Reefer trucking is essential for North Carolina 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, Apex Transit ranks as the leading choice for moving temperature-sensitive freight.
Reefer Shipping Services & Transport in North Carolina
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 North Carolina. Every North Carolina 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 North Carolina for your commercial shipping needs.
Apex Transit
3301 Rotary Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28269- Fleet age: 2 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
Apex Transit (DOT: 2348288) is an active carrier in the transportation industry, providing full-truckload and less-than-truckload services across interstate routes. They handle a diverse array of cargo, including agricultural and farm supplies, beverages, building materials, dry bulk commodities, construction materials, machinery, metal sheets, and paper products. The company’s fleet includes 71 trucks and offers a robust service framework that prioritizes customer needs.
Offering specialized support, Apex Transit utilizes reefer trailers, dry vans, and flatbeds to cater to various commercial shipment needs. With an average fleet age of 2 years, they ensure efficient and timely deliveries. The company prioritizes employee benefits, offering health, dental, and vision insurance, along with a retirement plan and guaranteed home time, positioning itself as an employee-focused organization. Apex Transit maintains a strong online presence with a 4.5 Google rating and a 4.1 Glassdoor rating, reflecting customer and employee satisfaction.
Safety
- Crashes: 5
- Unsafe driving: 2.88
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 1.2
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.9
- Controlled substances: 0.13
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 75
- Revenue: $452,000
- Miles driven: 6,511,485
Gool Trucking
325 Peachtree Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28216- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Trash
- General
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
Gool Trucking (DOT: 905141) is a North Carolina-based carrier known for its expertise in handling a diverse array of cargo, including general freight, building materials, metal sheets, paper products, and machinery. Despite being newly established, Gool Trucking demonstrates a commitment to quality service with a fleet of 5 trucks and offers specialized services such as flatbed, dry van, and partial truckload shipments.
Gool Trucking stands out by providing essential support for commercial shipments, including paid CDL training and guaranteed home time for drivers. They offer competitive driver benefits such as health, dental, and vision insurance as well as a retirement plan. Safety is prioritized with an emphasis on ongoing training and vehicle maintenance. Gool Trucking’s dedication to reliability and flexibility makes it a dependable choice for businesses seeking tailored transportation solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 4
- Revenue: $332,000
- Miles driven: 1
CLT Express, LLC
8418 Mount Holly Road, Charlotte, NC, 28214- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
CLT Express, LLC (DOT: 2449060) is a vibrant trucking company based in North Carolina, offering a diverse range of shipping services. Established with a fleet of 68 vehicles, CLT Express specializes in full truckload, less than truckload, parcel, and flatbed shipping. They efficiently handle a wide variety of cargo, including beverages, dry bulk commodities, general freight, metal: sheets coils rolls, paper products, and U.S. mail.
Committed to their clients, CLT Express offers specialized support for commercial shipments with enhancements like guaranteed home time, paid CDL training, safety bonuses, and health insurance. The company ensures competitive ties through sign-on bonuses and supports a work environment conducive to new drivers. With zero reported crash injuries or fatalities, CLT Express maintains a commitment to safety that is evident through their industry-standard driving and maintenance practices. Their approach makes them a reliable partner for businesses in need of dependable freight transportation solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 3.6
- Driver fitness: 0.04
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.65
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.83
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 36
- Miles driven: 4,720,000
Crown Lsp Group Dba Crown Carriers
400 English Rd, Rocky Mount, NC, 27804- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- General
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
Crown Lsp Group Dba Crown Carriers (DOT: 670852) is a notable trucking company with a fleet size of 54 vehicles and operates out of North Carolina. They specialize in transporting general freight and paper products with a strong focus on reliability and safety, evidenced by their satisfactory safety rating and competitive employee benefits such as health, dental, and vision insurance. Their services include full truckload, partial truckload, dry van, and last-mile deliveries, making them adaptable to various shipping needs.
Crown Lsp Group is committed to providing robust support for commercial shipments, offering ongoing training and development programs, as well as guaranteed home time for drivers. The company’s service offerings and dedication to employee welfare position them as a trusted partner for businesses seeking efficient and reliable transportation solutions for their products. Despite having reported minimal incidents, their emphasis on safe driver practices makes them a balanced choice for shippers prioritizing both service and security.
Safety
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 0.77
- Driver fitness: 0.64
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.69
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.93
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 27
- Revenue: $4,451,000
- Miles driven: 1,390,770
RED Classic Transit, LLC
1800 Continental BLVD Suite 103, Charlotte, NC, 28273- Fleet size: 50-99 Corp Only
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $7,500,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- General
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Tanker
RED Classic Transit, LLC (DOT: 2097834) is a reputable trucking company operating since 2011 within the transportation industry. They manage a substantial fleet encompassing 679 trucks and excel at providing full truckload (FTL) and less than truckload (LTL) services. Specializing in transporting general freight, beverages, and paper products, they are equipped to meet diverse shipping needs efficiently.
In addition to traditional freight services, RED Classic Transit offers specialized support with team driving opportunities and dedicated routes, ensuring timely and reliable deliveries. They prioritize employee satisfaction through health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as paid CDL training. With a safety emphasis reflected in low hazardous materials violations and a focus on safety bonuses, they offer an attractive choice for business owners seeking a dependable logistics partner.
Safety
- Crashes: 43
- Unsafe driving: 0.59
- Driver fitness: 0.01
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.02
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.37
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 785
- Revenue: $1,765,000
- Miles driven: 51,500,000
Hendrix Transport, Inc.
2310 Surrett Dr, High Point, NC, 27263- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- General
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Hendrix Transport, Inc. (DOT: 148235) is a reputable North Carolina-based trucking company established in 1960. They specialize in full and partial truckloads, with a focus on general freight, including dry van and flatbed services. Known for their satisfactory safety rating, Hendrix Transport emphasizes reliable and secure transport solutions for businesses throughout their operations.
Hendrix Transport supports commercial shipments with a team of local and regional drivers, providing personalized service that ensures prompt and efficient deliveries. They offer employee benefits such as health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as a 401(k) retirement plan, ensuring a dedicated and well-cared-for workforce. Their commitment to safety and reliability makes them a trusted partner for business owners in need of dependable freight services.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 2.96
- Driver fitness: 0.01
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 7.21
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 11
- Revenue: $15,823,000
- Miles driven: 498,424
Whitaker & Whitaker Trucking Company, Inc.
1631 Briley Rd, Greenville, NC, 27834- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- General
- Livestock feed
- Livestock
- Lumber
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Whitaker & Whitaker Trucking Company, Inc. (DOT: 526465) is a North Carolina-based carrier specializing in transportation since its establishment. Known for handling general freight, building materials, and grain feed hay, they also transport logs, poles, beams, and lumber, demonstrating expertise in a diverse range of cargo.
While they offer full truckload, less than truckload, and partial truckload services, Whitaker & Whitaker emphasizes flexibility and efficiency in shipment. The trucking company maintains an active interstate carrier operation with a small but effective fleet. In addition to their core services, they provide health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance for employees, along with a retirement plan. Their commitment to service is underlined by their consistently strong ratings on multiple review platforms, offering business owners a reliable choice for commercial shipments.
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: 2
- Miles driven: 70,000
American Emo Trans, Inc.
2600 Hutchison Mcdonald, Charlotte, NC, 28269- Fleet size: 11 to 25
- Fleet age: Not Specified
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- General
- Machinery & large objects
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
American Emo Trans, Inc. (DOT: 929336) is a notable carrier based in North Carolina, specializing in general freight and the transportation of large machinery. With a fleet size of 16 vehicles, including 8 trucks, the company is a competent choice for business owners looking for a reliable shipping partner. They offer both full and partial truckload services, with capabilities in flatbed and dry van transport, ensuring a range of options to meet diverse logistics needs.
While the company does not provide certain specialized services like hazardous materials or refrigerated foods, they offer essential commercial shipment support. With services like last-mile delivery, American Emo Trans presents an appealing option for businesses requiring flexible transportation solutions. Furthermore, their commitment to customer satisfaction is reflected in positive Google reviews, making them a trustworthy partner in the transportation industry.
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: 2
- Revenue: $3,092,000
- Miles driven: 12,500
Whitley Logistics, Inc.
6117 Fayetteville Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27603- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- General
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
Whitley Logistics, Inc. (DOT: 1338406) is an active and reliable freight trucking company based in North Carolina, catering to a variety of transportation needs. Specializing in full truckload, less-than-truckload, and partial truckload services, Whitley Logistics effectively handles general freight and other cargo types. Established with a fleet size exceeding 80 vehicles, their modern vehicles, averaging five years in age, ensure efficient and safe delivery. With a strong team of 55 interstate drivers, including those proficient in reefer transport, Whitley Logistics emphasizes capabilities that ensure timely and precise freight handling.
Whitley Logistics offers several specialized supports for commercial shipments, including guaranteed home time for drivers and a comprehensive benefits package that features health, dental, vision, and disability insurance. The company prioritizes driver safety and maintains a strong safety record, with zero crash fatalities reported. Targeting a diverse array of business needs, Whitley Logistics ensures dependable and professional services backed by positive ratings on platforms like Indeed and Yelp.
Safety
- Crashes: 6
- Unsafe driving: 4.87
- Driver fitness: 0.36
- Hours-of-service compliance: 1.36
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.79
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 65
- Revenue: $22,923,000
- Miles driven: 3,000,000
Across Transport Corp
8709 Parkchester Dr, Charlotte, NC, 28277- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- General
- Lumber
- Metal materials
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
Across Transport Corp (DOT: 2369003) is a North Carolina-based trucking company known for its reliable service and fleet of 12 trucks and 24 units, specializing in a wide array of cargo such as building materials, construction supplies, and logs, poles, beams, and lumber. Their focus on full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) services ensures they meet a broad spectrum of shipping needs for businesses, offering solutions like flatbed and dry van transport.
Across Transport Corp provides comprehensive support for commercial shipments, emphasizing safety with no reported crashes or injuries and maintaining excellent vehicle and driver standards. Despite not offering certain support programs like team driving and truck lease purchase, their commitment to employee well-being is reflected in offering health, dental, and vision insurance. Business owners seeking efficient and versatile trucking solutions will find this company to be a reliable partner for their logistics needs.
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: 14
- Revenue: $727,000
- Miles driven: 75,124
How Safety Ratings Work in North Carolina
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 North Carolina for Your Shipments
Whether you manage a food, pharmaceutical, or retail operation in North Carolina, 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 North Carolina?
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 North Carolina?
Reefer shipping is commercial transport via refrigerated trucks and trailers that maintain controlled temperatures for products that are sensitive to heat or cold. In North Carolina, 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
