What Is a Box Truck? (USA Trucking Guide)
A Box Truck — also known as a Straight Truck or Cube Van — is a medium-sized, enclosed truck commonly used in the USA for local, regional, and final-mile deliveries. It has a cargo “box” directly attached to the truck chassis, making it ideal for fast, flexible, and secure transportation of everyday goods.
Why Box Trucks Are Popular in the USA
Box Trucks are widely used because they are:
- Easy to maneuver in cities
- Perfect for short-distance deliveries
- Ideal for LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) and moving services
- Lower maintenance and fuel cost compared to big rigs
- Great for new carriers entering the trucking industry
Common Products Transported in Box Trucks
Box trucks typically haul:
- Furniture & Household Items
- Retail & E-commerce Goods
- Appliances & Electronics
- General Freight and Palletized Products
- Local Store Deliveries & Short-haul Goods
- Courier and Parcel Shipments
Key Features of a Box Truck
- Enclosed 14ft to 26ft cargo box
- Roll-up or swing rear door
- Liftgate option for heavy items
- Ideal for dock or ground-level delivery
- No temperature control (non-refrigerated)
- Perfect for city delivery and last-mile logistics
Why Businesses Choose Box Trucks
Shippers prefer box trucks because they provide:
- Reliable and secure transport
- Weatherproof protection for goods
- Faster local delivery times
- Flexible routes for urban areas
- Lower operational risk
Types of Box Truck Loads in the USA
- Local Furniture Delivery
- Retail & Store Restocking
- LTL Shipments
- Courier/Parcel Loads
- Dedicated Route Deliveries
- Appliance and Equipment Hauls
Box Trucks From a Dispatching Perspective
For dispatch companies like yours, box trucks offer:
- Consistent daily loads in all major cities
- High demand from retail and e-commerce
- Easier coordination and scheduling
- Great for new owner-operators
- Flexible pickup windows
Dispatchers typically manage:
- Load confirmations
- Liftgate requirements
- Local delivery time windows
- Driver communication
- Routing inside busy city areas