Transport business ideas with a startup budget over C$20,000
59 ideas
A larger budget opens up transport businesses built around a vehicle or fleet, a depot, or specialist equipment. These 59 ideas suit people who can commit real capital and are comfortable running a business with ongoing costs.
Owner-operator refrigerated truck
Haul full loads of chilled and frozen goods between cities in your own refrigerated truck or trailer.
- C$120k-300k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Mobile boat repair and maintenance
Travel to marinas, docks and driveways to service engines and fix fittings for boat owners.
- C$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Boat repair workshop with winter storage
Run a small rented workshop for engine, hull and fitting repairs, plus indoor winter work.
- C$20k-100k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small pallet storage and handling warehouse
Lease a small industrial unit and rent out pallet space to local businesses that need storage.
- C$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Warehouse storage for online sellers
Store stock for small online brands and pack and ship their orders from a leased unit.
- C$5k-30k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Small-move van and helper service
Move apartments, student rooms and single items with a cargo van and a helper, charged by the hour.
- C$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Full-service moving company with a truck
Run a small crew and a box truck for whole-home moves, with packing, loading and delivery.
- C$25k-90k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Neighbourhood travel agency storefront
Open a small street-front travel office selling flights and packages, especially to local communities with strong overseas ties.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Neighbourhood bike repair shop
Rent a small unit and run a repair and servicing shop for local riders all year.
- C$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Used boat buy-and-resell
Buy small used boats and trailers, tidy them up and sell them on to local buyers.
- C$5k-25k
- Side hustle
- From home
Level 2 EV charging at local host sites
Install a few pay-to-use chargers at a shop, motel or lot and earn from each charging session.
- C$8k-40k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Shared EV charging for condo and rental buildings
Install and run shared chargers in condo and apartment car parks, billing residents for the power they use.
- C$10k-50k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Bike rental shop or seasonal kiosk
Rent bikes by the hour or day from a small shop or kiosk near a trail, waterfront or tourist area.
- C$15k-70k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Campervan hire from your driveway
Rent out one or two campervans or small motorhomes to holidaymakers during the camping season.
- C$20k-90k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small motorhome hire fleet with a depot
Run a small fleet of motorhomes from a secure yard, with pick-ups, cleaning and tourist bookings.
- C$150k-500k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Wedding car and chauffeur service
Drive couples and wedding parties to the ceremony in a well-kept classic or luxury car.
- C$8k-35k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Waterfront boat and paddle rental base
Run a small rental dock or hut hiring out canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and small motorboats to summer visitors.
- C$30k-150k
- Full-time
- Own premises
ATV rental and guided ride base
Run a small fleet of ATVs from your own land, renting by the hour or day to visitors and groups.
- C$25k-90k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Guided ATV rides at a campground or lodge
Bring a few ATVs on a trailer and run guided rides on a campground, resort or farm's land.
- C$12k-40k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Roll-off dumpster rental with your own truck
Drop off large bins at renovation and cleanout sites, then haul them away when full.
- C$120k-250k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Small dumpster rental with a pickup and trailer
Rent 6 to 14 yard bins to homeowners for cleanouts and small jobs, delivered by pickup and trailer.
- C$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Small pedicab fleet for events and tourist areas
Run two to four pedicabs with hired riders at tourist stands, hotels, weddings and events.
- C$15k-50k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Small car fleet rented through apps
Buy a few vehicles and rent them out by the day through car-sharing apps, run from home.
- C$8k-40k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small-scale kerosene delivery to homes and sites
Deliver kerosene in approved drums and totes to cottages, farms and work sites that don't need a full tanker.
- C$8k-40k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Options include a same-day van courier for local businesses, a minibus charter for groups and events, and owner-operator freight trucking. Before you choose, work out the full cost of ownership: purchase or financing, commercial insurance, maintenance, fuel, and downtime when the vehicle is off the road. Check which licences, permits and insurance your province and your type of vehicle may require. Then test demand locally. Ask a few likely customers what they would pay and how often they would book before you buy anything.
More ideas
- Kerosene and heating fuel tanker route
- Same-day van courier for local businesses
- Small van hire fleet with 1 to 3 vans
- Local van hire depot with a larger fleet
- Airport van shuttle for groups and hotels
- Trailer rental yard
- Small-unit storage and fulfilment service
- Outdoor boat and trailer storage yard
- Indoor and rack boat storage building
- Niche freight forwarder with your own brand
- Owner-operator freight trucking
- Local straight truck freight service
- Left luggage shop near a station or tourist spot
- Small-group minibus day tours
- RV and trailer storage on spare land
- Secure RV storage yard
- Airport and group transfer minibus
- Event and wedding minibus shuttle
- Wheelchair-accessible van service
- Small pay-parking lot near busy places
- Seasonal scooter rental stand
- Minibus charter for groups and events
- Used horse trailer sales and refurbishing
- Wedding and event chauffeur car
- Guided lake and river fishing trips
- Fishing charter boat with skipper
- Used horse trailer buy-and-sell from home
- Horse trailer dealership with a small sales lot
- Full-service piano movers with a box truck
- Learn-to-ride motorcycle courses
- Owner-operator school bus route
- Small van school shuttle for families
- Small commercial truck driving school
- Small motorcycle rental fleet
- Motorcycle rental shop
Questions
What licences might I need to start a transport business in Canada?
It depends on the vehicle, the cargo and the province. Check the driver's licence class, commercial registration, operating authority, and any municipal or passenger-service permits that may apply. Your provincial transport ministry is a good starting point.
Should I buy or finance vehicles for a business like this?
Compare the total cost of each route, including interest, deposit, insurance and resale value. Ask lenders and leasing companies about commercial terms, and check whether your business plan can cover payments during slow months or repairs.
What insurance should I look into before I start?
Commercial vehicle insurance is usually different from personal cover. Ask brokers about liability, cargo, passenger and physical damage cover, plus what applies if you hire drivers or rent vehicles to customers. Get quotes before you commit to buying.