2025 Top LTL & Truckload Freight Companies

We talk with shippers daily about the best trucking companies, which offer LTL and truckload freight service solutions. And this should be expected as over 50% of the freight spend in the U.S. is with these top trucking companies.

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

This is somewhat of a subjective question because every freight transport carrier has its niche. But it's objective for shippers that count revenue as the standard for who is tops in the freight and logistics industry. In other words, those who are looking for the largest trucking companies in the United States.

Top 20 Truckload Freight Companies

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

LTL shipping and truckload freight carriers address specific - and often not overlapping - needs for shippers on the roadways. We'll  address those in the next two sections.

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Less-than-Truckload (LTL)

LTL freight shipping 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. This creates an efficient freight move for shippers lacking the volume to operate full truckload shipments for some freight lanes. That lack of volume can also prevent them from utilizing a freight consolidation and pooling program from their own docks.

Cost saving opportunities for LTL shipments can be found through

• LTL volume pricing quotes
• LTL classification under an FAK program
• Consolidation programs

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

Temperature controlled LTL shippers should know that the service runs on sailing schedules. And with LTL, co-mingling of other products on the trailer does cause some challenges.

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 are complicated NMFC LTL classifications and their implications for cost and cargo liability coverage.  An additional challenge is the potential for various additional LTL accessorial charges working with truck driving companies.

And a note: A major event occurred in 2023, affecting the LTL list moving forward in 2024 and beyond. One of the top businesses in this space is no longer - with the shuttering of Yellow Trucking (also known as YRC Freight).  The other leading carriers have been picking up the slack - and terminals - since the news broke in August.

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 on LTL and truckload shipments between 7,500 and 15,000 pounds. This is because the cubic capacity in the trailer may be much larger than its actual weight. In cases like these, FTL freight service can be more cost effective for some cargo.  

An example to illustrate the point is a company that ships styrofoam. The company's freight shipments could fill an entire trailer with product, but it would weigh no more than 10,000 pounds. An LTL freight provider would place a heavy premium on pricing such a load as it's not within its target market.

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

Trucking companies also offer liquid tankers and various flatbed mode options.

FTL is the most plentiful freight mode service offered with roughly 700,000 for hire freight hauling companies.  While this does provide a plenty of carrier options, navigating the trucking industry 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 (with trucking company logos).

Top LTL Freight Companies

FedEx

Location: Memphis, Tennessee

Website: www.fedex.com  

Founded: 1973

XPO

Location: Greenwich, CT

Website: www.xpo.com

Founded: 2011

Old Dominion

Location: Thomasville, North Carolina

Website: www.odfl.com

Founded: 1934

TForce Freight

Location: Richmond, Virginia

Website: www.tforcefreight.com

Founded: 1935

Estes Express Line

Location: Richmond, Virginia

Website: www.estes-express.com

Founded: 1931

ABF Freight/ArcBest

Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas

Website: arcb.com/abf-freight

Founded: 1923

R&L Carriers

Location: Wilmington, OH

Website: www.rlcarriers.com

Founded: 1965

Saia Inc.

Location: Johns Creek, Georgia

Website: www.saia.com

Founded: 1924

Southeastern Freight Lines

Location: Lexington, SC

Website: www.sefl.com

Founded: 1950

Averitt Express

Location: Cookeville, TN

Website: www.averittexpress.com

Asset / Non-Asset: Asset

Founded: 1971

Top Truckload Freight Companies

Knight-Swift Transportation

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Established: 1990

Website: knight-swift.com

Services: Truckload / Dedicated / Brokerage / Intermodal / Drayage

Schneider

Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Established: 1935

Website: schneider.com

Services: Truckload / Dedicated / Expedited / Intermodal / Specialized

Landstar

Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Established: 1988

Website: www.landstar.com

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

JB Hunt

Location: Lowell, Arkansas

Established: 1961

Website: www.jbhunt.com

Services: Intermodal / Drayage / Truckload / Dedicated / Brokerage

Prime