Steel & Metal Freight Broker
Coils, beams, plate, pipe, rebar — we move steel freight across the United States with flatbed carriers who have the right equipment, the right securement experience, and the insurance to back it up.
Right Equipment for Every Steel Product
| Steel Product | Equipment | Rate Range (May 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel coils | Flatbed + coil racks | $3.30–$3.80/mile | Coil racks mandatory — specify coil OD/ID |
| Structural beams / I-beams | Standard flatbed | $3.20–$3.60/mile | Chain and binder securement |
| Steel plate | Flatbed | $3.25–$3.65/mile | Crane or forklift at origin required |
| Pipe and tubing | Flatbed + pipe stakes | $3.30–$3.70/mile | Pipe stakes prevent rolling |
| Rebar bundles | Standard flatbed | $3.15–$3.50/mile | Bundled and strapped |
| Prefab steel structures | Step deck or RGN | $3.50–$4.50/mile | Height-dependent — may need permits |
Rates sourced from DAT Trendlines, May 2026. All-in including fuel surcharge.
Overweight Permits for Heavy Steel Loads
The federal legal weight limit for a standard 5-axle flatbed is 80,000 lbs gross vehicle weight — typically allowing 42,000–46,000 lbs of payload. Many steel loads, especially coils, approach or exceed this limit.
For loads over 80,000 lbs gross, overweight permits are required in every state the truck passes through. Permit fees, route restrictions, and travel time restrictions (no weekend travel in some states) vary significantly. Factor in 2–5 business days for permit processing.
FMCSA Securement Requirements
- Steel coils: Coil racks required. Each coil individually blocked. Working load limit of tie-downs must equal at least half the coil weight
- Structural steel: Minimum 4 tie-downs for loads over 20 feet. Front-end protection required
- Pipe: Pipe stakes, blocking, and cross-strapping required to prevent rolling or shifting
- Flat steel (plate/sheet): 1 tie-down per 10 feet of load length. Edge protection required where straps contact steel
Why Flatbed Rates Are Up 27% in 2026
Flatbed spot rates hit $3.46/mile nationally in May 2026 — up 27% year-over-year per DAT. The driver: AI data center construction. Every data center going up in Virginia, Texas, or Arizona requires structural steel, transformers, and switchgear — all moving on flatbeds. Infrastructure spending from the CHIPS Act and Infrastructure Investment Act is adding additional demand.
For steel shippers with recurring lanes, contract pricing is increasingly important. Spot rates are expected to remain elevated or increase further through Q3 and Q4 2026.
Common Steel Shipping Mistakes
- Not specifying coil OD and ID on the BOL — carriers need this to confirm coil rack compatibility
- Assuming the driver loads the steel — carriers do not. Have crane or forklift ready
- Tight 1-hour pickup windows — steel loading takes time. Minimum 4-hour window
- No edge protection specified — bare steel edges cut straps and cause load shifts
- Booking same-day flatbed in 2026 — capacity is the tightest it has been in years
High-Volume Steel Lanes We Cover Daily
| Lane | Distance | Typical Equipment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gary IN → Houston TX | 1,100 mi | Flatbed with coil racks | Steel mill to fabricator |
| Pittsburgh PA → Detroit MI | 290 mi | Flatbed | Auto manufacturing supply |
| Birmingham AL → Atlanta GA | 150 mi | Flatbed | Short haul fabricated steel |
| Chicago IL → Dallas TX | 920 mi | Flatbed | High-volume corridor |
| Cleveland OH → Nashville TN | 550 mi | Flatbed | Manufacturing supply chain |
| Houston TX → Odessa TX | 350 mi | Flatbed | Energy sector pipe and steel |
Get a Steel Freight Quote
Tell us what you're shipping — coil, beam, plate, pipe — and we'll find the right flatbed carrier with the right equipment.