After analyzing pricing, services, and consumer ratings, we picked Nissin International Transport Usa, Inc. as the best California trucking company for commerce shipments.
Top Shipping Services & Transport in California
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 California. Every California 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 California for your commercial shipping needs.
Nissin International Transport Usa, Inc.
1540 W 190th Street, Torrance, CA, 90501- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- Produce
- Trash
- General
- Livestock feed
- Intermodal containers
- Liquids & gases
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Vehicles
- Oilfield equipment
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
- Cross-border
Nissin International Transport Usa, Inc. (DOT: 434928) is a reputable freight trucking company established in 1973, located in California. They provide a range of trucking services, specializing in full and partial truckloads, dry van, and refrigerated (reefer) transport. Known for their robust capabilities, they effectively handle diverse types of cargo such as fresh produce, meat, beverages, chemicals, and more, ensuring your products reach their destination reliably and safely.
Nissin International extends special support for commercial shipments, prominently through their interstate operations and cross-border service. The company is recognized for its excellent safety record and adherence to high operational standards. With an impressive insurance coverage and a focus on maintaining their fleet, they offer business owners peace of mind with reliable freight transport solutions across a variety of industries.
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: 10
- Revenue: $16,621,000
- Miles driven: 130,000
Total Service Logistics, Inc.
8331 Valdez Avenue, Sacramento, CA, 95828- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Construction equipment
- Trash
- General
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Total Service Logistics, Inc. (DOT: 1080296) is a California-based logistics and transportation company established in 2014. They offer a range of shipping services including full truckload (FTL), less than truckload (LTL), and dry van freight, with specialized capabilities in handling building materials, construction goods, and chemicals. The company maintains an average fleet age of four years and prioritizes safety with no reported crash injuries or fatalities.
Total Service Logistics provides various commercial shipment support services, including refrigerated (reefer) transportation. They ensure reliable service with local, regional, and over-the-road drivers equipped to handle general freight, household goods, and machinery. The company is highly rated across multiple platforms, with a Google rating of 4.5 and an Indeed rating of 4.2. Furthermore, they support employees with benefits such as health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as a retirement plan (401k) and paid time off.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 4.5
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: intrastate non-hazardous
- Drivers: 2
- Revenue: $1,473,000
- Miles driven: 5,000
Expressway Transport, Inc.
979 Lindberg Ln, Petaluma, CA, 94952- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Farm supplies
- Produce
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Lumber
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Expressway Transport, Inc. (DOT: 291362) is a reputable trucking company established in 1976 in California. With a fleet of 6 trucks, they specialize in full truckload and less-than-truckload services. Known for their reefer capabilities, Expressway Transport adeptly handles refrigerated foods, fresh produce, and general freight, ensuring timely and reliable delivery of sensitive and perishable goods.
Expressway offers regional driving opportunities and emphasizes local service, all while ensuring driver welfare through benefits like health, dental, and vision insurance. In addition to their expertise in agricultural and building materials transport, Expressway Transport excels in managing the logistics of intermodal containers, providing efficient solutions for commercial shipments. Despite a compact fleet size, their high safety standards and commitment to driver satisfaction make them a trustworthy partner for business owners in need of reliable shipping services.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.84
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: intrastate non-hazardous
- Drivers: 6
- Revenue: $1,919,000
- Miles driven: 187,060
PDM Transportation, Inc.
16016 Slover Ave, Fontana, CA, 92337- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Produce
- Trash
- General
- Livestock feed
- Lumber
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
PDM Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 570527) has been a robust force in the trucking industry since its establishment in 1998. With a fleet of over 50 vehicles and a commitment to reliability, they offer services such as full truckload and partial truckload shipping. Their expertise extends to handling a diverse array of cargo, including beverages, building materials, construction goods, fresh produce, and metal sheets.
PDM Transportation is particularly proficient in transporting general freight, with numerous vehicles dedicated to long-haul operations across the U.S. They provide special support for hauling construction materials and fresh produce. The company emphasizes safety with moderate maintenance scores and is backed by active authorities. While they offer solid health benefits like dental and vision insurance, their services are centered around efficiency and dependable cargo delivery.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 1.52
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.38
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.37
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 21
- Revenue: $6,634,000
- Miles driven: 1,913,103
Liberty Linehaul West, Inc.
1501 Chapin Road, Montebello, CA, 90640- Fleet size: 20 to 49
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $5,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- General
- Livestock feed
- Liquids & gases
- Vehicles
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
Liberty Linehaul West, Inc. (DOT: 691117) is a dynamic and satisfactory rated trucking company operating in California. It offers a range of freight services such as full truckload, partial truckload, and less-than-truckload options. The company is equipped to handle diverse cargo, including beverages, building materials, chemicals, grain feed hay, household goods, and paper products, ensuring versatile solutions for business owners in need of reliable shipping options.
With an active interstate operation, Liberty Linehaul West emphasizes safety, maintaining a satisfactory safety rating with no crash injuries reported. They provide their team of qualified drivers with benefits like health, dental, and life insurance, alongside retirement plans. The company’s focus on general freight ensures it remains a strong contender for business owners seeking dependable freight transportation services across state lines.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 1.18
- Driver fitness: 0.2
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.2
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.42
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 42
- Revenue: $7,544,000
- Miles driven: 3,417,537
Agile Transportation, Inc.
11209 N Highway 99, Lodi, CA, 95240- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
- Intermodal containers
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
Agile Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 2124272) is a prominent trucking company established in 2011 in California. They operate a fleet of 34 trucks and specialize in general freight, intermodal containers, and dry bulk commodities. Their services include full truckload, less-than-truckload, and partial truckload shipments, making them a versatile choice for various transportation needs.
Agile Transportation provides team driving opportunities, ensuring timely delivery and efficient service. They offer comprehensive employee benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with paid time off and retirement plans. While placing a strong emphasis on safety, they have a respectable safety record with no reported crash fatalities. Business owners seeking reliable and specialized transport solutions will find Agile Transportation’s service offerings and strong reputation appealing.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 0.29
- Driver fitness: 0.09
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.16
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.4
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 34
- Revenue: $850,000
- Miles driven: 2,150,000
THE Cms Companies
5704 Copley Drive, San Diego, CA, 92111- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Construction equipment
- General
- Machinery & large objects
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Cross-border
THE Cms Companies (DOT: 56181) is a reputable trucking carrier based in California, established in 1911. Specializing in a variety of services, they handle general freight, household goods, and construction materials. Their fleet consists of over 50 trucks, and they are particularly skilled in full truckload and less-than-truckload operations, offering reliable dry van and flatbed services. With a strong emphasis on safety, they enjoy satisfactory safety ratings while boasting competitive driver salaries.
The Cms Companies provide substantial commercial shipment support, including team driving opportunities, dedicated routes, and cross-border operations. The company ensures driver satisfaction with a range of benefits, such as guaranteed home time, health insurance, and ongoing training programs. They also offer sign-on and safety bonuses, making them an attractive and reliable choice for businesses seeking comprehensive trucking solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.85
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.25
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.86
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 41
- Revenue: $19,604,000
- Miles driven: 275,000
Coast Transportation
1791 Bay Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90021- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Dry bulk commodities
- Produce
- General
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
Coast Transportation (DOT: 919052) is a dynamic trucking company known for efficiently transporting a variety of cargo, including beverages, fresh produce, dry bulk commodities, general freight, paper products, and refrigerated foods across interstate regions. With a fleet of 16 vehicles, they provide full truckload (FTL) services, ensuring an all-encompassing transport solution for businesses of all sizes.
They specialize in dry van and flatbed transportation, making them a versatile choice for shipping needs. Although they do not offer hazardous material handling, Coast Transportation emphasizes essential service features such as paid time off and health insurance for their drivers. Despite not offering custom driver programs or rider/pet policies, their Glassdoor rating of 4.0 and an Indeed rating of 4.2 reflect positive employee experiences. Coast Transportation remains committed to safe, reliable, and professional freight shipment management.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.93
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 6
- Revenue: $13,973,000
- Miles driven: 450,000
CAL Valley Trucking
2842 Ladd Rd, Modesto, CA, 95356- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Chemicals
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Livestock feed
- Intermodal containers
- Liquids & gases
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
CAL Valley Trucking (DOT: 1994281) is a reputable trucking company known for its extensive fleet of over 40 trucks, expertly handling a wide range of cargo types. Their specialized services include dry bulk commodities, intermodal containers, dry van trucking, and general freight. Cargo such as agricultural supplies, chemicals, construction materials, and machinery are common, showcasing the versatility and capability of their operations.
Despite a relatively compact fleet, CAL Valley Trucking emphasizes interstate operations, offering full and partial truckload services. Their commitment to safety is highlighted by a clean crash record with no reported injuries or fatalities. Business owners can benefit from their health insurance and paid time off for drivers, ensuring motivated and well-supported personnel. The company continues to maintain an active status with a robust focus on efficiency and reliable shipments.
Safety
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 0.4
- Driver fitness: 0.2
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.07
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.0
- Controlled substances: 0.07
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 44
- Miles driven: 1,560,000
Pacific National Transportation Corp
1116 S Petrolia Avenue, Compton, CA, 90221- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
Pacific National Transportation Corp (DOT: 2141464) is an active trucking company providing freight services in California. Despite being a smaller operation with a fleet size of 1 to 10 trucks, they manage to deliver a variety of cargo efficiently, including building materials, construction supplies, intermodal containers, and logs. Their service offerings focus on flatbed and dry van transportation, making them suitable for heavy and large cargo.
This company is committed to providing excellent team driving opportunities, full truckload, and less-than-truckload services. With an emphasis on maintaining modern equipment, Pacific National ensures customer satisfaction and reliability. The company also boasts a commendable online reputation with positive reviews across Google and Indeed, indicating a strong emphasis on quality and customer service. Business owners looking for a dedicated and versatile trucking partner might find Pacific National Transportation Corp to be a compelling option.
Safety
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 6.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 10
- Revenue: $2,486,000
- Miles driven: 21,499
How Safety Ratings Work in California
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) 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 California Trucking Company for Your Shipments
Whether you operate an e-commerce platform, local business, or regional chain in California, there are a few key factors to consider when looking for the best trucking company:
- Shipment volume and frequency: The total dimensional weight of your shipment can impact the company you choose, since some companies have minimum project size requirements. If your shipping order is on the smaller size, look for a company without any size restrictions that also offers a variety of options, including LTL and partial truckload shipping. Similarly, you’ll want to look for companies that will fit your anticipated ongoing volume. You may also want to consider companies that provide some surge capacity to accommodate unexpected growth.
- Shipping destinations: If possible, try to determine how often you’ll need shipping for what distances. Knowing where in the U.S. you ship to most frequently — or if you need nationwide shipping — will help you select a carrier that provides the regions and haul distances you need.
- Services: Consider looking for a trucking company in California with specialized support for businesses — like logistics and supply chain management and warehousing and distribution — as well as online shipment tracking or other helpful technological tools and resources.
- Safety: While we verify that each trucking company we recommend has a DOT number and follows Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) safety standards, you may want to further consider the average fleet age and years of driver experience, ongoing training programs, and other steps a company takes to ensure your shipment will be delivered efficiently and without incident.
FAQs
Which is the most frequently used mode of transportation for distributing products in California?
Trucking, in general, is the most frequently used mode of transportation for distributing products in California. In fact, nationwide, trucks transport more goods domestically than all other modes of commercial transportation combined. One reason for the popularity is affordability — road transport is typically the most cost-efficient shipping method. And a variety of vehicle options — like flatbeds, dry vans, and refrigerated trucks — makes it easier to move a variety of products.
What products are best transported by truck in California?
The products that are best transported by truck in the U.S. include commodities like:
- Building materials
- Food and beverages
- Furniture
- Clothing
- Electronics
What is the disadvantage of transporting goods by truck in California?
While trucking is the most widely used commercial shipping method in California and nationally, there are some minor disadvantages to consider, including weight and size restrictions and delays caused by inclement weather or traffic. Using a truck for your commercial shipments can also be expensive for longer-distance deliveries. And trucks require loading, unloading, and reloading of goods, which can add more time to and logistical management of your shipment.
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
- LTL Shipping Services
- Parcel Delivery Shipping Services
- Pneumatic Shipping Services
- Power-Only Shipping Services
- Reefer Shipping Services
- Tanker Shipping Services
