Making the right choice in picking a trucking company is a key part of good logistic management, and it’s something you really can’t ignore. It’s a big choice that can affect your business.
But with so many options out there, how do you know which company is the best fit for your needs? In this guide, we’ll discover the top 10 trucking companies in the US and Canada. From giants like UPS and FedEx to regional heavyweights, we dive deep into the services they offer, their reputations, and what sets them apart.
What are the Services Provided by Trucking Companies?
Trucking companies offer a diverse range of services tailored to meet the needs of their customers, ensuring the efficient and safe transportation of goods from one point to another. Below are the key services provided by trucking companies:
- Dedicated Fleet Services: Trucking companies provide dedicated fleet services, ensuring a reliable transportation solution for clients who need to move goods regularly. This service can be tailored to meet specific client needs, delivering a consistent and high-quality service and overall fleet management and maintenance.
- Full Truckload Transport: The primary service offered by trucking companies is transporting full truckloads of goods from one location to another, facilitating the movement of large quantities of goods efficiently and at a competitive cost.
- Less Than Truckload (LTL) Shipments: For customers with smaller shipments, LTL services are offered. This service is cost-effective for transporting goods that don’t require the space of a full truckload, and it allows multiple customers to share space on the same truck, reducing costs for everyone involved.
- Expedited Shipping: When time is of the essence, trucking companies offer expedited shipping services to ensure that goods reach their destination as quickly as possible.
- Digital Warehousing: Some trucking companies provide digital warehousing services, allowing for streamlined inventory management and order fulfillment.
- Specialized Transport Services: Trucking companies often have the capability to transport specialized or oversized items. For instance, flatbed trucks are used to transport heavy and large construction equipment and materials safely.
- Shipping Route Planning: Utilizing optimized shipping routes, trucking companies can deliver shipments for various industries, accommodating both large and small shipments and those requiring special conditions.
- Transportation Logistics and Planning: Trucking companies assist with the logistics and planning of transportation, ensuring that goods are delivered efficiently and on time. This includes sorting cargo, choosing the right transportation service, and offering instant quotes for part-load shipments.
- Rental Truck Services: Some trucking companies offer rental services of their trucks, trailers, and drivers to other companies, helping to meet the freight demands of those companies without in-house transportation capabilities.
- Direct Truck Delivery: Direct truck delivery is a method for quickly and efficiently getting cargo from one place to another, especially suitable for larger shipments.
What are the Key Factors to Consider when Choosing a Trucking Company?
When you’re looking for a reliable trucking company, several factors need to be at the forefront of your decision-making process to ensure a smooth, efficient, and cost-effective logistics solution. Here are key considerations:
- Reputation: Opt for a company known for its good standing and fair treatment of its employees.
- Cost Efficiency: Evaluate the balance between the cost and the services provided to ensure you’re getting value for your money.
- Scalability: Check if the company can swiftly adapt to changes in volume and deliver services promptly to accommodate varying production schedules.
- Warehousing and Inventory Management: Assess if the company offers solutions for storing excess inventory and managing it efficiently.
- Nationwide Network & Reach: The size and reach of the carrier’s network in alignment with your distribution requirements is vital. Look for a company with a network that matches your distribution needs.
- Responsiveness & Visibility: Timely capacity, multiple pickup/delivery points, and real-time tracking options are essential for managing logistics effectively.
- Turnkey Services & Support: Evaluate the services offered beyond physical shipping and how your account will be managed. A dedicated team and a single point of contact for support can be advantageous.
- Expertise: Look for a company with a proven track record in handling the type of freight you deal with, and ensure they have the necessary capabilities for oversized and international shipments.
- Safety: Safety measures and practices in place to protect the cargo and ensure timely delivery is another crucial aspect to consider.
- Customer Service and Flexibility: Good customer service and flexibility in accommodating your specific needs are also significant factors to consider when making your choice.
What are the Top 10 Trucking Companies in the US and Canada?
Trucking companies in the US and Canada are pivotal in freight forwarding, linking supply chains across these countries and beyond. The following are notable trucking companies operating in the region:
1. UPS (United Parcel Service)
United Parcel Service (UPS) is a renowned multinational shipping, receiving, and supply chain management company based in the US. With a history dating back to 1907, UPS has evolved into one of the world’s largest shipping couriers, primarily known for its ground shipping services. They provide two major sets of services both domestically and internationally, encompassing US shipping services and international shipping services, including import/export and import-only services.
2. FedEx
FedEx Corp. is a global provider of transportation, e-commerce, and business services. Their offerings include express shipping for time-sensitive deliveries, international shipping via air or ocean, freight shipping for heavy items, same-day delivery within hours, and flat-rate shipping for express shipments under 50 lbs. Furthermore, FedEx Freight provides cost-effective shipping solutions in the US, Canada, and Mexico with Priority and Economy options, boasting one of the fastest published transit times for nationwide Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) service.
3. XPO Logistics
XPO Logistics provides a range of freight transportation services with a strong emphasis on LTL freight. They have established a robust LTL freight network equipped with leading technology and a dedicated team to ensure on-time pickup and delivery, damage-free shipping, and accurate invoicing. The company recently transitioned to being solely an LTL carrier, facilitating multiple customers to transport goods in the same truck.
4. Schneider National
Schneider National, Inc. is a provider of truckload, intermodal, and logistics services. Their diverse service portfolio includes regional, long-haul, expedited, dedicated, bulk, intermodal, brokerage, cross-dock logistics, pool point distribution, supply chain management, and port logistics. Schneider also offers solutions to shippers and carriers to improve profitability, diversify shipping options, and enhance control over the supply chain.
5. C.H. Robinson
C.H. Robinson is a third-party logistics (3PL) company that provides various freight transportation services. Their services encompass truckload, less than truckload, air freight, intermodal, and ocean transportation. Besides, C.H. Robinson offers comprehensive freight services for various shipment needs, from simple to complex, at competitive rates. They also provide tailored shipping services and supply chain solutions to help businesses streamline operations and optimize their supply chains.
6. TFI International (formerly TransForce Inc.)
TFI International operates through four distinct business segments via over 80 wholly-owned subsidiaries. They offer a broad spectrum of services, embracing truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), intermodal, brokerage, and logistics. Their service structure is designed to leverage the perks of specialization alongside economies of scale, efficiently directing resources to seize market opportunities.
7. Mullen Group
Mullen Group is recognized for its comprehensive service offerings, which encompass truckload, LTL, intermodal, brokerage, and logistics. They are notably committed to delivering exceptional customer service and have a robust dedication towards sustainability initiatives. Predominantly, they cater to the oil and natural gas industry in western Canada, providing specialized transportation and related services.
8. Challenger Motor Freight
Specializing in customer-focused distribution and logistics, Challenger Motor Freight offers a full range of transportation, logistics, warehousing, and distribution services. They are adept at shipping domestically and across North America, with a particular emphasis on truckload transportation services and dedicated fleet solutions. Their service palette also includes LTL, air, ocean, intermodal, warehousing, logistics, and specialized commodities transport, like oversized freight and temperature-controlled goods.
9. Canada Cartage
Providing a myriad of transportation services, Canada Cartage excels in LTL, TL, specialized equipment moves, and temperature-controlled freight. They offer managed transportation solutions across multiple carriers and couriers, engineered to ensure faster deliveries, lower costs, and enhanced customer service. Their reach extends to all regions of Canada, with an asset-based transport infrastructure, fulfilling a vast array of transportation needs, from general freight to dedicated fleet and van services.
10. YRC Reimer
YRC Reimer, part of YRC Freight, is a reliable single-source provider for all domestic Canada shipping needs, particularly specializing in LTL shipping services. The brand YRC Reimer emerged from the merging of Reimer Express Lines and YRC’s largest LTL subsidiary, YRC Freight. They boast comprehensive North American coverage with a broad portfolio of expedited and specialized LTL freight shipping services, continuing a legacy of over 60 years of providing exceptional LTL shipping services in Canada.
What Do the Largest Trucking Companies Have In Common?
The largest trucking companies share a few commonalities that contribute to their standing in the industry:
- Revenue Generation: The size of these companies often directly correlates with their ability to generate substantial revenues. They are typically ranked based on annual revenue, reflecting their market share and customer base.
- Diverse Service Offerings: They tend to offer a wide range of services, including full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), intermodal, and logistics services. This diversification allows them to cater to various customer needs and market demands, ensuring a broader client base and steady revenue streams. For instance, FedEx Freight, a subset of FedEx Corporation, is known for its less-than-truckload shipping services.
- Customer Sensitivity: Large trucking companies tend to show a high level of sensitivity to supply and service issues. They prioritize customer satisfaction and work towards adapting to market conditions to meet their customers’ expectations, which in turn helps in retaining customers and generating repeat business.
- Operational Reach: They often have an extensive operational reach covering vast geographical areas, including cross-border operations. This wide reach allows them to serve a larger customer base and handle a diverse range of shipping requirements, ensuring a steady flow of business and the ability to capitalize on different market opportunities.
- Reputation and Brand Recognition: Established reputation and strong brand recognition are other common traits. Over time, these companies have built a reputation for reliability, safety, and customer service, which helps attract and retain customers.
Regional and Local Trucking Companies are a Viable Alternative Solution for SMBs
Small and Mid-sized Businesses (SMBs) can benefit from aligning with regional and local trucking companies for their transportation needs. Here are several advantages that make regional and local trucking companies a preferable choice:
- Flexibility: Regional carriers tend to offer greater flexibility due to their quicker, shorter routes. This allows for more opportunities to include your load in the existing infrastructure, possibly as early as the next day. Unlike national carriers with stringent pick-up and delivery windows, regional carriers have more wiggle room with time due to their operational scale.
- Community Impact: Engaging local trucking companies can have a positive impact on the community. The money spent on local trucking services stays within the community, providing support for small business owners, their workers, and their families.
- Driver Retention: Regional carriers have better driver retention rates because their routes tend to be out and back in a day, allowing drivers to sleep at home. This predictability in routes, customers, and scheduling attracts and retains drivers.
- Customer Service: Regional carriers provide optimal customer service as the same truck drivers routinely handle the same routes and visit the same customers. This familiarity allows regional carriers to execute drops more efficiently, enhancing customer service and satisfaction levels.
- Cost Efficiency: Regional carriers can offer rate discounts as they deal with more predictable freight volumes along the same routes. They can build cost-saving efficiencies into their network, which can benefit SMBs. Moreover, regional carriers allow you to leverage load consolidation, a much cheaper option than Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipments.
Uncover the Future of Trucking Companies!
The trucking industry is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve can give your business a real advantage. At Warehousing and Fulfillment, we’re committed to helping you navigate this ever-changing landscape.
Our team has years of experience, and we connect you with large and small trucking companies that can meet your specific needs. Get ahead and future-proof your logistics needs by taking the first step. Fill out this quote request form today!
FAQs about the Top Trucking Companies in the US and Canada
What is the #1 Truck Company in America?
The title of the top or #1 company is often contested based on various metrics such as revenue, fleet size, or employment. According to most sources, UPS Inc. holds a significant position as it specializes in shipping, receiving, and supply chain management, boasting nearly 500,000 employees globally.
Which Trucking Company Pays the Most in Canada?
Tri-Line Carriers is noted as a top company for truck drivers, according to Indeed. Additionally, Mullen Trucking Corp offers a salary range of $90,000 to $120,000 yearly for heavy haul drivers, suggesting a competitive pay scale within the industry.
How to Find Truckers in Canada?
Job Bank and Indeed are platforms where truck driving job openings are listed, providing opportunities for truck drivers to find work and for employers to find truckers.
View More