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Power Only Shipping Services & Transport in North Carolina (2026)

Mike Marshall, Shipping Expert

For businesses in North Carolina with trailers ready to go, power only trucking companies provide the necessary hauling power without the need for a dedicated truck fleet. We’ve analyzed power only carriers in North Carolina based on services, affordability, and reliability, and Trinity Transport, Inc. rose to the top as the best choice for businesses looking for a cost-effective shipping solution.

Power Only Shipping Services & Transport in North Carolina

Explore our other top recommended power only trucking companies to find the right fit for your business’ needs and budget.

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 North Carolina. Every North Carolina 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 North Carolina for your commercial shipping needs.

Trinity Transport, Inc.

317 Green Needles Road, Lexington, NC, 27295
  • Fleet size: 50+
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $750,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Construction equipment
  • Farm supplies
  • General
  • Livestock feed
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Container
  • Power only
  • Tanker
  • Cross-border
  • Consolidation
  • Drayage
  • Cross-docking
  • Hazardous materials

Trinity Transport, Inc. (DOT: 593169) is a reputable trucking company established in 2007, operating in North Carolina with a fleet of 50 trucks. Known for its diverse capabilities, Trinity specializes in transporting a variety of cargo, including agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, machinery, and paper products. The company offers specialized support through services like power-only operations, flatbed hauling, and hazmat transportation.

Trinity Transport is dedicated to providing robust commercial shipment support, featuring services such as regional driving, cross-docking, drayage, and cross-border transport. The company emphasizes driver well-being with benefits like health insurance, safety bonuses, and paid time off. Although it has reported some crash incidents, Trinity maintains a satisfactory safety rating, reflecting its commitment to safe and reliable transport solutions for businesses seeking dependable logistics partnerships.

Safety

  • Crashes: 4
  • Unsafe driving: 1.12
  • Driver fitness: 0.32
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.17
  • Vehicle maintenance: 3.83
  • Controlled substances: 0.08
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 46
  • Revenue: $11,393
  • Miles driven: 2,626,147
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OLD Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

500 Old Dominion Way, Thomasville, NC, 27360
  • Fleet size: 100+ Corp Only
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Chemicals
  • Construction equipment
  • Farm supplies
  • General
  • Intermodal containers
  • Liquids & gases
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Container
  • Power only
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-border
  • Drayage

OLD Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (DOT: 90849) is a long-standing trucking company established in 1934, operating primarily as a broker and carrier across interstate routes. With a fleet of over 10,000 trucks and a commitment to delivering high-quality service, they handle a diverse range of cargo including agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, chemicals, construction products, general freight, intermodal containers, and large machinery.

OLD Dominion offers specialized services, with capabilities in managing hazardous materials and providing power-only transport. They emphasize regional and local support with dedicated routes and flexible scheduling, eventually catering to expedited and partial truckload needs. The company also supports its drivers with benefits such as paid CDL training, health insurance, retirement plans, and ongoing training programs, ensuring a strong and reliable workforce for commercial shipping needs.

Safety

  • Crashes: 660
  • Unsafe driving: 0.5
  • Driver fitness: 0.05
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.05
  • Vehicle maintenance: 1.69
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 159

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 11620
  • Revenue: $91,291,000
  • Miles driven: 847,000,000
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Best Cartage, Inc.

829 Graves St, Kernersville, NC, 27284
  • Fleet size: 50+
  • Fleet age: 5 years
  • Insurance: $750,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • General
  • Livestock
  • Lumber
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Power only
  • Cross-border

Best Cartage, Inc. (DOT: 244285) is a reputable trucking company established in 1978, operating primarily in North Carolina with a fleet of over 135 trucks. They offer a wide range of services, including managed transportation, flatbed, and dry van hauling. Best Cartage is proficient in handling various types of cargo such as general freight, livestock, logs, poles, beams, lumber, machinery, large objects, metal sheets, coils, rolls, and paper products.

The company stands out with its support for regional and dedicated routes, owner-operator opportunities, and a truck lease purchase program. They prioritize driver satisfaction with benefits like direct deposit, safety bonuses, health insurance, and a retirement plan (401k). Best Cartage’s commitment to safety is reflected in their “Satisfactory” safety rating, making them a reliable option for businesses seeking efficient, secure transportation solutions.

Safety

  • Crashes: 16
  • Unsafe driving: 0.73
  • Driver fitness: 0.16
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.07
  • Vehicle maintenance: 2.09
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 135
  • Revenue: $13,323
  • Miles driven: 11,500,000
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Puryear Trucking, Inc.

2101 Baldree Rd South, Wilson, NC, 27893
  • Fleet age: 4 years
  • Insurance: $750,000

Cargo Types

  • Building materials
  • Construction equipment
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • Trash
  • General
  • Intermodal containers
  • Liquids & gases
  • Utility tools, parts & equipment

Truck Types

  • Step deck
  • Power only
  • Dump trailer
  • Hot shot
  • Lift-gate
  • Hazardous materials

Puryear Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 896050) is a reputable North Carolina freight carrier, renowned for its diverse service offering and commitment to safety. Operating a fleet of 43 trucks and 86 trailers, they specialize in interstate transportation of various cargo, including building materials, dry bulk commodities, and general freight. Puryear excels in specialized services such as hot shot and power-only trucking, ensuring efficient and reliable deliveries.

The company provides significant support to commercial shipments with options for regional and local drivers, team drivers services, and full truckloads. Puryear is equipped to handle hazardous materials with care, highlighting their dedication to safety. Business owners can also benefit from Puryear’s comprehensive employee benefits, including health, dental, life, and vision insurance, along with a retirement plan and paid time off, creating a well-rounded and professional service environment.

Safety

  • Crashes: 4
  • Unsafe driving: 0.41
  • Driver fitness: 0.06
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
  • Vehicle maintenance: 2.58
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 2

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 40
  • Revenue: $588
  • Miles driven: 3,500,000
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How Safety Ratings Work in North Carolina

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 Power Only Trucking Company in North Carolina for Your Shipments

Whether you operate a distribution center, manufacturing business, or retail operation in North Carolina, here are some key factors to consider when picking the best power only trucking company to haul your trailers:

  • Trailer compatibility: The carrier’s tractors will need to be compatible with your trailer types, particularly if your cargo requires specialized connections or handling.
  • Availability and flexibility: Look for North Carolina Power Only carriers with the flexibility to handle your schedule. This is especially important for businesses that have high-volume or seasonal shipping needs that require additional capacity.
  • Coverage area: Choose a Power Only carrier in North Carolina with experience in your preferred shipping lanes, whether you require regional, national, or cross-border transportation.
  • Driver experience: Experienced drivers are crucial for managing a variety of trailer types and ensuring your loads are handled professionally.
  • Fleet maintenance: A well-maintained fleet reduces the risk of breakdowns or delays.
  • Tracking and communication: North Carolina carriers offering real-time tracking and reliable communication make it easy to monitor your shipment’s progress.
  • Insurance and liability coverage: If you’re shipping hazardous or fragile materials, make sure the Power Only carrier’s insurance covers high-value or sensitive loads.
  • Pricing transparency: Look for clear and upfront pricing without hidden fees, so you can manage costs effectively and avoid unexpected expenses.
  • Safety record: A history of safe transportation reinforces a carrier’s commitment to protecting your cargo and ensuring smooth transit, especially with high-stakes shipments.

FAQs

What are the main advantages of Power Only trucking for North Carolina businesses with multiple locations?

Power Only trucking provides a cost-effective shipping solution for businesses. With Power Only shipping, you can move trailers between sites without haveing to invest in your own tractor fleet. It also makes managing regional distribution and warehousing easier and more efficient.

What types of loads are suitable for Power Only trucking?

Power Only is suitable for a wide range of loads, including dry van, reefer, and flatbed trailers.Power Only is a good option for businesses that need the flexibility to move various cargo types, including high-volume shipments and oversized loads.

Can power-only services support seasonal or high-demand periods?

Yes, many power-only providers offer flexible, on-demand services to support seasonal peaks or high-demand periods. This flexibility gives businesses in North Carolina the ability to scale up operations as needed without investing in additional trucks.

Other Types of Transport Options for Your Shipments


Mike Marshall