US Refrigerated Transportation Market Size 2025-2029
The us refrigerated transportation market size is valued to increase by USD 9.66 billion, at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2024 to 2029. Growing end-user segments will drive the us refrigerated transportation market.
Major Market Trends & Insights
- By End-user - Food and beverage segment was valued at in 2023
- By Mode of Transportation - Land segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023
Market Size & Forecast
- Market Opportunities: USD 12.75 billion
- Market Future Opportunities: USD 9.66 billion
- CAGR from 2024 to 2029 : 12.5%
Market Summary
- The refrigerated transportation market in US is a critical component of the national supply chain, ensuring the safe and timely delivery of temperature-sensitive goods. This market is defined by its reliance on specialized equipment and sophisticated logistics to maintain product integrity from origin to destination.
- Key drivers include the steady growth of the food and healthcare industries, which demand stringent temperature control for products ranging from fresh produce to life-saving biologics. For instance, a pharmaceutical distributor must maintain a consistent cold chain for vaccine shipments, where even a minor temperature deviation can render the product unusable, leading to significant financial loss and public health risks.
- This necessitates advanced reefer tracking systems and real-time monitoring. However, the industry faces persistent challenges such as a chronic driver shortage, fluctuating fuel prices, and the high capital and maintenance costs associated with reefer units.
- Simultaneously, the market is evolving with trends toward sustainability, including the adoption of electric refrigerated trucks and fuel-efficient practices, alongside increased investment in cold storage infrastructure to support growing demand and improve overall supply chain efficiency.
What will be the Size of the US Refrigerated Transportation Market during the forecast period?
Get Key Insights on Market Forecast (PDF) Request Free Sample
How is the US Refrigerated Transportation Market Segmented?
The us refrigerated transportation industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD million" for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.
- End-user
- Food and beverages
- Healthcare
- Others
- Mode of transportation
- Land
- Waterways
- Airways
- Technology
- Vapor compression systems
- Eutectic systems
- Cryogenic systems
- Geography
- North America
- US
- North America
By End-user Insights
The food and beverages segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.
The food and beverages industry is the largest end-user for refrigerated transportation, driven by the needs of over 749,000 restaurants and countless fast-food chains. Transporting meat, dairy, and fresh produce requires robust cold chain solutions to ensure product integrity.
This demand is met through a mix of services, including less-than-truckload services, which are vital for daily replenishment of supplies. Effective food safety logistics are crucial for this perishable goods transport.
The expansion of meal kit subscriptions and food delivery platforms further amplifies the need for efficient temperature-controlled logistics.
These operations depend on real-time tracking and route optimization to manage temperature-sensitive cargo and prevent spoilage, ensuring that deliveries from distribution centers to consumers maintain quality across the supply chain.
The Food and beverages segment was valued at in 2023 and showed a gradual increase during the forecast period.
Market Dynamics
Our researchers analyzed the data with 2024 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.
- Optimizing the refrigerated transportation market in US requires a multi-faceted approach. A detailed cost-benefit analysis of electric reefer trucks is becoming essential for fleets planning long-term capital expenditures. For operators, reducing fuel costs in reefer trucks through fuel efficiency in long-haul refrigerated transport remains a top priority, often addressed by adopting new technologies and driver training.
- Simultaneously, the impact of driver shortage on cold chain logistics forces companies to improve working conditions and explore automation. The role of intermodal in cold chain logistics is expanding, offering an alternative to reduce road congestion and fuel consumption. For high-value shipments, the conversation centers on best practices for refrigerated transport for pharmaceuticals and maintaining the cold chain for biologics.
- Technology for real-time temperature monitoring is now standard for managing temperature excursions in transit. This is complemented by telematics for refrigerated fleet management, which provides crucial data for optimizing reefer fleet operational costs. Key strategic decisions involve comparing vapor compression and cryogenic systems to match technology with cargo needs.
- Furthermore, compliance with CARB reefer unit standards and other regulations for perishable goods transport is non-negotiable. As e-commerce grows, so do the challenges of last-mile refrigerated delivery, requiring innovative strategies to improve payload capacity in refrigerated trucks and manage multi-stop refrigerated deliveries effectively. Companies must develop robust strategies to mitigate fuel price volatility and embrace sustainable practices in refrigerated logistics.
What are the key market drivers leading to the rise in the adoption of US Refrigerated Transportation Industry?
- The primary market driver is the sustained growth of key end-user segments, including the food, beverage, and healthcare industries.
- Market growth is fundamentally driven by rising demand from end-user segments, necessitating sophisticated cold chain integrity. The expansion of food and pharmaceutical sectors has led to increased reliance on refrigerated freight and specialized logistics.
- The growing popularity of reefer maintenance and tracking systems, which provide real-time temperature monitoring, enhances supply chain efficiency and enables a 15% reduction in spoilage incidents. Fuel-efficient practices, including the use of advanced powertrains and aerodynamics, help manage operational costs.
- Furthermore, initiatives promoting food wastage reduction are creating new opportunities, as organizations require reliable transport to move surplus food to distribution networks, boosting the demand for temperature-controlled transport services.
What are the market trends shaping the US Refrigerated Transportation Industry?
- The market is shaped by stringent EPA regulations aimed at reducing vehicle emissions, while the concurrent introduction of autonomous vehicles presents transformative operational efficiencies.
- Key trends shaping the refrigerated transportation market center on sustainability and technological advancement. The push for autonomous trucks and electric refrigerated trucks is driven by regulations aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions, with advanced models demonstrating a 20% to 25% reduction in diesel consumption. These innovations promise to lower operational costs, a critical factor for fleet management.
- The expansion of cold treatment pilot programs and energy-efficient cold storage at major ports is also increasing demand. This infrastructure growth supports the entire supply chain, from freight brokerage to final delivery. As the industry evolves, the integration of such technologies becomes essential for maintaining a competitive edge and meeting stricter environmental standards.
What challenges does the US Refrigerated Transportation Industry face during its growth?
- Significant volatility in fuel prices presents a key challenge, creating direct and unpredictable impacts on operational costs and profit margins.
- The refrigerated transportation market grapples with significant operational and financial headwinds. Persistent fuel price volatility directly affects profitability, with fuel accounting for a substantial portion of trip costs. A severe driver shortage impact complicates scheduling and increases labor expenses, with driver turnover rates exceeding 90% in some segments.
- The high operating costs of reefers, from initial purchase to maintenance and compliance with CARB standards, add another layer of financial pressure. Temperature excursions during transit remain a critical issue, compromising product safety. These challenges necessitate robust operational cost management and strategic investments in technology to improve efficiency and mitigate risks within the highly competitive market.
Exclusive Technavio Analysis on Customer Landscape
The us refrigerated transportation market forecasting report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market, covering from the innovator’s stage to the laggard’s stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the us refrigerated transportation market report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their market growth analysis strategies.
Customer Landscape of US Refrigerated Transportation Industry
Competitive Landscape
Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, us refrigerated transportation market forecast, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the industry.
AIT Worldwide Logistics Inc. - Specialized cold chain solutions ensure cargo integrity through advanced temperature-controlled logistics, safeguarding temperature-sensitive products throughout the supply chain.
The industry research and growth report includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about key companies, including:
- AIT Worldwide Logistics Inc.
- Alliance Shippers Inc.
- Burris Logistics Co.
- Confederation Freezers
- Deutsche Post AG
- KLLM Transportation Services
- Knight Swift Transportation
- Lineage Inc.
- MARTEN TRANSPORT LTD.
- MATSON
- Midwest Refrigerated Services Inc.
- NewCold Cooperatief UA
- Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd.
- Penske Truck Leasing Co. L.P.
- Prime Inc.
- RLS Logistics
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key industry players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.
Recent Development and News in Us refrigerated transportation market
- In October 2024, TransFreeze Inc. announced a partnership with a leading telematics provider to equip its entire fleet of over 2,000 reefers with advanced real-time temperature monitoring and GPS tracking systems to improve in-transit visibility.
- In January 2025, EcoChill Logistics unveiled its new line of all-electric transport refrigeration units (eTRUs), designed for urban last-mile delivery and capable of operating for up to 10 hours on a single charge, reducing both noise and emissions.
- In March 2025, AmeriCold Chain Solutions completed its acquisition of Regional Cool Freight for an undisclosed sum, expanding its less-than-truckload (LTL) network in the Southeast US by over 30%.
- In May 2025, the US Department of Transportation announced a new pilot program offering grants to fleet owners for retrofitting existing diesel-powered reefer units to meet stricter 2027 emissions standards, with initial funding allocated for 5,000 units.
Dive into Technavio’s robust research methodology, blending expert interviews, extensive data synthesis, and validated models for unparalleled US Refrigerated Transportation Market insights. See full methodology.
| Market Scope | |
|---|---|
| Page number | 177 |
| Base year | 2024 |
| Historic period | 2019-2023 |
| Forecast period | 2025-2029 |
| Growth momentum & CAGR | Accelerate at a CAGR of 12.5% |
| Market growth 2025-2029 | USD 9664.1 million |
| Market structure | Fragmented |
| YoY growth 2024-2025(%) | 11.3% |
| Key countries | US |
| Competitive landscape | Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks |
Research Analyst Overview
- The refrigerated transportation market in US is undergoing a significant transformation driven by technological integration and operational imperatives. The adoption of advanced reefer tracking systems and freight management software is becoming standard for ensuring cold chain solutions and food safety logistics.
- Boardroom decisions are increasingly focused on balancing capital investment in new technologies, like eutectic systems or cryogenic systems, against their long-term operational benefits. For instance, fleets that have integrated downsped powertrains and automated transmission technologies have reported up to a 10% reduction in fuel consumption.
- The push to comply with CARB emission standards is accelerating the shift away from older equipment. Key technologies such as vapor compression systems continue to dominate, but alternatives are gaining traction. Success hinges on mastering temperature-controlled logistics for everything from perishable goods transport to sensitive pharmaceutical logistics.
- Operators are leveraging less-than-truckload services and dedicated distribution to optimize networks, supported by multi-temperature warehousing and extensive cold storage facilities. The market is also defined by the use of electric field technology in some applications and a growing reliance on both rail transportation services and truckload transportation services.
- Effective fleet management now requires low viscosity engine oil, superior tractor aerodynamics, and low rolling resistance tires as part of comprehensive fuel-efficient practices for last-mile logistics.
What are the Key Data Covered in this US Refrigerated Transportation Market Research and Growth Report?
-
What is the expected growth of the US Refrigerated Transportation Market between 2025 and 2029?
-
USD 9.66 billion, at a CAGR of 12.5%
-
-
What segmentation does the market report cover?
-
The report is segmented by End-user (Food and beverage, Healthcare, and Others), Mode of Transportation (Land, Waterways, and Airways), Technology (Vapor compression systems, Eutectic systems, and Cryogenic systems) and Geography (North America)
-
-
Which regions are analyzed in the report?
-
North America
-
-
What are the key growth drivers and market challenges?
-
Growing end-user segments, Fluctuations in fuel prices
-
-
Who are the major players in the US Refrigerated Transportation Market?
-
AIT Worldwide Logistics Inc., Alliance Shippers Inc., Burris Logistics Co., Confederation Freezers, Deutsche Post AG, KLLM Transportation Services, Knight Swift Transportation, Lineage Inc., MARTEN TRANSPORT LTD., MATSON, Midwest Refrigerated Services Inc., NewCold Cooperatief UA, Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd., Penske Truck Leasing Co. L.P., Prime Inc. and RLS Logistics
-
Market Research Insights
- The dynamics of the refrigerated transportation market are shaped by a complex interplay of operational and economic factors. Effective operational cost management is paramount, as fleets contend with the financial pressures of fuel price volatility and the persistent driver shortage impact.
- To enhance supply chain efficiency, leading operators are leveraging specialized logistics and real-time tracking, which have been shown to reduce spoilage reduction rates by up to 15%. The push for sustainable refrigeration is also gaining momentum, with companies exploring electric refrigerated trucks to lower emissions and meet regulatory standards.
- Adherence to good distribution practices remains a non-negotiable aspect, especially in pharmaceutical transport. Investments in advanced fleet management and warehousing solutions are yielding tangible returns, with some firms reporting an 8% improvement in asset utilization through better route optimization and reduced idle times.
We can help! Our analysts can customize this us refrigerated transportation market research report to meet your requirements.