If you do a quick Google search of the phrase “trucking companies in Missouri,” you’ll receive dozens if not hundreds of results. While it’s great to have plenty of options to choose from, you may also experience information overload. To help you find the ideal prospective employer to further your career, FreightWaves cuts through the noise and identifies eight of the best Missouri trucking companies.
Quicklook: Best trucking companies in Missouri
- Best for on-time shipping: Sutton Transport, Inc.
- Best for refrigerated trucking: LTI Trucking
- Best for exceptional customer service: TransLand LLC
- Best for intermodal trucking: Affton Trucking
- Best for providing clear communication: Steelman Transportation
- Best for safety: Christenson Transportation, Inc.
- Best for hazmat shipping: Waller Truck Co
- Best for regional distribution: Rite-Way Truck Brokers
8 best Missouri trucking companies
You see trucks on the road all the time, loaded with goods and headed for delivery. But which companies are worth looking into? This article will show where to find the best truck-driving companies in Missouri.
Sutton Transport, Inc.
Sutton Transport is headquartered in Weston, Wisconsin, but it has 13 terminals located across the nation, including five terminals across Missouri. With 40 years of experience moving goods, the company has an excellent on-time record, featuring a combined on-time and intact delivery rate of 99%. Upon request, they also offer expedited same-day shipping and a delivery guarantee.
Best for: On-time shipping
Established: 1979
Location: Weston, Wisconsin; Kansas City, Missouri
Employees: 700
Carrier type: LTL, hazmat
Services provided: Expedited shipping, logistics support, LTL, hazmat
Revenue: $96.6 million
Google rating: 3.8/5 on 35 reviews
LTI Trucking
LTI Trucking enables career flexibility by taking on owner-operators and hiring company fleet drivers. Its benefits range from generous home time, to competitive pay, and health and wellness plans for drivers’ families. It is one of the top refrigerated trucking companies in the state.
Drivers for this leading trucking company in Missouri enjoy taking advantage of LTI’s passenger-friendly policies. Bring your spouse or pet and earn a comfortable living.
Best for: Refrigerated transportation
Established: 1975
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Employees: Around 150
Carrier type: Leading in refrigerated
Services provided: Truckload carrier and full-service logistics
Revenue: $27.68 million
Google rating: 2.7/5 stars on 78 reviews
TransLand
This leading Missouri freight transport company was founded by a trucker who believes in integrity, quality and safety. TransLand prides itself on being a home for hard-working Missourians seeking an enjoyable career where they’ll be treated like family.
Best for: Exceptional customer service
Established: 1982
Location: Strafford, Missouri
Employees: 220
Carrier type: LTL
Services provided: Full truckload and logistics services for long haul, short haul and flatbed across the U.S.
Revenue: $45.17 million
Google rating: 4.2/5 stars on 87 reviews
Affton Trucking
Affton Trucking endeavors to offer the customer experience, and has succeeded for over 50 years. Missouri truck drivers working at Affton can expect on-time deliveries, intermodal exposure, and excellent benefits and pay.
Best for: Intermodal trucking
Established: 1969
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Employees: 125
Carrier type: Truckload
Services provided: Bulk trucking, packaging and warehousing, intermodal transloading
Revenue: $20.67 million
Google rating: 4/5 stars on 42 reviews
Steelman Transportation
Since the beginning of 1991, Steelman Transportation has seen exponential growth through acquisitions of other companies. In August 2020, it acquired LoneStar Transportation in Fort Worth, Texas.
Best for: Providing clear communication
Established: 1991
Location: Springfield, Missouri
Employees: 42
Carrier type: Truckload and brokerage services
Services provided: Specializes in transportation and logistics services across North America
Revenue: $30.34 million
Google rating: 4.4/5 stars on 51 reviews
Christenson Transportation, Inc.
Originally started as a brokerage firm in 1979, Christenson Transportation has since expanded to transport freight across 48 states. As a three-time Truckload Carriers Safety Award winner, it qualifies as another key player among the top trucking companies in Missouri. Christenson Transportation demonstrates its appreciation for employees by focusing on driver safety and supporting a healthy work-life balance.
Best for: Safety
Established: 1995
Location: Strafford, Missouri
Employees: 31
Carrier type: Truckload
Services provided: Specializes in long haul, high value, time-sensitive goods like tires, pet food, paper, etc.
Revenue: $6.48 million
Google rating: 4/5 stars on 77 reviews
Waller Truck Co.
Waller Truck is a family-owned and operated dry van carrier that hauls hazardous materials across the nation. The company values its Missourian truck drivers, and is committed to demonstrating quality, fairness and honesty in everything they do.
Best for: Hazmat shipping
Established: 1965
Location: Excelsior Springs, Missouri
Employees: 225
Carrier type: Truckload and LTL
Services provided: Shipping, shuttling, logistics and brokerage
Revenue: $34.25 million
Google rating: 3.6/5 stars on 86 reviews
Rite-Way Truck Brokers
Rite-Way has provided excellent on- and off-the-road services for over 30 years. Experienced employees take a personal interest in each load, and customers benefit from expansive transfer yard and dock storage space. If you need a distribution partner in the Midwest, Rite-Way Truck Brokers might be a good fit for your business.
Best for: Regional distribution
Established: 1984
Location: Jefferson City, Missouri
Employees: 10
Carrier type: Flatbed and short dock
Services provided: Transporting and shipping goods in the contiguous U.S. via job-site and warehouse deliveries.
Revenue: $1.82 million
Google rating: 4.5/5 stars on 22 reviews
What to consider when choosing a trucking company
Any of these carriers could be a great fit for your career goals. However, if you have not yet obtained your CDL, you will need to attend training and pass your Missouri CDL exam first.
Not sure how to start that process? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Check out our tips for getting the most out of your training sessions and find a local truck driving school near you. Once enrolled, you will be well on your way to becoming a licensed truck driver in Missouri.
FAQ
According to Indeed, truck driver salaries in Missouri range from $58,279 to $118,239. The average base salary is $83,011.
Missouri is home to dozens of trucking companies. These companies include small local carriers and national organizations with hub locations throughout the U.S.
To start a trucking company, you’ll need a CDL and at least one truck. Then register your business with the state and obtain the proper insurance. Once you’ve established and insured your company, you can begin finding clients and accepting loads.
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