After analyzing pricing, services, and consumer ratings, we picked TOP Distributing Co, Inc. as the best Michigan trucking company for commerce shipments.
Depending on the size of your business and specific shipping needs, you may want to consider TOP Distributing Co, Inc. or one of the other top trucking companies on our list.
Top Trucking Companies in Michigan
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 Michigan. Every Michigan 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 Michigan for your commercial shipping needs.
TOP Distributing Co, Inc.
1317 Terminal Cres Sw, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Dry bulk commodities
- Produce
- General
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
TOP Distributing Co, Inc. (DOT: 330541) is a reputable trucking company operating out of Michigan. With a fleet of over 50 trucks, including reefers, dry vans, and box trucks, this company is equipped to handle a variety of cargo such as dry bulk commodities, fresh produce, general freight, paper products, and refrigerated food. The company holds a satisfactory safety rating and boasts modern fleet equipment with an average age of 3 years.
TOP Distributing Co, Inc. provides several valuable services for commercial shippers, including full truckload and less-than-truckload options, as well as parcel delivery. They support local and regional driving, offering specialized routes for efficient transport. Additionally, the company prioritizes employee benefits, featuring health, dental, and disability insurance, as well as paid time off and a retirement plan. Despite having reported zero crashes, their safety scores indicate a strong commitment to safe driving practices.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 1.33
- Driver fitness: 0.06
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.24
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.88
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 7
- Revenue: $47,137,000
- Miles driven: 424,493
LEE Transportation, Inc.
563 N Cass Ave, Pontiac, MI, 48342- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Vehicles
- Oilfield equipment
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
LEE Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 2398863) is a notable trucking company, providing full truckload (FTL) services with an operational fleet of 23 trucks and handling a wide range of cargo types such as building materials, intermodal containers, large machinery, and metal sheets, coils, and rolls. This company is well-regarded for transporting general freight and supporting interstate operations with a focus on dry van and flatbed deliveries.
LEE Transportation, Inc. offers several benefits to their commercial clients, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance for their drivers, as well as paid time off and a 401k retirement plan. Their fleet age averages at five years, ensuring modern and reliable vehicles for efficient transport. Supporting commercial needs further, the company maintains an active status with the U.S. Department of Transportation and carries appropriate insurance coverage to back their operations.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 2.04
- Driver fitness: 0.31
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.11
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.6
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 23
- Revenue: $576,000
- Miles driven: 1,110,500
Central Transport
12225 Stephens Road, Warren, MI, 48089- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- General
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Last-mile delivery
Central Transport (DOT: 661173) is a reputable trucking company established in Michigan in 1980. Specializing in general freight, they offer both full truckload and partial truckload services, making them versatile. They have a vast fleet of 4060 trucks and employ over 4000 drivers, indicating their capacity for large-scale operations. With a satisfactory safety rating, Central Transport demonstrates a commitment to maintaining industry standards.
The company provides comprehensive support for commercial shipments, including services such as team driving opportunities, guaranteed home time, and regional driving options. They also offer perks like paid time off, health insurance, safety bonuses, and a retirement plan, which underscores their focus on employee well-being. Central Transport’s robust infrastructure and extensive services make them a compelling choice for business owners seeking reliable freight solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 311
- Unsafe driving: 1.23
- Driver fitness: 0.04
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.15
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.62
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 180
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 4035
- Revenue: $205,308,000
- Miles driven: 229,000,000
Reliable Delivery Service
21450 Trolley Industrial Drive, Taylor, MI, 48180- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- General
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
Reliable Delivery Service (DOT: 1038782) is an experienced freight trucking company based in Michigan. They have been operational for many years and boast a solid reputation with commendable ratings on various platforms. Specializing in services such as full truckload (FTL), partial truckload (PTL), and parcel delivery, Reliable Delivery Service ensures a broad scope of transportation options. They carry a range of cargo, including general freight, household goods, and paper products, utilizing a well-maintained fleet of seven trucks and a variety of specialized trailers like box trucks and dry vans.
Reliable Delivery Service provides enhanced commercial shipment support, including regional driving opportunities and expedited driving services. The company places emphasis on driver welfare, offering benefits such as health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, and safety bonuses. With an active interstate carrier operation and zero reported crash injuries or fatalities, this company underscores its commitment to safety and reliability, making it a trusted choice for business owners needing dependable logistics 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: 3
- Revenue: $2,173,000
- Miles driven: 99,993
General Trucking, Inc.
24121 Mound Rd, Warren, MI, 48091- Fleet size: 11 to 25
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
General Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 1556061) is a Michigan-based trucking company established in 2006. Known for its reliable service, the company operates a fleet of 65 trucks and specializes in a variety of freight types, including dry bulk commodities and general freight. With a satisfactory safety rating, the company also offers tanker and flatbed services. General Trucking, Inc. demonstrates a commitment to driver welfare, providing health insurance, dental insurance, and a solid retirement plan (401k).
Commercial clients will appreciate specific services like full truckload, reefer trailers, and less-than-truckload options. The company is particularly supportive of long-haul and regional drivers, offering benefits such as sign-on bonuses, paid time off, and guaranteed home time. With a commendable Google rating of 4.5, General Trucking, Inc. stands out as a trusted partner for businesses looking to transport their products efficiently and safely.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 1.69
- Driver fitness: 0.08
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.3
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.44
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 2
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 65
- Revenue: $2,875,000
- Miles driven: 4,150,821
Priority Express, Inc.
6145 Wall Street Suite D, Sterling Heights, MI, 48312- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Conditional
Cargo Types
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Priority Express, Inc. (DOT: 1984780) is a reputable trucking company established in 2021 in Michigan. Specializing in general freight, commodities dry bulk, and paper products, they provide comprehensive interstate transportation services. Their fleet consists of 28 trucks, and they offer both full truckload and less-than-truckload services, ensuring flexibility for various shipping needs. With a strong presence on CarrierSource and positive reviews on Google and Indeed, the company is recognized for its reliable service.
Priority Express, Inc. stands out with its commitment to driver welfare and customer satisfaction. They offer health, dental, and vision insurance, along with guaranteed home time for drivers, helping to ensure a happy and motivated workforce. The company also emphasizes safety, with a relatively low score in unsafe driving and hours of service violations. For businesses seeking efficient and dependable freight transportation, Priority Express, Inc. is an excellent choice.
Safety
- Crashes: 5
- Unsafe driving: 5.64
- Driver fitness: 0.24
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.03
- Vehicle maintenance: 7.59
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 28
- Revenue: $124,000
- Miles driven: 2,000,000
Powell Relocation Group
4937 Starr Street Se, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546- Fleet size: 11 to 25
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Last-mile delivery
Powell Relocation Group (DOT: 261884) is a highly-regarded trucking company based in Michigan, known for its reliable service and excellent reputation, evidenced by a solid 4.5-star rating on Google and commendable Glassdoor reviews. The company specializes in the transportation of household goods, using a well-maintained fleet of 53 trucks and 106 trailers, with an average fleet age of 5 years. They offer both full truckload (FTL) and partial truckload (PTL) services, catering mainly to local and intrastate non-hazardous shipments.
Noteworthy support for commercial shipments includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance for drivers, as well as retirement plans and paid time off. Powell Relocation Group ensures safe and efficient operations, with zero crash fatalities and a focus on vehicle maintenance. They have established a strong presence, benefiting from consistent operational and safety compliance, making them an excellent choice for businesses seeking dependable trucking services for their cargo needs.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.15
- Driver fitness: 0.2
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 8.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: intrastate non-hazardous
- Drivers: 50
- Revenue: $6,010,000
- Miles driven: 900,000
Concepts Transport, Inc.
163 Morrell St, Detroit, MI, 48209- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- General
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Concepts Transport, Inc. (DOT: 1600173) is a prominent carrier in Michigan’s transportation sector. Operating with a fleet size between 1 to 10 trucks and employing seven interstate drivers, the company is committed to delivering a range of freight services. Founded 6,416 days ago, Concepts Transport, Inc. focuses on transporting various types of cargo, including beverages, building materials, construction materials, general freight, logs, metal sheets, and paper products. Their operation covers full truckloads (FTL), partial truckloads (LTL), and dry van shipping.
Concepts Transport, Inc. places a strong emphasis on employee well-being and professional development. They offer health, dental, vision, and life insurance, along with disability insurance, paid time off, and a retirement plan (401k). Additionally, they provide new driver programs and paid CDL training. Known for a satisfactory safety rating, the company also ensures benefits like direct deposit, guaranteed home time, and rider or pet allowances for their drivers. Concepts Transport, Inc. maintains an active status with satisfactory safety ratings, making them a reliable choice for commercial shipments.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.58
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.77
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 7
- Revenue: $706,000
- Miles driven: 421,018
Prestige Transport, LLC
4520 40th St Se, Grand Rapids, MI, 49512- Fleet size: 11 to 25
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- General
- Refrigerated food
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Prestige Transport, LLC (DOT: 1462593) is a reputable trucking company operating out of Michigan. Known for their reliable service since their establishment, Prestige Transport specializes in refrigerated food and general freight transportation. They boast a modern fleet age of 3 years and a robust setup of 69 trucks and 138 trailers, ensuring efficient and safe deliveries. With services such as reefer, dry van, partial truckload, full truckload, flatbed, and less-than-truckload, they handle a diverse range of cargo for their clients.
Additionally, Prestige Transport offers specialized support for commercial shipments, with regional and local drivers, team drivers service, and flexible scheduling making them a valuable partner for businesses. Their safety score is commendable, backed by a ‘Satisfactory’ rating and ongoing training development programs. Employees benefit from health, dental, and life insurance, along with direct deposit and paid time off, making Prestige Transport a solid choice for both clients and employees alike.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 3.56
- Driver fitness: 0.04
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.37
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.52
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 63
- Revenue: $1,285,000
- Miles driven: 4,949,815
Churchill Transportation, Inc.
2455 24th Street, Detroit, MI, 48216- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Chemicals
- General
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
Churchill Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 170798) has been a reputable freight trucking company since 1977, operating out of Michigan. With a fleet of over 102 trucks and a workforce of 95 drivers, they specialize in carrying chemicals, general freight, and other cargo. Their services include full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation, catering to a variety of commercial shipping needs. The company ensures timely interstate deliveries with an “Active” authority status and a satisfactory safety rating.
Churchill Transportation offers significant support for commercial shipments, including dry van and flatbed trucking services. They prioritize driver comfort and safety, providing benefits like health, dental, and life insurance, along with paid time off. Their fleet is relatively new, averaging three years in age, ensuring reliability and efficiency in delivery. Despite some reported crashes, their commitment to vehicle maintenance and driver fitness marks a strong emphasis on operational safety.
Safety
- Crashes: 14
- Unsafe driving: 2.0
- Driver fitness: 0.01
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.21
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.72
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 1
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 95
- Revenue: $47,034,000
- Miles driven: 10,100,000
How Safety Ratings Work in Michigan
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 Michigan Trucking Company for Your Shipments
Whether you operate an e-commerce platform, local business, or regional chain in Michigan, 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 Michigan 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: Michigan Trucking Companies
Which is the most frequently used mode of transportation for distributing products in Michigan?
Trucking, in general, is the most frequently used mode of transportation for distributing products in Michigan. 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 Michigan?
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 Michigan?
While trucking is the most widely used commercial shipping method in Michigan 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.
