Short answer
A 53 ft dry van rents for about $25 to $55 a day or $530 to $610 a month; a reefer about $65 to $120 a day; a flatbed $40 to $75 a day (REPOWR, FreightWaves).
Rates by trailer type
Per trailer, before insurance, fuel, tolls and damage. Blank cells: no published figure.
| Trailer | Per day | Per week | Per month | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry van | $25 to $55 | n/a | $530 to $610 | REPOWR, FreightWaves |
| Reefer | $65 to $120 | n/a | n/a | REPOWR |
| Flatbed | $40 to $75 | n/a | n/a | REPOWR |
| Storage trailer | $15 to $35 | n/a | n/a | REPOWR |
| Lowboy (heavy haul) | $425 to $500 | $1,275 to $1,300 | $2,975 to $3,825 | listing, listings |
| Step deck | No published rate | n/a | n/a | Ask for quotes |
How rates moved
REPOWR's marketplace average for a dry van was $16.93 a day in 2024 and $19.42 in 2025; reefers went from $48.68 (2023) to $36.65 (2024) to $39.61 (2025) (FreightWaves). Averages sit below the typical ranges above because long rentals pull the daily average down.
What moves your price
- Trailer age and spec: XTRA prices by trailer vintage, specs, lease term and maintenance option (XTRA FAQ).
- Term: the longer the rental, the lower the daily rate. Premier rents from one day to years (Premier FAQ).
- Credit: Premier prices on specs, term length and credit strength (Premier FAQ).
- Season and lane: trailers are scarcer in produce and holiday peaks and in lanes where freight flows one way.
Extra costs
| Cost | Typical amount or rule |
|---|---|
| Trailer interchange insurance | $40 to $120 a month (REPOWR) |
| Damage waiver (LDW or CDW) | Daily fee set by the lessor; replaces physical damage cover (see the insurance guide) |
| Reefer fuel | Return at the pickup level or pay the refuel charge |
| Tires and repairs you cause | Billed at return under the rental agreement |
| One-way drop or delivery | Quoted per move; XTRA may pay or give free days for moves it needs (XTRA FAQ) |
Put your numbers in the rental cost estimator. Buying instead? A trailer costs about $40,000 to $70,000 up front (REPOWR); see rent vs lease.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to rent a semi trailer for a month?
A 53 ft dry van runs about $530 to $610 a month on the REPOWR marketplace (FreightWaves, December 2025). Reefers and specialty trailers cost more; heavy-haul lowboys were advertised at $2,975 to $3,825 a month.
Is it cheaper to rent a semi trailer by the month?
Yes. Daily rates fall with longer terms; a month of a dry van at the daily range would cost far more than the monthly range.
Sources
- REPOWR: How much does trailer rental really cost? (November 25, 2025)
- FreightWaves: REPOWR data shows it cost more in 2025 for a short-term dry van rental (John Kingston, December 23, 2025)
- TruckPaper listing: 2023 Kaufman 47 ft lowboy for rent (advertised rates, seen October 29, 2026)
- TruckPaper: Fontaine lowboy trailers for rent (advertised rates, seen October 29, 2026)
- XTRA Lease: FAQs
- Premier Trailer Leasing: FAQ (account setup, insurance, billing)
Last reviewed October 29, 2026. Rates, branches and terms change; confirm with the lessor before you book.