Refrigerated freight is the most recession-resistant work in trucking. Produce, meat, dairy and frozen goods ship regardless of what the wider freight market is doing, which is why reefer drivers tend to keep running when van drivers are sitting.
The rate sits above dry van, and the miles are usually longer. What you take on in return is responsibility for the load's temperature from pickup to delivery.
What makes reefer different
You're managing a machine as well as a truck. Set point, continuous versus start-stop, pre-cooling the box, fuel in the reefer tank, and a temperature log the receiver may check before they take the load. A unit that fails overnight can turn into a claim worth more than the truck.
Delivery windows are tighter than dry van, and grocery receivers are strict about appointment times. Trip planning matters more here than anywhere else.
Pay and miles
Reefer typically pays a few cents per mile above dry van at the same carrier, and reefer lanes tend to be longer — produce out of California, Texas and Florida runs coast to coast. More miles at a higher rate is why the segment attracts experienced drivers.
Ask about detention specifically. Produce shippers are known for long loading times, and whether detention starts at one hour or three changes your week substantially.
Who it suits
Reefer rewards drivers who are organised. If you plan your trip properly, check the box before you close the doors and stay ahead of your appointment times, it's steady, well-paid work with year-round freight.
If you're coming from dry van, most carriers will train you on the unit — it's a short learning curve compared with flatbed securement.
What you need to get started
- CDL-A
- Comfortable managing reefer set points and temperature logs
- Experience preferred; many carriers train from dry van
- DOT physical and medical card in date
- Patience with produce-shipper load times
Year-round freight, better rate.
Experienced on reefer, or ready to learn the unit? Tell us which and we'll match carriers accordingly.
Common questions
Does reefer pay more than dry van?
Usually a few cents per mile more at the same carrier, and reefer lanes tend to be longer, so weekly gross is often higher on both counts.
Is reefer harder than dry van?
It is more responsibility rather than more physical work. You manage the temperature, keep the logs and hit tighter appointment windows, but there is no tarping or securement like flatbed.
Can I move from dry van to reefer?
Yes, and it is a short transition. Most carriers will train you on the unit in a few days, which makes it one of the easier upgrades in pay.
What happens if the reefer unit fails?
You call the carrier immediately — every one of them has a procedure and a service network. Documented early, it is a repair; discovered at the receiver, it can become a claim.