The right LTL — or “less-than-truckload” — carrier can help save on freight costs and provide flexible shipping solutions. After evaluating key factors like cost, customer satisfaction, service offerings, and safety ratings, we found KEY Corporation to be the best LTL trucking company in Rhode Island.
Top LTL Trucking Companies in Rhode Island
Shipping needs vary by company and product, so check out our other top picks for LTL for-hire carriers to see which one works best for your business.
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.
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
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
Smiths General Trucking Co
33 Hopkins Hill Road, West Greenwich, RI, 2817- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Chemicals
- General
- Liquids & gases
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
- Cross-border
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
Smiths General Trucking Co (DOT: 50636) has been a reliable carrier since 1930, specializing in the transport of hazardous materials and chemicals across interstate routes. Equipped with a small but modern fleet averaging an age of three years, they adeptly handle general freight, liquids, gases, and paper products. They provide essential services such as cross-docking and have a team-oriented driving service that ensures effective logistics handling.
With a focus on safety, Smiths General Trucking Co boasts a satisfactory safety rating and zero reported crash injuries, indicative of their emphasis on secure transport. They offer health and dental insurance, paid time off, and disability insurance to their drivers, showcasing a commitment to their team’s well-being. The company puts a premium on special access to rest stops and lounges, enhancing the comfort of their drivers during long hauls.
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: 5
- Revenue: $458,000
- Miles driven: 135,812
Rhody Transportation & Warehousing, Inc.
600 Callahan Road, North Kingstown, RI, 2852- Fleet size: 50+
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
Rhody Transportation & Warehousing, Inc. (DOT: 50625) has been serving the Rhode Island area since 1977, specializing in the transportation of general freight, intermodal containers, machinery, and metal sheets, coils, and rolls. With a fleet size of 50+ trucks and offering dedicated routes, they provide reliable service for various commercial needs. They excel in moving beverages and heavy equipment, catering to industries with diverse shipping requirements.
Despite a satisfactory safety rating and active authority status, Rhody Transportation focuses on safe interstate operations with a total of 23 trucks in service. The company is committed to efficient operations, covering over one million miles according to their 2024 report. While they do not offer services like hazardous materials handling or specialized insurance programs, their strong general freight capability and focus on property transportation make them a viable choice for businesses seeking dependable shipping partners.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 0.23
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 13.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 24
- Revenue: $2,511,000
- Miles driven: 1,089,411
Blue Sun Super Service
165 Frenchtown Road, North Kingstown, RI, 2852- Fleet age: 2 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- General
- Vehicles
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Lift-gate
Blue Sun Super Service (DOT: 364962) is a trusted freight carrier known for its satisfactory safety ratings and reliable services. The company specializes in handling a variety of cargo, including general freight, motor vehicles, and driveaway/towaway operations. With a modern fleet averaging just 2 years in age, Blue Sun operates interstate with a focus on ensuring timely and secure transport.
Blue Sun Super Service offers unique advantages for commercial shipments, such as dedicated routes and guaranteed home time for drivers. They also support various driver benefits, including health and life insurance, a retirement plan, and paid CDL training. Keeping up with industry dynamics, the company provides ongoing training and flexible scheduling to foster a skilled and satisfied driving team, ensuring consistent delivery performance for their business clients.
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: $345
- Miles driven: 120,000
How Safety Ratings Work in Rhode Island
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 LTL Trucking Company in Rhode Island for Your Shipments
Whether you’re a small business or a larger operation, finding the best LTL trucking company ultimately comes down to a few key factors:
- Freight volume and shipment size: LTL carriers typically handle shipments of more than 150 pounds and less than 15,000 pounds. Choose a carrier that accommodates smaller loads and offers options for varying freight volumes.
- Frequency of shipments: Find a carrier with the capacity to handle your regular and peak season demands but that also has a variety of truck types to allow for flexibility in case your volume increases or needs change.
- Service areas: Ensure the carrier’s network covers your most common shipping destinations effectively, whether for local, regional, or national deliveries.
- Delivery speed: Look for carriers that offer multiple transit times, such as standard and expedited LTL services, so you can balance delivery speed with cost according to each shipment’s urgency.
- Technology and tracking tools: Companies with real-time shipment tracking, digital document handling, and other logistics tools provide a layer of transparency that should provide you with some peace of mind during the shipping process.
- Customer support: Choose a company with a responsive customer service team experienced in handling LTL freight issues, including tracking updates, claims, and scheduling changes.
- Safety and reliability: Consider carriers with strong safety records and modern fleets. Check for certifications and safety programs that reflect the company’s commitment to secure and efficient freight handling.
- Pricing and transparency: Review pricing structures to avoid hidden fees. Choose carriers that provide upfront quotes and a transparent cost breakdown to help manage your shipping budget effectively.
FAQs
What is LTL and how can it benefit my business in Rhode Island?
LTL — or less-than-truckload — shipping allows businesses to share truck space with other shipments, paying only for the portion they use. That increased efficiency means reduced shipping costs for Rhode Island businesses. LTL is ideal for companies seeking cost-effective solutions for frequent, smaller-scale deliveries.
How does LTL shipping differ from FTL shipping for Rhode Island?
LTL involves combining multiple shipments from different businesses to fill a truck, while FTL (full truckload) shipping dedicates an entire truck to a single shipment. For small businesses in Rhode Island, LTL is likely more affordable and it allows you to send smaller shipments on a more frequent basis. If you have large shipments or need quicker transit times, FTL is the more efficient shipping method.
What types of products are ideal for LTL shipping in Rhode Island?
LTL is best suited for smaller products that are durable, non-perishable, and not overly time-sensitive in terms of transit times. LTL is a popular freight shipping method for e-commerce businesses, manufacturers, and retailers in Rhode Island that sell packaged goods, electronics, furniture, and automotive parts.
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
- Parcel Delivery Shipping Services
- Pneumatic Shipping Services
- Power-Only Shipping Services
- Reefer Shipping Services
- Tanker Shipping Services
