Reefer trucking is essential for South Dakota companies that sell perishable food products and other goods that require refrigeration in transit. After evaluating top Reefer shipping services on factors like cost, dependability, safety, and customer satisfaction, Heartland Transportation ranks as the leading choice for moving temperature-sensitive freight.
Reefer Shipping Services & Transport in South Dakota
Check out our top recommendations for the best reefer trucking companies to ensure your products arrive fresh and secure.
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 South Dakota. Every South Dakota 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 South Dakota for your commercial shipping needs.
Heartland Transportation
3250 Eglin Street, Rapid City, SD, 57703- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Liquids & gases
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
Heartland Transportation (DOT: 233343) operates as a reliable freight carrier, with a focus on dry van and flatbed transportation services. Known for flexibility in partial and full truckload options, they manage a modest-sized fleet of 59 trucks. With special attention to liquids and gases, Heartland offers tailored logistics solutions for commercial shipments globally.
Besides exceptional core services, Heartland ensures customer satisfaction through value-added services such as drop trailers and less-than-truckload shipping. They prioritize safety with a satisfactory rating and boast excellent health, dental, and disability insurance for employees. Despite a history of minimal tow-away crashes, their ongoing training and development programs reflect a commitment to safety and service excellence, making them a premier choice for business owners.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 0.49
- Driver fitness: 0.15
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.63
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.48
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 5
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 26
- Revenue: $8,549,000
- Miles driven: 2,893,153
Roth Trucking, Inc.
2135 Dakota Craft Dr, Rapid City, SD, 57701- Fleet size: 50+
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Dry bulk commodities
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
Roth Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 244712) is a distinguished carrier based in South Dakota. They operate with a fleet of 49 trucks and 50+ trailers, focusing primarily on flatbed, dry van, and partial truckload services. Roth Trucking specializes in transporting building materials and dry bulk commodities, ensuring efficient and reliable delivery across interstate routes.
While the company does not offer refrigerated or hazardous material transport, they prioritize safety with a satisfactory safety rating. Roth Trucking stands out for its employee benefits, providing health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as a retirement 401(k) plan. Their consistent commitment to efficient logistics and employee welfare makes them a robust choice for businesses seeking dependable trucking solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 0.5
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.33
- Vehicle maintenance: 17.64
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 42
- Revenue: $8,791,000
- Miles driven: 2,800,808
Thirty One Logistics, Inc.
2907 Marlin Dr, Rapid City, SD, 57703- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Construction equipment
- General
- Lumber
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
Thirty One Logistics, Inc. (DOT: 3532366) is an active transportation and logistics carrier based in South Dakota. With a fleet that includes dry vans and flatbeds, this company offers full truckload and less-than-truckload services focusing on versatility. The company handles a wide range of cargo, such as beverages, construction materials, logs, metal sheets, paper products, and refrigerated foods, highlighting its adaptability in supporting various shipping needs.
Thirty One Logistics, Inc. places a notable emphasis on employee benefits and safety. They provide health, dental, and vision insurance, along with a 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off, and disability insurance. Despite having a few incidents, their focus on driver fitness and well-maintained equipment underlines their commitment to safety. With a fleet of 4 trucks and 5 drivers operating interstate, they are equipped to meet the diverse shipping requirements of their clients efficiently.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 5.76
- Driver fitness: 0.8
- Hours-of-service compliance: 1.65
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.69
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 5
- Miles driven: 463,475
Zieg Trucking Co
22470 Bennett Road, Rapid City, SD, 57701- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- General
- Livestock feed
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
Zieg Trucking Co (DOT: 66485) is a specialized trucking company based in South Dakota. With a fleet size of 18 and 9 trucks, they offer comprehensive transportation services focused on full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. They are known for their flatbed and dry van services, accommodating cargo such as general freight and grain feed hay.
Zieg Trucking Co provides various employee benefits including a rigorous ongoing training development program, dental, health, vision insurance, and a retirement plan (401k). With a satisfactory safety rating and no crash fatalities reported, they ensure reliable and secure shipping. Despite a limited fleet and driver size, their operations are backed by a positive reputation, evidenced by a high Indeed rating of 4.2 and a Google rating of 4.5, making them a trustworthy choice for businesses focusing on dependable and specialized freight solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 2.52
- 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: 7
- Miles driven: 500,141
Heyl Truck Lines, Inc.
1809 N Louise Ave, Sioux Falls, SD, 57107- Fleet size: 11 to 25
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Produce
- General
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Conestoga
- Step deck
- Hopper bottom
- Oversized
- Power only
- Tanker
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Alcohol-insured
- Drayage
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
Heyl Truck Lines, Inc. (DOT: 65762) is a versatile trucking company based in South Dakota that has been operational since 1949. With a fleet size of 1,100 and 550 trucks, they specialize in refrigerated freight transport alongside a variety of other cargo types including beverages, building materials, fresh produce, meat, and paper products. The company offers dedicated routes and cross-border trucking, ensuring goods are delivered efficiently across long distances.
Heyl Truck Lines stands out for its specialized services such as refrigerated transport, flatbed, power-only, and hazmat material handling. They support commercial shipments with a comprehensive range of services, including cross-docking and managed transportation solutions. The company provides a range of driver benefits and incentives such as paid CDL training, sign-on bonuses, and comprehensive insurance packages, making it a competitive choice for businesses seeking reliable and integrated shipping solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 39
- Unsafe driving: 1.06
- Driver fitness: 0.02
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.17
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.47
- Controlled substances: 0.03
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 550
- Revenue: $2,076,000
- Miles driven: 56,300,000
X-Trux, Inc.
47219 Hobbs Circle, Sioux Falls, SD, 57107- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3.5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Livestock feed
- Machinery & large objects
- Utility tools, parts & equipment
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Auto carrier
- Conestoga
- Container
- Step deck
- Lowboy
- Pneumatic
- Sprinter van
- Tanker
- Dump trailer
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Alcohol-insured
- Cross-docking
- Hazardous materials
X-Trux, Inc. (DOT: 841776) is a dynamic trucking company established in 1999 in South Dakota. They leverage a versatile fleet to manage a variety of cargo, including building materials, paper products, agricultural supplies, and machinery. Offering specialized support, X-Trux, Inc. employs reefer, lowboy, and tanker drivers to ensure seamless transportation of diverse freight types, including hazardous materials and general commodities.
X-Trux, Inc. is committed to delivering reliable services with a focus on commercial shipment support, such as cross-border logistics and managed transportation solutions. They offer benefits like health and dental insurance, paid CDL training, and a robust truck lease purchase program. Safety is a priority, indicated by their satisfactory safety rating and ongoing training programs. Their regional and dedicated drivers ensure efficient routing, backed by a team driving service for optimal delivery schedules.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 0.95
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.07
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.38
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 30
- Revenue: $1,342
- Miles driven: 3,020,429
Premium Best Transport
1501 Wek Road, Yankton, SD, 57078- Fleet size: 11 to 25
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Farm supplies
- General
- Livestock feed
- Livestock
- Lumber
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Vehicles
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Container
- Oversized
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Premium Best Transport (DOT: 313347) excels as a versatile and reliable carrier, with a strong focus on handling a diverse range of cargo, such as agricultural products, building materials, machinery, livestock, and metal sheets. Their dedicated services make them a compelling choice for business owners seeking specialized freight solutions. The company prides itself on offering a satisfactory safety rating and maintaining a well-equipped fleet of dry vans, flatbeds, and lift-gate trucks to meet varied shipping needs.
Notably, Premium Best Transport provides essential support for commercial shipment, including hazardous materials handling and managed transportation services. Their commitment to operational excellence is evident through regional, over-the-road, and team drivers, supported by benefits like health and dental insurance, paid time off, and a 401(k) retirement plan. With a focus on safety and efficiency, Premium Best Transport ensures seamless logistics, offering stability and reliability for business owners aiming to transport goods efficiently across state lines.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.4
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 5
- Revenue: $2,378
- Miles driven: 318,239
B & E Trucking, Inc.
3401 S Fairhall Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, 57106- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- Produce
- General
- Livestock feed
- Livestock
- Machinery & large objects
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Lowboy
- Last-mile delivery
- Consolidation
- Drayage
B & E Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 725760) is a carrier company based in South Dakota, boasting an active USDOT status. With a well-rounded fleet of 13 trucks and 26 trailers, they offer diverse services to cater to specific client needs. The company specializes in transporting fresh produce, refrigerated foods, agricultural supplies, beverages, and construction materials, ensuring reliability in handling both general and specialized commodities.
Known for offering a range of support for commercial shipments, B & E Trucking provides dedicated routes, drop trailer services, and flexible scheduling options to meet business needs efficiently. They emphasize driver support through benefits like sign-on and safety bonuses, health and dental insurance, ongoing training programs, and guaranteed home time. With zero reported crash fatalities and an emphasis on safety, they provide peace of mind for businesses looking for reliable freight transportation partners.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 3.5
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.5
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 16
- Miles driven: 795,470
Dakota Lines, Inc.
11 East Main Street, Vermillion, SD, 57069- Fleet size: 11 to 25
- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Cargo Types
- General
- Intermodal containers
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Container
- Step deck
- Lowboy
- Oversized
- Tanker
- Dump trailer
- Last-mile delivery
- Lift-gate
- Cross-border
- Hazardous materials
Dakota Lines, Inc. (DOT: 286930) has been an integral part of South Dakota’s trucking industry since its establishment in 1989. With a fleet size ranging from 11 to 25, they offer a range of services, including flatbed, dump trailer, lowboy, and tanker transport. They excel in handling general freight, intermodal containers, paper products, and oversized loads. Dedicated to maintaining a strong safety record with no crash injuries or fatalities, Dakota Lines combines efficiency and reliability.
The company highlights its capability to manage hazardous materials and provides managed transportation support. Dakota Lines prioritizes driver welfare, offering benefits such as health insurance, paid CDL training, and generous bonuses, including sign-on and referral bonuses. They also ensure flexible scheduling, guaranteed home time, and ongoing training for their dedicated drivers. With their Satisfactory safety rating and commitment to transparency and innovation, Dakota Lines stands out as a preferred choice for commercial shipping needs.
Safety
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 0.84
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 6.58
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 46
- Revenue: $1,867
- Miles driven: 2,135,959
Lance Trucking, Inc.
440 Industrial Drive, Volga, SD, 57071- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Construction equipment
- Farm supplies
- General
- Meat
- Metal materials
- Refrigerated food
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Oversized
- Power only
- Last-mile delivery
- Drayage
- Hazardous materials
Lance Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 957174) is a South Dakota-based carrier known for its diverse freight services and active operations in the interstate transport sector. With a fleet size of 76 and 38 power units, they specialize in transporting agricultural supplies, meat, metal sheets, coils, rolls, paper products, and refrigerated foods. Lance Trucking employs various truck types, including flatbeds and dry vans, and provides managed transportation services, which are designed for efficiency and reliability in commercial shipments.
Beyond standard trucking services, Lance Trucking supports clients with an array of benefits such as team driving opportunities, employee stock ownership, and paid time off, underscoring their commitment to employee satisfaction and service quality. Furthermore, the company ensures safety by maintaining a zero percent controlled substance violation rate. Offering both reefer and drayage services, they are well-equipped to handle complex logistics, making them an appealing choice for business owners seeking robust transportation solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 3
- Unsafe driving: 5.76
- Driver fitness: 0.06
- Hours-of-service compliance: 1.04
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.19
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 28
- Revenue: $4,153
- Miles driven: 2,360,000
How Safety Ratings Work in South Dakota
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 Reefer Trucking Company in South Dakota for Your Shipments
Whether you manage a food, pharmaceutical, or retail operation in South Dakota, here are some tips on what to look for in reefer trucking company for your refrigerated shipments:
- Temperature-control capabilities: Choose a carrier that provides precise temperature monitoring and control to ensure your products stay within safe temperature ranges throughout the journey.
- Specialized Reefer options: Look for companies with a variety of Reefer trailer sizes and configurations to accommodate different loads and product requirements.
- Driver experience and training: Experienced drivers trained in handling Reefer loads can help prevent temperature fluctuations and ensure safe, timely deliveries.
- Tracking tools: Carriers with GPS and real-time monitoring tools keep you informed on the location and condition of your shipment.
- Fleet maintenance: Well-maintained reefer trucks minimize the risk of breakdowns that could compromise the quality of your products.
- Customer support: A company with a reputation for customer service and dedicated logistics and freight management teams will be better able to handle any changes or issues with your shipment.
- Safety record and compliance: Check a company’s CSA score to make sure they have a history of safe transport and are compliant with industry regulations.
FAQs
What products are best transported by truck in South Dakota?
The products that are best transported by truck in the U.S. include commodities like:
- Building materials
- Food and beverages
- Furniture
- Clothing
- Electronics
What is Reefer shipping, and when is it needed for businesses in South Dakota?
Reefer shipping is commercial transport via refrigerated trucks and trailers that maintain controlled temperatures for products that are sensitive to heat or cold. In South Dakota, businesses that ship food, pharmaceuticals, flowers, and other perishables rely on Reefer shipping to ensure product quality and prevent spoilage or damage during transit.
How does Reefer shipping protect temperature-sensitive goods?
Reefer shipping protects temperature-sensitive goods by utilizing trucks equipped with refrigeration units that can maintain specific temperature settings. By controlling the climate inside the trailer, Reefer shipping reduces the risk of spoilage and extends product shelf life during transport.
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
- LTL Shipping Services
- Parcel Delivery Shipping Services
- Pneumatic Shipping Services
- Power-Only Shipping Services
- Tanker Shipping Services
