Florida Transport Services

Florida Transport Services, Heavy Machinery & Hauling Services 

Florida is an internationally-renowned tourist hub and the 4th largest economy in the United States. The Sunshine State is renowned for international cruise travel and shipping. The biggest industries in Florida are tourism, shipping, agriculture, aerospace/aviation, and technology. Only the states of California, Texas and New York surpass Florida with its massive $1.1 trillion GDP.

Florida exports a broad range of industries ranging from aircraft, engines, vehicle parts, computers, motor vehicles, and precious metals. The state also has a large seafood industry and exports forestry products including oil and gas. Freedom Heavy Haul can help you move your machinery in all of Florida state and facilitate international shipments. 

Florida Export Economy 

Florida is one of the biggest export states in the US and the state serves as a shipping gateway for trade for North America including Latin America and the Caribbean. 20% of all US exports to Latin America are shipped out of Florida, making it the ideal location to ship your product internationally. Freedom Heavy Haul can help streamline your Florida-based shipping operation and ensure your shipment arrives on time.  

The convenient geographic location and the proximity of Floridian cities makes it a top destination for cargo exports and international shipping. Even small companies thrive in Florida.  The Sunshine State exports over $60B of total merchandise to the US. In terms of international exports, Florida is the #8th biggest exporter, comprising nearly 4% of all US GDP for international exports. At the peak economic output in 2018, Florida’s export economy comprised nearly 5% of all US international exports. 

Florida Ports

Florida has large ports that move hundreds of millions of tons of cargo annually. Florida is the largest hub for all cruise liners in the United States, holding a key geographic location and presenting a gateway for travel to the Caribbean, South America, and Europe. The ports in Florida handle hundreds of millions of tons of cargo annually and some of them are used by the military. The following is a list of the largest ports located in the state of Florida:

• Port Of Tampa Bay: The port of Tampa Bay, located in Western Florida is the largest port in Florida and it handles nearly 40M tons of cargo each year. The port has an offloading and unloading capacity and is one of the few ports that have a ship-repair facility. Tampa Bay port handles 37,374,290 tons of cargo each year.
• Port Everglades: Port Everglades is the 2nd largest port in Florida – handling 21,868,900 tons of cargo a year. The port specializes in international trade and it’s the hub for petroleum exports in Florida. It’s also the second-largest travel port for cruises to the Caribbean after Miami.
• Port Of Jacksonville: The Port of Jacksonville is Florida’s newest port and the #3rd largest in terms of exports. Jacksonville Port is called “Jaxport” and it handles over 21,000,000 tons of cargo per year.
• Port Of Miami: Port of Miami is a major shipping port but it’s also considered the cruise capital of the world. Annual shipments to the Port of Miami equate 8,108,070 tons.
• Port Manatee: Port Manatee is a large privately-owned deep-water port next to Tampa port with an annual cargo tonnage of 6,837,811.
• Port Canaveral: Port Canaveral handles 3,904,986 tons of cargo a year, making it one of the top 10 largest ports in Florida. 
• Port Of Palm Beach: Port of Palm Beach is currently one of the largest port in the state, handling 2,005,461 tons of cargo per year.
• Port of Panama City: Annual cargo in tons: 1,420,665
• Port Fernandina: Annual cargo in tons: 384,499
• Port of Pensacola: Annual cargo in tons: 224,154
• Port of Fort Pierce: Annual cargo in tons: 95,623
• Port Citrus: Annual cargo in tons: Private.
• Port of Port St. Joe: Annual cargo in tons: Private.
• Port of Key West: Annual cargo in tons: Private.
• Port of St. Petersburg: Annual cargo in tons: Private.

Florida Major Cities And Highways:

The Florida Department of Transportation (short: FDOT) owns all highways in the state of Florida – and is responsible for maintaining them. Florida has 4 main interstate highways and 8 auxiliary highways (with the 9th one under construction). The total highway network in Florida is 1,497 miles (2,410 kilometers). Florida’s longest highway is the interstate I-75 which extends over 470 miles and the shortest is I-385 in Miami with only 1.292 miles.

The major cities in Florida are all interconnected via the primary Interstate Highways. Interstate highways are responsible for facilitating travel between Florida cities and neighboring states. The I-75 serves the Gulf State towns while the I-95 runs on the Atlantic coastline and connects Miami to Jacksonville. The I-10 starts at Jacksonville and transverses the FL panhandle westward. I-4 crosses mid-Florida between Tampa and Orlando.

Largest Metro Areas In Florida (by population size):

• Miami-Ft Lauderdale-Pompano Statistical Area: 6,888,225 residents.
• Orlando-Deltona-Daytona Statistical Area: 4,160,646 residents.
• Jacksonville-St. Marys-Palatka Statistical Area: 1,510,516 residents.
• Cape Coral-Fort Myers-Naples Statistical Area: 1,197,501residents.
• North Port-Sarasota Statistical Area: 1,063,906 residents.
• Pensacola-Ferry Pass Statistical Area: 539,262 residents.
• Gainesville-Lake City Statistical Area: 400,814 residents.
• Ocala Statistical Area: 365,579 residents.
• Tallahassee Statistical Area: 387,227 residents.
• Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin Statistical Area: 284,809 residents. 

Length, Weight, Height, and Width Restrictions In Florida

Florida State governs all truck operations and imposes limits on the height, weight, length, and width of trucks allowed on the road. Permits are required for all oversized shipments. The regulations are put in place to protect Florida citizens and reduce the risk of accidents involving large transport trucks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (short FMCSA) governs commercial trucks in the state. The laws are enforced by the Florida Highway Patrol Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (OVCE).

Commercial trucks in Florida must not surpass 102″ in width. If a truck is over 96″ wide it may face scrutiny on public roads and it’s not recommended to drive on most roads. Such trucks have to be handled separately and driven on highways that have lanes equal to 12 ft. or more in width in both directions in order to facilitate safe movement. Note: The width does not include side accessories/safety devices and mirrors.

• Height is limited at 13 feet and 6″ for all trucks in Florida. The only exception applies to automobile transporters which are allowed to be up to 14 ft. tall along with the carried load included.
• Trucks are allowed to carry a maximum of 2 trailers up to 75 ft. in total length.
• The weight limit for trucks should not surpass 80,000 lbs. Trucks may have lower weight limits depending on the total number of axles.

Warning: If the state of Florida deems your truck “oversize” and you don’t hold a valid oversize permit, you could be fined thousands of dollars. Oversize penalties apply for violations regarding height, length, width or total weight. The hauling company may be fined $0.05 per pound for all weight above the legal limit of 80,000 lbs per vehicle. In order to move the vehicle in a safe manner, state authorities can issue a temporary oversize limit.

Oversize Transport Permits In Florida

Oversize permits are issued to move a vehicle from a single point of departure to a destination. In Florida, the average permit allows hauling companies up to 10 days from the date of issuance to make the trip. In certain exceptions, blanket permits may be granted that serve for a 12 month period.

• Permits: Permits are available for 10 days with exceptions of blanket permits which may be issued for up to 12 months. 
• Time Allowed: Oversize trucks are allowed to travel half an hour before sunrise up to half an hour after sunset, including on weekends.
• Banned Travel: Bans on oversize traffic apply at certain hours in high-population Florida counties. In Dade County and Hillsboro County, trucks aren’t allowed from 7 am up to 9 am and 4 pm up to 6 pm (when residents congest the highways by commuting to/from work).

DIMENSIONS IN FLORIDA

Truck Length:

• 75′ length
• 48′ trailer (53′ semi-trailer)
• Overhang: 3′

Truck Width:

• 8′-6″

Truck Height:

• 14′-6″
• Overhang: 3′ front or rear.

Truck Weight:

• 80,000 pounds total
• Single: 22,000 pounds. 
• Tandem: 44,000 pounds. 
• Tridem: 66,000 pounds.

ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS IN FLORIDA

Truck Length: 

• 150′

Truck Width: 

• 15′

Truck Height: 

• 15′. Florida mandates a route survey for all truck heights exceeding 15 feet. 

Truck Weight:

• Depends on spacing. 
• 5 axles – 112,000 lbs. 
• 6 axles – 122,000 lbs. 
• 7 axles – 142,000 lbs. 
• 8 axles – 160,000 lbs. 

SUPER LOAD CONSIDERATIONS IN FLORIDA

If the truck weight exceeds the maximum oversize permit of 160,000 lbs and if any of the other dimensions exceed the maximums – they have to be accounted for as “Super Loads”.

Equipment Auction Houses in Florida

Freedom Heavy Haul helps clients ship heavy machinery and equipment from any auction house in the state of Florida. The most well-known auction houses in the Sunshine State include:

Equipment Rental Centers in Florida 

If your equipment is located at a rental center in Florida, give us a call and we’ll help you transport it to a destination of choice. The biggest equipment rental centers in Florida include:

RGN Trailers Servicing in Florida 

If your RNG trailer is in need of servicing, you should only allow an experienced servicing company with a long track record and reputation in the maintenance business. The following are the top RGN trailer servicing companies in Florida: