COMPREHENSIVE OPEN CONTRACT LIST - Week of February 3, 2026
Market Status: Recovery Phase Continues - The freight market enters February 2025 with cautious optimism after spot rates bottomed out in late 2024. While the Great Freight Recession persists into its third year, early indicators suggest capacity rationalization is finally stabilizing the market. Spot rates averaged $1.95-$2.24 per mile in early 2025, showing first year-over-year gains in many months.
Current Snapshot (February 2025):
• Total Active Listings: 95,200+ box truck positions (Indeed), 1,000+ general contractor opportunities
• Texas Remains Strongest: 64-80 active contracts (Dallas/Houston), 118 total owner-operator positions statewide
• Medical Courier: 164 Houston positions, 169 Houston area opportunities, 9,000+ Texas statewide
• National Spot Rates: $2.24/mile dry van, $2.62/mile reefer, $2.52/mile flatbed (mid-December 2025 data)
• Contract Rates: Stabilizing after 3-year decline, +2-3% projected growth for 2025
Key Market Trends:
• Spot rates finally found floor: First year-over-year gains after 13 quarters of decline
• Capacity exits slowing: Net loss of 264 carriers/week average, market stabilizing
• Operating costs up 25% (3-year stack): Putting upward pressure on rates despite soft demand
• Diesel prices favorable: National average $3.56/gallon (lowest since October 2021)
• Recovery timeline: Industry analysts project capacity normalization Q1-Q2 2026
ACTIVE CONTRACTS – CURRENT OPEN POSITIONS
J.B. Hunt Final Mile Services (ACTIVELY HIRING)
• Status: Expanding carrier network nationally
• Contacts:
National: (479) 379-0254, adan.nieto@jbhunt.com
Chicago Area: (708) 577-8414, nestor.castro@jbhunt.com
Dallas: (214) 797-3802, maritza.keen@jbhunt.com
• Service: Furniture, appliances, fitness equipment delivery and installation
• Requirements: Active DOT & MC authority (established contractors only), 26' box truck with liftgate
• Markets: Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, nationwide expansion
Ryder Last Mile (EXPANDING NETWORK)
• Status: Active recruitment for final mile delivery partners
• Service: Final mile furniture delivery and installation for major retailers
• Rate: $4,000-$4,500/week average (before FSC and incentives)
• Benefits: Quick pay turnarounds, consistent routes, home daily, nationally recognized logistics leader
• Requirements: 26' box truck with liftgate, professional installation experience
Hub Group Final Mile
• Status: Seeking non-CDL independent contractors
• Rate: Gross up to $4,000/week per truck
• Service: Appliance delivery and installation (refrigerators, dishwashers, stoves, laundry)
• Requirements: Driver + helper team, 26' box truck with liftgate, ability to follow complex installation instructions
• Markets: Grimes IA, Lancaster TX, multiple locations nationwide, home daily
ACIES Transport LLC
• Rate: $4,000-$6,000/week average gross
• Contacts: (440) 368-1997, (440) 296-7544
• Fee: 10% dispatch/service fee
• Benefits: Guaranteed freight, 24/7 dispatch, fuel savings, insurance options
• Requirements: 26' box truck (2015+), active authority
Additional Active Contractors:
• MML Alliance: Box truck OTR routes, 2+ years experience, active MC/DOT
• R.A.S. Logistics: Appliance delivery/installation, 26' box trucks
• Spirit Logistics Network: Final mile delivery, independent contractors
• NXTHome Delivery: Home delivery services, contractor partnerships
• WeAreWARP: Next-day payouts, same-day load options, flexible cash-out
• P & J Carriers: $5,500-$7,500+ weekly gross, 90% to driver, 10% service fee
• General Logistics Carrier: 12-16' box trucks (no logbook/ELD), COI required
REGIONAL MARKET BREAKDOWN
TEXAS (STRONGEST MARKET)
Dallas/Fort Worth:
• Active Listings: 28-80 independent contractor positions, 118 statewide owner-operator listings
• Top Employers: J.B. Hunt, Ryder Last Mile, Hub Group, MXD Group, Diakon Logistics
• Pay Range: $951-$2,403 weekly standard, up to $4,000+ final mile
• Vehicle: 26' box truck with liftgate preferred, 2010-2025 models
Houston:
• Active Listings: 64 contracts (Glassdoor), strong demand continues
• Top Employers: J.B. Hunt, ALLIANCE CARGO INC, Pennsylvania Logistics, CF Transport
• Pay Range: $4,000-$9,000 weekly (depending on routes), OTR $5,500-$7,000
• Requirements: Box truck 2010+, DOT medical, valid license, clean MVR
NEW YORK
• Active Listings: 394 NYC positions (ZipRecruiter)
• Key Markets: Queens, Brooklyn, Yonkers, Stamford CT
• Opportunities: Capstone Logistics (16-18' box trucks, up to 50 stops/150 boxes)
• Pay: $6,000-$8,000/month for non-CDL box truck drivers
• Vehicle: 12-16' box trucks (2010+), no ELD/logbook required
CALIFORNIA
• Active Listings: 920 positions (ZipRecruiter)
• Los Angeles: 156 independent contractor driver positions
• Top Employers: J.B. Hunt, Hub Group Final Mile, Freymiller, C5 Expedite
• Pay: $17-$48/hour range, dependent on route and service type
OTHER KEY MARKETS
• Indianapolis, IN: 312 positions
• Philadelphia, PA: 355 positions
• South Carolina: Auto parts delivery, 250-300 miles daily, Sprinter/12-16' box trucks
• Iowa (Grimes): Hub Group Final Mile hiring, up to $4,000/week
MEDICAL COURIER SECTOR
National Overview
• Market Growth: Steady demand, 5.4-6.1% CAGR projected through 2032
• Weekly Average: $1,089 nationally ($721-$1,211 range)
• Hourly Range: $13-$31/hour depending on market
• Vehicle: Personal vehicle acceptable for most routes (car, SUV, van)
Active Markets
Houston (HIGHEST VOLUME):
• Active Positions: 164 medical courier jobs (Indeed), 169 total opportunities, 9,000+ Texas statewide
• Top Employers:
Ameriship Parcel Delivery: Full-time and part-time, Houston area residential/commercial
EMMONS LOGISTICS: Emergency medication deliveries, hospice patients, 15-25 hours/week
StateServ Medical of Texas: DME delivery, $20/hour
Safe Freight Logistics: Last-mile package delivery
• Pay Range: $13-$31/hour, $400-$1,400/week contractor model
• Requirements: Valid license, clean driving record, personal vehicle with insurance, smartphone
Dallas/Fort Worth:
• Active Positions: 40 medical courier positions (Glassdoor)
• Top Employers: Associated Couriers (45+ years experience), Dropoff Inc., Hazelwood Medical Logistics
• Requirements: Valid license, clean MVR (no more than 2 moving violations in 3 years), HIPAA awareness
National Employers:
• Labcorp: Nationwide medical courier opportunities, career portal active
• Quest Diagnostics: Lab specimen transport, multiple shifts
• US Pack Script (GoUSPack): Contract courier driver opportunities, medical and retail delivery
• Lab Logistics: Time-sensitive medical courier services, same-day payment available
CURRENT MARKET RATES – FEBRUARY 2025
Spot Market Rates (National Average)
• Dry Van: $2.24/mile (up 15¢ from November), highest in Midwest at $2.41/mile
• Refrigerated: $2.62/mile (up 8¢ from November), highest in Midwest at $2.97/mile
• Flatbed: $2.52/mile (up 5¢ from November), highest in Southeast/Midwest at $2.64/mile
• Load-to-Truck Ratios: 8.56:1 dry van (up from 5.55 in Nov), 14.69:1 reefer, 26.4:1 flatbed
• Diesel Fuel: $3.56/gallon national average (lowest since Oct 2021, down 98.5¢ from 12 months ago)
Contract Rates (2025 Forecast)
• Dry Van: +2% to +7% year-over-year (C.H. Robinson forecast)
• Refrigerated: -1% to +5% year-over-year
• Contract vs Spot: Gap narrowing, contract rates now competitive with spot in many lanes
• 2026 Projection: +2-3% growth expected as capacity normalizes Q1-Q2 2026
Box Truck Contractor Rates
By Service Type (Weekly Gross):
• Final Mile/Home Delivery: $2,500-$4,500/week (home daily)
• OTR General Freight: $5,500-$7,500/week
• White Glove/Premium: $4,500-$6,000/week
• Local/Regional: $3,000-$5,000/week
• Owner-Operators (High Performers): $6,000-$10,000+ weekly (depending on run frequency)
By Region (Weekly):
• Texas (Houston): $4,000-$9,000/week
• Texas (Dallas): $951-$2,403 standard, $2,500-$4,000+ final mile
• New York City: $6,000-$8,000/month non-CDL
• California: $17-$48/hour range
Medical Courier Rates
• National Average: $1,089/week ($56,645 annually)
• Hourly Range: $13-$31/hour
• Houston: $13-$31/hour, $400-$1,400/week contractor
• Emergency/On-Call: $150/day backup rates
2025 MARKET OUTLOOK & TRENDS
Industry Consensus
• The Great Freight Recession: Entering third year but showing signs of bottoming out
• Spot Rates: Found floor in late 2024, first year-over-year gains in February 2025
• Freight Volumes: 13 consecutive quarters of decline, but ATA reports 3% jump in tonnage (Feb 2025)
• Capacity: Net loss of 264 carriers/week slowing, market rationalization progressing
• Recovery Timeline: Q1-Q2 2026 capacity normalization projected (C.H. Robinson)
Cost Structure Trends
• Operating Costs: Up 4% in 2024 vs 2023 (excluding fuel), 25% three-year inflation stack
• Insurance: Continues to be top cost concern for carriers
• Diesel Prices: Favorable at $3.56/gallon (lowest since Oct 2021)
• Rate Pressure: Operating cost inflation will push rates up as capacity exits
Growth Sectors
• Final Mile Delivery: E-commerce driving sustained demand, 5-7% annual growth projected
• Medical Courier: 5.4-6.1% CAGR through 2032, market growing from $3.4B to $16.2B
• White Glove Services: Premium installations maintaining strong rates
• B2B Construction: Specialized delivery (Curri-style) showing growth
CRITICAL REMINDERS & PLANNING
Q1 2025 Tax Deadline (URGENT)
• Q4 2024 Estimated Tax: DUE JANUARY 15, 2025 (if not already filed)
• 2024 Tax Returns: File by April 15, 2025
• 2025 Mileage Rate: 70¢/mile (up from 67¢ in 2024)
• Q1 2025 Estimated Tax: Due April 15, 2025
• Action Item: Start tracking 2025 mileage and expenses now for quarterly estimates
Insurance Requirements
• Commercial Auto Liability: $1M minimum for most contracts ($16,800-$24,000 annually)
• Cargo Insurance: $100K typical requirement
• Workers' Comp: May be required by state or contract
• 2025 Rates: Insurance continues as top cost concern, shop annually for best rates
Strategic Positioning for 2025
• Focus on Reliability: 89% of shippers cite reliability as #1 carrier selection factor
• Cost Control: 71% of logistics professionals prioritize cost reduction
• Equipment Maintenance: Keep trucks in excellent condition as replacement costs remain high
• Cash Reserves: Build 3-6 month emergency fund before market fully recovers
• Contract Strategy: Balance contract and spot work for maximum flexibility
IMMEDIATE CONTACTS – WEEK OF FEBRUARY 3, 2025
Highest Priority Contractors
J.B. Hunt Final Mile Services:
National: (479) 379-0254, adan.nieto@jbhunt.com
Chicago: (708) 577-8414, nestor.castro@jbhunt.com
Dallas: (214) 797-3802, maritza.keen@jbhunt.com
ACIES Transport:
(440) 368-1997, (440) 296-7544
Email: nikki@aciestransport.com, carry@aciestransport.com
Ryder Last Mile:
Apply: Search metro-specific openings on Indeed/Glassdoor
Hub Group Final Mile:
Apply: Search "Hub Group Final Mile" on Indeed/Glassdoor for local terminals
Job Search Portals
• Indeed: indeed.com/q-box-truck-independent-contractor-jobs.html
• ZipRecruiter: ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/Box-Truck-Independent-Contractor
• Glassdoor: glassdoor.com (search by location + box truck contractor)
• Jooble: jooble.org/jobs-box-truck-independent-contractor
MARKET OUTLOOK
The box truck and courier contractor market continues its recovery trajectory in early 2025. After 13 consecutive quarters of decline, spot rates have finally bottomed out and are showing first year-over-year gains since early 2022. While the Great Freight Recession persists, the worst appears to be over.
Capacity rationalization is progressing steadily, with carrier exits slowing from peak levels. The combination of stabilizing demand, ongoing capacity reduction, and 25% operating cost inflation over three years is setting the stage for rate recovery through 2025 and into 2026.
Independent contractors with strong safety records, well-maintained equipment, and solid financial reserves are positioned to capitalize on improving conditions. Focus on reliability, cost control, and strategic positioning rather than aggressive expansion.