While it might be hard to believe, almost everything you own has been moved by a freight hauling company at one point or another. These unsung heroes move tons of goods daily to keep businesses running smoothly while employing millions of people.
These six freight companies are the best freight haulers and trucking companies to work with and for. Keep reading to discover the best freight hauling companies that can help you advance your career or improve your business today.
Quicklook: Best Freight Hauling Companies
- Best For Overall: FedEx Freight
- Best For Freight Brokerage: XPO Logistics
- Best For Less-Than-Truckload: Old Dominion Freight Line
- Best For Environmentally-Friendly: Estes Express Lines
- Best For High-Value Cargo: R+L Carriers
- Best For Air Freight: Forward Air
6 Best Freight Hauling Companies Options
Are you looking for the best freight hauling companies in America? If so, check out these six great options.
FedEx Freight
As part of the FedEx family, FedEx Freight specializes in any shipment over 150 pounds. With a highly-optimized shipping system, FedEx Freight offers automatic pallet-level tracking where each skid has a unique tracking number. FedEx also makes freight hauling simple with step-by-step instructions, making freight shipping accessible to businesses and individuals alike.
Best For: Overall
Location:
- Headquarters: 942 South Shady Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38120, USA
- FedEx operates in all U.S. states and internationally
Types of Freight:
- LTL freight
- Expedited freight
- Air freight
- Ocean freight
Employees: 577,000
Services Provided:
- Domestic and international air and ground package delivery
- Package consolidation
- Air and ocean freight forwarding
- Regional, national, and international LTL freight, including expedited
Revenue: $91,683,000,000
Google Rating: Unavailable
XPO Logistics
The leader in truck brokerage and less-than-truckload freight, XPO Logistics uses cutting-edge technology to move goods across the country and worldwide. XPO has a global network of 731 locations allowing for efficient supply chain handling. They also have a freight brokerage platform that connects shippers with over 100,000 carriers.
Best For: Freight Brokerage
Location:
- Headquarters: 5 American Ln, Greenwich, CT 06831, USA
- XPO Logistics operates in all U.S. states as well as internationally
Types of Freight:
- LTL
- Dry van
- Refrigerated
- Air and expedited freight
Employees: 42,000 employees
Services Provided:
- Freight brokerage
- Regional and international LTL
- Dedicated contract carriage
- Air & expedited freight
- Air and ocean freight forwarding
- Commercial and residential delivery
Revenue: $12,800,000,000
Google Rating: Unavailable
Old Dominion Freight Line
For over 85 years, Old Dominion Freight Line has been offering freight solutions to businesses across North America. They boast an impressive 99.1% on-time delivery rate with over 200 service centers strategically located around the country. Old Dominion also utilizes state-of-the-art tracking technology, so customers always know where their shipments are and offer an incredible customer experience.
Best For: Less-Than-Truckload
Location:
- Headquarters: 500 Old Dominion Way, Thomasville, NC 27360
- Old Dominion Freight Line operates in all US states and internationally
Types of Freight:
- LTL
- Dry van
- Air and ground expedited freight
Employees: 24,372
Services Provided:
- Freight brokerage
- Regional and interregionalLTL
- Household self-moving services
- Air and ocean freight forwarding
- Commercial and residential delivery
Revenue: $5,256,000,000
Google Rating: Unavailable
Estes Express Lines
As one of the largest privately held freight transportation companies in North America, Estes Express Lines offers an impressive repertoire of freight shipping services. Estes Express Lines has been in the freight industry for over 90 years, with over 270 terminals spread over the US and Canada. They aim to transport your freight in an environmentally friendly way with alternative fuel vehicles and solar-powered terminals.
Best For: Environmentally-friendly
Location:
- Headquarters: 3901 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230
- Estes Express Lines operates in all U.S. states and internationally
Types of Freight:
- LTL
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Heavy specialized
- Hazardous materials
Employees: 21,700
Services Provided:
- Supply chain consulting
- Regional and national LTL & TL
- Household self-moving services
- Security and escort shipping
- Air & expedited freight
- Ground, air, and ocean freight forwarding
- Commercial and residential delivery
Revenue: $4,447,000,000
Google Rating: Unavailable
R+L Carriers
As a family-owned freight shipping company, R+L carriers have been in the business for over 55 years. They believe their customers are part of the R+L family and strive to give them the best service. R+L Carriers is investing in modern technology to ensure their infrastructure and driver safety are of the highest standard. R+L is also a Quest for Quality Award winner.
Best For: High-Value Cargo
Location:
- Headquarters: 600 Gillam Road Wilmington, OH 45177 United States
- R+L Carriers operates in all U.S. states and internationally
Types of Freight:
- LTL
- Dry van
- Refrigerated TL
- Flatbed
- Expedited
- Intermodal
Employees: Over 10,000
Services Provided:
- Regional and national LTL
- Expedited Freight
- Crating Services
- Air and ocean freight forwarding
- Warehousing and distribution
- Order fulfillment
- Transportation management
- Trade show exhibits
- High-value cargo transportation
- Cross-border services
- Supply chain consulting
Revenue: $2,427,000,000
Google Rating: Unavailable
Forward Air
Since 1990, Forward Air has been one of the leading providers of ground transportation services to the North American air freight and expedited LTL market. They offer time-definite shipping, delivering cargo at a specific time. This is made possible by their network of 90 facilities, all located near major airports and their 12 regional sorting centers.
Best For: Air Freight
Location:
- Headquarters: 1915 Snapps Ferry Rd., Building N, Greeneville, TN 37745
- Forward Air operates in all U.S. states and Canada
Types of Freight:
- Air and expedited freight
- Dry van
- Refrigerated TL and LTL
- Intermodal
Employees: 4,327
Services Provided:
- Freight consolidation
- Customs brokerage
- Dedicated contract carriage
- Freight brokerage
- Transloading
- Warehousing
Revenue: $1,662,000,000
Google Rating: Unavailable
What Is Freight Hauling?
Freight hauling is the movement of goods, products, or materials. Moving bulk cargo by road, rail, sea, or air is considered freight hauling. While trucking companies make up a considerable segment of freight hauling, other specialized options, such as air freight companies, are also widely used.
How Does Freight Hauling Work?
Companies need to get their products around the country and the world. Partnering with freight hauling companies allows them to move their cargo from point A to point B safely and efficiently. Depending on what needs to be shipped and where it’s going, freight haulers will transport the goods on trucks, ships, airplanes, or cargo trains.
What To Consider With Freight Hauling Companies
Choosing the right freight hauling company is essential for the efficient movement of goods. When picking a freight hauler, consider the freight hauling company’s insurance coverage, compliance, certifications, licensing, financial standing, TMS technology, and service quality.
Insurance Coverage
Accidents happen, and things can get lost or damaged in transit. That’s why proper cargo insurance coverage is essential for ensuring the safe transport of your goods. Additionally, reputable freight hauling companies will have insurance that covers the goods they transport.
Compliance and Certifications
The transportation industry is highly regulated, and freight haulers must comply with government mandates to operate legally. Therefore, some certifications are required for a freight hauler to operate. Look for companies that go above and beyond to obtain additional industry certifications.
Proper Licensing
A freight hauler needs to be correctly licensed to operate. This ensures compliance with local, national, and international regulations and dramatically reduces the risk of partnership or employment.
Good Financial Standing
While you should be wary of working with any company with rocky financials, freight forwarders must be in good financial standing. Not only is a financially sound company more trustworthy, but they offer a better chance of delivering freight safely and on time.
TMS Technology
A transportation management system or TMS is a specialized type of software for optimizing the shipment of goods. Freight haulers using TMS technology are more efficient as they can easily compare carrier rates, book shipments, and track deliveries.
Service Quality
As a business-to-business service, freight hauling companies should provide high service quality. Coordinating and tracking shipments with a helpful and responsive freight hauler who cares about your company’s needs is much easier. A reputable freight brokerage company can also help fill this service gap by coordinating between shippers and carriers.
Advance Your Career With the Best Freight Hauling Companies
Shipping and logistics is a fast-growing industry with plenty of career growth. However, not every company is created equal. Work for the best by joining one of these freight hauling or trucking companies.
FAQ
The most profitable types of freight require specialized transportation methods such as ice road trucking, tanker hauling, hazmat hauling, and oversized load transport.
Freight hauling is a lucrative business, but some companies pay more than others. Some of the best-paying trucking companies include Artur Express and Fraley & Shilling.
Not every freight shipping company can be the best at everything, but as one of the biggest and most profitable, FedEx Freight comes close.
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