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 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 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) started operations in 2010 and has since built a commendable reputation. This trucking company, located in Maine, primarily focuses on handling household goods with a particular emphasis on interstate operations. Their fleet consists of 8 trucks and 16 total vehicles, adept at providing full truckload (FTL) services. Despite its compact size, the company maintains a good safety record with zero crash injuries or fatalities reported.
Local Muscle, LLC offers regional and local driving opportunities, which is ideal for businesses looking for reliable transportation within specific areas. They provide essential services such as direct deposit and health insurance for their drivers, which speaks to their employee-centric approach. Businesses seeking a dependable carrier for household goods will find Local Muscle, LLC equipped to move their products efficiently and safely.
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
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 Maine-based trucking company established in 1955. With a fleet of advanced vehicles including 85 trucks and extensive cargo capabilities, they specialize in transporting a diverse array of materials such as building materials, construction equipment, metal sheets, coils, and large machinery. Their commitment to service quality is underscored by their team of 102 drivers, offering options such as flatbed and reefer transport, as well as hazardous materials handling. Notably, they ensure the safe transport of complex and oversized cargo with dedicated support and safety measures in place.
PEP Transportation extends significant support for commercial shipments, providing services like dedicated routes, regional and local drivers, as well as owner-operator opportunities. Their focus on driver benefits is clear, offering sign-on bonuses, health insurance, retirement plans, flexible scheduling, and guaranteed home time. Additionally, they support driver development through ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement programs, alongside competitive compensation and various driving roles to cater to diverse needs.
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
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, managing 31 trucks and specializing in transporting a variety of cargo including beverages, building materials, chemicals, coal/coke, refrigerated foods, and large machinery. With a fleet size ranging from 1 to 10 and 26 interstate drivers, Dysarts has been fostering excellent service since its establishment. They offer services such as dry van, flatbed, and pneumatic trailers, ensuring they can handle diverse transport needs.
For commercial shipments, Dysarts Transportation provides special support with drayage services and the transportation of dry bulk commodities and hazardous materials. They also offer managed transportation to streamline logistics for business clients. Additionally, the company ensures safety and satisfaction with their driver referral bonuses, sign-on bonuses, and competitive driver salaries ranging from $50,000 to $60,000 annually. Customers seeking reliable and comprehensive trucking services will find Dysarts Transportation a strong contender.
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
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 freight trucking company in Maine. Their services include transportation of building materials, construction items, garbage/refuse, general freight, logs, poles, beams, lumber, machinery, large objects, metal sheets, coils, rolls, and motor vehicles. With a fleet of 53 vehicles and 106 trailers, they boast specialized services such as drayage, dry van, intermodal containers, and step deck support, ensuring a broad range of cargo handling capabilities.
This company provides specialized support for commercial shipments, including hazardous materials handling and cross-docking services. Richard Carrier Trucking places a strong emphasis on driver welfare with benefits like health, dental, and vision insurance, employee retirement plans, and paid time off. They also offer bonuses for safety and driver referrals, making them a preferred choice for comprehensive and reliable transportation solutions.
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
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 that has been serving Maine since 1958. With a fleet of 97 trucks, they specialize in transporting a variety of cargo, including building materials, chemicals, coal/coke, and large machinery. Their services also extend to handling dry bulk commodities and general freight, demonstrating their versatility and capability in shipping diverse types of products.
H O Bouchard, Inc. offers specialized support for commercial shipments, including power-only services, cross-border transport, and tanker operations. They prioritize safety with a satisfactory safety rating and moderate vehicle maintenance scores. The company provides health insurance, vision coverage, and tuition reimbursement to their drivers, ensuring a supportive work environment. With their flexible scheduling and experience in handling hazardous materials, H O Bouchard, Inc. stands out as a reliable and comprehensive choice for business owners looking for quality trucking services.
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
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) is an established freight trucking company operating out of Maine since 1948. With a fleet of over 782 trucks and 391 power units, they specialize in transporting a wide range of goods, including beverages, building materials, grain, hay, and refrigerated foods. The company excels in providing robust services such as dry van transport, flatbed, step deck, and reefer trailers.
Hartt Transportation Systems offers tailored solutions for commercial shipments, including dedicated routes, regional, local, and over-the-road drivers. Noteworthy special services include cross-border capabilities, managed transportation, and container and consolidation services. Their comprehensive support extends beyond trucking services to include health insurance, sign-on and safety bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and ongoing training and development programs.
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
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 an established trucking company in Maine renowned for its diverse cargo solutions. They specialize in carrying beverages, building materials, construction materials, intermodal containers, logs, large machinery, paper products, and US mail. Their comprehensive services include the use of reefer, power-only transport, and general freight capabilities, with a fleet size of over 50 trucks and more than 110 total units.
Chapman Trucking distinguishes itself with dedicated routes, hazmat transport, and specialized drivers. They also support commercial shipments with managed transportation solutions and drop trailer services. The company offers exceptional employee benefits such as sign-on and safety bonuses, direct deposit, health insurance, paid time off, per diem payments, and a 401(k) retirement plan, underscoring their commitment to both safety and employee satisfaction.
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
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) has been a trusted name in the trucking industry since 1986. They manage a fleet of 72 trucks that specialize in transporting various types of cargo, including fresh produce, refrigerated foods, general freight, beverages, and meat. The company showcases a modern fleet with an average age of 4 years and provides a broad range of services such as drayage, cross-border shipments, and regional and dedicated routes, ensuring efficient and timely deliveries.
Northeast Transport, Inc. offers specialized support for commercial shipments through features like power-only transport, dry van, flatbed, sprinter van services, and lift gates for easier loading and unloading. They also offer cross-docking and managed transportation to streamline logistics. The company’s dedication to safety and quality service is evident from their satisfactory safety rating and comprehensive driver support program, which includes tuition reimbursement, ongoing training and development, and guaranteed home time for drivers.
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
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 of over 50 vehicles, they provide a wide range of services including dry van, flatbed, and refrigerated (reefer) transportation. They specialize in hauling various types of cargo, such as beverages, building materials, dry bulk commodities, fresh produce, general freight, household goods, and paper products. The company maintains a satisfactory safety rating and offers guaranteed home time for their drivers.
R F Chamberland is known for supporting commercial shipments with dedicated routes, regional and local driving options, and cross-border services. They have a strong focus on driver benefits, offering sign-on bonuses, health insurance, vision coverage, per diem payments, paid time off, retirement plans, and flexible scheduling. The company also supports rider or pet policies, making it an attractive option for drivers seeking a balanced work-life environment while ensuring reliable service for business owners.
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
SPC Transport Co
224 West Hardscrabble Rd, Auburn, ME, 4210- Fleet size: 50+
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- General
- Livestock feed
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Vehicles
- Utility tools, parts & equipment
- Paper products
SPC Transport Co (DOT: 9163) is an established trucking company in Maine, operating since 1987. They specialize in handling various types of cargo, such as beverages, building materials, construction materials, grain feed hay, logs, poles, beams, lumber, machinery, large objects, metal sheets, coils, rolls, motor vehicles, paper products, and utilities. With a fleet size of over 50 trucks and a total of 103 drivers, they maintain a fleet of 96 trucks, emphasizing safety with satisfactory safety ratings.
SPC Transport Co provides reliable service as both a broker and carrier, focusing primarily on general freight. They offer full-truckload logistics and ensure proper management of shipments as an active interstate carrier. Additionally, the company supports owner-operators and holds an insurance bond on file. Clients looking for a professional and safety-conscious transportation partner will find SPC Transport Co to be a dependable choice.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 0.27
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.06
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.2
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 103
- Revenue: $14,218,000
- Miles driven: 12,000,000
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.