4.20
California	Chicago	2,030	$8,155	$8,725	$4.16
California	Dallas	1,300	$6,230	$6,600	$4.93
California	Miami	2,600	$11,300	$12,095	$4.50
California	New York	2,700	$12,685	$13,460	$4.84
California	Philadelphia	2,650	$11,455	$11,905	$4.41
California	Seattle	1,300	$6,715	$6,980	$5.27
California	Baltimore	2,660	$10,720	$11,350	$4.15
California	Chicago	2,030	$8,155	$8,545	$4.11
California	New York	2,800	$12,365	$12,955	$4.52
California	Philadelphia	2,700	$11,365	$11,795	$4.29
California	Baltimore	2,700	$11,300	$11,960	$4.31
California	Philadelphia	2,770	$11,975	$12,680	$4.45
California	Baltimore	2,900	$11,150	$11,800	$3.96
California	Chicago	2,220	$7,385	$7,900	$3.44
California	New York	3,000	$11,000	$12,860	$4.05
California	Philadelphia	2,960	$10,800	$11,600	$3.78
California	Atlanta	2,350	$9,445	$10,100	$4.16
California	Baltimore	2,800	$11,185	$11,965	$4.13
California	Boston	3,150	$11,645	$12,200	$3.78
California	Chicago	2,170	$8,320	$8,800	$3.94
California	Dallas	1,600	$7,125	$7,385	$4.53
California	Miami	2,900	$11,710	$12,525	$4.18
California	New York	2,940	$13,000	$13,625	$4.53
California	Philadelphia	2,870	$11,605	$12,410	$4.18
California	Seattle	1,050	$5,010	$5,305	$4.91
California	Atlanta	2,100	$8,500	$9,900	$4.43
California	Baltimore	2,600	$10,918.409	$11,657.045	$4.34
California	Dallas	1,300	$5,800	$6,900	$5.00
California	Miami	2,600	$9,700	$11,100	$3.98
California	Philadelphia	2,650	$10,404.545	$11,186.364	$4.08
Florida	Atlanta	440	$1,000	$1,200	$2.50
Florida	Baltimore	890	$2,200	$2,400	$2.58
Florida	Boston	1,280	$3,750	$3,950	$3.01
Florida	Chicago	1,160	$2,200	$2,400	$1.98
Florida	New York	1,070	$3,100	$3,350	$3.01
Florida	Philadelphia	990	$2,400	$2,600	$2.53
Mexico-Arizona	Atlanta	1,800	$6,400	$6,700	$3.64
Mexico-Arizona	Baltimore	2,350	$8,800	$9,000	$3.79
Mexico-Arizona	Boston	2,700	$9,400	$9,600	$3.52
Mexico-Arizona	Chicago	1,800	$5,000	$6,400	$3.39
Mexico-Arizona	Dallas	980	$3,800	$4,000	$3.98
Mexico-Arizona	Los Angeles	560	$1,800	$2,000	$3.39
Mexico-Arizona	New York	2,500	$9,200	$9,400	$3.72
Mexico-Arizona	Philadelphia	2,400	$8,900	$9,200	$3.77
Mexico-Texas	Atlanta	1,150	$3,800	$4,800	$3.83
Mexico-Texas	Baltimore	1,790	$5,000	$6,300	$3.13
Mexico-Texas	Boston	2,200	$6,400	$7,200	$3.23
Mexico-Texas	Chicago	1,430	$3,600	$4,400	$2.87
Mexico-Texas	Dallas	500	$1,500	$2,200	$4.20
Mexico-Texas	Los Angeles	1,600	$3,800	$4,800	$2.50
Mexico-Texas	Miami	1,530	$5,600	$6,000	$3.73
Mexico-Texas	New York	2,000	$6,200	$7,000	$3.25
Mexico-Texas	Philadelphia	1,900	$5,000	$6,500	$3.21
Pacific Northwest	Atlanta	2,550	$9,500	$10,700	$3.92
Pacific Northwest	Baltimore	2,650	$10,400	$11,500	$4.08
Pacific Northwest	Boston	2,950	$10,700	$12,600	$4.12
Pacific Northwest	Chicago	2,000	$7,400	$8,800	$4.00
Pacific Northwest	Dallas	2,050	$7,900	$9,200	$4.22
Pacific Northwest	Los Angeles	1,250	$3,500	$4,400	$3.16
Pacific Northwest	Miami	3,225	$11,500	$14,100	$4.14
Pacific Northwest	New York	2,750	$10,600	$12,300	$4.11
Pacific Northwest	Philadelphia	2,700	$10,100	$13,500	$4.04
Pacific Northwest	Seattle	140	$1,200	$1,500	$9.46
Southeast	Atlanta	420	$1,000	$1,200	$2.62
Southeast	Baltimore	900	$2,550	$2,750	$2.94
Southeast	Boston	1,300	$4,150	$4,350	$3.27
Southeast	Chicago	1,100	$2,150	$2,350	$2.05
Southeast	New York	1,090	$3,250	$3,450	$3.07
Southeast	Philadelphia	1,000	$2,700	$2,900	$2.80

Source: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, Refrigerated Truck Rates and Availability (agtransport.usda.gov).

About the 53' refrigerated

Deck: 53 ft × 8.5 ft, insulated, −20 °F to 70 °F
Payload: 43,500 lb
Pallet positions: 26
Typical freight: Produce, frozen food, dairy, pharmaceuticals

Annual averages

Reefer annual average rate per mile
Year	Average	Low	High
2026 YTD	$4.05	$3.65	$4.47
2025	$3.21	$3.01	$3.50
2024	$3.27	$2.99	$3.46
2023	$3.46	$3.22	$3.76
2022	$4.17	$3.76	$4.82
2021	$3.94	$3.46	$4.65
2020	$3.10	$2.82	$3.65
2019	$2.93	$2.76	$3.09
2018	$3.24	$2.89	$3.66
2017	$2.82	$2.71	$3.13
2016	$2.61	$2.33	$2.77
2015	$2.95	$2.67	$3.22
2014	$3.04	$2.77	$3.52
2013	$2.89	$2.69	$3.22
2012	$2.78	$2.48	$3.19
2011	$2.67	$2.27	$3.16
2010	$2.43	$2.22	$2.73
2009	$2.29	$2.04	$2.48
2008	$2.76	$2.35	$3.20
2007	$2.35	$2.09	$2.63
2006	$2.26	$2.10	$2.51
2005	$2.24	$1.85	$2.51
2004	$1.98	$1.72	$2.19
2003	$1.83	$1.83	$1.83

Compare truck types

National rates by truck type
Truck type	Per mile	1 mo	3 mo	1 yr	52-wk range
VAN53' dry van	$3.49	+5.4%	+14.1%	+25.1%	$2.74 – $3.49
REEF53' refrigerated	$4.16	−0.2%	+1.7%	+35.9%	$3.24 – $4.47
FLAT48' flatbed	$4.27	+3.4%	+8.7%	+18.6%	$3.58 – $4.27
STEPStep deck	$4.66	+3.3%	+8.6%	+18.6%	$3.91 – $4.66
PWRPower only	$3.05	+5.5%	+13.8%	+25.0%	$2.39 – $3.05
HOTHotshot	$2.30	+3.1%	+8.5%	+18.6%	$1.93 – $2.30
BOX26' box truck	$2.27	+3.2%	+7.6%	+17.6%	$1.93 – $2.27
SPRTSprinter van	$1.40	+3.7%	+7.7%	+17.6%	$1.19 – $1.40

Reefer rate questions

What is the average reefer rate per mile?

The Lane Cost Index puts the national average 53' refrigerated rate at $4.16 per mile all-in for a 750-mile full load in October 2026. Short hauls cost more per mile and long hauls less, because pickup, delivery and wait time are spread over fewer or more miles.

Are reefer rates going up or down?

They are down 0.2% over the past month, up 1.7% over three months and up 35.9% over twelve months.

How much does it cost to ship a 53' refrigerated load 500 miles?

Use the calculator for an estimate on your exact lane. As a guide, per-mile cost at 500 miles runs higher than the $4.16 national figure, which is quoted at 750 miles.

What does a 53' refrigerated carry?

A temperature-controlled 53-foot trailer for produce, meat, dairy and pharma. Deck: 53 ft × 8.5 ft, insulated, −20 °F to 70 °F. Legal payload is about 43,500 lb, or 26 standard pallets. Typical freight: produce, frozen food, dairy, pharmaceuticals.

Where do these numbers come from?

Rate levels are fitted to live all-in truckload quotes. Month-to-month history follows US Bureau of Labor Statistics trucking price indexes, and the fuel portion comes from Energy Information Administration diesel prices. They are estimates, not quotes.