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8 Best Drayage Trucking Companies in Michigan

Mike Marshall, Shipping Expert

After evaluating Michigan Drayage companies based on affordability, service speed, and customer satisfaction, XPO Logistics Freight, 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.

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.

XPO Logistics Freight, Inc.

2211 Old Earhart Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105
  • Fleet size: 1 to 10
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $5,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Chemicals
  • General
  • Liquids & gases

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Container
  • Tanker
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-border
  • Consolidation
  • Drayage
  • Cross-docking
  • Hazardous materials

XPO Logistics Freight, Inc. (DOT: 241829) is a renowned logistics and trucking company operating primarily as both a broker and carrier. With a fleet size of nearly 10,000 trucks and trailers, XPO Logistics Freight specializes in hauling various types of cargo, including chemicals, general freight, and liquids/gases. They have notable support for hazardous materials and refrigerated (“reefer”) services, ensuring the safe and efficient transport of specialized cargo.

XPO Logistics Freight offers a range of comprehensive services tailored to commercial shipments. These include partial and full truckloads, less than truckload (LTL), intermodal, and drayage services, enhancing flexibility for different shipping needs. Additionally, the company provides attractive features for drivers and customers alike, such as sign-on bonuses, paid CDL training, guaranteed home time, health insurance, and ongoing training and development programs. Their focus on safety and extensive service options makes them a strong candidate for businesses seeking reliable and versatile transportation solutions.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 733
  • Unsafe driving: 0.51
  • Driver fitness: 0.06
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.07
  • Vehicle maintenance: 2.53
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 218

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 12806
  • Revenue: $1,179,000
  • Miles driven: 687,000,000

DAY & Ross Usa, Inc.

69096 Powell Rd, Armada, MI, 48005
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $5,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Chemicals
  • Produce
  • General
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Meat
  • Metal materials
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Conestoga
  • Step deck
  • Lowboy
  • Oversized
  • Power only
  • Sprinter van
  • Tanker
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-border
  • Alcohol-insured
  • Drayage
  • Cross-docking
  • Hazardous materials

DAY & Ross Usa, Inc. (DOT: 163299) is a seasoned trucking company based in Michigan, offering a comprehensive range of services since its inception. their fleet of 234 trucks enables smooth carriage of diverse cargo including beverages, building materials, chemicals, fresh produce, general freight, household goods, machinery large objects, meat, metal sheets coils rolls, paper products, and refrigerated food. They excel in specialized services such as reefer, flatbed, tanker, and lowboy transportation, catering to challenging and diverse shipping requirements.

The company provides substantial support for commercial shipments, including sign-on bonuses, direct deposit, safety bonuses, pay advances, per diem payments, and tuition reimbursement for employees. Their dedication to safety and driver wellness is reflected in services like roadside assistance programs, health insurance, life insurance, and guaranteed home time. Additionally, DAY & Ross Usa, Inc. offer managed transportation services, cross-docking, and dedicated routes, ensuring seamless and efficient freight handling for business owners.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 12
  • Unsafe driving: 0.72
  • Driver fitness: 0.03
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.05
  • Vehicle maintenance: 2.82
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 1

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 269
  • Miles driven: 7,912,241

Michaud Trucking, Inc.Orperated

816 S Van Buren Street, Kingsford, MI, 49802
  • Fleet size: 11 to 25
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Construction equipment
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • Farm supplies
  • General
  • Livestock feed
  • Lumber
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products
  • Water well

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Auto carrier
  • Conestoga
  • Container
  • Step deck
  • Hopper bottom
  • Lowboy
  • Oversized
  • Pneumatic
  • Power only
  • Sprinter van
  • Tanker
  • Dump trailer
  • Hot shot
  • B-train semi
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-border
  • Consolidation
  • Alcohol-insured
  • Drayage
  • Cross-docking
  • Hazardous materials

Michaud Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 169140) is a reputable trucking company based in Michigan. Their diverse fleet comprises 20 trucks and offers a wide range of services, including reefer, hazmat, dry van, and dry bulk commodities transport. Known for handling various cargo types such as agricultural supplies, building materials, machinery, and more, they prioritize reliability and efficiency in their operations. Their fleet size is between 11 to 25, with 18 drivers dedicated to interstate deliveries.

Michaud Trucking, Inc. is particularly supportive of commercial shipments, providing specialized equipment like Conestoga, lowboy, and hopper bottom trailers. They offer services such as cross-docking and managed transportation, ensuring seamless logistics for business owners. Dedicated to employee welfare, they provide benefits like health insurance, dental coverage, and a retirement plan. Their active participation in ensuring driver safety and ongoing training contributes to their satisfactory safety rating.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 4
  • Unsafe driving: 2.96
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.35
  • Vehicle maintenance: 6.88
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 18
  • Revenue: $4,060
  • Miles driven: 1,879,660

VAN Eerden Trucking Company, Inc.

10299 South Kent Dr Sw, Byron Center, MI, 49315
  • Fleet size: 1 to 10
  • Fleet age: 2 years
  • Insurance: $750,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • Produce
  • General
  • Meat
  • Refrigerated food

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Box truck
  • Step deck
  • Power only
  • Sprinter van
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-border
  • Consolidation
  • Alcohol-insured
  • Drayage
  • Cross-docking
  • Hazardous materials

VAN Eerden Trucking Company, Inc. (DOT: 179734) has been a trusted name in the trucking industry since 1980. With a fleet size of 153 trucks and 306 trailers, they cater to a variety of shipping needs, including refrigerated foods, dry bulk commodities, and fresh produce. They also transport hazardous materials, beverages, meat, general freight, and other specialized cargo, ensuring comprehensive logistic solutions for businesses in Michigan and beyond.

The company offers various commercial shipping supports such as cross-docking, drop trailer, consolidation, and a truck lease purchase program. Additional value-added services include direct deposit, health insurance, retirement plans, and guaranteed home time for drivers. VAN Eerden Trucking also prioritizes safety with ongoing training programs and a satisfactory safety rating, making it a reliable choice for business owners looking to ship their products efficiently and safely.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 20
  • Unsafe driving: 2.04
  • Driver fitness: 0.02
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.22
  • Vehicle maintenance: 1.73
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 193
  • Revenue: $645,000
  • Miles driven: 20,900,000

Smith Trucking, Inc.

7150 Silberhorn Hwy, Blissfield, MI, 49228
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Building materials
  • Construction equipment
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • Farm supplies
  • General
  • Livestock feed
  • Intermodal containers
  • Lumber
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Vehicles
  • Utility tools, parts & equipment
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Auto carrier
  • Hopper bottom
  • Lowboy
  • Power only
  • Tanker
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-border
  • Drayage

Smith Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 602541) is a reputable trucking company that has been operating since 2015 in Michigan. They specialize in carrying a diverse range of cargo, including agricultural and farm supplies, building materials, construction materials, dry bulk commodities, grain feed hay, lumber, large machinery, and motor vehicles. Their fleet includes dry vans, tankers, hoppers, and lowboys, demonstrating versatility in handling various shipping needs.

Smith Trucking offers dedicated routes and regional driving opportunities, making them an attractive choice for business owners requiring reliable and consistent shipping services. They provide essential commercial support, including health, dental, and vision insurance, a retirement plan, per diem payments, paid time off, and ongoing training and development programs. Their commitment to driver satisfaction is evident with benefits like guaranteed home time, truck lease purchase programs, direct deposit, and referral bonuses. With a safety rating of “Satisfactory,” Smith Trucking ensures your cargo is in capable hands.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 2
  • Unsafe driving: 2.07
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
  • Vehicle maintenance: 5.85
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 24
  • Revenue: $111
  • Miles driven: 1,612,701

PRO Vision Transport, Inc.

6205 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck, MI, 49453
  • Fleet size: 50+
  • Fleet age: 3.5 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Farm supplies
  • Produce
  • General
  • Meat
  • Metal materials
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Container
  • Hopper bottom
  • Power only
  • Sprinter van
  • Tanker
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Cross-border
  • Drayage
  • Hazardous materials

PRO Vision Transport, Inc. (DOT: 444127) is a versatile trucking company known for its comprehensive range of services and a fleet of more than 120 units. Established in Michigan, they handle diverse cargo including agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, fresh produce, general freight, meat, metal sheets and coils, paper products, and refrigerated food. The company specializes in cross-border transport and operates a range of vehicles such as dry vans, flatbeds, tankers, box trucks, sprinter vans, and refrigerated trucks.

PRO Vision Transport provides significant support for commercial shipments, with services including regional, local, and over-the-road (OTR) driving, hazardous materials transportation, dedicated routes, and power-only options. Their commitment to employee welfare is evident through benefits like health, dental, and vision insurance, 401k retirement plans, paid CDL training, and guaranteed home time. Safety is also a priority, boasting a satisfactory safety rating and offering safety bonuses to their drivers.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 2
  • Unsafe driving: 2.86
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.47
  • Vehicle maintenance: 2.37
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 68
  • Revenue: $7,512
  • Miles driven: 7,210,700

Haddad International Transport, Inc.

5000 Wyoming Ave Suite 111, Dearborn, MI, 48126
  • Fleet age: 5 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Building materials
  • Construction equipment
  • General
  • Lumber
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Vehicles

Truck Types

  • Power only
  • Sprinter van
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-border
  • Drayage
  • Cross-docking
  • Hazardous materials

Haddad International Transport, Inc. (DOT: 171438) is a Michigan-based trucking company known for its wide range of services and reliable operations. Established with a commitment to excellence, this company offers specialized support such as hazardous materials handling, ensuring safe and efficient transport of potentially dangerous goods. They also provide power-only services, cross-docking, and dedicated routes, catering to a wide array of business needs.

Haddad International handles diverse types of cargo, including building materials, construction supplies, logs, poles, beams, lumber, machinery, large objects, and metal sheets, coils, and rolls. Their commercial shipment services are reinforced by comprehensive insurance and a satisfactory safety rating. In addition, Haddad offers advantageous employee benefits like sign-on bonuses, safety bonuses, and ample health insurance, attracting and retaining top-tier drivers to maintain their reputable and dependable service.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 2
  • Unsafe driving: 1.14
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 1.62
  • Vehicle maintenance: 8.52
  • Controlled substances: 0.2
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 34
  • Revenue: $1,176
  • Miles driven: 1,762,005

Universal Intermodal Services, Inc.

12755 E 9 Mile, Warren, MI, 48089
  • Fleet size: 50-99 Corp Only
  • Insurance: $1,000,000

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Chemicals
  • Produce
  • General
  • Livestock feed
  • Intermodal containers
  • Liquids & gases
  • Metal materials
  • Utility tools, parts & equipment
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Drayage
  • Cross-docking

Universal Intermodal Services, Inc. (DOT: 1162977) is a long-standing trucking company established in 1932, located in Michigan. They specialize in a wide range of cargo, including general freight, beverages, chemicals, metal sheets, coils, and rolls, intermodal containers, fresh produce, paper products, refrigerated food, liquids/gases, grain feed hay, and US mail. With a substantial fleet size between 50-99 corporate-only trucks and a diverse array of services, they have gained a strong foothold in the trucking industry.

Universal Intermodal Services, Inc. offers key services such as cross-docking, utilities support, and drayage transportation, making them an excellent choice for commercial shipments. Their dedication to meeting commercial needs is evident with their active interstate operations and significant investment in freight safety, reflected by their comprehensive insurance and regulatory compliance. Business owners seeking reliable and versatile shipping solutions can count on Universal Intermodal Services, Inc. for consistent and specialized transport services.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 87
  • Unsafe driving: 0.81
  • Driver fitness: 0.06
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.28
  • Vehicle maintenance: 5.62
  • Controlled substances: 0.01
  • Hazardous materials violations: 25

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 1361
  • Revenue: $8,213
  • Miles driven: 63,800,000

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 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 Michigan to minimize transit times and costs.
  • Importing/exporting experience: Michigan 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 Michigan 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: Michigan Drayage Trucking Companies

What role does Drayage play in the shipping process for Michigan businesses?

Drayage is a crucial part of the shipping process that involves short-distance transportation from ports or rail terminals to distribution centers. For Michigan 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.


Mike Marshall