2021 Top LTL & Truckload Freight Companies

We talk with shippers daily about LTL, truckload and truckload brokerage potential service solutions. And this should be expected with over 50% of the freight spend in the US is with these two modes of service.

The number one question we are asked is: who are the top freight carriers in the industry.

While this is somewhat of a subjective question because every carrier has its niche, it is objective if one counts revenue as the standard by which shippers vote for who they believe are the tops in the freight and logistics industry.

Top 20 Truckload Freight Companies

• Knight-Swift
• Schneider
• Landstar
• JB Hunt
• Prime
• Werner Enterprises
• CRST
• US Express
• Crete
• CR England
• Roadrunner Transportation
• Covenant Transport
• Western Express
• Heartland Express
• Ruan
• Cardinal
• Marten
• Universal
• P. A. M. Transport

The LTL and truckload freight modes address specific needs for shippers, which we’ll address in the next two sections of this article.

Less-than-Truckload (LTL)

LTL is used for shipments over 150 pounds, but less than 15,000 pounds.  The benefit of LTL for shippers is it combines freight from multiple companies onto one truck to create an efficient freight move for shippers that do not have the volume to operate full truckload shipments for all their freight lanes or to utilize a freight consolidation and pooling program from their own docks.

Cost saving opportunities with LTL shippers can be found through LTL volume pricing quote, LTL classification under an FAK program or consolidation program.

Shippers have both dry and temp-controlled services options available to them.  

Temperature controlled LTL shippers need to be aware that the service runs on sailing schedules, and co-mingling of other products on the trailer does cause some challenges for shippers. 

LTL brings a number of benefits with residential, inside delivery / pick-up, expedited, liftgate and limited access capabilities.  Outside of expedited truckload service, truckload freight options are very limited on the other previously listed benefits.  

On the downside of LTL freight is the complicated NMFC LTL classifications and the implications the classifications has on cost and cargo liability coverage.  An additional challenge is the potential for various additional LTL accessorial charges.

Full Truckload Shipping (FTL)

Full truckload shipping is used for shipments ranging from 7,500 pounds up to 44,500 pounds.  

There is a crossover in weight on LTL and truckload shipments between 7,500 and 15,000 pounds because the cubic capacity in the trailer may be much larger than its actual weight, which drives FTL to be more economical for some freight.  

An example to illustrate the point is a company that ships styrofoam.  The entire trailer could be filled with product, but it weighs no more than 10,000 pounds.  An LTL freight provider would have a heavy premium on its pricing for this load because it is not within its target market.

Like LTL, full truckload standard and expedited options are available for either dry and temp-controlled service for shippers.

Truckload also offers liquid tankers and various flatbed mode options.

FTL is the most plentiful freight mode service offered with roughly 700,000 for hire motor carriers.  While this does provide a great number of options for carriers, it can also feel like hunting for a “needle in a haystack” when looking for the “right” motor carrier for the job.  

To overcome this challenge, shippers often turn to a freight broker to help them find the freight capacity they require.  Freight brokers bring additional benefits, but immediate freight capacity is often the number one reason to bring them into a company’s freight and logistics strategy.

With all the key details addressed above, let’s walk through the top LTL and truckload companies.

Top LTL Freight Companies

FedEx Freight

Location: Memphis, Tennessee

Website: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/freight-services.html  

Founded: 1973

YRC Worldwide

Location: Overland Park, KS

Website: https://www.yrcfreight.com

Founded: 1924

XPO

Location: Greenwich, CT

Website: https://www.xpo.com/

Founded: 2011

Old Dominion

Location: Thomasville, North Carolina

Website: https://www.odfl.com/Home/

Founded: 1934

UPS Freight

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Website: http://ltl.upsfreight.com/

Founded: 1907

Estes Express Line

Location: Richmond, Virginia

Website: https://www.estes-express.com/

Founded: 1931

ABF Freight

Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas

Website: https://arcb.com/abf-freight

Founded: 1923

R&L Carriers

Location: Wilmington, OH

Website: https://www.rlcarriers.com/

Founded: 1965

Saia Inc.

Location: Johns Creek, Georgia

Website: https://www.saia.com/

Founded: 1924

Southeastern Freight Lines

Location: Lexington, SC

Website: https://www.sefl.com

Founded: 1950

Top Truckload Freight Companies

Knight-Swift

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Established: 1990

Website: https://www.knighttrans.com

Services: Truckload / Dedicated / Brokerage / Intermodal / Drayage

Schneider

Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Established: 1935

Website: https://schneider.com/

Services: Truckload / Dedicated / Expedited / Intermodal / Specialized

Landstar

Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Established: 1988

Website: https://www.landstar.com/

Services: Truckload, LTL, Dedicated, Expedited, Heavy Haul

JB Hunt

Location: Lowell, Arkansas

Established: 1961

Website: https://www.jbhunt.com/

Services: Intermodal / Drayage / Truckload / Dedicated / Brokerage

Prime