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10 Best Tanker Trucking Companies in Virginia

Mike Marshall, Shipping Expert

Transporting liquids and hazardous materials requires the right Tanker trucking company to ensure safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulatory standards. After analyzing safety records, pricing data, and customer reviews for all Virginia Tanker carriers, we recommend EMM Transportation, Inc..

Discover some other top-rated Tanker trucking companies to find the best fit for your business’s specific shipping requirements 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 Virginia. Every Virginia 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 Virginia for your commercial shipping needs.

EMM Transportation, Inc.

3035 Bells Road, Richmond, VA, 23234
  • Fleet size: 50+
  • Fleet age: 5 years
  • Insurance: $750,000

Cargo Types

  • General
  • Intermodal containers
  • Lumber

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Tanker
  • Last-mile delivery

EMM Transportation, Inc. (DOT: 744765) is a reputable freight trucking company established in 1885, operating out of Virginia. With a fleet size of 50+ vehicles, they pride themselves on providing comprehensive services for a wide variety of shipments, including intermodal containers, logs, poles, beams, and lumber. They maintain an impressive Google rating of 4.5, reflecting their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Among the services they offer are full truckload (FTL) and less than truckload (LTL) shipments, refrigerated (reefer) transportation, and flatbed deliveries. They provide significant support for commercial shipments, including tanker options and dry vans. EMM Transportation prioritizes driver welfare with comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and guaranteed home time, making them a dependable partner for business owners seeking reliable logistics solutions.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 2
  • Unsafe driving: 0.0
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.64
  • Vehicle maintenance: 12.89
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 22
  • Revenue: $29,674,000
  • Miles driven: 833,070

Shoreland Transport Usa, Inc.

2000 Northgate Commerce Pkwy, Suffolk, VA, 23435
  • Fleet age: 5 years
  • Insurance: $750,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Produce
  • General
  • Intermodal containers
  • Refrigerated food

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Tanker
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Cross-border

Shoreland Transport Usa, Inc. (DOT: 3383069) is an active trucking company based in Virginia. They maintain a fleet of 86 vehicles, including flatbeds, dry vans, and refrigerated units, making them well-suited for hauling general freight, reefer goods, and intermodal containers. The company is committed to efficiency and reliability, further evidenced by their substantial mileage of 2,221,042 annually and a satisfactory safety rating.

Shoreland Transport Usa, Inc. provides specialized support for commercial shipments with services like last mile delivery and tanker transportation. They also offer significant employee benefits, such as health, dental, vision, life insurance, guaranteed home time, and a retirement plan. Although they had a few crash incidents, the overall safety measures and rigorous vehicle maintenance protocols underscore their focus on secure freight handling, making them a solid choice for business owners looking for dependable shipping solutions.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 3
  • Unsafe driving: 1.96
  • Driver fitness: 0.35
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.32
  • Vehicle maintenance: 2.62
  • Controlled substances: 0.11
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 43
  • Miles driven: 2,221,042

Expressway, Inc.

1501 Carter Creek Road, Richmond, VA, 23224
  • Fleet size: 1 to 10
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $750,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • General
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Tanker

Expressway, Inc. (DOT: 291774) is a reputed Virginia-based trucking company with a satisfactory safety rating. Although the specific year of establishment is unavailable, Expressway Inc. manages a fleet of 11 trucks and 22 trailers, demonstrating their capability in handling substantial cargo volumes. They specialize in general freight and paper products transportation and offer services such as full truckload, less than truckload, dry van, flatbed, and tanker services.

Expressway Inc. supports both interstate and local drivers, focusing on ensuring seamless commercial shipments. They have a keen emphasis on employee well-being, offering health, dental, life, and vision insurance along with paid time off and a retirement plan. For business owners seeking reliable trucking services, Expressway Inc. provides a robust platform for shipping a wide variety of products safely and efficiently across the region.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 0
  • Unsafe driving: 0.58
  • 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: 11
  • Revenue: $5,707,000
  • Miles driven: 347,474

Lawrence Transportation Systems, Inc.

872 Lee Highway, Roanoke, VA, 24019
  • Fleet size: 1 to 10
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • General
  • Intermodal containers
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Container
  • Tanker
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-border
  • Hazardous materials

Lawrence Transportation Systems, Inc. (DOT: 84337) operates out of Virginia, providing a range of robust trucking solutions for businesses. With a fleet of nearly 600 trucks, they specialize in various types of cargo, including beverages, building materials, dry bulk commodities, household goods, intermodal containers, and machinery. Established support for both dry van and flatbed trucking, they efficiently manage general freight and specialized cargoes such as metal sheets, coils, and rolls.

Lawrence Transportation offers dedicated and regional driving services, and supports cross-border operations. Their logistics team utilizes advanced managed transportation services, ensuring operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Benefits like health, dental, vision insurance, paid time off, and 401(k) retirement plan are provided to employees, reflecting a strong focus on workforce welfare. For shippers looking for reliability and comprehensive support, Lawrence Transportation delivers exceptional commercial shipment services.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 13
  • Unsafe driving: 0.53
  • Driver fitness: 0.07
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.18
  • Vehicle maintenance: 4.34
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 314
  • Revenue: $620,000
  • Miles driven: 16,000,000

TNT Transportation Lc

515 N Commerce Ave, Front Royal, VA, 22630
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Building materials
  • Construction equipment
  • Produce
  • General
  • Lumber
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Metal materials
  • Vehicles
  • Refrigerated food

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Flatbed
  • Auto carrier
  • Container
  • Hopper bottom
  • Oversized
  • Pneumatic
  • Power only
  • Tanker
  • Hot shot
  • Cross-border
  • Alcohol-insured
  • Drayage
  • Hazardous materials

TNT Transportation Lc (DOT: 803275) provides comprehensive freight services, stemming from its foundation as a reputable trucking company in Virginia. With a focus on commercial shipments, they offer an impressive array of services including dry van, flatbed, pneumatic, and tanker transportation. Their specialized fleet of 34 trucks and 68 trailers is equipped to handle a broad range of cargo, such as building materials, fresh produce, general freight, and oversized machinery.

In addition to their core offerings, TNT Transportation Lc excels in hazardous materials transport and cross-border shipments, ensuring robust support for diverse logistical needs. They prioritize driver welfare with benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and ongoing training programs. Notably, the company also promotes safety with dedicated routes, guaranteed home time, and direct deposit options. Business owners can trust TNT Transportation Lc for reliable and specialized trucking solutions tailored to their commercial shipment requirements.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 4
  • Unsafe driving: 0.32
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.15
  • Vehicle maintenance: 2.4
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 19
  • Revenue: $378
  • Miles driven: 1,176,684

Houff Transfer, Inc.

46 Houff Road Sr 256, Weyers Cave, VA, 24486
  • Fleet size: 50+
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Chemicals
  • Construction equipment
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • Farm supplies
  • General
  • Intermodal containers
  • Metal materials
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Box truck
  • Container
  • Power only
  • Tanker
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-docking

Houff Transfer, Inc. (DOT: 84328) has been a reputable trucking company since 1993 in Virginia. With a modern fleet of 136 trucks and 272 trailers, Houff Transfer Inc. is highly capable of handling diverse cargo, including agricultural/farm supplies, beverages, building materials, chemicals, and paper products. Their operations focus on general freight and dry bulk commodities, making them versatile in their service offerings.

Houff Transfer Inc. provides exceptional support for commercial shipments with services such as power-only, cross-docking, and lift gate operations. They also offer various employee benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance, direct deposit, and paid time off. The company prioritizes safety with a satisfactory rating and ongoing training and development programs. Their experience and comprehensive services make them a reliable choice for business owners seeking efficient and safe transportation solutions.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 10
  • Unsafe driving: 0.52
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.09
  • Vehicle maintenance: 2.63
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 125
  • Revenue: $46,803,000
  • Miles driven: 7,029,608

J R Tharpe Trucking Company

401 Pisgah Church Road, Rice, VA, 23966
  • Fleet size: 20 to 49
  • Fleet age: 3 years
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Dry bulk commodities
  • General
  • Livestock feed
  • Intermodal containers

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Container
  • Power only
  • Sprinter van
  • Tanker
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-border
  • Consolidation
  • Alcohol-insured
  • Drayage
  • Cross-docking
  • Hazardous materials

J R Tharpe Trucking Company (DOT: 270972) is a versatile freight trucking company operating in Virginia. With a fleet of over 130 trucks, they are well-equipped to handle various types of cargo, including general freight, dry bulk commodities, intermodal containers, and grain, feed, and hay. The company offers multiple specialized services such as reefer and power-only transport, and they prioritize regional and dedicated routes to cater to specific customer needs.

J R Tharpe Trucking Company also provides special support for commercial shipments, including hazardous materials transport, drayage, lift gate services, and cross-border operations. They support owner-operators, offer sign-on bonuses, health insurance, guaranteed home time, and flexible scheduling. Their commitment to safety and driver support is evidenced by their satisfactory safety rating and various programs for ongoing training and development.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 16
  • Unsafe driving: 0.76
  • Driver fitness: 0.12
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.14
  • Vehicle maintenance: 3.41
  • Controlled substances: 0.09
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 118
  • Revenue: $5,360
  • Miles driven: 6,394,087

Estes Express Lines

3901 W Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23230
  • Fleet size: 100+ Corp Only
  • Insurance: $5,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

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

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Flatbed
  • Tanker
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Cross-border
  • Consolidation
  • Hazardous materials

Estes Express Lines (DOT: 121018) is a seasoned freight trucking company established in 1931, with extensive operations in Virginia. They specialize in the transportation of various types of cargo, including agricultural supplies, beverages, chemicals, building materials, and machinery. The company boasts a robust fleet of over 8,500 trucks and 17,000 trailers, with a strong focus on general freight and dry van services. Estes Express Lines is well-equipped for dedicated routes, flatbed, and tanker services, catering to diverse commercial shipping needs.

Estes Express Lines offers specialized support, such as hazmat drivers for hazardous materials and intermodal containers, ensuring secure and efficient transport. The company also provides multiple benefits to its drivers, including health insurance, life insurance, direct deposit, tuition reimbursement, paid time off, and flexible scheduling. Additional perks include sign-on bonuses, safety bonuses, and a retirement plan, making Estes Express Lines a reliable choice for business owners seeking comprehensive and dependable freight shipping solutions.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 555
  • Unsafe driving: 0.69
  • Driver fitness: 0.04
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.11
  • Vehicle maintenance: 3.08
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 182

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 8078
  • Revenue: $45,652,000
  • Miles driven: 573,000,000

Abilene Motor Express

1700 Willis Rd, North Chesterfield, VA, 23237
  • Fleet size: 50+
  • Fleet age: late-model
  • Insurance: $5,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Beverages
  • Building materials
  • Construction equipment
  • Dry bulk commodities
  • Produce
  • General
  • Livestock feed
  • Lumber
  • Machinery & large objects
  • Meat
  • Metal materials
  • Vehicles
  • Refrigerated food
  • Paper products

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Box truck
  • Tanker
  • Cross-border
  • Hazardous materials

Abilene Motor Express (DOT: 335555) is a reputable trucking company, established in 1986 and located in Virginia. With a sizable fleet of 469 trucks and 403 drivers, they offer a range of services including dry van, reefer, and tanker transportation. They specialize in handling various types of cargo such as fresh produce, beverages, machinery, and U.S. Mail, ensuring versatility for business owners looking for a reliable shipping partner.

Abilene Motor Express provides special support for commercial shipments including hazardous materials, and they have a significant focus on driver safety and satisfaction with programs such as guaranteed home time, ongoing training and development, and comprehensive health benefits. With a commitment to flexibility and high standards, Abilene aims to deliver efficient and dependable freight solutions while maintaining a satisfactory safety rating.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 25
  • Unsafe driving: 2.18
  • Driver fitness: 0.1
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.43
  • Vehicle maintenance: 2.81
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 403
  • Revenue: $41,324,000
  • Miles driven: 41,100,000

Carroll Transportation Group

6969 Tidewater Dr, Norfolk, VA, 23509
  • Fleet size: 11 to 25
  • Insurance: $1,000,000
  • Safety rating: Satisfactory

Cargo Types

  • Dry bulk commodities
  • General
  • Livestock feed
  • Intermodal containers

Truck Types

  • Dry van
  • Reefer
  • Flatbed
  • Box truck
  • Sprinter van
  • Tanker
  • Last-mile delivery
  • Lift-gate
  • Cross-border
  • Consolidation
  • Hazardous materials

Carroll Transportation Group (DOT: 178393) is a diversified freight trucking company with a solid reputation operating in Virginia. Established with a robust fleet of 33 trucks, Carroll Transportation Group excels in transporting various types of cargo such as dry bulk commodities, grain feed hay, and intermodal containers. They offer specialized services including reefer, flatbed, and tanker hauling, ensuring diverse freight needs are met efficiently.

Carroll Transportation Group demonstrates a strong commitment to commercial shipping support by providing cross-border services and maintaining a satisfactory safety rating. They also offer significant conveniences like a truck lease purchase program and health screenings. Businesses can rest assured that their shipments are in capable hands with this active and versatile freight carrier.

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Safety

  • Crashes: 1
  • Unsafe driving: 0.42
  • Driver fitness: 0.14
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.05
  • Vehicle maintenance: 4.06
  • Controlled substances: 0.14
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0

More Info

  • Routes: interstate
  • Drivers: 23
  • Revenue: $2,464
  • Miles driven: 1,256,800

How Safety Ratings Work in Virginia

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 Virginia Tanker Trucking Company for Your Shipments

A reputable Tanker trucking company is essential for safely transporting liquids or hazardous materials for your manufacturing company, agricultural business, or chemical distribution center in Virginia.

Here are some important factors to consider:

  • Tank type and capacity: Choose a Virginiacompany with the appropriate Tanker types for your specific cargo, whether it’s for chemicals, food-grade liquids, or petroleum products.
  • Safety and compliance: Look for Tanker carriers with strong FMCSA safety scores, particularly in terms of low hazardous materials violations and crashes. Make sure they also have a positive record of vehicle maintenance. A well-maintained fleet reduces the risk of leaks, spills, or breakdowns, which is particularly important when transporting chemicals or flammable materials.
  • Equipment options: Some liquids require specialized Tanker trucks, such as pressurized or insulated tanks.
  • Environmental and spill-prevention practices: Using a Virginia carrier committed to environmental safety practices will likely lower the risk of spills and ensure responsible handling of hazardous materials.
  • Experienced drivers: Certified drivers are essential for handling complex Tanker loads, especially when transporting sensitive or hazardous materials.
  • Insurance: Verify that the carrier has robust insurance coverage, especially if you’re transporting high-value or hazardous liquids.
  • Customer support: Reliable customer service is particularly important when you are shipping specialized or hazardous shipments. Find a Tanker carrier in Virginia with real-time tracking tools and a designated logistics support team.

FAQs: Virginia Tanker Trucking Companies

What is Tanker shipping, and when is it necessary for businesses in Virginia?

Tanker shipping is the transport of liquids, gasses, or bulk chemicals using specialized trucks that maintain safety and containment standards. For businesses in Virginia, tanker shipping is essential for safely moving substances like fuels, food-grade liquids, or industrial chemicals that require secure, leak-proof transportation to prevent contamination and ensure regulatory compliance.

What safety considerations are involved in Tanker shipping?

The safety considerations involved in Tanker shipping include strict compliance with regulations on handling, loading, and transporting hazardous materials to prevent spills and leaks. Virginia businesses that ship chemicals or flammable substances must work with carriers that follow FMCSA hazardous materials guidelines. Proper driver training, equipment maintenance, and cargo containment are also crucial for safe and secure tanker transportation.

What factors should you consider when hiring a Tanker trucking company in Virginia?

When hiring a Tanker trucking company, Virginia businesses should consider the provider’s experience with specific cargo types, such as food-grade, chemical, or fuel transport. Companies with well-maintained fleets and experienced, certified drivers ensure safe handling and compliance with regulations.


Mike Marshall