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 ABF Cartage, Inc. to be the best LTL trucking company in Arkansas.
Top LTL Trucking Companies in Arkansas
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 Arkansas. Every Arkansas 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 Arkansas for your commercial shipping needs.
ABF Cartage, Inc.
3801 Old Greenwood Rd, Fort Smith, AR, 72903- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $4,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Liquids & gases
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Last-mile delivery
ABF Cartage, Inc. (DOT: 512437) is a reputable freight carrier based in Arkansas, offering comprehensive interstate trucking services. With a focus on versatility, ABF Cartage specializes in full truckload and less-than-truckload options. They are equipped to handle a range of cargo types including building materials, chemicals, intermodal containers, and liquids/gases. This ensures that they can cater to diverse shipping needs efficiently.
In addition to their core services, ABF Cartage provides benefits like health, dental, and vision insurance, along with paid time off and a retirement plan, which reflects their commitment to employee welfare. Their safety measures are rated satisfactory, enhancing their reliability. ABF Cartage’s modern fleet, with an average age of 3 years, supports their ability to offer reliable and quality services, making them an ideal choice for business owners seeking dependable shipping solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.6
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 4
- Miles driven: 6,245
J B Hunt
615 J B Hunt Corporate Drive, Lowell, AR, 72745- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $2,500,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- Produce
- General
- Livestock feed
- Intermodal containers
- Liquids & gases
- Livestock
- Lumber
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Vehicles
- Oilfield equipment
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
J B Hunt (DOT: 80806) operates as a major freight transportation and logistics company with an active presence in the U.S. since 1983. Known for a large and diverse fleet of 24,025 trucks and 48,050 total fleet size, J B Hunt specializes in an array of services including intermodal shipping, dry bulk commodities, and refrigerated food transport. They manage a variety of cargo types, such as consumer goods, agricultural supplies, chemicals, and motor vehicles, ensuring that diverse shipping needs are effectively met.
J B Hunt distinguishes itself with dedicated routes and a strong emphasis on safety, holding a satisfactory safety rating. The company supports its commercial shipments with specialized drivers for hazardous materials and flatbed transportation. Business partners benefit from value-added services like a truck lease purchase program, drop trailer capabilities, and guaranteed home time for drivers, ensuring reliability and flexibility in their operations. J B Hunt’s focus on continuous driver development and competitive employee benefits further underscores their commitment to service excellence.
Safety
- Crashes: 1756
- Unsafe driving: 1.11
- Driver fitness: 0.05
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.16
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.19
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 39
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 24043
- Revenue: $43,719,000
- Miles driven: 1,660,000,000
Lentz Carrier Company, LLC
194 Sardis Road, Morrilton, AR, 72110- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Livestock feed
- Intermodal containers
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Oilfield equipment
Truck Types
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Container
- Oversized
- Power only
- Tanker
- Hot shot
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Alcohol-insured
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
Lentz Carrier Company, LLC (DOT: 700049) is a dynamic trucking service operating actively in interstate commerce with a fleet of 29 trucks. Specializing in diverse cargo like agricultural supplies, building materials, and metal products, Lentz Carrier provides a robust catalog including dry bulk commodities, machinery transport, and oilfield equipment hauling. Their services include hazardous materials transportation, tanker operations, and oversized load management, complemented by flatbed and box truck usage.
Focused on special commercial shipment supports, Lentz offers dedicated routes, power-only services, hot shot deliveries, and cross-docking facilities. Business owners can benefit from a range of employee-centric benefits such as sign-on and safety bonuses, as well as flexible scheduling. With strong safety ratings and a satisfactory operational record, Lentz Carrier is equipped to ensure reliable and efficient transportation solutions for a variety of business needs.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 1.38
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.83
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 16
- Miles driven: 1,434,705
R L Smith Trucking, LLC
4301 West Barraque, Pine Bluff, AR, 71602- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Container
- Power only
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
R L Smith Trucking, LLC (DOT: 258275) is a reputable trucking company founded in 1977 in Arkansas that offers a range of specialized services to ensure efficient freight transportation. Their fleet includes 18 trucks, with services extending to power-only, reefer, and flatbed operations. They efficiently handle cargo such as building materials, dry bulk commodities, construction materials, metal sheets, coils, rolls, general freight, and paper products. This ensures a broad and versatile approach to meeting client transport needs.
R L Smith Trucking provides special support for commercial shipments, including hazardous materials transportation and cross-docking solutions. Their emphasis on driver welfare and safety is evident through benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and driver referral bonuses. With a satisfactory safety record and modern fleet, they are well-equipped for interstate operations and offer services like managed transportation to streamline shipping processes for businesses.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 3.59
- Driver fitness: 0.03
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.67
- Vehicle maintenance: 10.22
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 14
- Revenue: $783
- Miles driven: 1,438,857
George’s Farms, Inc.
402 West Robinson Ave, Springdale, AR, 72764- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Unsatisfactory
Cargo Types
- General
- Livestock feed
- Livestock
- Meat
- Refrigerated food
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Container
- Step deck
- Oversized
- Last-mile delivery
- Cross-border
- Consolidation
- Alcohol-insured
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
George’s Farms, Inc. (DOT: 333647) is an active trucking company operating primarily in Arkansas, specializing in general freight and livestock transportation. The company carries an array of cargo, including refrigerated foods and grain feed hay. Their services include cross-border transport and enablement of intricate logistics through cross-docking and dedicated step-deck solutions.
They support flexible commercial shipments with a focus on owner-operator and local driver opportunities. Offering competitive benefits like health, dental, and life insurance along with paid time off, George’s Farms, Inc. ensures strong workforce incentives. Although they have an unsatisfactory safety rating, they provide a reliable platform for specialized drivers, evidenced by their commitment to ongoing training and development programs. Despite a noteworthy safety concern due to past crash fatalities, they maintain competitive driver compensation ranging between $60,000 and $75,000 annually.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 0.42
- Driver fitness: 3.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 31
- Revenue: $12,317
- Miles driven: 461,204
Plant Truck Line, Inc.
149 Bolton Sullivan Dr, Heber Springs, AR, 72543- Fleet age: 5 years
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Farm supplies
- General
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Container
- Tanker
- Cross-border
Plant Truck Line, Inc. (DOT: 3256) is an active carrier with a fleet of 18 vehicles operating out of Arkansas. Specializing in general freight, the company handles a variety of cargo including agricultural supplies, building materials, chemicals, logs, lumber, machinery, and paper products. They offer comprehensive shipping solutions with services such as flatbed and dry van transport, as well as container transport for more specialized needs.
The company is committed to providing solid support for commercial shipments through dedicated routes, drop trailer services, and managed transportation. Plant Truck Line is known for prioritizing employee welfare and safety, evident from their satisfactory safety rating and health insurance offerings, alongside benefits like paid CDL training, per diem payments, and a retirement plan with 401k. Their flexible new driver program and guaranteed home time make them a reliable choice for businesses seeking dependable trucking services.
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: intrastate hazardous
- Drivers: 10
- Revenue: $652
- Miles driven: 160,000
How Safety Ratings Work in Arkansas
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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas?
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 Arkansas businesses. LTL is ideal for companies seeking cost-effective solutions for frequent, smaller-scale deliveries.
How does LTL shipping differ from FTL shipping for Arkansas?
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 Arkansas, 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 Arkansas?
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 Arkansas 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
