Gift Icon
Get a 20% discount from our partners! Discount code will get added automatically when you submit the form.
yellow A1 Auto Transport carrier on highway
4.7 Star Rating4.7 (67,926 reviews)
96.3% positive
No Surprises, Just Savings: Verified Carriers, Instant Quotes, and Best Price Guarantee!
You save 20% compared to other companies
Get quotes from trusted carriers, thoroughly vetted and fully insured. Enjoy trackable deliveries, fair pricing, and hassle-free transport from start to finish. Transport any type of vehicle and drive away worry-free.
Customer Images
7790 people shipped using A-1 Auto Transport last week
Scratch-Free Guarantee
Vetted Carriers
Transparent Costs
Customer Ratings By Feature
Value for Money ★★★★★ 4.9
Vehicle Care ★★★★★ 4.9
Fast Delivery ★★★★★ 4.9
Friendly Staff ★★★★★ 4.9
Globe
190+
Countries
Served
Car
2M+
Delivered
Services
Car
97%
Customer
Recommended
Dave loved the fast deliveryDave C.
★★★★★
Dave loved the fast delivery
My relocation to Chicago was fast, smooth and without any delay thanks to A1 Auto.
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidanceCourtney J.
★★★★★
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidance
Just what you need when trusting someone with your wheels! Kudos to this company!
Jeff enjoyed the fair priceJeff D.
★★★★★
Jeff enjoyed the fair price
Moved my ride hassle-free with these folks.Fair pricing, no surprises. Definitely recommend them!
Maria enjoyed the special care and safetyMaria L.
★★★★★
Maria enjoyed the special care and safety
Huge thanks to the movers – they were meticulous with my car. Love these guys.
Recently featured on USA Today

“A1 Auto Transport became synonymous with top-notch service delivery, unfailing punctuality and constantly preoccupied with customer satisfaction.

See Article— USA Today

What is the Difference Between a Cargo Van and a Dry Van

Published by Joe Webster.

What is the Difference Between a Cargo Van and a Dry Van

When transporting goods over land, there are two main common types of enclosed vehicles utilized - cargo vans and dry vans.

While both are used to carry items from point A to point B, there are key differences between these vehicles in terms of capacity, capabilities, and suitability for certain transportation needs.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for logistics professionals, fleet managers, and businesses to select the appropriate type of van for their cargo requirements.

This blog post aims to provide clarity on cargo vans versus dry vans through comparing their defining characteristics, common applications, advantages and limitations.

a delivery vehicle

What is a Cargo Van?

A cargo van is a type of vehicle based on a light commercial vehicle chassis. Also sometimes called a box truck or panel van, a cargo van is distinguished by its enclosed cargo area that can be accessed from the rear or side doors.

Most cargo vans have a relatively short wheelbase and are intended for simple loading and unloading of goods. Common characteristics include a spacious yet compact cargo box, minimal insulation or climate control, and a carrying capacity ranging from 800 to 1,200 pounds.

With their versatile design, cargo vans are suitable for a wide array of uses like delivery services, work trucks for tradespeople, and for small businesses transportation needs. Their small size and maneuverability allows for easy navigation through urban areas.

However, cargo vans do have limitations in maximum cargo volume and long-distance hauling due to lack of features like sleeper cabs.

Popular cargo van models include the Ford Transit, Dodge ProMaster City, Ram ProMaster, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. These full-size vans offer enhanced payloads and specifications over compact vans.

Aftermarket upfits are also common to modify cargo vans for refrigeration, security systems, and specialized trade applications. Overall, cargo vans are an affordable and efficient option for local delivery services and small business logistics within a metropolitan region.

Pinned
New Deals are now available for shipping all types vehicles using our vetted reliable shippers. Compare price estimates & Unlock up 25% off.

What About a Dry Van?

A dry van truck is a semi-trailer truck configuration designed specifically for road transportation. Compared to a cargo van, a dry van offers a much larger cargo compartment that requires a semi-truck tractor unit for hauling.

The term "dry van" refers to the unrefrigerated enclosed trailer body with features like durable construction, heavy-duty axles/suspension, and effective weather sealing and insulation.

Due to their standardized dimensions regulated by authorities, dry vans can carry freight stacked to optimal capacity. Commonly found variants include straight trucks, rear-liftgate vans, and container chassis for shipping containers.

Shipping, retail, construction, and third-party logistics are major industries reliant on dry van transportation for domestic and international goods movements. Long-haul operations of hundreds to thousands of miles are routine and critical for supply chain efficiency.

Additional enhancements such as integrated tracking technologies, air ride suspension, and aerodynamic fairings demonstrate ongoing improvements. Dry vans are indispensable for the trucking industry and for large-scale commercial transportation leveraging high volume capacities over long distances.

a vehicle heading to its delivery point

Key Differences Between Cargo Van and Dry Van

The main distinctions between cargo vans and dry vans are cargo size and transportation suitability. Cargo vans have a weight capacity between 800-1,200 pounds, making them fit for small batches of products or localized shipping.

Dry vans can handle much larger payloads from 10,000-50,000+ pounds due to their larger trailer bodies built to highway vehicle standards, allowing them to transport a wide range of goods and building materials.

In terms of temperature control, most cargo vans lack refrigeration or environmental regulation beyond basic insulation and sealing, meaning they are only suitable for non-perishable products. Dry vans do not typically offer temperature control either, but refrigerated variants exist for temperature-sensitive freight.

Route distances also differ - cargo vans are best utilized within a few hours' drive for their day cabs while dry vans regularly complete multi-day transcontinental hauls with sleeper berths.

Costs compare as cargo vans are much more affordable to purchase and operate, albeit with a lower freight capacity.

With a tractor required, dry van transportation carries higher fixed and operating costs through greater fuel usage and driver wages over longer runs.

Similarities Between Cargo Van and Dry Van

Although cargo vans and dry vans have variations, they share core similarities as enclosed vehicles for freight mobility.

Both have barrier-protected interiors and rear/side access for loading various sized packaged or palletized goods.

Versatility is a notable shared trait as various wall and floor configurations allow flexible use of interior space.

Van designs also focus on security from weather, vibration, and damage risks inherent to surface transportation.

Finally, amenities such as radio communication, on-board navigation assist drivers in safely delivering shipments end-to-end as intended.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Between a Cargo Van and a Dry Van

There are several considerations trucking companies must weigh when selecting between cargo vans and dry vans.

  • Cargo Type – Perishable, oversized, or high-volume items are better suited for dry van capacity with larger trailers and potential refrigeration for perishable products. General items in smaller batches suit cargo vans.
  • Distance – Cargo vans cover up to a few hundred miles effectively while dry vans specialize in multi-day hauls up to cross-country distances.
  • Budget – Cargo vans have lower acquisition and operating expenses versus dry vans which require a tractor unit investment and driver wages on longer trips.
  • Load/Unload Equipment – Cargo vans generally load/unload by hand while dry vans interact with forklifts and cranes at shipping yards.
  • Traffic Conditions – Cargo vans easily navigate urban areas but dry van road access depends on trailer size regulations and road quality over routes.
  • Sustainability – Larger and consolidated dry van loads lower emissions impact per shipment mile compared to multiple short cargo van runs.
a delivery vehicle on the road

Future Trends and Innovations

The cargo van and dry van industries continue innovating to keep pace with evolving supply chain and sustainability demands.

Electrification is a hot area - electric cargo vans show promise for last-mile deliveries to reduce emissions in congested city centers.

Autonomous trucks may handle long dry van routes one day to address driver shortages. Satellite tracking plus predictive maintenance powered by IoT data improves fleet uptime.

And new materials make trailer bodies lighter to aid payloads and fuel economy. As supply chains become more digitized end-to-end, vans will integrate seamlessly with transportation management systems for superior visibility, planning and autonomous operations over coming decades.

Combined with emerging technologies, cargo and dry vans are well-positioned to grow their indispensable logistics roles sustainably into the future.

Final Thoughts

While cargo vans and dry vans both provide mobility of goods, understanding their inherent differences assists transportation and supply chain managers optimize operations. Cargo vans are a cost-effective solution within tight metro regions and for simple pickups/deliveries.

Yet for shipping larger, consolidated freight loads over long distances, dry van capacity and robust components prove more suitable for high-volume hauling of heavy loads on major routes.

Choosing the right van type requires analysis of cargo attributes and planned routes to determine specifications needed. As technologies mature, cargo and dry vans will further enhance productivity and environmental stewardship across industry.

With their versatile adaptability, vans will remain at the core of land transportation worldwide.

Thinking of relocating your vehicle across the country? At A1 Auto Transport, we specialize in long-distance car shipping servicesutilizing our fleet of enclosed dry vans. Dry vans are ideally suited for the type of multi day truck transportation we provide to customers moving from coast to coast.

With over a decade of experience coordinating car shipping logistics, you can trust A1 Auto Transport to safely deliver your vehicle using superior equipment and experienced drivers.

Get a free quote.

Share this content on social media for a chance to get up to 20% off your next shipment.
Copy link

Joe Webster always knew the auto transport industry would be a great career option. And with decades of experience, Joe is now an established consultant for A1 Auto Transport.

Joe was born in Santa Cruz, California. During high school, Joe worked as a mechanic; a job continued to work part-time during his bachelor's degree.

Email Me


Testimonial
Mylene Rutllant
It’s my number one pick in auto shipping to this day.
★★★★★
...my choice in terms of auto transport has to be A1 Auto Transport. It’s in the name, but also in the quality with which they do their jobs. I’ve never had a problem with this company.
Testimonial
Luis Rodriguez
You have my full support and recommendation!
★★★★★
A1 Auto Transport... From the get go, they were very different from my past options. Their website was very professional and up to date, full of useful information. I requested a quote using their online form, and I got an email response within an hour. Surprisingly fast!
Testimonial
Cristine Benoit
I can safely say this is a legit company that will get the job done.
★★★★★
There are a lot of options for auto transport these days, which surprisingly makes it harder to find a good company. I received more than 10 offers to ship my car, but I couldn’t decide on any of them... Fortunately, I made the right choice with A1 Auto Transport.
Testimonial
David Osallo
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10!
★★★★★
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10! We chose them to move our car from California to Vermont, since we needed professionals.

Visit our social, and see what our clients are saying about us:

Ship Your Vehicle With A-1 Auto Today
Customer Images
7790 people shipped using A-1 Auto Transport last week
Scratch-Free Guarantee
Vetted Carriers
Transparent Costs

Our Partners:

Better Business Bureau Accredited
FMCSA Member
INC. 500 Member
VeriSign Secured
AMSA Member

A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
Copyright © 1988-2024, A-1 Auto Transport - All Rights Reserved.