Cargo van delivery is expedited freight moved by a dedicated cargo van. A driver is dispatched to your pickup location within 1–2 hours, 24/7, loads your freight and drives it straight to the destination, with no terminals, no transfers and nothing else on the van. It is the right size for small, urgent loads of up to 1,500 lb: a pallet, a few boxes, parts or equipment. Transportli matches your shipment with vetted carriers across the US.
This page shows what fits in a cargo van, what delivery typically costs by distance, how it works, and when a Sprinter van is the better choice. You can check your own load with the planner, or jump to a quote.
The short version
- Dispatch: a driver is on the way to your pickup within 1–2 hours, 24/7.
- Limit: a cargo van carries up to 1,500 lb. Most loads are a single pallet, a few boxes or loose parts.
- Price: typical prices run from about $183 for trips under 50 miles to about $2,257 for 2,001 to 2,500 miles, before fuel surcharge. Cargo vans and Sprinter vans use the same distance prices.
- Bigger load? A Sprinter van carries about 3,000 lb and 3 to 4 pallets.
- Included: live tracking, photos at pickup and delivery, and a 24/7 support team. Team drivers, multi-stop runs, weekend and after-hours pickups are available.
What is cargo van delivery service?
A cargo van is an enclosed delivery van with a flat floor, a bulkhead behind the seats and rear doors, often with a side door as well. In freight the name covers the standard full-size vans, such as the Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster and Chevy Express, and the smaller compact vans, such as the Ford Transit Connect and Ram ProMaster City. The enclosed cargo area keeps your freight dry and out of sight.
Compared with the alternatives:
- Versus a courier car: a cargo van carries a pallet or heavier freight, not just a parcel.
- Versus a Sprinter van: a Sprinter carries about twice the weight and 3 to 4 pallets. A cargo van is the right size when your load is small.
- Versus a box truck: a cargo van is quicker to dispatch and handles tight pickups, but holds far less.
- Versus LTL freight: the van is yours alone and drives direct, with no terminals and no waiting for a consolidated truck. It is faster and handled less, and it costs more.
What can a cargo van carry?
A Transportli cargo van carries up to 1,500 lb. Here is what that looks like in a standard full-size cargo van with a low roof, which is the most common type:
| Measure | Typical standard cargo van |
|---|---|
| Maximum weight | 1,500 lb |
| Typical load | A single pallet, a few boxes, parts or small equipment |
| Cargo length | about 120 in |
| Width between the wheel wells | about 50 in |
| Cargo height (low roof) | about 52 in |
| Standard pallets (48″ × 40″) | 1 is typical; floor space can hold more, but weight usually runs out first |
Cargo areas vary by make, model and roof height. These are conservative typical figures for the Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster class; compact vans are smaller. Tell dispatch the real size and weight of your load and they will match the right van.
Check your own load
Sprinter van planner
Check whether your load fits in a Sprinter van, then see the typical delivery price for your distance.
Cargo van delivery cost by distance
These are Transportli’s typical prices for cargo van delivery, before fuel surcharge. Cargo vans and Sprinter vans are priced the same way, by distance band, so a trip at the top of a band costs less per mile than one at the bottom, and the price steps up when the distance crosses into the next band. Your actual quote depends on real-time capacity and your exact route.
| Distance | Typical price | Approx. per mile |
|---|---|---|
| 0–50 miles | $183 | Minimum |
| 51–100 miles | $275 | $3.64 |
| 101–150 miles | $360 | $2.87 |
| 151–200 miles | $427 | $2.43 |
| 201–300 miles | $549 | $2.19 |
| 301–400 miles | $702 | $2.00 |
| 401–500 miles | $848 | $1.88 |
| 501–750 miles | $1,092 | $1.75 |
| 751–1,000 miles | $1,336 | $1.53 |
| 1,001–1,500 miles | $1,580 | $1.26 |
| 1,501–2,000 miles | $1,946 | $1.11 |
| 2,001–2,500 miles | $2,257 | $1.00 |
Per-mile figures are calculated at the middle of each band. California pickups have a $427 minimum. Trips over 2,500 miles are quoted individually. A fuel surcharge is added to every quote, and accessorials such as wait time are charged separately.
What a real cargo van quote looks like
This is a live quote from our platform for a 250 lb shipment from New York to Jacksonville, about 850 miles. The same lane quoted as a Sprinter van was also $1,350, because cargo vans and Sprinter vans use the same distance prices.
- Cargo van: $1,350, estimated 2 days
- Box truck: $1,740, estimated 2 days
- The cargo van price is close to the typical $1,336 for the 751–1,000 mile band above
Real screenshot from a live Transportli quote for New York, NY to Jacksonville, FL. Individual results vary by shipment and date.
What changes the price
- Distance. It is the biggest factor, and price per mile falls as the trip gets longer.
- Timing. Weekend, after-hours and same-day pickups can cost more.
- Capacity near your pickup. If few vans are nearby, the price goes up.
- Extra services. Multi-stop runs, wait time and other accessorials are quoted separately.
Cargo van vs. Sprinter van vs. box truck
Cargo vans and Sprinter vans use the same distance prices, so the right choice is simply the vehicle that fits your load:
| Vehicle | Maximum weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo van | Up to 1,500 lb | A single pallet, boxes, parts, small equipment |
| Sprinter van | Up to about 3,000 lb, 3 to 4 pallets | Pallets, larger parts, multi-piece loads |
| Box truck | Up to about 5,000 lb | Several pallets, bulkier freight |
Capacities are typical ranges, not guarantees. See all expedited vehicle types.
How cargo van delivery works
- Request a quote with your pickup and delivery locations, the size and weight of your load, and your deadline.
- A vetted driver is dispatched to your pickup location, usually within 1–2 hours, 24/7.
- The driver loads and secures your freight and takes photos at pickup.
- The van drives direct. There are no terminals or transfers, you can track it live, and team drivers can run long distances without stopping.
- Your freight is delivered and photographed at delivery.
Need more than one stop, a weekend pickup or an after-hours run? Mention it when you request a quote.
Why ship cargo van freight with Transportli
Transportli has a large nationwide network of vetted drivers and works with major freight forwarders. Every shipment comes with:
Dispatch in 1–2 hours
A driver is on the way to your pickup location within 1–2 hours, any time of day.
24/7 support team
A real person is available around the clock while your shipment is moving.
Live tracking
Follow the van on its way to delivery instead of waiting for a phone call.
Photos at pickup and delivery
Photos at both ends show your freight’s condition when it was loaded and when it arrived.
Team drivers and multi-stop
Two-driver teams for long runs, plus multi-stop, weekend and after-hours service.
Cross-border and TSA-certified drivers
Cross-border runs are available, and our drivers are TSA certified.
What ships well in a cargo van
- Auto parts for repair shops, dealers and distributors, including urgent restocks.
- Service and trade parts such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical components for a job that is waiting.
- Machine and equipment parts that stop a production line when they are missing.
- Office, IT and lab equipment that needs an enclosed, direct ride.
- Retail and e-commerce restocks that are too big for parcel and too urgent for LTL.
- Samples and trade show materials with a hard deadline.
How to choose a cargo van delivery company
Whether you use a courier, a broker or a platform, check four things before you book:
- Who actually drives. Ask whether the company owns the van or arranges it with a carrier, and how drivers are vetted.
- Insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance and the cargo coverage amount. Requirements depend on the van and what you ship.
- Tracking and proof of delivery. Look for live tracking and photos at pickup and delivery.
- A clear price. Ask what is included: fuel surcharge, wait time and extra stops are where quotes differ.
When a cargo van is not the right choice
| If your freight is… | A better fit |
|---|---|
| Heavier than 1,500 lb, or more than one pallet | A Sprinter van |
| More than 3 to 4 pallets, or heavier than about 3,000 lb | A box truck or straight truck |
| Long, tall, or loaded on an open deck | A box truck, or hot shot for open-deck loads |
| Palletized and not urgent | LTL freight, which usually costs less |
Not sure? Describe your load when you request a quote and our dispatch team will match the right vehicle on the first call.
Drive a cargo van?
If you own a cargo van or a Sprinter and want loads, dispatch and insurance support, we are building a place for you.
Drive with Transportli
Run your own Sprinter van, cargo van, box truck or hot shot rig? Apply to Transportli Drivers and we email the next steps, usually within 2–3 hours.
How to get a cargo van quote
Have this ready so dispatch can match a van quickly:
- Pickup and delivery addresses, and any access limits
- What the load is, how many pieces, and the weight and size of each
- Your deadline, and whether you need weekend or after-hours pickup
- Whether you need more than one stop
Need a cargo van now?
Tell us about your load and your deadline, and we will dispatch a vetted driver, usually within 1–2 hours.
Get a cargo van quote →Cargo van delivery: frequently asked questions
What is a cargo van delivery service?
A cargo van delivery service sends a dedicated cargo van to pick up your freight and drive it straight to its destination, with no terminals or transfers. It is a form of expedited freight for small loads that are urgent.
How much does cargo van delivery cost?
Typical prices run from about $183 for trips under 50 miles to about $2,257 for 2,001 to 2,500 miles, before fuel surcharge. Price per mile falls as distance grows. California pickups have a $427 minimum. Your quote depends on your exact route and timing.
How fast can a cargo van pick up my shipment?
A driver is typically dispatched to your pickup location within 1 to 2 hours, 24/7. Transit time after pickup depends on the distance, because the van drives direct.
How much weight can a cargo van carry?
Up to 1,500 lb. For heavier loads, a Sprinter van carries about 3,000 lb, and a box truck carries more.
How many pallets fit in a cargo van?
Most cargo van loads are a single pallet. Floor space in a full-size van can hold more, but the 1,500 lb weight limit usually comes first. For two or more pallets, ask for a Sprinter van.
Is a cargo van cheaper than a Sprinter van?
No. Cargo vans and Sprinter vans use the same distance-based prices, so choose the vehicle that fits your load.
Is a fuel surcharge added?
Yes. Typical prices are before fuel surcharge, which is added to your quote. Accessorials such as wait time are charged separately.
Can you do multi-stop deliveries?
Yes. Multi-stop runs are available. Mention each stop when you request a quote.
Do you offer weekend and after-hours pickup?
Yes. Weekend and after-hours pickups are available, and our support team is available 24/7.
Can I track my cargo van shipment?
Yes. Every shipment has live tracking, and the driver takes photos at pickup and at delivery.
Do you offer cross-border delivery?
Yes. Cross-border runs are available. Tell us the route when you request a quote.
What make of van will pick up my freight?
Carriers in our network use cargo vans of different makes and models. Tell us the size and weight of your load and we will match a van that fits.