After evaluating Rhode Island Drayage companies based on affordability, service speed, and customer satisfaction, R Mello Trucking 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 Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island. Every Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island for your commercial shipping needs.
R Mello Trucking
18 Peace Street, Middletown, RI, 2842- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Coal coke
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- Produce
- Trash
- General
- Livestock feed
- Intermodal containers
- Liquids & gases
- Livestock
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Mobile homes
- Vehicles
- Oilfield equipment
- Utility tools, parts & equipment
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
- Water well
Truck Types
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Container
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Drayage
R Mello Trucking (DOT: 486534) is a small but multifaceted trucking company in Rhode Island. The company operates a fleet of 3 trucks and specializes in carrying a wide range of cargo, including agricultural and farm supplies, beverages, building materials, coal/coke, dry bulk commodities, fresh produce, and general freight. They have a solid reputation for providing dedicated routes and offering specialized support for commercial shipments, including reefer and dry bulk commodities transportation.
R Mello Trucking also provides several advantages to their drivers and clients, such as safety bonuses, health insurance, and paid time off. They ensure cargo safety with insurance and have maintained a clean record with no reported crash injuries or fatalities. Their flexible scheduling and commitment to guaranteed home time make them a reliable choice for business owners looking to ship their products efficiently. With services tailored for specific needs, R Mello Trucking stands out as a competent partner for commercial shipping.
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: 4
- Revenue: $295
- Miles driven: 36,000
KEY Corporation
170 Fiore Industrial Dr, Wakefield, RI, 2879- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- General
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Utility tools, parts & equipment
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Box truck
- Container
- Pneumatic
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Hot shot
- B-train semi
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Alcohol-insured
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
KEY Corporation (DOT: 2891299) offers a range of specialized trucking services tailored to meet diverse commercial needs. Established several years ago, this Rhode Island-based carrier provides excellent options for transporting hazardous materials, reefer goods, and general freight. Their fleet size ranges from 1 to 10 trucks, which are relatively young, maintained at an average age of 4 years.
KE Corporation supports an array of cargo types including building materials, construction equipment, large machinery, and utility goods. The company’s commitment to service quality is highlighted by their additional support for hot-shot deliveries, drayage, cross-border shipments, drop trailer services, and managed transportation solutions. Business owners can also benefit from various employee bonuses, health insurance, retirement plans, and guaranteed home time for drivers. Their reliability is further underscored by zero crash injuries and fatalities within recent reports.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 1.61
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 2.5
- Vehicle maintenance: 6.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 11
- Revenue: $2,738
- Miles driven: 15,911
Patriot Hauling Co
2208 Plainfield Pike, Johnston, RI, 2919- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $2,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- General
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Container
- Step deck
- Lowboy
- Oversized
- Power only
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Alcohol-insured
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Patriot Hauling Co (DOT: 751284) is a reputable trucking company based in Rhode Island that has been operational since 1998. Known for their impressive fleet of 235 trucks and expertise in handling a diverse range of cargo including building materials, machinery, and large objects, they maintain a “Satisfactory” safety rating. The company also offers specialized services such as hazardous materials transport and oversized cargo handling, ensuring reliability for businesses with unique shipping needs.
In addition to their comprehensive freight services, Patriot Hauling Co provides substantial support for commercial shipments. They cater to both regional and over-the-road drivers, offer direct deposit and flexible scheduling, and have extensive benefits including health insurance, vision coverage, and a retirement plan. Their commitment to safety and driver welfare is evident through ongoing training programs, roadside assistance, and multiple driver compensation packages. This makes Patriot Hauling Co a solid choice for businesses seeking dependable and versatile trucking solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 6
- Unsafe driving: 0.57
- Driver fitness: 0.12
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.52
- Vehicle maintenance: 6.07
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 75
- Revenue: $13,955,000
- Miles driven: 1,844,658
UNI Trans Transportation, LLC
16 Countryside Drive, Johnston, RI, 2919- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Auto carrier
- Container
- Step deck
- Lowboy
- Oversized
- Power only
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Hot shot
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
UNI Trans Transportation, LLC (DOT: 1009270) offers comprehensive transport solutions to business owners looking for reliable and efficient shipping services. Established with a satisfactory safety rating, UNI Trans specializes in building materials and construction-related cargo, utilizing a fleet that includes step deck trailers, lowboy trailers, and tankers to meet diverse shipping needs.
UNI Trans provides special support for commercial shipments with dedicated and regional driver services, guaranteed home time, and expedited, flatbed, and reefer driving opportunities. They offer team driver services, owner-operator options, and cross-border capabilities to facilitate long-haul shipments. Additional perks for clients include direct deposit, a truck lease-purchase program, extensive health benefits, and pay advances, ensuring a robust partnership for businesses seeking top-tier trucking solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 2.23
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.09
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.88
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 13
- Miles driven: 681,722
How Safety Ratings Work in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island to minimize transit times and costs.
- Importing/exporting experience: Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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: Rhode Island Drayage Trucking Companies
What role does Drayage play in the shipping process for Rhode Island businesses?
Drayage is a crucial part of the shipping process that involves short-distance transportation from ports or rail terminals to distribution centers. For Rhode Island 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.
