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 Gypsum Express Ltd to be the best LTL trucking company in New York.
Top LTL Trucking Companies in New York
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 New York. Every New York 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 New York for your commercial shipping needs.
Gypsum Express Ltd
8280 Sixty Road, Baldwinsville, NY, 13027- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- General
- Lumber
- Metal materials
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Auto carrier
- Container
- Step deck
- Lowboy
- Power only
- Tanker
- Dump trailer
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Consolidation
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Gypsum Express Ltd (DOT: 623098) is a prominent trucking company operating in New York, recognized for its satisfactory safety rating and diverse transportation offerings. The company supports a vast array of shipments, including general freight, building materials, and beverages. They have specialized services for transporting hazardous materials, enabling them to handle unique and demanding commercial needs.
Gypsum Express Ltd excels in providing essential support for commercial shipments with offerings such as a truck lease purchase program, guaranteed home time, and comprehensive insurance packages, including health, dental, and disability coverage for their drivers. They are equipped with both dry vans and reefer trailers, and have dedicated routes and intermodal drivers to enhance logistic efficiencies. Their large fleet, consisting of around 550 trucks, ensures reliable and flexible scheduling, making them a trusted choice for businesses needing dependable shipping solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 48
- Unsafe driving: 1.67
- Driver fitness: 0.05
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.08
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.37
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 515
- Revenue: $1,718
- Miles driven: 33,700,000
Awesome Transportation, Inc.
4705 Metropolitan Ave, Ridgewood, NY, 11385- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Dry bulk commodities
- Produce
- Meat
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Auto carrier
- Conestoga
- Lowboy
- Power only
- Sprinter van
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Consolidation
- Hazardous materials
Awesome Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 317404) is a dynamic trucking company leveraging over 13,000 days of service. Operating an agile fleet of 37 trucks, they excel in transporting various freight, including refrigerated foods, fresh produce, dry bulk commodities, beverages, meat, paper products, and auto carriers. Equipped with specialized services like reefer, conestoga, and lift gate, they ensure optimal handling of goods.
Awesome Transportation prioritizes efficiency and safety, backed by a satisfactory safety rating and comprehensive driver support, which includes hazmat-trained drivers. They offer team driving services and flexible scheduling alongside benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and a retirement plan. Furthermore, their commitment to advanced solutions is evident through specialized commercial shipment support, such as consolidation and managed transportation.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.13
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.04
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.33
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 40
- Revenue: $39,676
- Miles driven: 700,000
Sysco Syracuse, LLC
2508 Warners Road, Warners, NY, 13164- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Chemicals
- Produce
- Meat
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Box truck
- Container
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Consolidation
- Hazardous materials
Sysco Syracuse, LLC (DOT: 426199) is a New York-based trucking company established in 1970. The company operates a substantial fleet of 125 trucks and 250 trailers. They specialize in carrying cargo such as beverages, chemicals, fresh produce, meat, paper products, and refrigerated foods. Sysco Syracuse is known for offering flexible scheduling and guaranteed home time, ensuring a sustainable work-life balance for their drivers.
In addition to general freight services, Sysco Syracuse provides specialized support for managing and transporting hazardous materials, backed by a satisfactory safety rating. Their dedicated drivers, local and regional services, as well as recent expansions into container and consolidation logistics, ensure comprehensive support for commercial shipments. Moreover, their employee benefits, which include health, dental, and vision insurance alongside a 401(k) retirement plan, demonstrate a commitment to taking care of their workforce.
Safety
- Crashes: 4
- Unsafe driving: 0.24
- Driver fitness: 0.29
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.03
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.77
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 150
- Revenue: $865,300
- Miles driven: 3,600,000
Warren W Fane, Inc.
449 Route 40, Troy, NY, 12182- Fleet size: 20 to 49
- Fleet age: 3 Years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Coal coke
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Vehicles
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
Warren W Fane, Inc. (DOT: 297885) is a trucking company based in New York, with a total fleet size of 206 and 103 trucks. They are recognized for transporting various cargo, including building materials, coal, dry bulk commodities, construction items, large machinery, and metal sheets. Specializing in flatbed and dry van services, they are equipped to handle heavy haul and hazardous materials, indicating a robust infrastructure for diverse commercial shipping needs.
The company supports both regional and dedicated routes, offering flexibility through services like cross-border and drayage shipping. They maintain a safety rating of “Satisfactory” and demonstrate a commitment to employee benefits with health, dental, and vision insurance, along with paid time off and a 401(k) plan. The company encourages new drivers with a structured driver referral bonus and ongoing training and development programs, emphasizing safety and efficiency in all their operations.
Safety
- Crashes: 5
- Unsafe driving: 0.35
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.22
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.32
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 84
- Revenue: $3,871,000
- Miles driven: 3,429,321
Speed Global Services
2299 Kenmore Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14207- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Chemicals
- Dry bulk commodities
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Machinery & large objects
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Container
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Cross-docking
Speed Global Services (DOT: 26364) is a recognized trucking company based in New York, focusing on supply chain management and global logistics. The company provides a diverse range of freight services, handling cargo such as beverages, building materials, chemicals, and paper products. With a fleet size of 50+ vehicles and an average fleet age of four years, Speed Global Services prides itself on offering cross-border services, direct deposit salaries, and health benefits, motivating a team of 46 drivers.
Speed Global Services stands out for its specialized support in managing intermodal containers and providing dedicated routes with guaranteed home time. Their commercial shipment solutions include cross-docking and dry bulk commodities transportation, ensuring efficient and reliable service. Despite some recorded crashes, the company maintains a satisfactory safety rating, with a strong emphasis on ongoing training and development programs to ensure safety and professional growth for its drivers.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.06
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.55
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 2
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 46
- Revenue: $30,333,000
- Miles driven: 1,666,826
Terpening Trucking Co, Inc.
115 Farrell Road, Syracuse, NY, 13209- Fleet size: 50+
- Insurance: $5,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Chemicals
- Dry bulk commodities
- Produce
- General
- Liquids & gases
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Conestoga
- Step deck
- Last-mile delivery
Terpening Trucking Co, Inc. (DOT: 230317) is a New York-based carrier known for transporting a diverse range of cargo, including beverages, chemicals, dry bulk commodities, fresh produce, and general freight. Operating with a fleet size of over 374 total units, they utilize step deck and flatbed trailers, making them apt for specialized cargo needs.
Focusing on efficiency in commercial shipments, the company supports dry van and last-mile delivery services. Their operations extend across interstate routes, emphasizing safety with a satisfactory rating and an active USDOT status. Terpening Trucking Co offers a reliable option for businesses needing consistent freight solutions in the transport of goods such as paper products and refrigerated foods.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 0.88
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.06
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 9
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 140
- Revenue: $9,661,000
- Miles driven: 9,116,570
How Safety Ratings Work in New York
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 New York 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 New York?
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 New York businesses. LTL is ideal for companies seeking cost-effective solutions for frequent, smaller-scale deliveries.
How does LTL shipping differ from FTL shipping for New York?
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 New York, 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 New York?
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 New York 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
