After analyzing pricing, services, and consumer ratings, we picked Local Muscle, LLC as the best Maine trucking company for commerce shipments.
Depending on the size of your business and specific shipping needs, you may want to consider Local Muscle, LLC or one of the other top trucking companies on our list.
Top Trucking Companies in Maine
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 Maine. Every Maine 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 Maine for your commercial shipping needs.
Local Muscle, LLC
511 Riverside Industrial Parkway, Portland, ME, 4103- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Truck Types
- Dry van
Local Muscle, LLC (DOT: 2162841) is a Maine-based trucking company established in 2010. Specializing in household goods, the company primarily serves customers with household moving needs. Despite not offering hazardous materials transport or heavy haul services, Local Muscle, LLC ensures secure and reliable dry van transport for all kinds of household items.
Local Muscle, LLC boasts an active fleet of 16 trucks with a total of 25 drivers, making it a trustworthy option for local and regional delivery within the state and beyond. They offer flexible dry van full truckload services and prioritize driver health with health insurance benefits. With a commendable Google rating of 4.5, the company stands out for maintaining customer satisfaction and quality service.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 25
- Revenue: $896,000
- Miles driven: 70,000
Richard Carrier Trucking, Inc.
46 Industrial Park Road, Skowhegan, ME, 4976- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Trash
- General
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Vehicles
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Container
- Step deck
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
Richard Carrier Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 74288) is a reputable trucking company based in Maine. With a diverse fleet that includes flatbed, reefer, dry van, and tanker trailers, they are capable of handling a wide array of cargo, such as building materials, construction items, garbage/refuse, general freight, machinery, metal sheets, motor vehicles, and logs/poles/beams/lumber. Established as a trusted name in the transportation industry, they focus on providing essential services for wood products, demolition, equipment, and flatbed freight.
Richard Carrier Trucking offers specialized support for commercial shipments through various services such as regional and hazmat drivers, dedicated routes, last-mile deliveries, and drayage. Their team of 40 drivers operates interstate with a fleet of 53 trucks, highlighted by their commitment to safety with a satisfactory safety rating. Additional perks for drivers include health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, direct deposit, paid time off, and a retirement plan with 401(k), ensuring a stable and supportive working environment.
Safety
- Crashes: 5
- Unsafe driving: 0.26
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.14
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.62
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 40
- Revenue: $15,584,000
- Miles driven: 3,331,896
Hartt Transportation Systems, Inc.
262 Bomarc Rd, Bangor, ME, 4401- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
- Livestock feed
- Lumber
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
- Water well
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Container
- Step deck
- Last-mile delivery
- Cross-border
- Consolidation
Hartt Transportation Systems, Inc. (DOT: 184192) was established in 1948 and is a significant player in the North American transportation and logistics industry. Operating a fleet of 391 trucks and 782 trailers with an average fleet age of 3 years, they provide comprehensive services including regional, flatbed, and reefer transportation. They handle a diverse range of cargo such as beverages, building materials, commodities dry bulk, general freight, grain feed hay, household goods, logs poles beams lumber, paper products, refrigerated food, and water well supplies.
Hartt Transportation Systems offers extensive support for commercial shipments, including a managed transportation division to oversee logistics from start to finish, dedicated routes, and consolidation services. They also provide various driver benefits such as tuition reimbursement, disability insurance, and life insurance. With a focus on safety and training, they ensure drivers are well-prepared and compensated, contributing to their strong reputation in the industry. Their commitment to service makes them an ideal partner for businesses needing reliable trucking solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 10
- Unsafe driving: 0.28
- Driver fitness: 0.04
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.77
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 370
- Revenue: $35,795,000
- Miles driven: 34,000,000
Dysarts Transportation, Inc.
530 Coldbrook Road, Hermon, ME, 4401- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Coal coke
- Dry bulk commodities
- Liquids & gases
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Vehicles
- Refrigerated food
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Oversized
- Pneumatic
- Power only
- Dump trailer
- Last-mile delivery
- Consolidation
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Dysarts Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 185312) is a versatile trucking company based in Maine. Their fleet, composed of 31 trucks and numerous specialized trailers, transports a wide range of cargo including beverages, building materials, chemicals, coal/coke, machinery, motor vehicles, and refrigerated foods. The company, which has been active for over five decades, prides itself on offering various specialized services such as hazardous material handling, dry van, flatbed, and oversized loads.
Dysarts Transportation Inc. provides a comprehensive suite of services including managed transportation, last-mile delivery, drayage, and dedicated routes. Business owners can benefit from their commitment to safety, as evidenced by their satisfactory safety rating and extensive hazardous materials support. Additionally, Dysarts offers driver referral bonuses, sign-on bonuses, flexible scheduling, health insurance, and a retirement plan, showcasing their emphasis on employee welfare.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 2.33
- Driver fitness: 0.01
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.06
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.4
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 2
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 26
- Revenue: $218,000
- Miles driven: 598,904
Chapman Trucking, Inc.
497 Washington St North, Auburn, ME, 4210- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Power only
- Consolidation
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Chapman Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 248771) is a Maine-based trucking company with a fleet of more than 55 trucks and 110 trailers. They offer a wide range of transportation services, specializing in carrying a variety of cargo such as beverages, building materials, machinery, paper products, and US Mail. Their extensive shipping capabilities include flatbed, dry van, and reefer transport, catering to the needs of various industries with a focus on dedicated routes and managed transportation.
Chapman Trucking stands out with their support for commercial shipments, offering specialized drivers, hazmat transport, and drop trailer services. They also provide significant employee benefits such as health, dental, and vision insurance, tuition reimbursement, and life insurance. The company emphasizes safety, confirmed by a satisfactory safety rating and ongoing training programs, making them a reliable choice for business owners seeking efficient and secure transport solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 1.04
- Driver fitness: 0.11
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.43
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 54
- Revenue: $10,989,000
- Miles driven: 34,622
R F Chamberland, Inc.
149 Main Street, Saint Agatha, ME, 4772- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Dry bulk commodities
- Produce
- General
- Lumber
- Meat
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Step deck
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
R F Chamberland, Inc. (DOT: 181788) is a reputable trucking company based in Maine, established in 1977. With a fleet size exceeding 50 trucks, the company specializes in transporting a diverse range of cargo including beverages, building materials, dry bulk commodities, fresh produce, general freight, household goods, logs, poles, beams, lumber, meat, paper products, and refrigerated food. Their commitment to quality and reliability is evident in their fleet of refrigerated trucks, dry vans, and flatbeds, ensuring safe and timely delivery for various commercial needs.
R F Chamberland, Inc. offers specialized support for commercial shipments, including dedicated routes, managed transportation solutions, and cross-border services. They also provide significant driver and customer support benefits such as guaranteed home time, direct deposit, and a safety bonus program. The company emphasizes driver welfare with benefits like health insurance, paid time off, flexible scheduling, and ongoing training development programs, further solidifying their status as a top choice for business owners seeking dependable trucking services.
Safety
- Crashes: 8
- Unsafe driving: 1.27
- Driver fitness: 0.17
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.27
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.88
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 70
- Revenue: $7,601,000
- Miles driven: 5,571,483
PEP Transportation
32 Prescott St, Gardiner, ME, 4345- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Auto carrier
- Step deck
- Pneumatic
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Hot shot
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Consolidation
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
PEP Transportation (DOT: 25286) is a prominent trucking company operating since 1955 in Maine, with a focus on delivering specialized and commercial shipment services. Their experienced team of 102 drivers and a fleet of 85 trucks efficiently transport a wide range of cargo including building materials, construction equipment, logs, lumber, machinery, and metal sheets, coils, and rolls. They pride themselves on offering dedicated routes, last mile delivery, and managed transportation services, along with specialized transportation support like hot shot, flatbed, reefer, and tanker services.
PEP Transportation provides extensive commercial shipping amenities, such as lift gates, deadhead detention layover compensation, hazardous materials handling, and step decks. They maintain an impressive safety record with satisfactory ratings, ongoing training programs, and a fleet with an average age of three years. The company offers driver benefits like health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, flexible scheduling, and retirement plans, making them a reliable choice for business owners seeking top-tier transportation solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 0.41
- Driver fitness: 0.18
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.16
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.55
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 102
- Revenue: $4,060,000
- Miles driven: 3,243,845
Northeast Transport, Inc.
3200 Atlantic Highway, Waldoboro, ME, 4572- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Dry bulk commodities
- Produce
- General
- Meat
- Refrigerated food
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Container
- Step deck
- Power only
- Sprinter van
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
Northeast Transport, Inc. (DOT: 288676) is a well-respected transportation company founded in 1986 and located in Maine. The company operates a fleet of over 36 trucks and 72 trailers, with a focus on diverse cargo types such as fresh produce, beverages, general freight, and refrigerated foods. Specialized offerings include dedicated routes, last-mile delivery, drop trailer services, and flatbed transportation.
NorthEast Transport provides several special supports for commercial shipment, including managed transportation services, cross-docking capabilities, and guaranteed home time. They also extend benefits like dental, vision, and health insurance, tuition reimbursement, and sign-on bonuses, making them a reliable choice for business owners seeking comprehensive and efficient trucking solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 2.96
- Driver fitness: 0.12
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.55
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.17
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 40
- Revenue: $4,723,000
- Miles driven: 3,746,795
Pottle’s Transportation, LLC
15 Page Road West, Hermon, ME, 4401- Fleet age: 1 year
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Produce
- General
- Livestock feed
- Intermodal containers
- Liquids & gases
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Hazardous materials
Pottle’s Transportation, LLC (DOT: 178566) is a renowned trucking company established in 1961, operating out of Maine. They maintain a versatile fleet of 202 trucks and 404 trailers, proficiently handling a diverse range of cargo such as beverages, building materials, fresh produce, general freight, machinery, metal sheets, and hazardous materials. With a significant emphasis on team driving and interstate operations, Pottle’s promises professionalism and reliability in their transportation services.
Pottle’s Transportation distinguishes itself by offering numerous benefits to its employees, including dental and vision insurance, life insurance, and a 401k retirement plan. They also provide sign-on and driver referral bonuses. Special commercial support features include drop trailer services, specialized handling of refrigerated foods, and machinery. Additionally, the company encourages ongoing training and development programs, ensuring a well-prepared and knowledgeable driving force.
Safety
- Crashes: 5
- Unsafe driving: 0.35
- Driver fitness: 0.14
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.26
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.62
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 190
- Revenue: $895,000
- Miles driven: 15,300,000
H O Bouchard, Inc.
349 Coldbrook Rd, Hampden, ME, 4444- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 2 years
- Insurance: $5,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Coal coke
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
- Liquids & gases
- Machinery & large objects
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Hopper bottom
- Power only
- Tanker
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Hazardous materials
H O Bouchard, Inc. (DOT: 150251) is a reputable trucking company established in 1958 in Maine. They operate a robust fleet of 97 trucks, including flatbeds, tankers, dry vans, and specialty vehicles like ones fitted for hauling hazardous materials. They are known for transporting a broad range of cargo, such as building materials, chemicals, machinery, dry bulk commodities, construction materials, general freight, and liquids/gases.
H O Bouchard, Inc. provides essential services like hazardous material handling and offers support for cross-border shipments. They ensure professional and timely deliveries with a team of both regional and over-the-road (OTR) drivers. The company places importance on employee benefits, including health insurance and paid time off, and maintains a commendable safety record with a “Satisfactory” rating. They also offer team driver services and operate under “Active” USDOT status.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 0.52
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.23
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.68
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 5
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 93
- Revenue: $26,847,000
- Miles driven: 5,056,196
How Safety Ratings Work in Maine
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 Maine Trucking Company for Your Shipments
Whether you operate an e-commerce platform, local business, or regional chain in Maine, 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 Maine 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: Maine Trucking Companies
Which is the most frequently used mode of transportation for distributing products in Maine?
Trucking, in general, is the most frequently used mode of transportation for distributing products in Maine. 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 Maine?
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 Maine?
While trucking is the most widely used commercial shipping method in Maine 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.
