After evaluating Connecticut Drayage companies based on affordability, service speed, and customer satisfaction, Continuum International Logistics, Inc. is our choice for the most reliable port-to-warehouse service.
If you’re a logistics provider, retailer, or manufacturer, explore our list of the top Drayage trucking companies to find the right one for your supply chain needs.
Top Drayage Trucking Companies in Connecticut
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 Connecticut. Every Connecticut 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 Connecticut for your commercial shipping needs.
Continuum International Logistics, Inc.
61 Gray’s Bridge Road, Brookfield, CT, 6804- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 2 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Intermodal containers
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Oversized
- Power only
- Tanker
- Hot shot
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Consolidation
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Continuum International Logistics, Inc. (DOT: 601324) provides a wide range of specialized trucking services and has been active for over 29 years. Their fleet consists of up-to-date vehicles including dry vans and tankers, ensuring efficient and flexible shipment options. With a focus on versatility, they can handle a variety of cargo such as household goods, intermodal containers, and other specialized freight.
Continuum International Logistics, Inc. also offers unique support for commercial shipments, such as hazardous materials transportation and oversized load handling. Their dedicated drayage and cross-border services further enhance their capabilities, making them a reliable choice for businesses with complex logistics needs. For added convenience and support, they provide paid CDL training, disability insurance, flexible scheduling, and access to special rest stops and lounges for drivers.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.5
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.1
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.26
- Controlled substances: 0.06
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 19
- Revenue: $661
- Miles driven: 526,704
Manchester Transport
51 Bissell St, Manchester, CT, 6040- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- General
- Liquids & gases
- Refrigerated food
- Water well
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Container
- Oversized
- Power only
- Sprinter van
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Consolidation
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Manchester Transport (DOT: 252367) is a distinguished freight company established in 1973, based in Connecticut. With a fleet of flatbeds and a commitment to safety, they offer a variety of shipping services including general freight, hazardous materials, and refrigerated food transportation. They ensure flexibility with regional and local drivers, as well as over-the-road (OTR) operations.
Manchester Transport provides significant support for commercial shipments, including dedicated routes and specialized intermodal and drayage services. Customers benefit from perks such as guaranteed home time, flexible scheduling, and various employee benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance. Highlighting their commitment to safety, the company maintains a satisfactory safety rating. Manchester Transport stands out for its dedication to high-quality service and its comprehensive support for business shipping needs.
Safety
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 3.75
- Driver fitness: 0.18
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.6
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 10
- Revenue: $1,018
- Miles driven: 251,359
William B Meyer, Inc.
255 Long Beach BLVD, Stratford, CT, 6615- Fleet size: 50-99 Corp Only
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- General
- Machinery & large objects
Truck Types
- Box truck
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
William B Meyer, Inc. (DOT: 17847) is a reputable trucking company based in Connecticut, with a history dating back to 1915. Specializing in handling general freight, household goods, and large machinery, they offer comprehensive solutions for various commercial shipping needs. William B Meyer, Inc. operates a fleet of 88 trucks, providing services such as regional, local, dedicated, and over-the-road driving options, ensuring flexible and reliable transportation.
William B Meyer, Inc. also offers specialized support for hazardous material shipments, underscoring their capability to manage sensitive and regulated cargo. They prioritize driver welfare with benefits like sign-on bonuses, safety bonuses, health insurance, gym memberships, and guaranteed home time. Additionally, the company emphasizes safety and training with ongoing programs, maintaining a high safety rating. This well-rounded approach makes William B Meyer, Inc. a strong candidate for business owners seeking dependable and versatile trucking services.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 1.04
- Driver fitness: 0.05
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.04
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.21
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 96
- Revenue: $91,078,000
- Miles driven: 1,236,985
Star Express
3 Barker Drive, Wallingford, CT, 6492- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Trash
- General
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Container
- Step deck
- Tanker
- Consolidation
- Drayage
Star Express (DOT: 254515) is an active trucking company with over a decade of service in Connecticut. Known for their fleet of 12 trucks and 24 trailers, they transport a variety of cargo, including building materials, garbage/refuse, general freight, metal sheets/coils/rolls, and paper products. With specialization in reefer, dry van, and flatbed services, Star Express ensures versatile shipment solutions for diverse business needs.
Star Express offers dedicated routes, intermodal transportation, and drop trailer services, providing comprehensive support for commercial shipments. Their employees benefit from enticing perks such as sign-on and safety bonuses, health and vision insurance, direct deposit, flexible scheduling, and more. The company’s commitment to managed transportation and other specialized services makes them a reliable partner for businesses looking for efficient and professional shipping solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 3.65
- Driver fitness: 0.48
- Hours-of-service compliance: 1.33
- Vehicle maintenance: 7.9
- Controlled substances: 0.15
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 9
- Revenue: $2,759
- Miles driven: 462,354
Pace Motor Lines, Inc.
1425 Honeyspot Road Ext, Stratford, CT, 6615- Fleet size: 50+
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- General
- Intermodal containers
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Container
- Step deck
- Lowboy
- Last-mile delivery
- Drayage
Pace Motor Lines, Inc. (DOT: 107052) is a reputable trucking company founded in 1973 in Connecticut. Operating a fleet of 64 trucks and 50+ trailers, the company specializes in general freight and intermodal container transport. They also offer services including dry van, flatbed, lowboy, step deck, and drayage, ensuring a versatile range of solutions for diverse shipping needs.
Pace Motor Lines supports business owners with dedicated commercial shipment services, such as hazardous materials transport and last mile delivery, enhancing supply chain efficiency. With an active authority and a satisfactory safety rating, this company provides reliable and secure transportation options, making them a strong partner for businesses prioritizing dependable delivery.
Safety
- Crashes: 7
- Unsafe driving: 2.38
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 7.09
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 1
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 68
- Revenue: $47,535
- Miles driven: 2,777,372
Connecticut Bulk Transport, LLC
482 Honeyspot Road, Stratford, CT, 6615- Fleet age: 2 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
- Liquids & gases
- Water well
Truck Types
- Reefer
- Container
- Step deck
- Pneumatic
- Tanker
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Connecticut Bulk Transport, LLC (DOT: 389195) specializes in a broad array of services, including hazardous materials, dry bulk commodities, general freight, and specialized cargo such as water well and building materials. Founded in Connecticut, this company prioritizes safe and efficient shipping, operating with an active USDOT status and a fleet size of eight trucks and sixteen trailers. Their services also include reefer vehicles and containers, making them versatile in handling various types of freight.
Connecticut Bulk Transport offers specialized support for commercial shipments, such as dedicated routes, cross-border transportation, and drayage services. They ensure driver safety with ongoing training and development programs, health screenings, and roadside assistance programs. Additional benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, plus a retirement plan and tuition reimbursement, making them a reliable partner for business owners looking to ship their products efficiently and safely.
Safety
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 4.28
- Driver fitness: 0.28
- 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: 165,333
Nova Express
570 Mat Street, Naugatuck, CT, 6770- Fleet age: 5 years
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Utility tools, parts & equipment
- Refrigerated food
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Power only
- Last-mile delivery
- Cross-border
- Consolidation
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Nova Express (DOT: 788061) is a trucking company operating actively in Connecticut. It stands out for its variety of commercial shipment services, including reefer and dry bulk commodities. The company handles a wide range of cargo, such as agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, refrigerated food, general freight, and US mail, thanks to its versatile fleet of 10 trucks and 10 power units.
Nova Express offers specialized support for hazardous materials through their certified hazmat drivers. They prioritize flexible scheduling and guaranteed home time for their drivers, reflecting a strong commitment to their team’s well-being. They also provide amenities such as fuel cards, driver referral bonuses, and tuition reimbursement. With a focus on maintaining high standards of safety and efficiency, Nova Express is a reliable choice for business owners seeking robust and dependable freight 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: 9
- Miles driven: 1
How Safety Ratings Work in Connecticut
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 Connecticut Drayage Trucking Company for Your Shipments
Here’s how to find dependable Drayage services for short-haul moves:
- Proximity to ports and rail yards: Select a Drayage provider close to key terminals in Connecticut to minimize transit times and costs.
- Importing/exporting experience: Connecticut carriers that specialize in Drayage understand how to navigate port processes and reduce potential delays.
- Fleet capacity and availability: A carrier with a sufficient fleet of well-maintained trucks will be better-eqipped to handle fluctuating shipment volumes.
- Real-time tracking: Opt for Connecticut Drayage companies with GPS and tracking tools for better visibility into shipment locations and statuses.
- Compliance and safety standards: Ensure the company meets all FMCSA safety and regulatory requirements for port-related trucking.
- Efficient communication: Reliable customer service is key, particularly for urgent deliveries or high-volume Drayage needs.
FAQs: Connecticut Drayage Trucking Companies
What role does Drayage play in the shipping process for Connecticut businesses?
Drayage is a crucial part of the shipping process that involves short-distance transportation from ports or rail terminals to distribution centers. For Connecticut businesses, it acts as a vital link between large-scale transportation and local warehousing or distribution.
How does Drayage help streamline intermodal shipping?
Drayage is essential in intermodal shipping because it facilitates the transfer of goods between various transportation modes, such as rail to truck. It minimizes handling times, which in turn improves delivery efficiency and reduces overall shipping costs.
What types of goods are typically handled in Drayage shipping?
Drayage shipping typically handles containerized goods, including consumer products, machinery, electronics, and imported materials. These goods are transported from ports or rail hubs to warehouses or distribution points for further processing or delivery.
