After analyzing pricing, services, and consumer ratings, we picked Valor, LLC as the best Kentucky trucking company for commerce shipments.
Depending on the size of your business and specific shipping needs, you may want to consider Valor, LLC or one of the other top trucking companies on our list.
Top Trucking Companies in Kentucky
Why Trust FreightWaves?
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 Kentucky. Every Kentucky 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 Kentucky for your commercial shipping needs.
Valor, LLC
1200 Alsop Ln, Owensboro, KY, 42303- Fleet size: 20 to 49
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Chemicals
- General
- Liquids & gases
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Valor, LLC (DOT: 912967) is a reputable freight trucking company operating in Kentucky. Although the company does not specify its year of establishment, it boasts a moderate fleet size ranging between 20 to 49 vehicles with a total of 34 power units and 10 trailers. They specialize in carrying a variety of cargo, including Chemicals, General Freight, and Liquids/Gases. The company offers key services such as reefer and dry van transportation, making them suitable for temperature-sensitive and general cargo needs.
Valor, LLC provides several special supports for commercial shipments, including less-than-truckload (LTL) and partial truckload services, ensuring flexibility for different shipment sizes. The company also focuses on driver well-being, offering benefits like health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as disability insurance and paid time off. Valor, LLC is recognized for their good safety practices, highlighted by zero crash injuries or fatalities and a positive rating on Indeed and Google. This well-rounded approach makes Valor, LLC a compelling choice for businesses seeking reliable and safe freight transportation.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.85
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.89
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 2
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 22
- Revenue: $13,462,000
- Miles driven: 460,832
Bluegrass Solutions, LLC
2803 Georgetown Rd, Lexington, KY, 40511- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Bluegrass Solutions, LLC (DOT: 2132476) is an active freight trucking company based in Kentucky, with a fleet age averaging 5 years and a total of 13 trucks and 15 drivers. The company specializes in interstate operations, boasting a strong focus on dry van and flatbed transport services. Established with a commitment to quality, they carry a diverse range of cargo, including beverages, building materials, general freight, machinery, large objects, metal sheets, coils, rolls, paper products, and U.S. mail. Their services are supported by a comprehensive set of employee benefits, such as health, vision, dental, life, and disability insurance, as well as a retirement plan.
Bluegrass Solutions stands out with its capability to handle partial truckload and last-mile delivery services, making it highly suitable for businesses with varying shipping needs. The company’s safety record includes crash injuries but no fatalities, reflecting an average emphasis on safety. While they do not provide specialized hauling of hazardous materials or refrigerated foods, their focus on full truckload, dry bulk commodities, and team driver services ensures timely, efficient transportation for a wide array of cargo types.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 2.88
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.24
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.72
- Controlled substances: 0.15
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 15
- Miles driven: 1,197,071
THE Peregrine Transportation Company, LLC
11405 Park Road Suite 100, Louisville, KY, 40223- Fleet size: 50-99 Corp Only
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- General
- Lumber
- Metal materials
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
THE Peregrine Transportation Company, LLC (DOT: 2151709) is a reputable Kentucky-based freight carrier, active since 1994. The company boasts a modern fleet of 28 trucks and emphasizes carrying a diverse range of cargo, including building materials, general freight, logs, poles, beams, lumber, metal sheets, coils, and rolls. Their team comprises 28 drivers skilled in handling both reefer and dry van transport services, ensuring that various types of cargo are delivered with reliability and care.
Known for offering comprehensive employee benefits such as dental, life, vision, and health insurance, THE Peregrine Transportation Company also supports its drivers with team driving services and guaranteed home time. Catered primarily to business owners who require robust commercial shipment solutions, the company stands out for its fleet’s relatively youthful average age of 3 years and its commitment to delivering full truckload and less-than-truckload shipments efficiently.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 2.58
- Driver fitness: 0.24
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.36
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.46
- Controlled substances: 0.24
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 28
- Revenue: $10,577,000
- Miles driven: 1,955,658
Central Expedite, LLC
1211 Woodhurst Street, Bowling Green, KY, 42104- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- General
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Central Expedite, LLC (DOT: 2256997) is a reputable trucking company based in Kentucky. They boast a versatile operation since their USDOT status is active. The company handles a wide variety of cargo, including beverages, general freight, household goods, metal sheets, coils, and rolls, paper products, and other miscellaneous items. Their fleet consists of 70 vehicles, with 35 trucks and 35 power units, ensuring reliable and efficient transportation services.
Central Expedite, LLC offers several specialized services catering to commercial shipments. They provide last-mile delivery and partial truckload services, catering to smaller shipments. Additional support for shippers includes specialty insurance options and safety bonuses, indicating a strong commitment to securing cargo and rewarding safe driving practices. The company ensures their workforce is well taken care of with benefits such as dental, vision, disability, life insurance, and a retirement plan (401k).
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 5.33
- Driver fitness: 0.21
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.65
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.02
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 34
- Miles driven: 2,200,000
Miller Transportation, Inc.
111 Outer Loop, Louisville, KY, 40214- Fleet size: 20 to 49
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $5,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
Miller Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 203686) is a long-standing trucking company established in 1938. The company operates a versatile fleet of 328 vehicles, specialized in transporting passengers, flatbed cargo, and dry van goods across interstate routes. With a substantial mileage of over 4.4 million miles, their team of 197 drivers ensures reliable service for varying cargo needs.
While Miller Transportation may not handle hazardous materials or refrigerated foods, they excel in full truckload and less-than-truckload services. Business owners can benefit from the company’s employee benefits such as dental, life, and vision insurance, along with a retirement plan. Their satisfactory safety rating and emphasis on driver fitness reflect their commitment to safe and efficient transport solutions, making them a compelling choice for commercial shipping needs.
Safety
- Crashes: 6
- Unsafe driving: 0.01
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.33
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 197
- Revenue: $1,616,000
- Miles driven: 4,427,850
Greenline Express, Inc.
2352 Russellville Rd, Bowling Green, KY, 42101- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Lumber
- Metal materials
- Utility tools, parts & equipment
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
Greenline Express, Inc. (DOT: 1632617) is a versatile trucking company based in Kentucky. Operating with a fleet of 62 trucks, they specialize in full truckload, dry van, reefer, and flatbed services. Established with a focus on comprehensive service, Greenline Express transports various cargo types such as agricultural supplies, building materials, beverages, paper products, metal sheets, coils, rolls, and general freight.
Greenline Express offers robust support for commercial shipments, including essential services such as dental, vision, disability, life insurance plans, and paid time off, making them a well-rounded choice for business owners. They emphasize safety and hold a satisfactory safety rating, indicating their commitment to reliable and secure shipping solutions. With a Google rating of 4.5 and a reputation for consistency and reliability, Greenline Express stands out as a dependable partner for businesses seeking superior trucking services.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 3.31
- Driver fitness: 0.71
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.23
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.11
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 62
- Revenue: $405,000
- Miles driven: 4,503,531
O.N. Time Logistic, LLC
216 Century Street Suite 200, Bowling Green, KY, 42101- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Dry bulk commodities
- Produce
- General
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
O.N. Time Logistic, LLC (DOT: 2116677) is a Kentucky-based freight trucking company. Despite its modest fleet of 65 trucks and 61 drivers, it specializes in carrying a variety of cargo, including commodities dry bulk, fresh produce, general freight, household goods, and paper products. Known for its significant emphasis on shipment reliability, O.N. Time Logistic, LLC leverages both dry van and flatbed trailers to cater to diverse shipping needs.
Commercial clients can benefit from unique services such as guaranteed home time and ongoing training development programs. The company supports less than truckload (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) shipments and offers reefer services for temperature-sensitive cargo. Additional perks include health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as paid time off, making O.N. Time Logistic, LLC a competitive choice for business owners looking for a dependable transportation partner with solid employee benefits.
Safety
- Crashes: 5
- Unsafe driving: 1.84
- Driver fitness: 0.35
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.75
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.63
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 61
- Revenue: $203,000
- Miles driven: 4,175,000
Material Transfer Company, Inc.
15415 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY, 40245- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Machinery & large objects
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Material Transfer Company, Inc. (DOT: 595875) is a reputable trucking company established in 1949, specializing in the transportation of machinery, large objects, and various other types of cargo. Operating a fleet of 61 trucks, including flatbed and dry van types, they offer comprehensive services tailored to commercial needs.
The company provides specialized support such as full truckload and less-than-truckload shipping solutions, ensuring flexibility for businesses with diverse shipping requirements. Material Transfer Company, Inc. emphasizes excellent employee benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with a robust retirement plan. Their commitment to safety and high standards is reflected in their satisfactory ratings, making them a reliable choice for businesses seeking quality trucking services.
Safety
- Crashes: 6
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.26
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 59
- Revenue: $22,931,000
- Miles driven: 1,985,287
Thoroughbred Transportation, Inc.
11400 Plantside Drive, Louisville, KY, 40299- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Thoroughbred Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 427711) is a versatile trucking company based in Kentucky. They operate a fleet of 37 trucks and primarily transport commodities like dry bulk and general freight. Their services include both full truckload and less-than-truckload shipments, ensuring flexible logistics solutions for diverse business needs. They stand out for their specialized support in partial truckloads and have flatbed trailers for carrying various types of cargo.
Thoroughbred Transportation prioritizes employee well-being, offering benefits such as dental, life, and vision insurance, as well as paid time off and disability insurance. For business owners seeking reliable interstate transportation, the company’s performance boasts a satisfactory safety rating and an active common authority status. Their well-maintained vehicles and a dedicated team of 30 drivers ensure efficient and secure delivery of products.
Safety
- Crashes: 5
- Unsafe driving: 4.43
- Driver fitness: 0.11
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.14
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.64
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 30
- Revenue: $2,209,000
- Miles driven: 1,580,000
M & M Cartage Co, Inc.
6220 Geil Ln, Louisville, KY, 40219- Fleet size: 11 to 25
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- General
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
M & M Cartage Co, Inc. (DOT: 325199) is a reputable trucking company founded in 2011, headquartered in Kentucky. They manage a significant fleet of 273 trucks, specializing in the transportation of beverages, general freight, and paper products. With 319 drivers, including local and over-the-road operators, M & M Cartage provides full truckload and less-than-truckload services, ensuring flexibility and efficiency in their shipping solutions.
In addition to their core transportation services, M & M Cartage supports their commercial clientele with a range of benefits such as dry van and flatbed hauling. They prioritize driver well-being with health and life insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans, reflecting their commitment to service quality and employee satisfaction. Business owners seeking reliable and comprehensive trucking services will find M & M Cartage an excellent choice for their shipping needs.
Safety
- Crashes: 15
- Unsafe driving: 0.5
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.03
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.22
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 319
- Revenue: $2,446,000
- Miles driven: 13,900,000
How Safety Ratings Work in Kentucky
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 Kentucky Trucking Company for Your Shipments
Whether you operate an e-commerce platform, local business, or regional chain in Kentucky, 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 Kentucky 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: Kentucky Trucking Companies
Which is the most frequently used mode of transportation for distributing products in Kentucky?
Trucking, in general, is the most frequently used mode of transportation for distributing products in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
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 Kentucky?
While trucking is the most widely used commercial shipping method in Kentucky 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.