NAICS 484220 Quarterly Industry Report
Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Local
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 484220Sector: 48Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This NAICS 484220 industry report draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5] transportation surveys, Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] employment statistics for truck drivers, and Small Business Administration[7] size standard tables. Fair Market Value analysts supplement these federal sources with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration carrier data and construction activity indicators to produce quarterly updates. Each NAICS 484220 report revision captures activity volumes, equipment trends, and competitive dynamics across the local specialized freight trucking sector.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, local industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Local (NAICS 484220) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing local specialized trucking services. Unlike general freight carriers that handle palletized van loads, specialized truckers move cargo requiring flatbed trailers, tanker equipment, refrigerated units, dump trucks, or other non-standard trailer configurations. Construction material haulers, fuel delivery trucks, refrigerated food distributors, and hazardous materials transport companies all fall within this classification when operating within metropolitan service areas.
The U.S. Census Bureau[5] separates local specialized freight from general freight trucking (484110) that handles palletized and containerized cargo, and from long-distance specialized carriers (484230) that move specialty loads between distant cities. Dump trucks hauling gravel, sand, and fill dirt for construction projects comprise a large portion of the local specialized segment. Petroleum tanker trucks delivering fuel to gas stations and heating oil to residential customers operate on regular route schedules within defined territories.
Regulatory requirements vary by cargo type and create specialized operating credentials. Hazardous materials transport requires HAZMAT endorsements, specialized equipment, and compliance with Department of Transportation packaging and routing rules. Refrigerated trucking demands temperature monitoring and cold chain documentation. Oversize and overweight loads need special permits and route approvals from state departments of transportation. Equipment costs run higher than standard van trailers, and the specialized nature of each cargo type limits a carrier's ability to shift between freight categories, creating focused niche operators throughout the local specialized trucking market serving construction, energy, food service, and industrial customers.
What's Included in This Industry
- Operating dump trucks hauling gravel, sand, and construction materials locally
- Providing local petroleum and fuel delivery via tanker truck to gas stations and customers
- Running refrigerated truck delivery of food products within metropolitan distribution areas
- Transporting hazardous materials and chemicals locally under HAZMAT regulations
- Operating flatbed trucking for steel, lumber, and building materials within local markets
- Providing concrete mixer truck service to construction job sites from local batch plants
- Hauling waste and debris from construction and demolition sites using local specialized trucks
- Operating auto carrier trucks for vehicle delivery within local and regional markets
- Providing local crane and rigging trucking services for heavy equipment placement
- Running bulk dry commodity delivery trucks for feed, grain, and agricultural products locally
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Truck Transportation | 484 |
| Industry Group | Specialized Freight Trucking | 4842 |
| NAICS Industry | Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Local | 48422 |
| National Industry | Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Local | 484220 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 484110 | General Freight Trucking, Local | Local general freight trucking handles palletized van loads, while specialized trucking requires flatbed, tanker, refrigerated, or other non-standard equipment |
| 484230 | Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance | Long-distance specialized trucking moves the same cargo types over intercity distances, while local operators serve metropolitan-area routes only |
| 484210 | Used Household and Office Goods Moving | Household goods movers provide specialized local trucking focused on residential and office relocations rather than the commercial specialty loads in this category |
| 488490 | Other Support Activities for Road Transportation | Other support activities for road transportation include truck weighing, inspection, and permit services that specialized carriers depend on for oversize loads |
| 484121 | General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload | Long-distance truckload carriers move general freight over highways, while local specialized truckers serve niche cargo categories within metropolitan zones |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 10.2% | 3,339 |
| 2 | Texas | 7.0% | 2,313 |
| 3 | Illinois | 5.7% | 1,871 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 4.0% | 1,302 |
| 5 | Ohio | 3.8% | 1,239 |
| 6 | Florida | 3.7% | 1,227 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | 3.5% | 1,163 |
| 8 | New York | 3.4% | 1,099 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 2.9% | 965 |
| 10 | Iowa | 2.9% | 955 |
% Of Establishments
0%
10%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
1,904
Total SBA Loans
$508.8M
Total Loan Volume
$267K
Average Loan Size
9 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.40%
Average Interest Rate
13,144
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The Small Business Administration[8] sets the size standard for NAICS 484220 at $34 million in average annual receipts. Owner-operators and small specialized fleet companies below this threshold qualify as small businesses. SBA 7(a) loans[9] can finance specialized truck and trailer equipment, tanker units, and working capital. The SBA 504 program[10] supports equipment yard construction and major specialized vehicle investments for owner-operated local specialized trucking companies.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Huntington National Bank | 368 | $51.6M | $140K |
| 2 | First Internet Bank of Indiana | 16 | $40.0M | $2.5M |
| 2 | Bank of Bridger, National Association | 8 | $40.0M | $5.0M |
| 4 | Northeast Bank | 224 | $31.7M | $141K |
| 5 | Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB | 16 | $26.6M | $1.7M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What businesses are classified under NAICS 484220?
NAICS 484220 covers local dump truck operators, fuel delivery truckers, refrigerated food haulers, hazmat carriers, flatbed operators, and other specialized local freight truckers. Any non-general-freight local trucking qualifies. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] provides the official classification.
How is NAICS 484220 different from general freight trucking?
Specialized local trucking (484220) requires non-standard equipment like flatbeds, tankers, and reefers, while general freight truckers (484110) handle palletized van loads. The Census Bureau[11] separates them by equipment type and cargo handling requirements.
What is the SBA size standard for specialized local truckers?
The SBA sets the size standard at $34 million in average annual receipts for NAICS 484220. Most owner-operators and small fleet companies qualify. Current standards appear in the SBA table of size standards[7].
Which NAICS codes relate most closely to 484220?
Key related codes include 484110 for general local trucking, 484230 for long-distance specialized trucking, 238910 for site preparation, and 484210 for moving services. Each operates in overlapping local trucking markets.
What industries interact with local specialized truckers?
Construction contractors (238910) need dump trucks, long-distance carriers (484230) connect to local routes, general truckers (484110) compete for some loads, and trucking support services (488490) handle permits and inspections. Energy companies, food distributors, and building material suppliers also generate specialized trucking demand.
What activities does NAICS 484220 include?
Activities cover dump trucking, fuel delivery, refrigerated distribution, hazmat hauling, flatbed loads, concrete delivery, auto transport, crane trucking, and bulk commodity delivery within metropolitan areas. The Census definition[5] covers the full scope.
Can specialized trucking owners get SBA loans?
Specialized local carriers with receipts under $34 million qualify for SBA 7(a) loans covering trucks, tankers, and working capital. The 504 program funds yard and facility investments. Details are at the SBA funding programs page[12].
Where are specialized local truckers concentrated?
Specialized local trucking concentrates in metropolitan areas with active construction, petroleum refining, and food distribution infrastructure. Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta support high densities. Areas with heavy construction activity, energy production, and port operations generate the strongest demand for local specialized trucking services.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [8]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [9]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [10]SBA 504 program sba.gov
- [11]Census Bureau census.gov
- [12]SBA funding programs page sba.gov
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