Reefer trucking is essential for Iowa companies that sell perishable food products and other goods that require refrigeration in transit. After evaluating top Reefer shipping services on factors like cost, dependability, safety, and customer satisfaction, General Logistics, Inc. ranks as the leading choice for moving temperature-sensitive freight.
Reefer Shipping Services & Transport in Iowa
Check out our top recommendations for the best reefer trucking companies to ensure your products arrive fresh and secure.
Why Trust FreightWaves Ratings?
There’s a reason we’re one of the world’s leading authorities on the global freight market. Our expert team has an in-depth understanding of the industry and is up-to-date on employment trends, regulations, and other insights into the trucking workforce.
We conduct thorough research and data analysis to develop our recommendations for the best trucking companies in Iowa. Every Iowa trucking firm is closely scrutinized based on its service range and capabilities. Our team also verifies companies’ safety records and regulatory compliance and looks at what real users have to say about their experience.
From there, we narrow our focus to select only those top-performing and highest-rated firms to give you an informed and up-to-date list of the best trucking companies in Iowa for your commercial shipping needs.
General Logistics, Inc.
5000 Tremont Avenue Suite 300b, Davenport, IA, 52807- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- General
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
General Logistics, Inc. (DOT: 315357) operates as a prominent freight carrier within Iowa, offering comprehensive shipping solutions since its establishment. The company boasts a diverse fleet comprising 58 trucks, specialized in handling a variety of cargo, including building materials, general freight, metal sheets, coils, rolls, and paper products. General Logistics, Inc. distinguishes itself with proficient service offerings such as flatbed, reefer, and less-than-truckload options, ensuring versatile shipping solutions tailored to specific customer needs.
Focusing on safety, General Logistics, Inc. maintains a satisfactory safety rating and demonstrates a commitment to driver welfare through benefits like health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. Despite isolated incidents involving crashes, the company emphasizes reliable delivery through extensive regional, local, and over-the-road driver networks. Business owners seeking a dependable partner for commercial shipping will find value in General Logistics’ dedicated approach to securing and delivering cargo seamlessly.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 2.82
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 1.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.2
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 80
- Revenue: $707,000
- Miles driven: 6,065,613
West Side Transport, Inc.
11801 6th St Sw, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- General
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
West Side Transport, Inc. (DOT: 165881) is a reputable freight trucking company based in Iowa. With a fleet size of over 1000 trucks, the company specializes in full and partial truckload services, leveraging reefer and flatbed options. Founded as an active carrier, they have carved a niche in transporting building materials, paper products, and general freight. Their commitment to safety is reflected in a satisfactory safety rating despite experiences of crash incidents.
West Side Transport places a strong emphasis on employee benefits, offering health, dental, and vision insurance, along with retirement plans and guaranteed home time. They provide dedicated and team driver services, ensuring timely delivery and robust customer support. Their operations span interstate commerce and focus on providing quality logistics solutions for businesses looking to ship their products efficiently and reliably.
Safety
- Crashes: 43
- Unsafe driving: 1.33
- Driver fitness: 0.01
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.13
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.54
- Controlled substances: 0.02
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 567
- Revenue: $107,398,000
- Miles driven: 47,300,000
Solar Transport Company
1150 Locust Street Suite 301, Des Moines, IA, 50309- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $8,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Chemicals
- General
- Liquids & gases
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Solar Transport Company (DOT: 231451) is a versatile trucking company that excels in transporting both general freight and specialized cargo such as chemicals and liquids/gases, ensuring diverse customer needs are met. They maintain a fleet that includes flatbed and dry van trucks, focusing on full and partial truckload services which are essential for efficiently managing cargo of various sizes.
This Iowa-based company offers extensive support for commercial shipments, including dedicated routes and team driver services. With a satisfactory safety rating and an emphasis on ongoing training and development, Solar Transport Company prioritizes safety and driver skill enhancement. In addition to offering sign-on and safety bonuses, they provide benefits like health, dental, and vision insurance, paid CDL training, and a 401(k) retirement plan, making them an attractive option for both clients and truck drivers.
Safety
- Crashes: 9
- Unsafe driving: 1.0
- Driver fitness: 0.03
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.12
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.91
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 8
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 228
- Revenue: $453,000
- Miles driven: 13,300,000
DHL Freight
1909 E 17th Street, Des Moines, IA, 50316- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $5,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Livestock feed
- Intermodal containers
- Liquids & gases
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Container
- Last-mile delivery
- Cross-border
DHL Freight (DOT: 1996747) is a prominent trucking company operating in Iowa as both a broker and carrier, with a total fleet size of 604 vehicles, including 302 trucks. They offer an array of services such as full truckload (FTL), less than truckload (LTL), parcel, and dedicated routes. Their service specialization includes carrying a variety of cargo, such as agricultural supplies, building materials, chemicals, and metal sheets.
DHL Freight distinguishes itself with strong commitments to team driving opportunities, guaranteed home time, and ongoing training development programs. They provide comprehensive employee benefits, including health, dental, vision, disability insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan. Special support is offered for commercial shipments through refrigerated (reefer) and intermodal container services. Known for their satisfactory safety rating and cross-border capabilities, DHL Freight is an ideal partner for businesses seeking reliable and supportive logistics services.
Safety
- Crashes: 24
- Unsafe driving: 1.46
- Driver fitness: 0.14
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.16
- Vehicle maintenance: 6.04
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 1
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 277
- Miles driven: 18,600,000
NEY Trucking, Inc.
5070 Wolff Rd, Dubuque, IA, 52002- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Dry bulk commodities
- Produce
- General
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
NEY Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 315228) offers reliable interstate trucking services with a satisfactory safety rating. They specialize in full truckload (FTL) shipments and less-than-truckload (LTL) services, focusing on transporting commodities such as dry bulk, fresh produce, paper products, and general freight. Their fleet includes both flatbed and refrigerated trailers, emphasizing versatility in cargo handling.
The company is dedicated to employee well-being, offering benefits like health, dental, life, and vision insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Despite being a small operation with 5 trucks and 5 drivers, NEY Trucking has managed to maintain efficient operations, evidenced by their careful safety scores and zero crash records. With an average fleet age of 5 years, NEY Trucking is well-equipped to provide high-quality service while ensuring competitive compensation packages for its drivers.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 5
- Revenue: $556,000
- Miles driven: 159,472
CIT Signature Transportation
1501 East Lincoln Way, Ames, IA, 50010- Fleet age: 2 years
- Insurance: $5,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
CIT Signature Transportation (DOT: 746649) is a reputable carrier based in Iowa, primarily focused on passenger transportation. With a fleet of 40 vehicles, including 20 buses, they excel in providing team driving services, leveraging their robust infrastructure to ensure safe and efficient interstate operations.
Specializing in less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload services, CIT Signature Transportation is adept at handling an array of cargo needs. Despite the main focus on passenger transport, their fleet includes flatbed and dry van options. Known for their excellent safety record with no reported crashes, they offer a suite of employee benefits, including health, vision, and dental insurance, as well as a 401(k) retirement plan and paid time off, making them an attractive choice for drivers seeking a stable work environment.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 24
- Miles driven: 544,306
Contract Transport, Inc.
1440 Vermont, Des Moines, IA, 50314- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- General
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
Contract Transport, Inc. (DOT: 165826) is a reputable trucking company founded in 1963 in Iowa, known for its reliable transportation services. The company operates a fleet of over 65 trucks and excels in offering both full and less-than-truckload services. Specializing in general freight and U.S. mail, the company demonstrates a commitment to handling a variety of cargo types efficiently.
Contract Transport supports commercial shipping needs with features like team driving opportunities and a robust fleet of reefer trucks for temperature-sensitive goods. Clients benefit from competitive advantages, including a sign-on bonus and comprehensive health, dental, and disability insurance plans, highlighting their focus on driver welfare. With an “Active” status and a satisfactory safety rating, the company ensures dependable service while maintaining moderate safety and maintenance scores.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 0.49
- Driver fitness: 0.28
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.46
- Vehicle maintenance: 9.4
- Controlled substances: 0.12
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 65
- Revenue: $15,822,000
- Miles driven: 3,900,000
Dedicated Transportation Systems, LLC
915 Floral Lane, Davenport, IA, 52802- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- General
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
Dedicated Transportation Systems, LLC (DOT: 514689) is a reputable trucking company based in Iowa, known for its flexible freight solutions. With a fleet of 85 trucks, they provide a range of services including full truckload (FTL), less than truckload (LTL), and parcel deliveries. Specializing in general freight, their offerings include dry van and box truck services, catering to varying client needs with a focus on reliable and efficient transportation.
Dedicated Transportation Systems places a strong emphasis on driver support, offering regional, local, and over-the-road (OTR) positions. Key benefits include health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, along with life insurance and 401(k) retirement plans. Safety is a priority, demonstrated by average vehicle maintenance scores and ongoing safety bonuses. This carrier prides itself on its outstanding customer service and is an active entity under US DOT regulations, proving itself as a commendable choice for businesses seeking dependable logistics partners.
Safety
- Crashes: 9
- Unsafe driving: 3.06
- Driver fitness: 0.06
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.44
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.93
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 75
- Revenue: $1,194,000
- Miles driven: 5,064,552
Quest Liner
2099 Southpark Ct Ste 1, Dubuque, IA, 52003- Fleet size: 100+ Corp Only
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $5,000,000
Cargo Types
- Chemicals
- Dry bulk commodities
- Liquids & gases
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Cross-border
Quest Liner (DOT: 1609038) is a prominent transportation company specializing in the interstate carriage of various goods, including chemicals and dry bulk commodities. They boast a fleet size of over 600 vehicles, supported by 307 highly skilled drivers. Quest Liner offers full and partial truckload services and excels in handling liquid and gaseous cargoes, which is complemented by their fleet of tankers and dry vans.
This company’s commitment to safety is underscored by their focus on maintaining a well-rehearsed fleet averaging five years in age. Quest Liner provides comprehensive employee benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, alongside retirement plans. They also ensure their drivers have the support they need through direct deposit and paid time off. Noteworthy is their capacity to support cross-border shipments, making Quest Liner a robust choice for business owners seeking a reliable logistics partner with an extensive array of services.
Safety
- Crashes: 22
- Unsafe driving: 1.5
- Driver fitness: 0.01
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.03
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.31
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 15
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 307
- Revenue: $20,938,000
- Miles driven: 22,700,000
JMS Trucking
5650 6th St Sw, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- General
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
JMS Trucking (DOT: 544457) is a reputable trucking company established in 1992 in Iowa. They offer a comprehensive range of services, specializing in full truckload and less-than-truckload shipments. The company is equipped to handle general freight and paper products, utilizing a modern fleet that includes dry van and reefer trailers, providing reliable and efficient logistics solutions.
JMS Trucking is noted for its team driving opportunities and ongoing training and development programs. They are committed to maintaining safety, exemplified by their satisfactory safety rating. The company offers appealing benefits like health, dental, vision, and life insurance, alongside a retirement plan. Businesses seeking a dependable carrier for their commercial shipments will find JMS Trucking’s structured support and consistent service highly beneficial.
Safety
- Crashes: 6
- Unsafe driving: 1.25
- Driver fitness: 0.09
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.34
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.46
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 115
- Revenue: $1,668,000
- Miles driven: 7,226,107
How Safety Ratings Work in Iowa
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Compliance, Safety & Accountability (CSA) program evaluates trucking companies using BASICS (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories)
Here’s a look at what each of the BASICS cover:
- Crashes: Trucking companies are required to report any accidents that result in injury or death. The FMSCA uses these state-reported crashes to determine any patterns of crash involvement and potential behaviors contributing to that pattern.
- Unsafe driving: This CSA category covers behaviors like texting and speeding that can lead to accidents
- Driver fitness: The FMCSA requires trucking companies to keep up-to-date records on their drivers. That includes identification and paperwork like CDLs, annual driving reviews, and any relevant medical certifications or documentation. Violations of this category will result in lower overall safety scores.
- Hours-of-service compliance: The FMCSA cites truckers and trucking companies that do not follow or enforce hours-of-service regulations that limit how much time a large commercial vehicle operator can be on the road without rest.
- Vehicle maintenance: Truckers are responsible for completing inspections before hitting the road on a route. They must also log any issues and have repairs to those identified problems completed before operating the truck.
- Controlled substances: As with all vehicle operators, truckers must be sober behind the wheel. This category accounts for violations issued to a trucking company’s driver(s) for being under the influence of or in possession of alcohol and street drugs or prescriptionor over-the-counter medicines that could impair judgement.
- Hazardous materials violations: Trucking companies and their drivers must exhibit proper loading and handling of hazardous materials, including labeling these items correctly, ensuring packaging meets regulations, and follows all restrictions and rules for the vehicle type.
Companies scoring a zero for any or all of the above categories did not receive any citations or other violations within a given month. Essentially, any trucking company that has multiple zeroes in these categories can likely be considered a safe freight shipper in compliance with all FMCSA standards and regulatory requirement.
Choosing the Right Reefer Trucking Company in Iowa for Your Shipments
Whether you manage a food, pharmaceutical, or retail operation in Iowa, here are some tips on what to look for in reefer trucking company for your refrigerated shipments:
- Temperature-control capabilities: Choose a carrier that provides precise temperature monitoring and control to ensure your products stay within safe temperature ranges throughout the journey.
- Specialized Reefer options: Look for companies with a variety of Reefer trailer sizes and configurations to accommodate different loads and product requirements.
- Driver experience and training: Experienced drivers trained in handling Reefer loads can help prevent temperature fluctuations and ensure safe, timely deliveries.
- Tracking tools: Carriers with GPS and real-time monitoring tools keep you informed on the location and condition of your shipment.
- Fleet maintenance: Well-maintained reefer trucks minimize the risk of breakdowns that could compromise the quality of your products.
- Customer support: A company with a reputation for customer service and dedicated logistics and freight management teams will be better able to handle any changes or issues with your shipment.
- Safety record and compliance: Check a company’s CSA score to make sure they have a history of safe transport and are compliant with industry regulations.
FAQs
What products are best transported by truck in Iowa?
The products that are best transported by truck in the U.S. include commodities like:
- Building materials
- Food and beverages
- Furniture
- Clothing
- Electronics
What is Reefer shipping, and when is it needed for businesses in Iowa?
Reefer shipping is commercial transport via refrigerated trucks and trailers that maintain controlled temperatures for products that are sensitive to heat or cold. In Iowa, businesses that ship food, pharmaceuticals, flowers, and other perishables rely on Reefer shipping to ensure product quality and prevent spoilage or damage during transit.
How does Reefer shipping protect temperature-sensitive goods?
Reefer shipping protects temperature-sensitive goods by utilizing trucks equipped with refrigeration units that can maintain specific temperature settings. By controlling the climate inside the trailer, Reefer shipping reduces the risk of spoilage and extends product shelf life during transport.
Other Types of Transport Options for Your Shipments
Depending on the types of products your business retails or manufactures, you may have several shipping options to choose from.
- Hopper Bottom Shipping Services
- Beverage Shipping Services
- Box Truck Shipping Services
- Drayage Shipping Services
- Dry Bulk Shipping Services
- Dry Van Shipping Services
- Flatbed Shipping Services
- Hot Shot Shipping Services
- Intermodal Shipping Services
- LTL Shipping Services
- Parcel Delivery Shipping Services
- Pneumatic Shipping Services
- Power-Only Shipping Services
- Tanker Shipping Services