South Carolina is primarily a patchwork of small-to-medium cities strewn across the multiple landscapes that exist. There are coastal trucking jobs in South Carolina that focus on drayage and other ship-to-consumer transportation.
But there are also plenty of businesses that help connect these cities, such as flatbed trucking companies, with more than 82% of transported goods in the state being delivered by truck.
The median salary for truckers in South Carolina is lower than the national average, but so is the cost of living. This is a major benefit, especially in the case of a state that offers legitimate mountains and coastlines to its residents.
Quicklook: Best Trucking Companies in South Carolina
- Best For Small Company Feel: Ard Trucking –Match Now
- Best For Heavy Haulers: Bulldog Hiway Express –Match Now
- Best For Family Company Truckers: Plumley Trucking –Match Now
- Best For Truckers Who Want to Stay Local: Palmetto State Transportation –Match Now
- Best For Big Company Truckers: Southeastern Freight Lines –Match Now
- Best For Flatbed Drivers: TMC Transportation –Match Now
6 Best South Carolina Trucking Companies
Here is a look at some of the demographics of the six best trucking companies in South Carolina.
Ard Trucking
Ard Trucking, a family-operated business, has expanded its reach to serve over a third of the states in the U.S. With a variety of employment opportunities available, including van drivers, flatbeds, and warehousing, Ard Trucking provides a diverse range of job options. The company places a strong emphasis on employee appreciation, as reflected in their website content and positive online reviews. Joining Ard Trucking means becoming part of a family-oriented company that values its workforce and offers opportunities for growth and fulfillment in the transportation industry.
Best For: Small Company Feel
Established: 1945
Location: 4190 Alligator Road. Timmonsville, SC 29161
Employees: 245
Carrier Type:
- Truckload
- LTL
- Flatbed
Services Provided:
- Regional truckload and LTL
- Flatbed
- Warehousing
- Van
Revenue: $50 million
Indeed Reviews: 3.2/5 stars out of 21 reviews
Bulldog Hiway Express
Bulldog, a leading flatbed trucking company in South Carolina, specializes in the transportation of heavy equipment, including large windmill blades. With extensive freight delivery services throughout the U.S. and Canada, Bulldog Hiway Express offers a wide range of opportunities for drivers. The company is known for its competitive pay rates, particularly for drivers taking on challenging routes, and is praised for its flexibility. Whether you’re looking for employment as a hired employee or seeking owner-operator opportunities, Bulldog provides a supportive and rewarding work environment in the trucking industry.
Best For: Heavy haulers
Established: 1959
Location: 3390 Buffalo Ave. North Charleston, SC 29418
Employees: 71
Carrier Type:
- Flatbed
- Heavy Equipment
Services Provided:
- Flatbed regional
- Flatbed international
- Heavy haul
- Intermodal
- Canadian services available
Revenue: $53 million
Indeed Reviews: 3.4/5 stars out of 10 reviews`
Plumley Trucking
Plumley, a dynamic trucking company, stands out with its comprehensive range of trucking services, including regional and national coverage, as well as dedicated logistics and warehousing departments. Despite being relatively new to the industry with 20 years of successful operation, Plumley continues to expand its fleet, boasting over 100 flatbed trailers. With expertise in heavy hauls, the company serves clients across the entire country. Joining Plumley offers a great opportunity to work in a growing company that values quality service, embraces innovation, and provides diverse trucking solutions to customers nationwide.
Best For: Family company
Established: 2000
Location: 210 Tucapau Rd, Duncan, SC 29334
Employees: 39
Carrier Type:
- Truckload
- Flatbed
Services Provided:
- LTL
- Truckload
- Flatbed
- Heavy haul
- Van freight
- Trailer storage
- Warehousing
Revenue: $9.95 million
Indeed Reviews: 4.7/5 stars out of 3 reviews
Palmetto State Transportation
Palmetto State, with its single terminal and load-to-ride delivery system, offers a unique opportunity for truckers seeking a more personal connection with customers. If you value building upfront relationships and delivering exceptional service, this company could be an ideal fit.
Despite its relatively large size, Palmetto State maintains a close-knit work environment where everyone knows everyone. Working here means being part of a team where camaraderie and collaboration thrive. While work availability may vary, joining Palmetto State allows you to contribute to a customer-focused company and enjoy a supportive and familiar work atmosphere.
Best For: Truckers who want to stay local
Established: 1991
Location: 1050 Park W Blvd, Greenville, SC 29611
Employees: 130
Carrier Type:
- LTL
- Truckload
Services Provided:
- International
- Truckload
- LTL
- Heated
- Refrigerated
- HAZMAT
- Expedited service anywhere in the U.S.
Revenue: $26 million
Indeed Reviews: 3/5 stars out of 8 reviews
Southeastern Freight Lines
Southeastern, a prominent and customer-centric company, excels in delivering exceptional service with next-day deliveries to numerous locations. The job at Southeastern offers a unique dynamic, as the pressure associated with the role can be seen as both a pro and a con. The company has garnered numerous awards for its commitment to excellence, and their unwavering dedication to driver training ensures that employees are equipped to perform at the highest standards. Working at Southeastern provides an opportunity to be part of a reputable organization that prioritizes customer satisfaction and values ongoing professional development.
Best For: Big Company Truckers
Established: 1950
Location: 420 Davega Road Lexington, SC 29073
Employees: 5,000
Carrier Type:
- LTL
- Truckload
Services Provided:
- Regional LTL and truckload
- National LTL and truckload
- Next-day transportation
- International
Revenue: $1 billion
Indeed Reviews: 3.9/5 stars out of 548 reviews
TMC Transportation
TMC, a renowned and employee-owned company, boasts a significant presence with its hub located in South Carolina, alongside its Iowa headquarters. Specializing in flatbed and heavy haul services, TMC also offers a range of other transportation solutions.
One notable aspect of TMC is its unwavering commitment to its drivers, evident through their dedicated maintenance and training facility. The facility features a driver hospitality center and provides accommodations at Baymont Inn and Suites for training purposes. Working at TMC offers the opportunity to be part of a reputable company that prioritizes driver support and provides excellent training and accommodation facilities to ensure driver success and satisfaction.
Best For: Flatbed Drivers
Established: 1972
Location: 140 Access Rd, Gaston, SC 29053
Employees: 200
Carrier Type:
- Flatbed
Services Provided:
- Flatbed
- Heavy Haul
Revenue: $460 million
Indeed Reviews: 3.5/5 stars – 487 reviews
Does South Carolina Meet Your Trucking Career Needs?
There are a lot of reasons why people move to the state of South Carolina. From the beaches to the golfing opportunities, and mountains for hiking to moderate weather, South Carolina is very unique, especially when compared to its northern counterparts.
If you’re a trucker searching for a new place to live, there are certainly opportunities for work. The coastal areas offer a lot of heavy haul and drayage opportunities, but there are many small towns inland that depend on truck transportation, almost primarily, for many of their imported goods.
FAQ
The median salary for truckers in South Carolina is smaller than the national average, at approximately $65,000 as average by a few different employment websites’ reports. However, the cost of living in South Carolina is also lower than the national average.
You need to meet a few requirements, such as being 18, and then you apply for a CDL at the Department of Motor Vehicles like most states.
If you want to make money, yes. To operate a truck in a business sense a CDL is required.
