After evaluating Minnesota Drayage companies based on affordability, service speed, and customer satisfaction, Lakehead Trucking, 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 Minnesota
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 Minnesota. Every Minnesota 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 Minnesota for your commercial shipping needs.
Lakehead Trucking, Inc.
6035 Lavaque Road, Duluth, MN, 55803- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Coal coke
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Livestock feed
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Container
- Lowboy
- Oversized
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Dump trailer
- Hot shot
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Consolidation
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
Lakehead Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 116256) is a reputable trucking company in Minnesota, founded in 1950. Known for their diverse service offerings, they specialize in handling various types of cargo, including building materials, dry bulk commodities, construction items, grain feed hay, logs, machinery, and metals. The company utilizes a fleet of over 50 trucks and provides both local and regional transportation services.
Lakehead Trucking, Inc. offers several specialized supports for commercial shipments, such as hazmat, reefer, flatbed, and cross-border services. Additionally, the company provides services like tankers, dump trailers, lowboys, and box trucks, ensuring they can handle a wide range of freight needs. With a strong emphasis on employee benefits, they offer health and dental insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, direct deposit, and driver referral bonuses, making them a reliable choice for businesses looking to ship products efficiently and safely.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 0.64
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.13
- Vehicle maintenance: 11.84
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 33
- Revenue: $36,490
- Miles driven: 1,034,120
Wille Transport, Inc.
521 West Highway #2, Cohasset, MN, 55721- Fleet size: 20 to 49
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Vehicles
- Oilfield equipment
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Container
- Step deck
- Oversized
- Power only
- Tanker
- Dump trailer
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Wille Transport, Inc. (DOT: 191404) is a reputable trucking company established in 1972 and based in Minnesota. The company operates a fleet of 40 trucks, including flatbeds, step decks, tankers, and dry vans. They specialize in transporting various types of cargo such as building materials, general freight, intermodal containers, oversized loads, machinery, large objects, metal sheets, coils, and rolls.
Wille Transport provides special support for commercial shipments, including dedicated routes, direct deposit, and team driving services. They ensure safety and quality by maintaining a low vehicle maintenance score of 4.76 and offering health and life insurance, guaranteed home time, and ongoing training development programs. Their services also include cross-border shipments, hazardous materials, and power-only transport, making them a flexible and reliable choice for businesses looking to ship their products efficiently.
Safety
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 1.43
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.42
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.76
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 34
- Revenue: $3,408
- Miles driven: 2,708,704
Autumn Transport, Inc.
6550 Courtly Road, Woodbury, MN, 55125- Fleet size: 20 to 49
- Fleet age: 2 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Coal coke
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
- Livestock feed
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Lowboy
- Oversized
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
Autumn Transport, Inc. (DOT: 184150) is a reputable trucking company that has been operational since 1980 in Minnesota. Specializing in interstate operations with a fleet size of 280 and 140 trucks, they manage a broad range of cargo, including general freight, coal, coke, and grain feed hay. They also transport hazardous materials and dry bulk commodities, offering specialized services like reefer, flatbed, lowboy, and tanker, catering to various shipping needs.
Autumn Transport provides exceptional support for commercial shipments with services such as dedicated routes, cross-docking, and roadside assistance programs. They prioritize driver incentives and well-being, offering benefits like sign-on bonuses, direct deposit, health insurance, paid time off, and a retirement plan. Additionally, they ensure driver safety with ongoing training and a satisfactory safety rating, making them a reliable choice for business owners seeking efficient and secure transportation for their products.
Safety
- Crashes: 17
- Unsafe driving: 2.76
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.37
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.62
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 140
- Revenue: $3,744
- Miles driven: 14,000,000
Ramler Trucking, Inc.
400 13th St, Albany, MN, 56307- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Farm supplies
- Produce
- General
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Ramler Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 176097) is a versatile trucking company based in Minnesota. Specializing in both interstate and intrastate deliveries, they handle a variety of cargos such as agricultural supplies, fresh produce, meat, beverages, building materials, and paper products. Operating a fleet of 140 vehicles, Ramler Trucking provides services such as dry van, flatbed, and tanker transportation, catering to the diverse needs of their clients.
Ramler Trucking offers specialized support for commercial shipments, including dedicated routes, hazmat handling, and expedited shipping options. Additional features like driver referral bonuses, ongoing training programs, and comprehensive health benefits make them a reliable partner in the transportation industry. Whether you require cross-docking, liftgate, or drayage services, Ramler Trucking has the expertise and resources to meet your shipping needs efficiently.
Safety
- Crashes: 9
- Unsafe driving: 3.21
- Driver fitness: 0.12
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.64
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.05
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 70
- Revenue: $9,804,000
- Miles driven: 7,764,253
How Safety Ratings Work in Minnesota
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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota to minimize transit times and costs.
- Importing/exporting experience: Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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: Minnesota Drayage Trucking Companies
What role does Drayage play in the shipping process for Minnesota businesses?
Drayage is a crucial part of the shipping process that involves short-distance transportation from ports or rail terminals to distribution centers. For Minnesota 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.
