Killeen, TX
Freight hub guide — rates, shippers, parking, and opportunities for owner-operators in Killeen.
Regional hub
Population
Fair
Truck Parking
Southwest
Region
Average Rates Per Mile
| Equipment Type | Rate / Mile |
|---|---|
| Dry Van | $2.57 |
| Reefer | $2.98 |
| Flatbed | $3.24 |
Rates by Equipment Type
Key Highways
US-190SH-195SH-201 (Stan Schlueter Loop)I-35 (25 miles east)US-190/SH-36
Top Industries
Military operations & logistics
Defense contracting
Healthcare
Retail
Education
Major Distribution Centers
DLA Distribution Center (Fort Cavazos)
Walmart DC #6016 (Temple, nearby)
HEB Distribution (Temple)
Top Shippers
U
US Army (Fort Cavazos)D
DLA (Defense Logistics Agency)B
BAE SystemsL
Lockheed MartinNearby Ports
Nearest major port accessible via US-190
Truck Stops
Love's #771 (I-35 Salado)
Pilot Travel Center (I-35 Georgetown)
CEFCO (US-190 & SH-195)
Challenges
- Military convoy traffic on US-190 causing delays, strict access and security requirements for Fort Cavazos deliveries, limited truck-rated infrastructure on some routes to the base, and competition from military contract carriers for available loads.
- Extreme summer heat can cause tire blowouts and equipment stress
- Cross-border freight at Laredo and El Paso creates long wait times
- Oil price volatility affects freight demand in energy-dependent areas
Opportunities
- Cross-border NAFTA freight through Laredo and El Paso is enormous
- Texas is the highest freight-generating state in the US
- Year-round operations with minimal weather disruptions
- Oil and gas industry creates premium-rate flatbed and hotshot demand
Seasonal Freight Patterns
Cross-border produce peaks January through April. Oil and gas freight follows rig counts year-round. Holiday retail surge runs September through December. Summer heat (June-August) requires attention to tire and equipment maintenance.
Trucking in Killeen — FAQ
Average rates per mile out of Killeen: Dry Van $2.57, Reefer $2.98, Flatbed $3.24. Rates vary by season, lane, and current market conditions.
Truck parking in Killeen is rated "fair." Popular stops include Love's #771 (I-35 Salado), Pilot Travel Center (I-35 Georgetown), CEFCO (US-190 & SH-195). Parking is manageable but can get tight during peak hours and weekends.
Top shippers operating in the Killeen freight market include US Army (Fort Cavazos), DLA (Defense Logistics Agency), BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin. Key industries driving freight demand are military operations & logistics, defense contracting, healthcare.
The biggest challenges for truckers in Killeen include: Military convoy traffic on US-190 causing delays, strict access and security requirements for Fort Cavazos deliveries, limited truck-rated infrastructure on some routes to the base, and competition from military contract carriers for available loads.; Extreme summer heat can cause tire blowouts and equipment stress; Cross-border freight at Laredo and El Paso creates long wait times. However, opportunities include cross-border nafta freight through laredo and el paso is enormous.