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.
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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Cost saving opportunities for LTL shipments can be found through
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.
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).
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Website: www.fedex.com
Founded: 1973
Location: Greenwich, CT
Website: www.xpo.com
Founded: 2011
Location: Thomasville, North Carolina
Website: www.odfl.com
Founded: 1934
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Website: www.tforcefreight.com
Founded: 1935
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Website: www.estes-express.com
Founded: 1931
Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas
Website: arcb.com/abf-freight
Founded: 1923
Location: Wilmington, OH
Website: www.rlcarriers.com
Founded: 1965
Location: Johns Creek, Georgia
Website: www.saia.com
Founded: 1924
Location: Lexington, SC
Website: www.sefl.com
Founded: 1950
Location: Cookeville, TN
Website: www.averittexpress.com
Asset / Non-Asset: Asset
Founded: 1971
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Established: 1990
Website: knight-swift.com
Services: Truckload / Dedicated / Brokerage / Intermodal / Drayage
Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Established: 1935
Website: schneider.com
Services: Truckload / Dedicated / Expedited / Intermodal / Specialized
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Established: 1988
Website: www.landstar.com
Services: Truckload, LTL, Dedicated, Expedited, Heavy Haul
Location: Lowell, Arkansas
Established: 1961
Website: www.jbhunt.com
Services: Intermodal / Drayage / Truckload / Dedicated / Brokerage
Established: 1970
Location: Springfield, Missouri
Website: www.primeinc.com
Services: Refrigerated Truckload, Flatbed, Tanker
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Established: 1956
Website: www.werner.com
Services: Truckload, Dedicated, Expedited, Temp Controlled, Flatbed
Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Established: 1955
Website: crst.com/transportation-solutions
Services: Truckload, Expedited, Dedicated, Flatbed
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Established: 1986
Website: www.usxpress.com
Services: Truckload, Dedicated
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Established: 1966
Website: www.cretecarrier.com
Services: Truckload, Temp Controlled, Specialized
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Established: 1920
Website: www.crengland.com
Services: Truckload, Temp Controlled, Intermodal, Dedicated
Location: Downers Grove, Illinois
Established: 1984
Website: www.rrts.com
Services: Truckload, LTL, Temp Controlled
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Established: 1986
Website: www.covenanttransport.com
Services: Truckload, Expedited
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Established: 1990
Website: www.westernexp.com
Services: Truckload, Dedicated, Flatbed
Location: North Liberty, Iowa
Established: 1978
Website: www.heartlandexpress.com
Services: Truckload, Dedicated
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Established: 1932
Website: www.ruan.com
Services: Truckload, Dedicated
Location: Concord, North Carolina
Established: 1981
Website: www.cardlog.com
Services: Dedicated
Location: Mondovi, Wisconsin
Established: 1946
Website: www.marten.com
Services: Temp Controlled Truckload
Location: Warren, Michigan
Established: 1932
Website: www.universallogistics.com
Services: Truckload, Dedicated
Location: Tontitown, Arkansas
Established: 1980
Website: www.pamtransport.com
Services: Truckload, Expedited, Dedicated
As you decide which trucking carrier is best for you, read the following articles for help with pricing your freight class:
Freight Costs: An Insider’s Look on Freight Pricing Buyers Should Know
How-to Negotiate & Execute Best Freight Rates: Comprehensive Guide
Freight Contract Rates vs Spot Rates - Comprehensive Guide
If you are looking at alternatives for your freight truck shipping options, we would love to be a part of that conversation. Simply fill in our Request a Quote form to learn more about how we can help.