After analyzing pricing, services, and consumer ratings, we picked C.J. Logistics Transportation, LLC as the best Illinois trucking company for commerce shipments.
Depending on the size of your business and specific shipping needs, you may want to consider C.J. Logistics Transportation, LLC or one of the other top trucking companies on our list.
Top Trucking Companies in Illinois
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 Illinois. Every Illinois 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 Illinois for your commercial shipping needs.
C.J. Logistics Transportation, LLC
1750 S Wolf Rd, Des Plaines, IL, 60018- Fleet size: 100+ Corp Only
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Liquids & gases
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
C.J. Logistics Transportation, LLC (DOT: 3095481) is a reputable trucking company established in 1960 and headquartered in Illinois. The company operates a fleet of 84 trucks and specializes in a range of transportation services, including dry van, flatbed, tanker, and intermodal container shipping. They are known for carrying general freight, intermodal containers, and liquids/gases, making them a versatile choice for various cargo needs. With a Google rating of 4.5 and excellent Indeed and Glassdoor ratings, C.J. Logistics has a strong reputation for customer satisfaction and employee well-being.
For business owners looking for comprehensive shipment solutions, C.J. Logistics offers both full and partial truckload services, as well as dedicated routes and regional driving options. They provide benefits for their drivers, including health, dental, and life insurance, as well as retirement plans. Their support for commercial shipments is further highlighted by flexible scheduling, deadhead, detention, and layover compensation, making them a reliable partner for all freight needs.
Safety
- Crashes: 7
- Unsafe driving: 0.71
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.44
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.02
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 84
- Revenue: $41,193,000
- Miles driven: 5,133,364
Yunak Corp
1320 S 6th Ave, Des Plaines, IL, 60018- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Livestock feed
- Lumber
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
Yunak Corp (DOT: 2334371) is a robust trucking company based in Illinois, actively operating with 24 trucks and 28 drivers. Although the year of establishment is not mentioned, the company boasts a variety of trucking services including full truckload (FTL), less than truckload (LTL), and partial truckload services. They specialize in transporting a diverse range of cargo such as agricultural and farm supplies, beverages, building materials, meat, logs, poles, beams, lumber, metal sheets, coils, rolls, paper products, and US mail.
Yunak Corp provides noteworthy support for commercial shipments, including refrigerated trailers (reefer), dry vans, and box trucks. They offer regional driving opportunities, guaranteed home time for drivers, and various employee benefits like health, dental, vision, disability insurance, and a retirement plan (401k). With a commitment to ensuring driver fitness and vehicle maintenance, they strike a balance between safety and efficiency, making them a reliable choice for business owners seeking dependable shipping solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 1.34
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.44
- Vehicle maintenance: 11.25
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 28
- Miles driven: 1,178,000
Southern Palm Transport
4840 Jeffory Street, Springfield, IL, 62703- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- Produce
- General
- Livestock feed
- Refrigerated food
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Southern Palm Transport (DOT: 874456) is a reputable trucking company based in Illinois, offering extensive trucking services since its inception. With a satisfactory safety rating and a fleet of modern vehicles, they handle a diverse range of cargo, including general freight, fresh produce, agricultural supplies, refrigerated food, construction materials, and household goods.
Southern Palm Transport specializes in both full and less-than-truckload services, ensuring flexibility for different shipping needs. They provide excellent support for commercial shipments with features such as guaranteed home time for drivers, direct deposit, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Additionally, their team drivers and regional drivers contribute to efficient and reliable deliveries. With a strong emphasis on driver health and benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as ongoing training and flexible scheduling, Southern Palm Transport stands out as a top choice for businesses looking for dependable transportation solutions.
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
- Miles driven: 411,026
Prima Express, Inc.
2221 Maple Rd, Joliet, IL, 60432- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- General
- Metal materials
- Utility tools, parts & equipment
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
Prima Express, Inc. (DOT: 1313194) is an active trucking company based in Illinois, operating a modest fleet of 162 trucks and 324 trailers. Although the exact year of establishment is not available, the company has built a reputation for providing reliable interstate transportation services. Prima Express specializes in various trucking services including full truckload, partial truckload, flatbed, and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipment.
Notably, Prima Express handles a wide range of cargo, such as beverages, building materials, construction materials, household goods, metal sheets, coils, and rolls, as well as paper products and utilities. The company offers additional support services that are crucial for commercial shipments, including regional and local drivers, direct deposit, health, dental, life insurance, vision coverage, and paid time off. Their focus is on being a reliable partner for businesses seeking consistent and professional shipping solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 25
- Unsafe driving: 4.22
- Driver fitness: 0.03
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.82
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.08
- Controlled substances: 0.06
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 145
- Revenue: $518,000
- Miles driven: 12,700,000
Buffalo Group Transport Limited
800 W Central Rd Ste 127, Mount Prospect, IL, 60056- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Produce
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
Buffalo Group Transport Limited (DOT: 1171316) is a reputable transportation company with a remarkable presence in Illinois. They specialize in offering full truckload (FTL) services and refrigerated trucking (reefer) services, operating a fleet of 70 trucks with an average age of five years. With an emphasis on general freight, the company also handles a variety of cargo including fresh produce, beverages, meat, and intermodal containers, ensuring diverse shipment solutions for business owners.
Buffalo Group Transport Limited extends robust support for commercial shipments, including health and dental insurance for drivers, ongoing training development programs, and direct deposit services. Their fleet of 35 trucks and 35 skilled drivers, combined with an active interstate operation status, make them a reliable choice for enterprises looking for efficient and safe transportation solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 1.49
- Driver fitness: 0.47
- Hours-of-service compliance: 1.03
- Vehicle maintenance: 9.26
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 35
- Miles driven: 854,345
M.S. Us, Inc.
636 Pratt Ave N, Schaumburg, IL, 60193- Fleet size: 20 to 49
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Chemicals
- Produce
- General
- Meat
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
M.S. Us, Inc. (DOT: 2335821) is a distinguished trucking company based in Illinois, known for its active operations since its establishment. The company operates a fleet of 34 trucks, primarily offering full truckload (FTL), partial truckload, and less-than-truckload (LTL) services. M.S. Us, Inc. specializes in carrying a broad spectrum of cargo, including chemicals, fresh produce, general freight, meat, paper products, refrigerated food, and U.S. mail, ensuring a versatile range of shipping solutions for various business needs.
The company provides notable support for commercial shipments through dedicated routes, team driving services, and guaranteed home time. With advantages such as regional drivers, direct deposit, life insurance, health insurance, dental insurance, and a retirement plan (401k), M.S. Us, Inc. prioritizes both operational efficiency and driver satisfaction. Their commitment to safety and ongoing training underscores a robust dedication to providing reliable and secure trucking services.
Safety
- Crashes: 7
- Unsafe driving: 2.85
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.29
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.81
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 8
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 34
- Revenue: $512,000
- Miles driven: 3,189,668
AGX Carriers
18342 West Creek Drive, Tinley Park, IL, 60477- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Farm supplies
- Produce
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Oilfield equipment
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
AGX Carriers (DOT: 1755933) is a reputable and active trucking company operating in Illinois. Specializing in full truckload, refrigerated food, and general freight services, they handle a diverse range of cargo, including agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, chemicals, machinery, oilfield equipment, paper products, and intermodal containers. With a fleet comprising 47 trucks, they meet various customer needs efficiently.
AGX Carriers offers significant commercial shipment support, including direct deposit, health insurance, dental insurance, paid time off, and local drivers. They maintain a strong commitment to safety with notable scores in controlled substance and hours of service compliance. Their services are aimed at ensuring efficient and reliable logistics solutions, tailored for business owners seeking top-quality freight transportation. AGX Carriers also offers accessible application and career opportunities through their website.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 1.87
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.74
- Vehicle maintenance: 8.25
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 1
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 43
- Miles driven: 5,833,987
Nationwide Enterprises Corp
3037 Long Common Pkwy, Elgin, IL, 60124- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- General
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
Nationwide Enterprises Corp (DOT: 1844537) is a distinguished trucking company based in Illinois. Catering to a variety of freight needs since its establishment, this company boasts a fleet of 15 trucks and 30 trailers. Specializing in full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments, Nationwide Enterprises handles an array of cargo including beverages, building materials, general freight, metal sheets, coils, rolls, and paper products. Their fleet includes dry vans and box trucks, and they also offer reefer services for temperature-sensitive goods.
Nationwide Enterprises supports commercial shipments with comprehensive services, such as dedicated routes, regional and local drivers, and owner-operator opportunities. They prioritize driver welfare with health, dental, vision insurance, paid time off, and a retirement 401(k) plan. Business owners looking for dependable and efficient delivery can rely on Nationwide Enterprises for their logistic needs.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.25
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 15
- Revenue: $131,000
- Miles driven: 945,296
Stenstrom Petroleum Services Group
2422 Center St, Rockford, IL, 61108- Fleet size: 50-99 Corp Only
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- General
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Hazardous materials
Stenstrom Petroleum Services Group (DOT: 2020615) is a reliable Illinois-based trucking company. They handle an array of cargo, including building materials, construction supplies, general freight, and paper products. They have a fleet comprising 17 trucks and 34 trailers, ensuring the capacity to meet varied transportation needs.
The company provides Full Truckload (FTL) services and Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) transportation. They cater to the specialized transport needs with tanker services and reefer options. Additionally, Stenstrom offers benefits such as sign-on bonuses, health insurance, dental, vision coverage, and retirement plans, reflecting their commitment to employee welfare. With a strong emphasis on safety and a Google rating of 4.5, Stenstrom Petroleum Services Group stands out as a trusted partner for commercial shipment solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.33
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 10
- Revenue: $4,067,000
- Miles driven: 380,000
Freightie, Inc.
1211 Milford Ave, Rockford, IL, 61109- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Conditional
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Produce
- General
- Machinery & large objects
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Freightie, Inc. (DOT: 3088543) is a reputable interstate trucking company in Illinois, offering specialized services since its establishment. They excel in transporting a variety of cargo, including beverages, building materials, fresh produce, general freight, machinery large objects, meat, metal sheets, and coils. Freightie, Inc. has a fleet of 37 trucks and 74 trailers, making them a reliable choice for handling significant shipping needs while maintaining an average fleet age of three years.
The company offers full truckload (FTL) and less than truckload (LTL) services, meeting diverse shipping requirements. They ensure the safe handling of refrigerated foods, US mail, and paper products. Freightie, Inc. provides essential benefits such as health, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, and has a history of 5088000 miles traveled in 2023. Their commitment to safety is reflected in their “Conditional” safety rating, despite some crash incidents reported. Business owners will find Freightie, Inc. a dependable partner for their freight transportation needs.
Safety
- Crashes: 6
- Unsafe driving: 4.91
- Driver fitness: 0.09
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.76
- Vehicle maintenance: 6.86
- Controlled substances: 0.17
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 41
- Miles driven: 5,088,000
How Safety Ratings Work in Illinois
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 Illinois Trucking Company for Your Shipments
Whether you operate an e-commerce platform, local business, or regional chain in Illinois, 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 Illinois 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: Illinois Trucking Companies
Which is the most frequently used mode of transportation for distributing products in Illinois?
Trucking, in general, is the most frequently used mode of transportation for distributing products in Illinois. 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 Illinois?
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 Illinois?
While trucking is the most widely used commercial shipping method in Illinois 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.
