Rates and money
Flatbed vs dry van: which pays, which is harder, and which fits you
Updated October 2026By FlatbedDispatch Dispatch Desk4 min read
Quick answer
Flatbed usually pays more per mile than dry van: in September 2026 DAT reported a $3.61 national flatbed spot average against $3.01 for van, both with fuel. Flatbed earns that premium with physical work (securement and tarping), more gear and more weather exposure. Dry van is easier day to day but more crowded and more prone to long dock waits.
Flatbed vs dry van is the first fork in the road for most owner-operators. Both haul general freight on a 53 ft (or 48 ft) trailer, both live on the same load boards, and both answer to the same brokers. After that, the days look completely different. This comparison is written from the flatbed side, since that is the only equipment we dispatch, but we have tried to be fair to the van.
Flatbed vs dry van, side by side
| Flatbed | Dry van | |
|---|---|---|
| National spot rate, Sept 2026 (with fuel) | $3.61/mi | $3.01/mi |
| National contract rate, Sept 2026 (with fuel) | $4.04/mi | $3.24/mi |
| Change vs Sept 2025 (spot) | +$1.11 | +$0.96 |
| Loading | Top or side, forklift or crane | Back of the trailer at a dock |
| Securement | Driver straps, chains and tarps every load | Load locks or straps inside; walls do most of the work |
| Gear | Straps, chains, binders, edge protection, tarps, coil racks | A few load bars and straps |
| Weather exposure | High: you work on the deck in rain, wind and snow | Low |
| Freight | Steel, lumber, building materials, machinery, pipe | Packaged consumer and industrial goods |
| Seasonality | Strong: busiest spring and summer | Peaks around retail seasons |
Rates: DAT monthly release, Oct 13, 2026. Seasonality: Trucking Dive, quoting DAT.
Flatbed vs dry van rates and pay
Flatbed vs dry van rates is where the open deck usually wins. In September 2026, DAT's national flatbed spot average was 60 cents a mile above van, and the contract gap was 80 cents. On top of linehaul, flatbed loads often carry tarp pay, which van freight never does.
Two cautions. First, national averages hide lanes: a strong van lane can beat a weak flatbed lane. Second, the flatbed premium pays for time. If a load takes two hours to secure and tarp, the rate has to cover those two hours. Run any load through the flatbed rate calculator with your securement time included, and see our flatbed rates guide for the full DAT table.
Work and safety: flatbed trucking vs dry van difficulty
Van work is mostly driving and waiting. The shipper loads, you seal the doors, and you deliver to a dock. The hard part is detention and tight appointments.
Flatbed work is driving plus physical labor. Every load needs tiedowns that meet 49 CFR Part 393, Subpart I, and you inspect and re-tighten on the road. Tarps are heavy, and you pull them over loads in the weather. Falls from the deck and strap or binder injuries are real risks, so gloves, good footwear, three points of contact and proper binder technique matter.
The other side of that work: many flatbed shippers load you from the side in the yard, so you can spend less time in dock lines than a van driver.
Equipment cost
A dry van trailer and a flatbed trailer are both major purchases, and prices move with the market, so get current quotes rather than trusting a number in an article. What is different is the gear. A flatbed needs a full securement kit before the first load:
- Ratchet straps (commonly 4 in) and winches.
- Grade 70 transport chain and binders for steel and machinery.
- Edge protectors and corner protectors.
- Lumber tarps, steel tarps and a smoke tarp, plus bungees.
- Coil racks, dunnage and chocks if you will haul coils or pipe.
That kit wears out and gets replaced, which is a running cost a van owner mostly does not have. Our what is flatbed trucking guide covers the work in more depth.
Freight availability
There is more van freight in total, and more trucks chasing it. Flatbed freight is narrower (construction and industry) and more seasonal, with fewer trucks able to haul it. In practice, a flatbed carrier who plans around construction season and stays on good lanes rarely runs out of flatbed loads; the winter months in the north are the exception.
Flatbed vs reefer, briefly
Reefer is the third option. DAT's September 2026 reefer spot average was $3.62 a mile, nearly level with flatbed. Reefer avoids the physical securement work but adds a refrigeration unit to buy, fuel and maintain, temperature liability and strict appointments. For a driver who wants pay close to flatbed without the deck work, reefer is worth a look; for one who wants varied freight and side loading, flatbed is.
Which fits you?
Flatbed tends to fit you if:
- You do not mind physical work and weather, and want it paid.
- You like variety: different freight, shippers and securement every week.
- You are willing to invest in gear and learn the securement rules.
Dry van tends to fit you if:
- You want the simplest day: drive, back in, deliver.
- You would rather wait at docks than climb on loads.
- You want steady, less seasonal freight.
If you are choosing between leasing on and your own authority as well, our guide to flatbed companies for owner-operators lays out what to compare.
FAQ
Common questions
Does flatbed pay more than dry van?
Usually, yes. DAT's September 2026 national spot averages were $3.61 a mile for flatbed and $3.01 for dry van, fuel included, and flatbed contract rates were $4.04 against $3.24 for van. The gap changes month to month and by lane, so it is a tendency, not a guarantee.
Is flatbed trucking harder than dry van?
Physically, yes. A van driver backs in and waits; a flatbed driver straps or chains every load, often tarps it, climbs on the freight, and checks securement on the road in all weather. It is skilled work that gets faster with practice.
Flatbed vs reefer: which is better for an owner-operator?
They are different trade-offs. Reefer spot rates were close to flatbed in September 2026 ($3.62 vs $3.61 per mile, DAT), but reefer adds a refrigeration unit, its fuel and maintenance, and tight appointment schedules. Flatbed adds physical work and gear instead.
Can I switch from dry van to flatbed?
Yes, many drivers do. Plan for securement training, a set of straps, chains, binders, edge protection and tarps, and a slower first few months while you learn each commodity. Brokers may also ask for flatbed experience on high-value loads.
What are the main pros and cons of flatbed vs dry van?
Flatbed pros: higher average rates, tarp pay, varied freight, less dock waiting on many loads. Cons: physical work, weather, gear cost, seasonal swings and securement liability. Dry van is the reverse: easier work, steadier freight, lower average pay and more competition.
Sources
- DAT, "Truckload rates rise in September as diesel tops $6 a gallon" (Oct 13, 2026) (checked Oct 21, 2026)
- 49 CFR Part 393, Subpart I: cargo securement (eCFR) (checked Oct 21, 2026)
- Trucking Dive, "Meeting flatbed demand takes a unique approach to driver talent" (Apr 23, 2021), on flatbed seasonality (checked Oct 21, 2026)
FlatbedDispatch Dispatch Desk
Written by the dispatchers who book open-deck loads every day, checked against the official sources above. See our editorial policy for how we research and correct guides.