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Drayage Shipping Services & Transport in Virginia (2026)

Mike Marshall, Shipping Expert
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After evaluating five drayage companies in Virginia, based on affordability, service speed, and customer satisfaction, TNT Transportation Lc is our choice for the most reliable port-to-warehouse service.

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 Virginia. Every Virginia 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 Virginia for your commercial shipping needs.

TNT Transportation Lc

515 N Commerce Ave, Front Royal, VA, 22630
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Building materials
  • Construction equipment
  • Produce
  • General
  • Lumber
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Vehicles
  • Refrigerated food

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Flatbed
  • Auto carrier
  • Container
  • Hopper bottom
  • Oversized
  • Pneumatic
  • Power only
  • Tanker
  • Hot shot
  • Cross-border
  • Alcohol-insured
  • Drayage
  • Hazardous materials

TNT Transportation Lc (DOT: 803275) is a versatile trucking company operating in Virginia, specializing in interstate transportation services. The company offers a wide range of cargo solutions, including building materials, fresh produce, machinery, and motor vehicles. TNT Transportation is equipped with 34 trucks and 68 in total fleet size, offering services like dry van, flatbed, tanker, and pneumatic trailers. Their commitment to safety is evident with a satisfactory safety rating and low unsafe driving and vehicle maintenance scores.

TNT Transportation goes beyond standard freight services, providing specializations in hazardous materials and oversized loads. Business owners can benefit from their dedicated routes and cross-border capabilities. With added value such as health insurance, retirement plans, and guaranteed home time, TNT Transportation supports operational and employee satisfaction, making them a viable choice for businesses looking for reliable trucking solutions.

Safety

  • Crashes: 4
  • Unsafe driving: 0.32
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.15
  • Vehicle maintenance: 2.4
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 19
  • Revenue: $378
  • Miles driven: 1,176,684
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J R Tharpe Trucking Company

401 Pisgah Church Road, Rice, VA, 23966
  • Fleet size: 20 to 49
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Dry bulk commodities
  • General
  • Livestock feed
  • Intermodal containers

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Container
  • Power only
  • Sprinter van
  • Tanker
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-border
  • Consolidation
  • Alcohol-insured
  • Drayage
  • Cross-docking
  • Hazardous materials

J R Tharpe Trucking Company (DOT: 270972) is a reputable freight carrier offering comprehensive trucking services with a fleet size of 266 and an impressive reputation for handling diverse cargo types. The company is equipped to manage dry bulk commodities, general freight, hazardous materials, and intermodal containers. They provide specialized services such as reefer, tanker, and flatbed transport, ensuring a range of options for different logistical needs.

J R Tharpe Trucking Company is especially poised to support commercial shipments with features such as cross-border and drop-trailer services. They offer benefits like health, dental, vision, and disability insurance alongside flexible scheduling and guaranteed home time for their workforce. Additionally, they incentivize new drivers with ongoing training, safety bonuses, and driver referral bonuses, showcasing a commitment to both employee welfare and customer satisfaction.

Safety

  • Crashes: 16
  • Unsafe driving: 0.76
  • Driver fitness: 0.12
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.14
  • Vehicle maintenance: 3.41
  • Controlled substances: 0.09
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 118
  • Revenue: $5,360
  • Miles driven: 6,394,087
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Highways And Skyways Of Nc

1724 S Military Hwy, Chesapeake, VA, 23320
  • Fleet age: 5 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Construction equipment
  • Produce
  • General
  • Intermodal containers
  • Lumber
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Box truck
  • Container
  • Power only
  • Sprinter van
  • Lift-gate
  • Drayage
  • Cross-docking

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Highways And Skyways Of Nc (DOT: 1070890) is an active carrier company known for transporting a diverse range of cargo, including beverages, building materials, fresh produce, and paper products. They feature specialized support such as power-only services, dedicated routes, and drayage, leveraging a fleet of 188 trucks and promoting efficient logistics across interstate routes.

Highways And Skyways Of Nc emphasizes driver support and incentivization, offering paid CDL training and sign-on bonuses. Their commitment to safety is reflected in maintaining a low percentage of driver fitness violations and up-to-date insurance coverage. Furthermore, their cross-docking capabilities facilitate more seamless freight transitions, proving beneficial to businesses seeking reliable commercial shipping solutions.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 5
  • Unsafe driving: 2.11
  • Driver fitness: 0.11
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.08
  • Vehicle maintenance: 3.49
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 175
  • Revenue: $573
  • Miles driven: 10,400,000
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BIR Transport Company, Inc.

2790 Wysor Road, Draper, VA, 24324
  • Fleet size: 20 to 49
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $750,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Construction equipment
  • Farm supplies
  • General
  • Livestock feed
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Container
  • Step deck
  • Lowboy
  • Tanker
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Drayage
  • Hazardous materials

BIR Transport Company, Inc. (DOT: 717687) was established in 1996 and operates a moderate-sized fleet of 57 trucks in Virginia. They stand out for offering specialized services such as tanker transport, drayage, and full flatbed hauling with a focus on various cargo types, including agricultural and farm supplies, building materials, beverages, and paper products. The fleet accommodates a broad range of shipping needs with support for dedicated routes and regional operations.

Known for their commitment to safety and driver support, BIR Transport Company provides several benefits, including health and dental insurance, gym memberships, and ongoing training programs. They offer sign-on and safety bonuses, and ensure guaranteed home time and flexible scheduling for their drivers. With satisfactory safety ratings and a focus on maintaining a safe fleet, they are well-positioned to cater to business owners seeking reliable and specialized freight services.

Safety

  • Crashes: 9
  • Unsafe driving: 1.29
  • Driver fitness: 0.27
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.21
  • Vehicle maintenance: 1.76
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 54
  • Revenue: $1,391
  • Miles driven: 4,189,035
Compare Rates

Food City

26331 Hillman Highway, Abingdon, VA, 24210
  • Fleet size: 20 to 49
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $2,000,000

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Produce
  • Meat
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Box truck
  • Tanker
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Cross-border
  • Consolidation
  • Drayage
  • Hazardous materials

Food City (DOT: 754074) operates as K Va T Food Stores Inc in Virginia with an impressive fleet of 119 trucks. Noteworthy for its capacity to handle refrigerated goods, Food City specializes in beverages, fresh produce, meat, paper products, and other refrigerated foods. The company’s dedicated routes ensure efficient delivery, making them a reliable choice for businesses requiring regular shipments.

The company offers special support for commercial shipments, including hazmat services and cross-border transportation. Food City places a strong emphasis on employee satisfaction, offering benefits such as health and dental insurance, paid CDL training, and tuition reimbursement. Their commitment to driver welfare is further reflected in the availability of per diem payments, flexible scheduling, and gym memberships. With ongoing training development programs and guaranteed home time, Food City stands out as a trucking company that prioritizes both its clients and employees.

Safety

  • Crashes: 15
  • Unsafe driving: 0.26
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
  • Vehicle maintenance: 1.55
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 191
  • Revenue: $11,767
  • Miles driven: 12,800,000
Compare Rates

How Safety Ratings Work in Virginia

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 Virginia

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 Virginia to minimize transit times and costs.
  • Importing/exporting experience: Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia businesses?

Drayage is a crucial part of the shipping process that involves short-distance transportation from ports or rail terminals to distribution centers. For Virginia 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.

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Mike Marshall