The right LTL — or “less-than-truckload” — carrier can help save on freight costs and provide flexible shipping solutions. After evaluating key factors like cost, customer satisfaction, service offerings, and safety ratings, we found Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc. to be the best LTL trucking company in Massachusetts.
Top LTL Trucking Companies in Massachusetts
Shipping needs vary by company and product, so check out our other top picks for LTL for-hire carriers to see which one works best for your business.
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 Massachusetts. Every Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts for your commercial shipping needs.
Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc.
42 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA, 2061- Fleet size: 100+ Corp Only
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $9,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Chemicals
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Liquids & gases
- Machinery & large objects
- Oilfield equipment
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Pneumatic
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Dump trailer
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Consolidation
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc. (DOT: 180743) is a distinguished trucking company founded in 1980, based in Massachusetts. Specializing in hazardous materials, this company is a recognized leader in transportation for industries requiring stringent safety measures. Their fleet includes over 2,981 trucks and 626 trailers, equipped with tankers and flatbeds to accommodate diverse cargo such as chemicals, oilfield equipment, and intermodal containers. With a strong commitment to sustainable and specialized logistics, Clean Harbors stands out as a comprehensive environmental service provider.
In addition to their robust fleet, Clean Harbors offers several key services including dedicated routes and cross-border transportation, ensuring efficient and reliable logistics solutions for their clients. Business owners will appreciate their specialty in managing large or complex shipments with professional expertise, supported by a team of over 2,300 qualified drivers. Their focus on safety and employee welfare is evident from their various benefits, making Clean Harbors a trusted partner for commercial shipments.
Safety
- Crashes: 60
- Unsafe driving: 0.45
- Driver fitness: 0.07
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.07
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.74
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 165
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 2241
- Miles driven: 100,000,000
A M A Transportation Company, Inc.
28 Plank Street, Billerica, MA, 1821- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $2,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Construction equipment
- Farm supplies
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Metal materials
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Container
- Step deck
- Lowboy
- Oversized
- Sprinter van
- Dump trailer
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Consolidation
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
A M A Transportation Company, Inc. (DOT: 233338) is a reputable freight trucking company established in 1981 in Massachusetts. Specializing in less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping, the company handles a diverse range of cargo, including agricultural supplies, beverages, chemicals, construction materials, and intermodal containers. With a total fleet size of 134, including 67 trucks, they offer services like dry van and flatbed transport, as well as specialized equipment such as step decks and lowboys for oversized shipments.
A M A Transportation prioritizes safety with a satisfactory safety rating and offers hazardous materials transport. They provide dedicated routes, flexible scheduling, and cross-docking services to cater to business-specific needs. Employee benefits include direct deposit, gym memberships, and health insurance, among others. Their focus on quality service is further supported by programs like ongoing training and guaranteed home time for drivers. With a Google rating of 3.9, they stand as a dependable choice for commercial shippers.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 1.1
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.97
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 76
- Revenue: $4,391,000
- Miles driven: 3,305,364
Lily Transportation, LLC
145 Rosemary St, Needham, MA, 2494- Fleet size: 100+ Corp Only
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $5,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Produce
- General
- Livestock feed
- Meat
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Drayage
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Lily Transportation, LLC (DOT: 24491) is a prominent logistics and transportation company established in 1958 with its operations based in Massachusetts. The company prides itself on a diverse fleet of 783 trucks, 1125 experienced drivers, and offers a variety of services including refrigerated food transport, intermodal operations, and flatbed support. They specialize in transporting cargo such as beverages, building materials, chemicals, fresh produce, and paper products, ensuring customized solutions for commercial clients.
In addition to their extensive services, Lily Transportation, LLC distinguishes itself with valuable offerings like guaranteed home time, pay advances, health, dental, and vision insurance, and direct deposit for their staff. They provide ongoing training and development programs, contributing to a culture of safety, demonstrated by a satisfactory safety rating. This company is ideal for business owners seeking reliable and versatile shipping solutions, supported by a large, well-maintained fleet and comprehensive employee benefits.
“`Safety
- Crashes: 73
- Unsafe driving: 0.79
- Driver fitness: 0.02
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.06
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.15
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 3
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 1125
- Revenue: $4,460,000
- Miles driven: 61,100,000
Geosearch, Inc.
11 Chocksett Road, Sterling, MA, 1564- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Conditional
Cargo Types
- Construction equipment
- Machinery & large objects
- Water well
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Container
- Step deck
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Dump trailer
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Consolidation
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
Geosearch, Inc. (DOT: 450031) is a reputable trucking company in Massachusetts, offering a comprehensive range of specialized services. They handle diverse cargo, including construction materials, large machinery, and water wells, using their 96-vehicle fleet. The company is proficient in managing intermodal and cross-border operations, emphasizing safety with a “Conditional” rating. They provide valuable services such as tankers, flatbeds, and step decks, accommodating both regional and interstate deliveries.
Focused on commercial shipment support, Geosearch, Inc. offers dedicated routes and expedited services with reliable team drivers. They prioritize employee benefits, including health insurance, flexible scheduling, and retirement plans, enhancing fleet performance. The company supports owner-operators and provides ongoing driver training, maintaining a competitive edge in the industry. Committed to sustainability and efficiency, Geosearch ensures customer satisfaction through seamless transport solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 0.14
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.81
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 29
- Revenue: $3,410
- Miles driven: 584,467
Cape Cod Express
1 Express Drive, Wareham, MA, 2571- Fleet size: 50+
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Construction equipment
- Farm supplies
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Liquids & gases
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Utility tools, parts & equipment
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
Cape Cod Express (DOT: 210135) is a distinguished trucking company established in 1981, located in Massachusetts. With a fleet size of over 50 trucks and a total power unit count of 154, they specialize in general freight and commercial transportation. The company effectively manages a diverse array of cargo, including agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, chemicals, construction materials, intermodal containers, liquids/gases, logs, lumber, machinery, and paper products.
Offering local and regional driving services, Cape Cod Express ensures reliable transportation across borders. Their commitment to employee well-being is notable, providing health, life, dental, and vision insurance, along with paid time off. The company prides itself on a satisfactory safety rating and has maintained active authority as both a broker and a carrier. Business owners can expect a dependable partner in Cape Cod Express, with a dedication to diverse shipment needs and comprehensive insurance coverage of $1,000,000.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 0.62
- Driver fitness: 0.66
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 7.42
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 122
- Revenue: $32,039,000
- Miles driven: 1,880,551
Ideal Transportation Company, Inc.
17 Oak Street, Peabody, MA, 1960- Fleet size: 20 to 49
- Fleet age: 2 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Refrigerated food
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Auto carrier
- Container
- Lowboy
- Oversized
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Cross-border
- Alcohol-insured
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Ideal Transportation Company, Inc. (DOT: 190262) is a Massachusetts-based trucking company established in 1976, with a total fleet of 40 units. They specialize in trucking services such as refrigerated, dry van, and flatbed shipping, catering to businesses with various transportation needs. The company transports a range of cargo, including beverages, general freight, refrigerated food, and intermodal containers. Their commitment to safety is evident in their satisfactory safety rating and a focus on ongoing training and development for drivers.
Ideal Transportation Company offers several commercial shipment support services, such as managing transportation and dedicated routes, enhancing the efficiency of business logistics. They employ 25 individuals and provide a range of benefits to their drivers, including network support for hazardous materials shipments. As a strong advocate for workforce incentives, they offer paid CDL training, sign-on bonuses, and employee stock ownership options, attracting skilled and dedicated drivers.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 3.2
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.06
- Vehicle maintenance: 7.15
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 20
- Revenue: $5,325
- Miles driven: 612,387
How Safety Ratings Work in Massachusetts
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) 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 LTL Trucking Company in Massachusetts for Your Shipments
Whether you’re a small business or a larger operation, finding the best LTL trucking company ultimately comes down to a few key factors:
- Freight volume and shipment size: LTL carriers typically handle shipments of more than 150 pounds and less than 15,000 pounds. Choose a carrier that accommodates smaller loads and offers options for varying freight volumes.
- Frequency of shipments: Find a carrier with the capacity to handle your regular and peak season demands but that also has a variety of truck types to allow for flexibility in case your volume increases or needs change.
- Service areas: Ensure the carrier’s network covers your most common shipping destinations effectively, whether for local, regional, or national deliveries.
- Delivery speed: Look for carriers that offer multiple transit times, such as standard and expedited LTL services, so you can balance delivery speed with cost according to each shipment’s urgency.
- Technology and tracking tools: Companies with real-time shipment tracking, digital document handling, and other logistics tools provide a layer of transparency that should provide you with some peace of mind during the shipping process.
- Customer support: Choose a company with a responsive customer service team experienced in handling LTL freight issues, including tracking updates, claims, and scheduling changes.
- Safety and reliability: Consider carriers with strong safety records and modern fleets. Check for certifications and safety programs that reflect the company’s commitment to secure and efficient freight handling.
- Pricing and transparency: Review pricing structures to avoid hidden fees. Choose carriers that provide upfront quotes and a transparent cost breakdown to help manage your shipping budget effectively.
FAQs
What is LTL and how can it benefit my business in Massachusetts?
LTL — or less-than-truckload — shipping allows businesses to share truck space with other shipments, paying only for the portion they use. That increased efficiency means reduced shipping costs for Massachusetts businesses. LTL is ideal for companies seeking cost-effective solutions for frequent, smaller-scale deliveries.
How does LTL shipping differ from FTL shipping for Massachusetts?
LTL involves combining multiple shipments from different businesses to fill a truck, while FTL (full truckload) shipping dedicates an entire truck to a single shipment. For small businesses in Massachusetts, LTL is likely more affordable and it allows you to send smaller shipments on a more frequent basis. If you have large shipments or need quicker transit times, FTL is the more efficient shipping method.
What types of products are ideal for LTL shipping in Massachusetts?
LTL is best suited for smaller products that are durable, non-perishable, and not overly time-sensitive in terms of transit times. LTL is a popular freight shipping method for e-commerce businesses, manufacturers, and retailers in Massachusetts that sell packaged goods, electronics, furniture, and automotive parts.
Other Types of Transport Options for Your Shipments
Depending on the types of products your business retails or manufactures, you may have several shipping options to choose from.
- Hopper Bottom Shipping Services
- Beverage Shipping Services
- Box Truck Shipping Services
- Drayage Shipping Services
- Dry Bulk Shipping Services
- Dry Van Shipping Services
- Flatbed Shipping Services
- Hot Shot Shipping Services
- Intermodal Shipping Services
- Parcel Delivery Shipping Services
- Pneumatic Shipping Services
- Power-Only Shipping Services
- Reefer Shipping Services
- Tanker Shipping Services
