After evaluating four drayage companies in Rhode Island, based on affordability, service speed, and customer satisfaction, R Mello Trucking is our choice for the most reliable port-to-warehouse service.
Drayage Shipping Services & Transport in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island. Every Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island for your commercial shipping needs.
R Mello Trucking
18 Peace Street, Middletown, RI, 2842- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Coal coke
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- Produce
- Trash
- General
- Livestock feed
- Intermodal containers
- Liquids & gases
- Livestock
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Mobile homes
- Vehicles
- Oilfield equipment
- Utility tools, parts & equipment
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
- Water well
Truck Types
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Container
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Drayage
R Mello Trucking (DOT: 486534) specializes in interstate transport, offering an array of services to meet diverse cargo needs. Established in Rhode Island, the company boasts a fleet of 6 units, with expertise in hauling agricultural supplies, building materials, refrigerated foods, and dry bulk commodities. Their operations also include transporting construction materials, fresh produce, and oilfield equipment, highlighting their capacity to handle a wide range of heavy and specialized freight.
R Mello Trucking takes pride in providing dedicated routes and team driving services, ensuring timely and efficient deliveries. They also support commercial shipments with advanced features like lift gates and expedited services. Offering safety bonuses, direct deposit, 401(k) retirement plans, and flexible scheduling, they demonstrate a commitment to driver well-being and satisfaction. With an unblemished safety record and robust support for team drivers, R Mello Trucking stands out as a reliable choice for business owners seeking dependable freight solutions.
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: 4
- Revenue: $295
- Miles driven: 36,000
KEY Corporation
170 Fiore Industrial Dr, Wakefield, RI, 2879- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- General
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Utility tools, parts & equipment
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Box truck
- Container
- Pneumatic
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Hot shot
- B-train semi
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Alcohol-insured
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
KEY Corporation (DOT: 2891299) is an experienced trucking entity based in Rhode Island, notable for their handling of construction materials, general freight, machinery, and logs. They offer specialized services with a focus on delivering tailored solutions for businesses, including cross-border operations and hazardous materials transportation.
KEY Corporation is equipped with reefer, tanker, and box truck capabilities, supporting both dedicated and over-the-road drivers. Their commitment to driver satisfaction is evident through benefits like sign-on bonuses, paid CDL training, and various insurance options. Their operational focus on managed transportation and cross-docking ensures streamlined logistics solutions, making them a reliable partner for businesses seeking efficient and secure freight services.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 1.61
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 2.5
- Vehicle maintenance: 6.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 11
- Revenue: $2,738
- Miles driven: 15,911
Patriot Hauling Co
2208 Plainfield Pike, Johnston, RI, 2919- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $2,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- General
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Container
- Step deck
- Lowboy
- Oversized
- Power only
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Alcohol-insured
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Patriot Hauling Co (DOT: 751284) is a dynamic trucking company based in Rhode Island, established in 1998. Operating a fleet of 235 trucks, Patriot specializes in transporting building materials, general freight, machinery, and metal such as sheets, coils, and rolls. Known for its reliable flatbed and lowboy services, the company offers specialized support for oversized shipments and hazardous materials, ensuring safety and efficiency in every haul.
Patriot Hauling Co offers several commercial shipping services, including power-only, tanker, and managed transportation solutions, with an emphasis on direct customer interaction. They support regional and over-the-road (OTR) driving opportunities and provide valuable employee benefits like health insurance, ongoing training programs, and a supportive work environment. As they uphold a satisfactory safety rating, business owners can rely on Patriot Hauling for efficient and secure logistical support.
Safety
- Crashes: 6
- Unsafe driving: 0.57
- Driver fitness: 0.12
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.52
- Vehicle maintenance: 6.07
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 75
- Revenue: $13,955,000
- Miles driven: 1,844,658
UNI Trans Transportation, LLC
16 Countryside Drive, Johnston, RI, 2919- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Auto carrier
- Container
- Step deck
- Lowboy
- Oversized
- Power only
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Hot shot
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
UNI Trans Transportation, LLC (DOT: 1009270) is an active carrier with a satisfactory safety rating, providing standout trucking services from Rhode Island. Their extensive capability includes tanker, flatbed, and dry van services, with a specialization in handling building materials and construction equipment. They have a total fleet size of 26, including vehicles for oversized loads and sprinter vans.
UNI Trans excels in offering specialized support for commercial shipments with their power-only and hot shot services. They maintain flexibility with regional and dedicated routes, and their team drivers offer expedited service, beneficial for urgent cargo needs. Their attractive conditions include a sign-on bonus, comprehensive insurance options, and guaranteed home time for drivers, ensuring reliability and efficiency in freight management.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 2.23
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.09
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.88
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 13
- Miles driven: 681,722
How Safety Ratings Work in Rhode Island
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) 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 Drayage Transport Company for Your Shipments in Rhode Island
Here’s how to find dependable Drayage services for short-haul moves:
- Proximity to ports and rail yards: Select a Drayage provider close to key terminals in Rhode Island to minimize transit times and costs.
- Importing/exporting experience: Rhode Island carriers that specialize in Drayage understand how to navigate port processes and reduce potential delays.
- Fleet capacity and availability: A carrier with a sufficient fleet of well-maintained trucks will be better-eqipped to handle fluctuating shipment volumes.
- Real-time tracking: Opt for Rhode Island Drayage companies with GPS and tracking tools for better visibility into shipment locations and statuses.
- Compliance and safety standards: Ensure the company meets all FMCSA safety and regulatory requirements for port-related trucking.
- Efficient communication: Reliable customer service is key, particularly for urgent deliveries or high-volume Drayage needs.
FAQs
What role does Drayage play in the shipping process for Rhode Island businesses?
Drayage is a crucial part of the shipping process that involves short-distance transportation from ports or rail terminals to distribution centers. For Rhode Island businesses, it acts as a vital link between large-scale transportation and local warehousing or distribution.
How does Drayage help streamline intermodal shipping?
Drayage is essential in intermodal shipping because it facilitates the transfer of goods between various transportation modes, such as rail to truck. It minimizes handling times, which in turn improves delivery efficiency and reduces overall shipping costs.
What types of goods are typically handled in Drayage shipping?
Drayage shipping typically handles containerized goods, including consumer products, machinery, electronics, and imported materials. These goods are transported from ports or rail hubs to warehouses or distribution points for further processing or delivery.
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
- 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
- Reefer Shipping Services
- Tanker Shipping Services
