After analyzing pricing, services, and consumer ratings, we picked Heartland Transportation as the best South Dakota trucking company for commerce shipments.
Top Shipping Services & Transport in South Dakota
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 South Dakota. Every South Dakota 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 South Dakota for your commercial shipping needs.
Heartland Transportation
3250 Eglin Street, Rapid City, SD, 57703- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Liquids & gases
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
Heartland Transportation (DOT: 233343) operates as a reliable freight carrier, with a focus on dry van and flatbed transportation services. Known for flexibility in partial and full truckload options, they manage a modest-sized fleet of 59 trucks. With special attention to liquids and gases, Heartland offers tailored logistics solutions for commercial shipments globally.
Besides exceptional core services, Heartland ensures customer satisfaction through value-added services such as drop trailers and less-than-truckload shipping. They prioritize safety with a satisfactory rating and boast excellent health, dental, and disability insurance for employees. Despite a history of minimal tow-away crashes, their ongoing training and development programs reflect a commitment to safety and service excellence, making them a premier choice for business owners.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 0.49
- Driver fitness: 0.15
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.63
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.48
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 5
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 26
- Revenue: $8,549,000
- Miles driven: 2,893,153
Complete Contracting Solutions
7201 South Hwy 16 Ste 100, Rapid City, SD, 57702- Fleet age: 2 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- General
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Oilfield equipment
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
Complete Contracting Solutions (DOT: 1641520) is a reputable trucking company operating in South Dakota, specializing in full truckload (FTL) and less than truckload (LTL) services. With a fleet of 53 trucks and diverse cargo capabilities, they cater to a wide range of business needs, including the transportation of building materials, machinery, metal sheets, coils, and oilfield equipment. Their commitment to maintaining a modern fleet, with an average age of just two years, ensures reliable and efficient service.
Complete Contracting Solutions stands out by focusing on the shipment of construction materials and general freight, supported by their interstate carrier operation. Despite being a smaller company with a total of 33 drivers, they maintain a strong presence in the regional and over-the-road markets. The company’s excellent reputation is further highlighted by high ratings on platforms such as Google and Indeed, making it a trustworthy option for business owners seeking dependable trucking services.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.3
- Vehicle maintenance: 12.64
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 33
- Revenue: $1,724,000
- Miles driven: 250,000
Roth Trucking, Inc.
2135 Dakota Craft Dr, Rapid City, SD, 57701- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Dry bulk commodities
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
Roth Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 244712) is a distinguished carrier based in South Dakota. They operate with a fleet of 49 trucks and 50+ trailers, focusing primarily on flatbed, dry van, and partial truckload services. Roth Trucking specializes in transporting building materials and dry bulk commodities, ensuring efficient and reliable delivery across interstate routes.
While the company does not offer refrigerated or hazardous material transport, they prioritize safety with a satisfactory safety rating. Roth Trucking stands out for its employee benefits, providing health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as a retirement 401(k) plan. Their consistent commitment to efficient logistics and employee welfare makes them a robust choice for businesses seeking dependable trucking solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 0.5
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.33
- Vehicle maintenance: 17.64
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 42
- Revenue: $8,791,000
- Miles driven: 2,800,808
Zieg Trucking Co
22470 Bennett Road, Rapid City, SD, 57701- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- General
- Livestock feed
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
Zieg Trucking Co (DOT: 66485) is a specialized trucking company based in South Dakota. With a fleet size of 18 and 9 trucks, they offer comprehensive transportation services focused on full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. They are known for their flatbed and dry van services, accommodating cargo such as general freight and grain feed hay.
Zieg Trucking Co provides various employee benefits including a rigorous ongoing training development program, dental, health, vision insurance, and a retirement plan (401k). With a satisfactory safety rating and no crash fatalities reported, they ensure reliable and secure shipping. Despite a limited fleet and driver size, their operations are backed by a positive reputation, evidenced by a high Indeed rating of 4.2 and a Google rating of 4.5, making them a trustworthy choice for businesses focusing on dependable and specialized freight solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 2.52
- 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: 7
- Miles driven: 500,141
Thirty One Logistics, Inc.
2907 Marlin Dr, Rapid City, SD, 57703- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Construction equipment
- General
- Lumber
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
Thirty One Logistics, Inc. (DOT: 3532366) is an active transportation and logistics carrier based in South Dakota. With a fleet that includes dry vans and flatbeds, this company offers full truckload and less-than-truckload services focusing on versatility. The company handles a wide range of cargo, such as beverages, construction materials, logs, metal sheets, paper products, and refrigerated foods, highlighting its adaptability in supporting various shipping needs.
Thirty One Logistics, Inc. places a notable emphasis on employee benefits and safety. They provide health, dental, and vision insurance, along with a 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off, and disability insurance. Despite having a few incidents, their focus on driver fitness and well-maintained equipment underlines their commitment to safety. With a fleet of 4 trucks and 5 drivers operating interstate, they are equipped to meet the diverse shipping requirements of their clients efficiently.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 5.76
- Driver fitness: 0.8
- Hours-of-service compliance: 1.65
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.69
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 5
- Miles driven: 463,475
Northwestern Warehouse Company
417 Pine Street, Rapid City, SD, 57701- Fleet size: 20 to 49
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- General
- Vehicles
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Last-mile delivery
Northwestern Warehouse Company (DOT: 159450) is a reputable trucking company based in South Dakota, specializing in household goods transportation. They maintain an active USDOT status and have been in operation for over 50 years. The company boasts a fleet size of 20 to 49 vehicles, primarily focusing on dry van and full truckload services, allowing them to efficiently handle various general freight types, including motor vehicles.
Northwestern Warehouse Company provides competitive services for interstate operations with an emphasis on cargo safety, as indicated by their lack of reported crash injuries or fatalities. Although they do not offer extensive benefits or specialized services like team driving or reefer transport, they do support their employees with direct deposit and paid time off benefits. Their consistent focus on quality service is demonstrated by favorable online impressions, including a 4.5 Google rating.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 8.4
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 5
- Revenue: $1,612,000
- Miles driven: 7,200
Mountain Trails Trucking, LLC
2415 Creek Drive, Rapid City, SD, 57703- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- General
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
Mountain Trails Trucking, LLC (DOT: 1572277) is a South Dakota-based carrier with a fleet of eight trucks. Specializing in dry van and flatbed services, they handle general freight and other cargo types, offering versatile solutions for various shipping needs. They have been actively providing reliable transportation services across interstate routes, ensuring broad coverage for business shipments.
Mountain Trails Trucking supports full truckload (FTL) and less than truckload (LTL) shipments, catering to varied business requirements. Their focus on safety is evident with no reported crash injuries or fatalities. The company offers appealing incentives such as a sign-on bonus and guarantees home time, showcasing their commitment to driver satisfaction. With essential benefits like health, dental, life, and vision insurance, along with a 401(k) retirement plan, they ensure comprehensive support for their team.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.39
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.58
- Vehicle maintenance: 7.6
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 8
- Revenue: $587,000
- Miles driven: 914,700
Heyl Truck Lines, Inc.
1809 N Louise Ave, Sioux Falls, SD, 57107- Fleet size: 11 to 25
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Produce
- General
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Conestoga
- Step deck
- Hopper bottom
- Oversized
- Power only
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Alcohol-insured
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
Heyl Truck Lines, Inc. (DOT: 65762) is a versatile trucking company based in South Dakota that has been operational since 1949. With a fleet size of 1,100 and 550 trucks, they specialize in refrigerated freight transport alongside a variety of other cargo types including beverages, building materials, fresh produce, meat, and paper products. The company offers dedicated routes and cross-border trucking, ensuring goods are delivered efficiently across long distances.
Heyl Truck Lines stands out for its specialized services such as refrigerated transport, flatbed, power-only, and hazmat material handling. They support commercial shipments with a comprehensive range of services, including cross-docking and managed transportation solutions. The company provides a range of driver benefits and incentives such as paid CDL training, sign-on bonuses, and comprehensive insurance packages, making it a competitive choice for businesses seeking reliable and integrated shipping solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 39
- Unsafe driving: 1.06
- Driver fitness: 0.02
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.17
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.47
- Controlled substances: 0.03
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 550
- Revenue: $2,076,000
- Miles driven: 56,300,000
X-Trux, Inc.
47219 Hobbs Circle, Sioux Falls, SD, 57107- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3.5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Livestock feed
- Machinery & large objects
- Utility tools, parts & equipment
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Auto carrier
- Conestoga
- Container
- Step deck
- Lowboy
- Pneumatic
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Dump trailer
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Alcohol-insured
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
X-Trux, Inc. (DOT: 841776) is a dynamic trucking company established in 1999 in South Dakota. They leverage a versatile fleet to manage a variety of cargo, including building materials, paper products, agricultural supplies, and machinery. Offering specialized support, X-Trux, Inc. employs reefer, lowboy, and tanker drivers to ensure seamless transportation of diverse freight types, including hazardous materials and general commodities.
X-Trux, Inc. is committed to delivering reliable services with a focus on commercial shipment support, such as cross-border logistics and managed transportation solutions. They offer benefits like health and dental insurance, paid CDL training, and a robust truck lease purchase program. Safety is a priority, indicated by their satisfactory safety rating and ongoing training programs. Their regional and dedicated drivers ensure efficient routing, backed by a team driving service for optimal delivery schedules.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 0.95
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.07
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.38
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 30
- Revenue: $1,342
- Miles driven: 3,020,429
Premium Best Transport
1501 Wek Road, Yankton, SD, 57078- Fleet size: 11 to 25
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Farm supplies
- General
- Livestock feed
- Livestock
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Vehicles
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Container
- Oversized
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Premium Best Transport (DOT: 313347) excels as a versatile and reliable carrier, with a strong focus on handling a diverse range of cargo, such as agricultural products, building materials, machinery, livestock, and metal sheets. Their dedicated services make them a compelling choice for business owners seeking specialized freight solutions. The company prides itself on offering a satisfactory safety rating and maintaining a well-equipped fleet of dry vans, flatbeds, and lift-gate trucks to meet varied shipping needs.
Notably, Premium Best Transport provides essential support for commercial shipment, including hazardous materials handling and managed transportation services. Their commitment to operational excellence is evident through regional, over-the-road, and team drivers, supported by benefits like health and dental insurance, paid time off, and a 401(k) retirement plan. With a focus on safety and efficiency, Premium Best Transport ensures seamless logistics, offering stability and reliability for business owners aiming to transport goods efficiently across state lines.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.4
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 5
- Revenue: $2,378
- Miles driven: 318,239
How Safety Ratings Work in South Dakota
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 South Dakota Trucking Company for Your Shipments
Whether you operate an e-commerce platform, local business, or regional chain in South Dakota, 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 South Dakota 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
Which is the most frequently used mode of transportation for distributing products in South Dakota?
Trucking, in general, is the most frequently used mode of transportation for distributing products in South Dakota. 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 South Dakota?
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 South Dakota?
While trucking is the most widely used commercial shipping method in South Dakota 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.
Other Types of Transport Options for Your Shipments
Depending on the types of products your business retails or manufactures, you may have several shipping options to choose from.
- Hopper Bottom Shipping Services
- Beverage Shipping Services
- Box Truck Shipping Services
- Drayage Shipping Services
- Dry Bulk Shipping Services
- Dry Van Shipping Services
- Flatbed Shipping Services
- Hot Shot Shipping Services
- Intermodal Shipping Services
- LTL Shipping Services
- Parcel Delivery Shipping Services
- Pneumatic Shipping Services
- Power-Only Shipping Services
- Reefer Shipping Services
- Tanker Shipping Services
