{"id":18397,"date":"2023-08-02T06:46:53","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T13:46:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/?post_type=resources&p=18397"},"modified":"2025-09-23T11:18:22","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T18:18:22","slug":"start-a-transportation-business-with-one-van","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/start-a-transportation-business-with-one-van","title":{"rendered":"How to Start a Transportation Business with One Van"},"content":{"rendered":"

This blueprint is designed to help you get your business off the ground and build staying power. But before we can get into the specific steps of starting your own transportation business with a single can, it\u2019s important to take a step back and understand the types of vehicles you have to choose from and the types of businesses you can start with a single van. Only once you\u2019ve made those first critical decisions can you begin the process of actually starting your business.<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of vans and their costs<\/b><\/h3>\n

When it finally comes time to pick out your vehicle, you want to enter the market as an informed buyer, with a firm understanding of what type of van will best suit your business needs. In other words, the kind of van you choose should align with the type of business you want to run.
\nWith that in mind, if you\u2019re building your transportation business from scratch, as far as purchasing your first van goes, you have two main options: a passenger van or a cargo van. If transporting people will be central to your business, a passenger van is your best bet. But if your business model dictates you will be transporting goods, a cargo van will prove to be more suitable.<\/p>\n

Passenger vans and cargo vans share many of the same characteristics across size, price, and driveability. The key distinctive feature of passenger vans is that, as opposed to cargo vans, passenger vans contain several rows of seats. Passenger vans are designed for people to travel comfortably, whereas the interiors of cargo vans are designed to move freight.<\/p>\n

Passenger vans are perfectly suited for charter services, group taxis, or ride-share companies, which only continue to gain steam in popularity. For consumers, the appeal is obvious: by sharing a ride with a fellow traveler already going in your same direction, you can split the fare at a deeply discounted rate.<\/p>\n

Cargo vans, meanwhile, are built to move freight quickly and securely. A cargo van is an easy-to-park, easy-to-drive vehicle that has significant cargo capacity to transport loads. Cargo vans are commonly deployed in urban areas and prove a reliable option for smaller moving jobs.<\/p>\n

New cargo or passenger vans can be a steep investment for any newcomer to the transportation business. Recent estimates indicate new cargo vans cost between $25,000 to $30,000, while new passenger vans can range from $28,000 to $43,000. In both cases, at the possible expense of reliability, going with a used vehicle can save you thousands of dollars in startup costs. If you choose to go this route, make sure to do your research beforehand. Additionally, remember that you may have additional costs if you need to outfit your van for a specific type of business. These costs can add up and should be calculated as part of your initial business plan.<\/p>\n

Businesses you can start with one van<\/b><\/h3>\n

Whether you choose a passenger van or a cargo van, there are plenty of van delivery business opportunities to choose from.<\/span><\/p>\n

Passenger van businesses opportunities<\/b><\/p>\n