NAICS 484230 Quarterly Industry Report
Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 484230Sector: 48Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry report for NAICS 484230 draws on specialized freight data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], employment and wage statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], and small business lending benchmarks from the Small Business Administration[7]. Fair Market Value compiles this NAICS 484230 profile to support valuation professionals assessing specialized long-haul trucking operations, where equipment type, commodity mix, and contract lane structures drive business value. Our research team updates this content quarterly to reflect regulatory changes and freight market conditions.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (NAICS 484230) encompasses motor carrier operations that haul non-standard cargo over intercity and interstate routes, typically exceeding 150 miles per trip. These carriers move freight that requires purpose-built trailers or specialized handling, including flatbed loads for steel and construction materials, refrigerated trailers for perishable food and pharmaceuticals, tanker trucks for liquid chemicals and petroleum products, and lowboy trailers for heavy machinery and oversized equipment. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] defines this classification by the combination of long-haul distance and non-standard freight requirements.
Carriers in this sector invest heavily in specialized rolling stock, driver training for hazardous materials endorsements, and compliance infrastructure for federal hours-of-service regulations. Revenue models vary by commodity type. Temperature-controlled lanes command premium rates due to continuous cold-chain monitoring, while oversize and overweight permits add regulatory costs to heavy-haul operations. Many firms concentrate on a single commodity niche, building deep expertise in permit routing, securement standards, and customer logistics for that freight type.
The industry depends on manufacturing output, agricultural harvests, and energy sector activity for consistent freight volumes. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], the broader trucking sector employed over 1.5 million workers as of the most recent data cycle. Regional demand patterns shift seasonally, with produce lanes peaking in spring and summer while construction materials move most heavily during warmer months. Owner-operators and small fleets compete alongside large asset-based carriers across most commodity segments.
What's Included in This Industry
- Flatbed and step-deck trucking for construction materials and steel
- Refrigerated long-haul transport for perishable goods and pharmaceuticals
- Tanker trucking for liquid chemicals, petroleum, and food-grade liquids
- Heavy-haul and oversize load transport with specialized permits
- Auto carrier operations for vehicle manufacturer distribution
- Intermodal drayage connecting rail terminals to final delivery points
- Hazardous materials transport under DOT special provisions
- Livestock hauling with climate-controlled trailers
- Bulk dry commodity transport in pneumatic and hopper trailers
- Temperature-monitored pharmaceutical and medical supply delivery
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Truck Transportation | 484 |
| Industry Group | Specialized Freight Trucking | 4842 |
| NAICS Industry | Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance | 48423 |
| National Industry | Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance | 484230 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 484220 | Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Local | Covers specialized freight trucking over local routes under 150 miles, while 484230 handles the same cargo types over long-distance intercity corridors |
| 484121 | General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload | General freight truckload carriers moving standard palletized goods long-distance, distinct from the specialized equipment and handling 484230 requires |
| 484122 | General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Less Than Truckload | Less-than-truckload general freight carriers consolidating shipments for long-distance delivery, contrasted with 484230 dedicated specialized trailer operations |
| 484110 | General Freight Trucking, Local | Local general freight trucking within metropolitan areas using standard trailers, while 484230 operates specialized equipment across state lines |
| 484210 | Used Household and Office Goods Moving | Used household and office goods movers handling residential and commercial relocations, a distinct specialized freight category from industrial cargo hauling |
| 488510 | Freight Transportation Arrangement | Freight transportation arrangement services including brokers and forwarders that connect shippers with 484230 carriers for specialized loads |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 11.2% | 1,338 |
| 2 | California | 8.1% | 967 |
| 3 | Florida | 5.7% | 680 |
| 4 | Illinois | 4.7% | 564 |
| 5 | Georgia | 3.9% | 472 |
| 6 | Iowa | 3.4% | 403 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 3.2% | 384 |
| 8 | Missouri | 3.1% | 370 |
| 9 | Nebraska | 2.9% | 349 |
| 10 | Indiana | 2.9% | 348 |
% Of Establishments
0%
11%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
952
Total SBA Loans
$326.1M
Total Loan Volume
$343K
Average Loan Size
9 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.88%
Average Interest Rate
5,448
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The Small Business Administration[7] sets the size standard for NAICS 484230 at $34 million in average annual receipts, measured over the preceding five completed fiscal years. This threshold reflects the capital requirements of specialized trailer fleets and compliance costs unique to non-standard freight operations. Small carriers in this sector may qualify for SBA 7(a) loans[8] to finance specialized equipment purchases, including refrigeration units, tanker trailers, and heavy-haul configurations. The SBA 504 loan program[9] supports terminal facility acquisition and maintenance infrastructure investments. Federal contracting opportunities exist through defense logistics and government commodity shipment programs.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frost Bank | 16 | $40.0M | $2.5M |
| 2 | First Internet Bank of Indiana | 8 | $34.3M | $4.3M |
| 3 | Banc of California | 8 | $28.1M | $3.5M |
| 4 | American Momentum Bank | 16 | $27.0M | $1.7M |
| 5 | Port 51 Lending LLC | 8 | $26.4M | $3.3M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 484230?
This classification includes motor carriers that transport specialized freight over long-distance routes exceeding 150 miles. Typical businesses include flatbed trucking companies hauling steel and construction materials, refrigerated carriers moving perishable food, tanker operators transporting chemicals and petroleum products, and heavy-haul firms moving oversize machinery. According to the U.S. Census Bureau[5], the key distinguishing factor is the combination of specialized equipment requirements and intercity distance.
How is NAICS 484230 different from general freight trucking?
General freight trucking codes 484121 and 484122 cover standard palletized cargo that fits in dry van trailers. NAICS 484230 specifically covers freight requiring purpose-built equipment such as flatbeds, refrigerated units, tankers, lowboys, or auto carriers. The specialized nature of the cargo drives higher insurance costs, additional driver certifications, and equipment maintenance expenses not present in general freight operations.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 484230?
The Small Business Administration sets the size standard at $34 million in average annual receipts over five years. Businesses below this threshold qualify as small for federal contracting preferences and SBA lending programs. This revenue-based standard applies to all specialized long-distance freight trucking operations regardless of fleet size or commodity type. Details are available in the SBA size standards table[10].
What NAICS codes are related to specialized long-distance trucking?
Closely related codes include 484220 for specialized local freight trucking, 484121 for general truckload carriers, 484122 for LTL operations, and 488510 for freight brokerage and transportation arrangement services. The local versus long-distance distinction at approximately 150 miles separates 484220 from 484230, while the specialized versus general freight distinction separates this code from the 484121 and 484122 classifications.
What industries are connected to specialized freight trucking?
Manufacturing sectors generate the largest share of specialized freight demand, particularly steel production, chemical manufacturing, and food processing. Construction activity drives flatbed and heavy-haul volumes. Energy sector operations including oil field equipment moves and refined petroleum distribution rely heavily on specialized carriers. Agricultural producers depend on refrigerated long-haul service for perishable crop distribution to distant markets.
What activities are included in NAICS 484230?
Included activities span flatbed transport of oversized loads, refrigerated hauling of temperature-sensitive goods, tanker operations for bulk liquids, heavy-haul moves requiring special permits and escort vehicles, auto carrier distribution, livestock transport, bulk dry commodity hauling in pneumatic trailers, and hazardous materials shipment under DOT regulations. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] specifies that all operations must involve specialized equipment and routes exceeding local delivery distances.
Can specialized freight trucking companies get SBA loans?
Yes, trucking companies under the $34 million revenue threshold can access SBA financing. The 7(a) loan program[8] supports equipment purchases including specialized trailers, refrigeration units, and tanker configurations. Industry 504 program[9] finances terminal facilities, maintenance shops, and real estate. Working capital lines help manage fuel costs and receivables cycles common in freight transportation.
Where are specialized long-distance trucking companies concentrated?
Carrier concentrations follow major freight corridors and manufacturing regions. Texas, California, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania host the largest numbers of specialized carriers due to their positions along interstate trade lanes and proximity to heavy manufacturing, petrochemical, and agricultural production. Port cities including Houston, Los Angeles, and Savannah support intermodal drayage specialists. Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] data shows trucking employment clusters around logistics hubs and distribution centers along the Interstate Highway System.
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]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]SBA 504 loan program sba.gov
- [10]SBA size standards table sba.gov
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