After evaluating eight drayage companies in North Carolina, based on affordability, service speed, and customer satisfaction, National Freight Operations is our choice for the most reliable port-to-warehouse service.
Drayage Shipping Services & Transport in North Carolina
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.
National Freight Operations
525 Tryon Street Suite 1600, Charlotte, NC, 28202- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
National Freight Operations (DOT: 3361914) is a reputable freight trucking company founded in 2015 and based in North Carolina. They operate a fleet with 114 trucks of diverse types, including flatbed and dry van options. The company handles a wide range of cargo such as agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, and refrigerated foods. Notably, they offer services for hazardous materials and machinery, specializing in both full and partial truckloads, which is ideal for business owners needing flexible shipping solutions.
National Freight Operations provides specialized support for commercial shipments with a range of dedicated routes and regional, local, and inter-state driving options, ensuring reliable and timely deliveries. Their emphasis on safety and driver satisfaction is showcased by their zero crash reports, and they offer robust benefits like health and dental insurance, paid time off, and a retirement plan. Business owners seeking comprehensive logistics solutions will appreciate their commitment to precision and professionalism.
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: 110
- Revenue: $1,052,000
- Miles driven: 4,322,244
TMX Intermodal Wilmington, Inc.
120 Bryan Rd, Wilmington, NC, 28412- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Chemicals
- General
- Intermodal containers
Truck Types
- Container
- Drayage
TMX Intermodal Wilmington, Inc. (DOT: 1804571) is a carrier based in North Carolina, specializing in the transportation of intermodal containers and general freight. With a fleet of 10 trucks and 20 total fleet units, they prioritize efficient interstate operations. They carry a variety of cargo, including chemicals, which highlights their ability to manage specialized shipments safely and securely.
Providing drayage services, TMX Intermodal focuses on the seamless transfer of cargo between different transport modes. Despite the absence of additional perks such as team driving opportunities or direct deposit, their active status since their establishment, backed by an impressive safety record with no crash fatalities or injuries, indicates reliability and commitment to service quality. Business owners seeking reliable and secure cargo transport will find TMX Intermodal Wilmington a trustworthy partner in logistics.
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: 10
- Revenue: $4,152,000
- Miles driven: 30,000
Trinity Transport, Inc.
317 Green Needles Road, Lexington, NC, 27295- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Farm supplies
- General
- Livestock feed
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Container
- Power only
- Tanker
- Cross-border
- Consolidation
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
Trinity Transport, Inc. (DOT: 593169) is a reputable trucking company established in 2007, operating in North Carolina with a fleet of 50 trucks. Known for its diverse capabilities, Trinity specializes in transporting a variety of cargo, including agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, machinery, and paper products. The company offers specialized support through services like power-only operations, flatbed hauling, and hazmat transportation.
Trinity Transport is dedicated to providing robust commercial shipment support, featuring services such as regional driving, cross-docking, drayage, and cross-border transport. The company emphasizes driver well-being with benefits like health insurance, safety bonuses, and paid time off. Although it has reported some crash incidents, Trinity maintains a satisfactory safety rating, reflecting its commitment to safe and reliable transport solutions for businesses seeking dependable logistics partnerships.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 1.12
- Driver fitness: 0.32
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.17
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.83
- Controlled substances: 0.08
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 46
- Revenue: $11,393
- Miles driven: 2,626,147
GXO Logistics
4043 Piedmont Parkway, High Point, NC, 27265- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $3,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- General
- Liquids & gases
- Machinery & large objects
- Refrigerated food
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Sprinter van
- Dump trailer
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
GXO Logistics (DOT: 153372) is a reputable trucking company with a solid presence in North Carolina. Known for handling a diverse range of cargo such as beverages, building materials, refrigerated foods, liquids, gases, and large machinery, they prioritize efficiency and reliability. Established with a substantial fleet of 515 trucks and 1,030 trailers, their services include flatbed transportation, dry van, and dump trailer capabilities.
GXO Logistics provides dedicated routes, ensuring timely and secure deliveries. They offer specialized driver programs and cross-docking services to optimize shipping processes. The company extends benefits such as flexible scheduling, health insurance, and retirement plans, demonstrating its commitment to employee well-being. With a focus on maintaining safety and providing comprehensive support, including roadside assistance and managed transportation, GXO Logistics stands out as a preferred choice for businesses seeking dependable commercial shipment solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 10
- Unsafe driving: 0.28
- Driver fitness: 0.03
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.06
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.98
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 1
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 426
- Miles driven: 10,000,000
OLD Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
500 Old Dominion Way, Thomasville, NC, 27360- Fleet size: 100+ Corp Only
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Construction equipment
- Farm supplies
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Liquids & gases
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Container
- Power only
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Drayage
OLD Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (DOT: 90849) is a long-standing trucking company established in 1934, operating primarily as a broker and carrier across interstate routes. With a fleet of over 10,000 trucks and a commitment to delivering high-quality service, they handle a diverse range of cargo including agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, chemicals, construction products, general freight, intermodal containers, and large machinery.
OLD Dominion offers specialized services, with capabilities in managing hazardous materials and providing power-only transport. They emphasize regional and local support with dedicated routes and flexible scheduling, eventually catering to expedited and partial truckload needs. The company also supports its drivers with benefits such as paid CDL training, health insurance, retirement plans, and ongoing training programs, ensuring a strong and reliable workforce for commercial shipping needs.
Safety
- Crashes: 660
- Unsafe driving: 0.5
- Driver fitness: 0.05
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.05
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.69
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 159
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 11620
- Revenue: $91,291,000
- Miles driven: 847,000,000
Wilson Brothers Trucking
20412 Hwy 902, Bear Creek, NC, 27207- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Livestock feed
- Livestock
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Meat
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Container
- Oversized
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Lift-gate
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
Wilson Brothers Trucking (DOT: 542718) operates as a reputable carrier in North Carolina, specializing in a diverse range of services to meet the complex shipping needs of business owners. They offer refrigerated (reefer) trucking, dry bulk commodities transportation, and flatbed services, ideal for transporting general freight, agricultural supplies, and large machinery. Their expansive service capabilities ensure timely and efficient delivery across interstate lines.
The company is committed to providing enhanced customer support for commercial shipments with dedicated routes, drop trailer services, and team driver opportunities. Wilson Brothers Trucking upholds a strong focus on driver benefits, including paid CDL training, vision and dental insurance, rider and pet policies, and guaranteed home time. With a total fleet size of 88 and 44 power units, they prioritize safety with a relatively low unsafe driving score and have active insurance coverage to ensure reliable and secure shipments.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 0.64
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.1
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 40
- Miles driven: 2,202,414
Darrell Andrews Trucking, Inc.
1365 Harlold Andrews Road, Siler City, NC, 27344- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 1.5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Produce
- General
- Lumber
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Box truck
- Container
- Step deck
- Dump trailer
- Hot shot
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Consolidation
- Drayage
Darrell Andrews Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 146452) offers robust transportation solutions across the United States with an active federal authority since 1984. Known for shipping diverse products including beverages, building materials, fresh produce, paper products, and refrigerated foods, they ensure reliable service for clients seeking efficient logistics support.
Specializing in general freight transportation, Darrell Andrews Trucking provides team-driving opportunities, dedicated routes, and expedited services. They value their workforce, offering benefits such as health and dental insurance, a 401k retirement plan, and generous bonuses, including safety and driver referral incentives. With a fleet of advanced equipment, including dry vans and step decks, they cater to varied commercial shipment needs with flexibility and care.
Safety
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.1
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.15
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 15
- Revenue: $6,532
- Miles driven: 890,000
Adusa Transportation, LLC
2085 Harrison Road, Salisbury, NC, 28147- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $15,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Produce
- General
- Meat
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Container
- Oversized
- Sprinter van
- Last-mile delivery
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Adusa Transportation, LLC (DOT: 57029) is a reputable trucking company specializing in interstate operations. Their extensive fleet of 862 trucks is predominantly engaged in transporting a diverse array of cargo, including beverages, fresh produce, general freight, meat, paper products, and refrigerated foods. They offer dedicated routes, team driving services, and specialized drivers, ensuring efficient and reliable delivery of goods. Business owners can rely on their modern fleet, with an average age of 3 years, to meet their shipping needs.
Adusa Transportation, LLC demonstrates a strong commitment to commercial shipments by providing comprehensive support, such as hazardous materials transport and cross-border operations. Businesses can also benefit from their driver-focused incentives, including sign-on and safety bonuses, paid CDL training, and a truck lease-purchase program. With a satisfactory safety rating and a variety of driver benefits like health, dental, and vision insurance, Adusa ensures both safety and satisfaction for their clients and staff.
Safety
- Crashes: 82
- Unsafe driving: 0.68
- Driver fitness: 0.03
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.03
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.86
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 1335
- Revenue: $5,748
- Miles driven: 89,000,000
How Safety Ratings Work in North Carolina
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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina to minimize transit times and costs.
- Importing/exporting experience: North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina businesses?
Drayage is a crucial part of the shipping process that involves short-distance transportation from ports or rail terminals to distribution centers. For North Carolina 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
