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10 Best Beverage Trucking Companies in Indiana

Mike Marshall, Shipping Expert

Jr’s Expedited Freight, LLC is our pick for consistent, secure Beverage transport in Indiana based on key criteria like reliability, pricing, and safety. Find out more about Jr’s Expedited Freight, LLC and the other top-rated Indiana Beverage carriers on our list.

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 Indiana. Every Indiana 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 Indiana for your commercial shipping needs.

Jr’s Expedited Freight, LLC

4501 Hitch Peters Road, Evansville, IN, 47711
  • Fleet size: 50+
  • Fleet age: 5 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Construction equipment
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • Farm supplies
  • Produce
  • General
  • Intermodal containers
  • Lumber
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Meat
  • Metal materials
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer

Jr’s Expedited Freight, LLC (DOT: 1995440) has been operating since 2014 and is a prominent player in Indiana’s transportation sector. The company specializes in carrying a diverse array of cargo, including agricultural and farm supplies, beverages, building materials, machinery, fresh produce, and refrigerated food. Jr’s Expedited Freight also handles intermodal containers, logs, poles, beams, lumber, and US mail, offering robust solutions for various shipping needs with a fleet of over 50 trucks.

Jr’s Expedited Freight is particularly adept in general freight and dry bulk commodities transportation, and they excel in providing full truckload and less-than-truckload services. The company offers important support for commercial shipments, including direct deposit payment options and health insurance for their drivers, ensuring reliable and professional service. Their commitment to safety and quality has made them a reputable choice for business owners seeking dependable freight solutions.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 2
  • Unsafe driving: 1.71
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.95
  • Vehicle maintenance: 2.31
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 36
  • Revenue: $4,577,000
  • Miles driven: 1,750,000

R J Trucking

8582 South 400 West, Columbus, IN, 47201
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $750,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Chemicals
  • Construction equipment
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • Farm supplies
  • Produce
  • General
  • Liquids & gases
  • Meat
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed

R J Trucking (DOT: 550858) is a versatile freight trucking company based in Indiana. They provide an array of services, including full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), and partial truckload options. Additionally, they specialize in handling reefer and dry bulk commodities, making them a suitable choice for temperature-sensitive and bulk shipments.

R J Trucking carries a diverse range of cargo like agricultural supplies, beverages, fresh produce, and chemicals, among others. They offer robust support for commercial shipments, including direct deposit, paid time off, health and dental insurance, and a 401k retirement plan. Their safety record is impressive, with no crash injuries reported and a satisfactory safety rating. This makes them a reliable partner for business owners looking to ship their products securely and efficiently.

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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: 1
  • Miles driven: 35,828

Inter Freight, Inc.

2319 Cline Ave, Gary, IN, 46406
  • Fleet size: 1 to 10
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Produce
  • General
  • Metal materials
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Flatbed

Inter Freight, Inc. (DOT: 1196617) is a well-established freight trucking company operating in Indiana with a fleet of 75 trucks and 85 total drivers. With a satisfactory safety rating and relatively new fleet age of 3 years, the company provides a range of essential services including full truckload (FTL), less than truckload (LTL), general freight, and transporting specialized cargo such as beverages, fresh produce, building materials, metal sheets, coils, rolls, paper products, refrigerated foods, and US Mail.

Geared towards addressing the needs of commercial shipments, Inter Freight, Inc. offers benefits to its drivers including health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as a retirement plan (401k) and paid time off. The company operates on an interstate level, ensuring a broad reach for businesses seeking reliable logistic partners. Their strong online ratings solidify their reputation as a dependable and professional service provider in the trucking industry, capable of handling a variety of shipping needs efficiently.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 12
  • Unsafe driving: 2.76
  • Driver fitness: 0.14
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.29
  • Vehicle maintenance: 7.27
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 85
  • Revenue: $851,000
  • Miles driven: 15,600,000

Mustang Express, LLC

404 Mabry Cove, Fort Wayne, IN, 46825
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $750,000

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Construction equipment
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • Farm supplies
  • Produce
  • General
  • Lumber
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Meat
  • Metal materials
  • Utility tools, parts & equipment
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Flatbed

Mustang Express, LLC (DOT: 2374678) provides comprehensive trucking services with 20 trucks and 40 trailers. They are well-equipped to handle various types of cargo, including fresh produce, building materials, farm supplies, machinery, and refrigerated foods. Notably, Mustang Express offers partial and full truckload services, which makes them versatile for different shipping needs. Their dry van and flatbed services ensure safe and reliable transport of diverse goods.

For commercial shipments, Mustang Express provides support for less-than-truckload (LTL) and general freight transportation, catering to businesses requiring smaller shipments. They also ensure timely delivery with their local drivers and maintain a focus on driver well-being with benefits such as health, dental, and vision insurance, along with a retirement plan. With a consistent Google rating of 4.5, Mustang Express demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction and reliable service.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 2
  • Unsafe driving: 3.38
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.26
  • Vehicle maintenance: 4.26
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 20
  • Miles driven: 1,509,661

MLD Transportation, LLC

14938 Copper Tree Way, Carmel, IN, 46033
  • Fleet age: 5 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Produce
  • General
  • Meat
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Last-mile delivery

MLD Transportation, LLC (DOT: 1919599) is a versatile freight trucking company based in Indiana, known for its reliable service in general freight, refrigerated foods, fresh produce, beverages, meat, paper products, and US mail transportation. The company has a solid reputation with positive ratings on Google, Indeed, and Glassdoor. Their operations include support for both full truckload and less-than-truckload shipments, making them a valuable partner for a variety of shipping needs.

Specializing in refrigerated transportation, MLD Transportation ensures that perishable goods like fresh produce and meat are shipped in optimal conditions. They provide substantial benefits for their drivers, including direct deposit, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision coverage, paid time off, a retirement plan, and ongoing training and development programs. With an active interstate carrier status, a fleet of 20 trucks and 31 drivers, MLD Transportation offers dependable services for business owners looking for top-notch commercial shipment support.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 0
  • Unsafe driving: 2.5
  • Driver fitness: 0.35
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 2.08
  • Vehicle maintenance: 6.03
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 31
  • Revenue: $369,000
  • Miles driven: 2,126,349

KEY Carrier

3709 Broadway Ste 29, Gary, IN, 46409
  • Fleet age: 2 years
  • Insurance: $750,000

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Produce
  • General
  • Meat
  • Metal materials
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Cross-border

KEY Carrier (DOT: 2941667) offers comprehensive freight trucking services, specializing in various types of cargo such as beverages, fresh produce, meat, metal sheets/coils/rolls, paper products, refrigerated food, and US mail. They operate interstate with a fleet of 65 trucks and provide services like full truckload, less than truckload, and expedited shipping, adhering to high operational standards despite moderate unsafe driving and vehicle maintenance ratings.

Known for their reliability and customer-focused approach, KEY Carrier supports commercial shipments with features like team driving opportunities, dedicated routes, and specialized support for reefer drivers. Additional perks include flexible scheduling, guaranteed home time, health benefits, and ongoing training programs. They offer various bonuses including sign-on and driver referral bonuses, making it an attractive option for both business owners and drivers looking for a dependable trucking partner.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 3
  • Unsafe driving: 2.47
  • Driver fitness: 0.06
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.53
  • Vehicle maintenance: 6.5
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 65
  • Miles driven: 4,730,000

FAK Trucking, LLC

201 W Main Street, Fort Wayne, IN, 46802
  • Fleet age: 5 years
  • Insurance: $750,000

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Chemicals
  • Construction equipment
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • Produce
  • General
  • Intermodal containers
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Utility tools, parts & equipment
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Flatbed

FAK Trucking, LLC (DOT: 2511800) is a relatively new trucking company established in 2021, located in Indiana. Despite its young age, the company has gained a strong reputation with a Google rating of 4.5. Specializing in both full truckload and less-than-truckload services, FAK Trucking operates with a fleet of 10 trucks and offers transportation for a variety of cargo, including beverages, building materials, chemicals, fresh produce, machinery, and general freight. Their service extends across interstate operations, ensuring a wide reach for business needs.

FAK Trucking provides several advantages for commercial shipments, such as dry van and flatbed options, making them a versatile choice for different types of cargo. Additionally, the company emphasizes employee benefits, offering health insurance and paid time off. With an “Active” USDOT status and no reported crash incidents, FAK Trucking ensures reliability and safety for your shipping requirements.

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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: 10
  • Miles driven: 6,000

D.M. Express, Inc.

1520 Blaine St Bldg 2, Gary, IN, 46406
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $750,000

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Produce
  • General
  • Meat
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Flatbed
  • Last-mile delivery

D.M. Express, Inc. (DOT: 2443340) is an actively operating freight trucking company based in Indiana. While their establishment year is not specified, they run a sizable fleet of 47 trucks and have a total fleet size of 94 units, with a strong emphasis on safety and reliability. This company offers essential services such as full truckload (FTL), partial truckload, and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping. D.M. Express frequently handles general freight, beverages, fresh produce, meat, paper products, and refrigerated foods.

D.M. Express supports shipping needs with regional and local drivers and provides important employee benefits like sign-on bonuses, comprehensive health insurance, dental insurance, vision coverage, and retirement plans. They maintain an average fleet age of 3 years, underscoring their commitment to efficient and reliable service. While the company does experience some crash incidents, with moderate scores in unsafe driving and vehicle maintenance, their emphasis on service and safety makes them a viable option for reliable freight transport.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 16
  • Unsafe driving: 4.07
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.94
  • Vehicle maintenance: 7.64
  • Controlled substances: 0.07
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 47
  • Miles driven: 19,900,000

AIR Logic, Inc.

1644 Fortner Dr, Indianapolis, IN, 46231
  • Fleet size: 1 to 10
  • Fleet age: 2 years
  • Insurance: $750,000

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Farm supplies
  • General
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Utility tools, parts & equipment
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Flatbed

AIR Logic, Inc. (DOT: 1805411) is a versatile trucking company based in Indiana, known for transporting a wide array of cargo, including agricultural/farm supplies, beverages, building materials, machinery, paper products, utility materials, and US mail. Operating with a modest fleet size of 1 to 10 trucks and a total fleet size of 22, AIR Logic focuses on general freight and full truckload (FTL) services, making them a reliable choice for comprehensive freight needs.

AIR Logic provides special support for commercial shipments, ensuring safety and reliability with a clean record of zero crash injuries or fatalities. They also offer essential employee benefits such as health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, along with a 401k retirement plan and paid time off. Business owners seeking dependable and efficient freight services will find AIR Logic to be a strong contender, dedicated to maintaining high performance and customer satisfaction.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 0
  • Unsafe driving: 0.0
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
  • Vehicle maintenance: 6.0
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 6
  • Revenue: $2,103,000
  • Miles driven: 85,337

Mckinley Thomas Transport, LLC

3501 N Sutherland Ave, Indianapolis, IN, 46218
  • Fleet size: 1 to 10
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $750,000

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • Produce
  • General
  • Meat
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Last-mile delivery

Mckinley Thomas Transport, LLC (DOT: 2499351) is a reputable trucking company based in Indiana. The company boasts a fleet size of 34 vehicles and has been operating actively within the interstate sector. They are equipped to handle a diverse range of cargo, including beverages, building materials, dry bulk commodities, fresh produce, general freight, meat, paper products, and refrigerated foods. Mckinley Thomas Transport also receives a commendable Google rating of 4.5, reflecting their commitment to quality service.

Mckinley Thomas Transport provides full and partial truckload, dry van, reefer, flatbed, box truck, and last mile delivery services. They support commercial shipments with additional services, such as guaranteed home time and direct deposit, and offer health, dental, vision, and disability insurance. While the company does not offer hazardous material transport, the combination of versatile cargo handling and supportive benefits makes Mckinley Thomas Transport a reliable choice for business owners seeking dependable freight solutions.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 0
  • Unsafe driving: 0.0
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
  • Vehicle maintenance: 6.14
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 17
  • Revenue: $1,887,000
  • Miles driven: 150,000

How Safety Ratings Work in Indiana

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 Indiana Beverage Trucking Company for Your Shipments

If your Indiana business is tied to the hospitality industry, finding a Beverage trucking company that fits your budget and product needs is key to making sure your shipments arrive intact and on time.

Keep these tips in mind:

  • Temperature control: Choose a Beverage carrier that offers refrigerated trailers that can keep your products at the appropriate temperature during transport.
  • Load stability and securement: Before hiring a Beverage trucking company, make sure to ask what securement methods they have in place to prevent shifting, especially for glass bottles and other fragile packaging.
  • Specialized trailers: Some Indiana Beverage companies use trailers designed specifically for beverage transport, which can help protect the load from damage.
  • Product experience: Indiana carriers skilled at handling Beverage products understand the unique handling and temperature requirements involved.
  • Tracking and monitoring: Indiana trucking companies with real-time tracking allow you to monitor the location and condition of your shipment during transit.
  • Safety and compliance: Review a Beverage company’s FMCSA score to ensure they adhere to food and beverage transport regulations and general safety standards.

FAQs: Indiana Beverage Trucking Companies

How do Indiana carriers ensure the safe transport of Beverage products?

Carriers ensure safe transport of Beverage shipments by using secure load containment, temperature-controlled trailers, and shock-absorbent packing, when necessary. Proper loading and securing of products helps prevent breakage, and refrigeration units keep Beverage products fresh.

What are the packaging requirements for Beverage shipping in Indiana?

Packaging requirements for Beverage shipping vary depending on the type of container, but typically include secure stacking and padding to prevent damage. For glass bottles, shock-absorbing materials are often used to protect against breakage.

What are some typical challenges in Beverage shipping?

Challenges in Beverage shipping include temperature management, preventing breakage, and ensuring timely delivery. Working with an experienced carrier helps mitigate these issues through proper equipment and packaging techniques.


Mike Marshall