List of 10 Top Trucking Companies in the US [+Details]

Trucking has always been a foundation of the U.S. economy, but by 2025, its role has become even more pronounced. The country’s supply chains depend on trucks for both day-to-day essentials and large-scale commercial freight movements. Understanding how the largest trucking companies operate provides shippers, drivers, and logistics professionals with an essential perspective on market stability, freight capacity, and industry performance.

1. UPS Inc. – The largest US trucking and parcel network

Company overview and role in US freight

UPS started in 1907 as the American Messenger Company in Seattle, delivering telegrams and small packages by foot and bicycle. Over more than a century, it transformed from a regional messenger service into a global small-package and logistics giant, now serving more than 200 countries and territories

In 2024, UPS generated about $91.1 billion in revenue and handled an average of 22.4 million packages per day-5.7 billion packages over the year-making it the number-one for-hire carrier in North America by revenue. That scale matters for trucking specifically: behind the familiar brown package cars is a vast linehaul and feeder network of tractors and trailers that connects local delivery centers, air hubs, ports, and large shippers. The latest Top 100 for-hire rankings list UPS with roughly 19,267 power units and 84,956 trailers, easily putting it in the top spot for revenue among trucking-based carriers.

In 2025, UPS is also in the middle of a major cost-cutting and network-optimization program-closing dozens of facilities and reshaping its relationship with Amazon-aimed at tightening margins in a softer freight market while still preserving service quality on core customer lanes.

Key numbers at a glance

From a trucking and logistics perspective, a few numbers help frame UPS’s role in the US freight ecosystem:

• Revenue: $91.1 billion in 2024.
• Employees: roughly 490,000 people globally.
• Core fleet: more than 19,000 tractors / power units and nearly 85,000 trailers in North America, not counting the iconic package cars and straight trucks.
• Network footprint: operations in 200+ countries and territories, with almost 2,000 daily flight segments supporting the ground network.

For shippers and drivers alike, that translates into one of the densest integrated ground-and-air networks in the world.

Core services and customer segments

UPS is often thought of as a parcel company, but its portfolio touches most major freight categories:

• Domestic and international small package: Ground and air services for B2C and B2B shipments, from two-day and next-day to economy options.
• UPS Supply Chain Solutions: Freight forwarding, contract logistics, warehouse management, customs brokerage, and value-added services, with about $13 billion in revenue in 2024.
• Freight and truckload: Linehaul moves between hubs, dedicated fleets for key customers, and specialized solutions like temperature-controlled healthcare logistics.
• E-commerce and returns: Integrated tools for marketplaces, retailers, and DTC brands-labels, API integrations, returns solutions, and delivery experience tools.

Trucks sit at the heart of this ecosystem. Every package that flies on a UPS aircraft still begins and ends its journey on a truck-whether that’s a local delivery van or a 53-foot trailer hauling high-density loads between regional hubs and major shippers.

What UPS does well for shippers

For shippers, UPS is strongest when you need high density, consistency, and integration:

• Network density and speed. UPS combines huge stop density in urban and suburban areas with carefully scheduled linehaul routes, which allows it to offer predictable transit times on both parcel and palletized freight.
• Tracking and visibility. UPS has long invested in barcode scanning, handheld devices, real-time tracking updates, and customer-facing portals, giving shippers granular status data across millions of packages daily.
• E-commerce integrations. Native integrations with major e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, and order management systems make it relatively straightforward for brands to embed UPS labels, rates, and tracking into their checkout and post-purchase experience.
• Global reach with specialized verticals. Healthcare, high-tech, and industrial shippers can plug into specialized services like temperature-controlled logistics, secure handling, and compliance support, leveraging both air and ground networks.

2. FedEx Corp. – Global integrator with a leading LTL arm

Company overview and network

FedEx started life in the 1970s with a simple but revolutionary idea: build an integrated air-ground network designed around overnight parcel delivery. Today, FedEx operates one of the largest multi-modal transportation networks in the world, connecting more than 220 countries and territories.

Its business is organized into several major segments:

• Federal Express Corporation (“FedEx Express”) – global time-definite air and ground services.
• FedEx Ground – parcel delivery focused on the US and Canada, historically built on a contractor model.
• FedEx Freight – the largest LTL carrier in the US by revenue.
• Other logistics and supply chain businesses – including 3PL, cross-border solutions, and specialized services.

FedEx has been going through a multi-year “One FedEx” integration, consolidating what used to be more siloed operating companies into a more unified network to reduce cost and improve capacity utilization. That context matters if you are a shipper or driver: operating rules, branding, and network structure are in motion.

Key numbers for freight and trucking

From a trucking standpoint, FedEx is huge:

• Total revenue: approximately $87.9 billion in fiscal year 2025.
• Team members: over 430,000 worldwide.
• Motorized vehicles: more than 175,000 globally, spanning tractors, trucks, and vans.
• FedEx Freight: about $8.9 billion in annual revenue, representing roughly 10% of total FedEx revenue and making it the top LTL carrier in the US by revenue.

Those numbers illustrate why FedEx is not “just another parcel company.” It is a massive trucking operator, with dedicated P&D fleets, long-haul linehaul operations, and dense regional LTL terminal networks.

Service mix and strengths

For shippers, FedEx’s value lies in the breadth of the network and the range of service options it can bundle together:

• Parcel and e-commerce: Ground and Express services tailored to residential and commercial deliveries, including time-definite services, premium air, and economy options.
• LTL via FedEx Freight: Regional and national LTL coverage with a focus on reliability and an increasingly data-driven pricing approach as the segment prepares for a spin-off into a separate company.
• Cross-border and international: Airfreight, customs brokerage, and integrated door-to-door solutions for shippers with global supply chains.
• 3PL and supply chain services: Warehousing, distribution, and managed transportation solutions that leverage FedEx’s own capacity and partner carriers.

The strength of FedEx is that a shipper can often combine parcel, freight, and international moves through a single provider, while still having enough product segmentation to match service levels and pricing to different SKUs and customers.

FedEx for shippers: when it is a strong choice

Shippers will often lean toward FedEx when they need:

• Time-definite performance. Overnight and two-day air services, as well as premium ground, are core parts of FedEx’s identity and well supported by its global air and trucking network.
• Pan-US parcel + pallet coverage. A single provider for both parcel (Express/Ground) and LTL (Freight) can simplify procurement, billing, and service monitoring.
• Multi-modal options. Combining air, ground, and LTL to fine-tune service levels and cost structures across different product lines.
• Cross-border consistency. FedEx’s integrated customs and brokerage capabilities can be valuable for shippers constantly moving freight into and out of the US.

Because pricing in parcel and LTL is increasingly data-driven, shippers with good shipment data-and willingness to collaborate on forecasts and network design-tend to secure better long-term value.

FedEx for drivers and contractors

From a driver’s point of view, FedEx offers a mix of models:

• Employee drivers. Many FedEx Express and FedEx Freight drivers are company employees, operating on linehaul, regional, or P&D routes.
• Contractor model at FedEx Ground. Ground relies heavily on independent service providers who own routes and employ their own drivers. That structure gives some entrepreneurs and small fleet owners an entry point into the FedEx ecosystem, but it also introduces variability in pay, working conditions, and route management from one contractor to another.

3. J.B. Hunt Transport Services – Intermodal, dedicated and digital freight leader

Overview and market position

J.B. Hunt began as a five-truck operation in Arkansas in the 1960s and has grown into one of the most influential truckload and intermodal carriers in North America. Headquartered in Lowell, Arkansas, it is consistently ranked among the largest truckload carriers by revenue and plays a central role in the shift toward intermodal freight-moving containers on rail for long distances and using trucks for pickup and delivery.

On the latest Top 25 truckload carrier rankings, J.B. Hunt holds the number-one spot for TL revenue, with roughly $4.1 billion in truckload revenue and total operating revenue of about $12 billion.

The company employs over 33,000 people and operates a diversified business model that spans intermodal, dedicated contract services, truckload, and brokerage.

Key stats

Based on recent filings and industry rankings, J.B. Hunt’s footprint looks roughly like this:

• Total operating revenue: around $12–13 billion annually across all segments.
• Employees: about 33,600.
• Equipment: approximately 20,500 company-owned tractors and 46,300 trailers across the enterprise, plus a large pool of containers and chassis tied to its intermodal operations.
• Intermodal footprint: more than 6,400 power units and over 125,000 pieces of trailing capacity (containers and chassis) in its intermodal division alone

Those numbers highlight why many shippers view J.B. Hunt less as a traditional truckload carrier and more as a hybrid intermodal/logistics provider that happens to own a very large truck fleet.

Core services

J.B. Hunt’s offering is deliberately diversified, allowing it to balance cycles in different freight segments:

• Intermodal: This is one of the company’s flagship businesses. Containers move long distances on rail via partnerships with Class I railroads, while J.B. Hunt’s trucks handle drayage at origin and destination. This model often cuts cost and emissions compared to pure over-the-road TL on long-haul lanes, especially for predictable volumes.
• Dedicated Contract Services (DCS): J.B. Hunt designs and operates dedicated fleets for specific shippers-essentially outsourcing a customer’s private fleet. It provides drivers, equipment, dispatch, and management tailored to a customer’s freight patterns.
• Truckload (JBT): Traditional over-the-road and regional TL services for shippers needing full truckload capacity without the complexity of intermodal.
• Final Mile and home delivery: Specialized services for big and bulky items, often involving in-home delivery and light installation.
• Integrated Capacity Solutions / Brokerage: A non-asset business that connects shipper loads with third-party carriers, bolstered by J.B. Hunt’s digital platform.

For a shipper, that means J.B. Hunt can often design blended solutions-using intermodal on long hauls, dedicated fleets for core lanes, and brokerage to cover spikes.

Shippers – when to choose J.B. Hunt

J.B. Hunt tends to be a particularly strong fit for:

• High-volume, repetitive lanes. Retailers, CPG manufacturers, and big industrial shippers that move the same flows week after week can benefit from dedicated fleets or intermodal conversion.
• Intermodal-friendly freight. Shipments that are less time-critical but predictable-think replenishment freight rather than emergency shipments-are ideal candidates for rail-plus-truck solutions.
• Shippers with complex networks. Those who want a mix of dedicated, TL, intermodal, and brokerage under one provider and are willing to co-design network solutions and share data.
• Digitally mature logistics teams. Companies that use a modern TMS and are comfortable with API-level integrations can extract more value from J.B. Hunt 360° and related tools.

Because of its scale in intermodal and dedicated fleets, J.B. Hunt is often part of large strategic RFPs where shippers are looking to redesign their entire North American freight network, not just fill gaps on a few lanes.

4. TFI International – Cross-border trucking powerhouse

Company snapshot

TFI International is one of the most influential trucking groups in North America, headquartered in Canada but operating an extensive and deeply integrated network across the United States and Mexico. Over the past decade, the company has grown aggressively through acquisitions, consolidating dozens of regional and national carriers into an umbrella structure that now spans nearly every major trucking segment.

In 2025, TFI maintains a reputation for operational discipline, efficiency-focused restructuring of its acquired businesses, and targeted investment in LTL and truckload capacity. For shippers whose supply chains span the US–Canada or US–Mexico corridors, TFI often emerges as a top-tier partner.

Key numbers

TFI International reports several billion dollars in annual revenue across its operating divisions, making it one of the largest trucking groups in North America. Its fleet consists of thousands of power units and tens of thousands of trailers spread across truckload, LTL, courier, and specialized operations.

Its network includes hundreds of terminals across the US and Canada, especially concentrated in industrial and manufacturing regions where cross-border trade is most active. TForce Freight alone added significant US terminal density to the portfolio, forming an important backbone for domestic and cross-border LTL.

While the exact counts fluctuate due to acquisitions and restructuring, the company consistently ranks among the top for-hire carriers in total revenue, fleet size, and terminal footprint.

Core segments

TFI organizes its broad portfolio into several key operating groups:

• Less-than-truckload (LTL): A major focus area, especially after the TForce integration. The LTL network provides national US coverage, strong Canadian density, and cross-border consolidation and distribution services.
• Truckload (TL): Includes dry van, flatbed, tanker, and specialized operations. TFI’s TL division supports long-haul, regional, and dedicated fleet needs.
• Package and courier: Dense urban and suburban courier networks in Canada, with select operations extending into the United States.
• Logistics and supply chain services: Non-asset and asset-light functions supporting warehousing, transportation management, brokerage, and cross-border coordination.

This multi-segment structure allows TFI to serve industrial shippers, e-commerce brands, manufacturers, and distributors with a flexible blend of domestic and cross-border transportation options.

Use cases for shippers

TFI’s strengths make it especially attractive for:

• Cross-border freight between Canada, the US, and Mexico. The company’s integrated trucking and logistics networks reduce hand-offs and simplify customs coordination.
• Industrial B2B shipments. Manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers moving palletized or specialized freight benefit from TFI’s combination of TL and LTL capacity.
• Shippers needing both LTL and TL under one provider. TFI’s diversified structure supports complex shipment patterns where demand fluctuates between palletized and full-truckload volumes.
• Mid-market shippers wanting a balance of scale and service. TFI’s network is large enough to offer stability yet flexible enough to support custom lane designs.

Because of its geography and acquisitions, TFI is especially strong in heavy industrial corridors, automotive supply chains, and manufacturing regions tied to continental trade.

What drivers should know

For drivers, TFI offers a broad range of opportunities across its divisions:

• Regional driving roles in both the US and Canada that emphasize stable home time and predictable routes.
• Cross-border lanes for experienced drivers comfortable with customs processes and longer-haul routes into Canada or Mexico.
• Dedicated and specialized fleet work for those with experience in flatbed, tanker, or high-value freight.

5. XPO – Technology-first LTL specialist

Over the past several years, XPO has undergone a fundamental transformation. Once a broadly diversified logistics conglomerate with heavy involvement in brokerage, last-mile delivery, contract logistics, and European operations, the company deliberately streamlined its portfolio to become a pure LTL specialist in North America.

This strategic pivot involved spinning off or divesting business units to concentrate investment, leadership focus, and capital on expanding and modernizing its LTL network. As a result, XPO entered 2025 as one of the largest and most technologically advanced LTL carriers in the United States, with a reputation for data-driven pricing, cost-efficient terminal operations, and a strong growth trajectory.

Key stats

XPO generates several billion dollars in annual revenue, most of it driven by its US LTL network. It operates hundreds of terminals across the country, supported by a workforce of tens of thousands of employees. While individual numbers shift as terminals open, expand, or consolidate, XPO consistently ranks near the top of national LTL carriers in both fleet size and service coverage.

Its network includes thousands of tractors and a large pool of trailers optimized for high-density freight movement between regional hubs and local service centers. This combination of scale and specialization allows XPO to compete directly with the other premier LTL carriers in the market, particularly in industrial and manufacturing-heavy regions.

Service focus and differentiators

XPO positions itself as a service-first, technology-enabled LTL carrier. Its differentiators include:

• National and regional LTL coverage with reliable transit standards and strong service performance.
• Cross-border capabilities that integrate US, Canadian, and Mexican freight flows.
• High-value freight options for sensitive, time-critical, or specialized shipments requiring tighter controls.
• Density-focused network design enabling more consistent terminal-to-terminal connections and fewer handling points.

With a pure-play LTL strategy, XPO is able to direct capital into terminal upgrades, equipment refreshes, and digital infrastructure that improve consistency and throughput.

When to use XPO as a shipper

XPO is often a strong choice for shippers with:

• Palletized freight that requires reliable transit times.
• Demand for strong shipment visibility through digital tracking and automated status updates.
• Lanes benefiting from dense terminal coverage, particularly in the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast regions.
• Cross-border volumes needing seamless coordination across the US–Canada–Mexico corridor.

Shippers with regular LTL patterns typically see the most benefit from XPO’s network design and pricing structure.

XPO as an employer

For drivers, XPO provides both linehaul and pickup-and-delivery roles:

• Linehaul drivers run predictable terminal-to-terminal routes, often at night, with structured schedules and fewer stops.
• P&D drivers handle local freight, interacting with customers, handling pallets, and performing multiple daily runs in straight trucks or day cabs.

Because LTL driving differs significantly from over-the-road truckload work, drivers often benefit from more consistent home time. Lifestyle and schedule depend heavily on terminal location, so drivers joining XPO typically consider proximity to a major service center a key advantage.

6. Ryder System – Fleet management and dedicated trucking at scale

Company background and evolution

Ryder System began as a truck leasing business and steadily expanded into a full-scale transportation and logistics provider. Over decades, it has evolved into a leader in commercial fleet leasing, dedicated transportation, and supply chain management, building a reputation for managing complex networks on behalf of large shippers.

Unlike traditional for-hire carriers, Ryder’s business model centers on helping companies outsource all or part of their transportation operations-vehicles, maintenance, drivers, dispatch, routing, and logistics management. This model appeals to shippers who want the control and branding of a private fleet but without the heavy capital investment or operational burden.

Key stats

Ryder generates billions in annual revenue through its three major segments: Fleet Management Solutions, Supply Chain Solutions, and Dedicated Transportation. Its workforce numbers in the tens of thousands, spanning drivers, technicians, warehouse professionals, planners, and logistics managers.

The company manages a massive fleet that includes tens of thousands of trucks, tractors, trailers, and specialized equipment-much of which is operated by customers under long-term leasing or dedicated carriage agreements. This makes Ryder one of the largest operators and maintainers of commercial trucks in North America, even though much of the freight moves under customer branding rather than Ryder’s.

Core offerings

Ryder’s portfolio is built around three pillars:

• Fleet leasing and maintenance: Full-service leasing for companies that need trucks but do not want to own or maintain them. Ryder handles procurement, preventive maintenance, repairs, fuel, and compliance.
• Dedicated contract carriage: Ryder operates a fleet specifically for one customer, providing drivers, equipment, dispatching, and daily operations. This resembles a private fleet but with Ryder managing staffing, processes, and performance.
• Logistics and warehousing: Warehousing, fulfillment, distribution management, transportation management, and technology integration. Ryder supports multi-site networks and large seasonal or e-commerce operations.

These services give shippers access to a level of fleet sophistication and operational scale that would be costly to develop internally.

Reasons shippers choose Ryder

Ryder is often the provider of choice for companies that:

• Prefer to outsource fleet operations instead of owning equipment or managing drivers internally.
• Operate complex multi-site logistics networks needing synchronized transportation, warehousing, and distribution.
• Require integration with TMS, WMS, and ERP systems to maintain visibility across the supply chain.
• Value predictable costs and service-level guarantees, which Ryder can provide through dedicated contracts and long-term fleet agreements.

Ryder’s structure allows shippers to simplify their supply chain, shift operational risk, and tap into advanced technology without building everything from scratch.

Jobs and career paths

Because Ryder is not a traditional standalone trucking carrier, the job landscape looks different:

• Dedicated fleet drivers operate customer-branded equipment on predictable routes tied to specific shippers. This often delivers more regular schedules compared to OTR truckload work.
• Technicians and maintenance professionals make up a significant portion of the workforce, supporting Ryder’s enormous leased fleet.
• Warehouse and logistics roles offer opportunities for career development in fulfillment, distribution, and supply chain planning.

For drivers, the day-to-day experience tends to differ from typical for-hire work: more consistent home time, established route patterns, and structured interaction with the same customers. At the same time, the variety of industries Ryder serves gives drivers options to move into specialized or higher-complexity roles over time.

7. Knight-Swift Transportation – TL giant building a national LTL network

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings was created in 2017 when two major truckload carriers, Knight Transportation and Swift Transportation, merged to form a single holding company. Before the merger, Knight was known for its disciplined cost control and strong operating ratios, while Swift brought massive scale, a large fleet, and deep customer relationships. Combined, they immediately became one of the largest truckload carriers in North America by revenue, tractors, and trailers.

Today, Knight-Swift consistently ranks near the top of the truckload revenue tables and remains one of the benchmark names in the TL segment. For shippers, it represents a blend of large-fleet capacity, diversified services, and a growing ability to handle both full truckload and LTL freight under one umbrella.

Key stats

While numbers fluctuate with market conditions and acquisitions, Knight-Swift operates tens of thousands of tractors and a very large trailer fleet across its brands, with tens of thousands of employees supporting its operations. In earlier disclosures, the combined fleet was already reported at more than 23,000 tractors and over 70,000 trailers; subsequent acquisitions, including U.S. Xpress and several LTL assets, have further expanded the company’s scale.

On the revenue side, Knight-Swift routinely generates multiple billions of dollars annually in truckload and related services, placing it in the top tier of for-hire carriers in the United States. Its TL revenues are complemented by growing contributions from intermodal, logistics, and LTL, making the company less dependent on any single freight cycle.

Services offered

Knight-Swift’s portfolio is broad, covering most of the key truck-based modes shippers look for:

• Dry van truckload: The core of the business, moving general commodities across long-haul and regional networks.
• Refrigerated truckload: Temperature-controlled capacity under brands like Swift Refrigerated, supporting food, pharmaceuticals, and other sensitive freight.
• Dedicated fleets: Contracted capacity designed around specific shippers’ networks, offering predictable lanes, custom equipment specs, and tighter integration with the customer’s supply chain.
• Intermodal: Rail-truck combinations that convert highway freight to rail for cost and emissions savings on longer hauls.
• Emerging LTL network: Following acquisitions of regional LTL carriers and terminals, Knight-Swift is building a nationwide LTL footprint to complement its TL services.

For shippers, this mix means the same holding company can handle full truckload, regional dedicated work, and increasingly palletized LTL freight, all supported by a large in-house brokerage and logistics function.

LTL expansion strategy

One of the most significant strategic moves in recent years has been Knight-Swift’s push into LTL. By acquiring regional LTL carriers and purchasing terminals from the former Yellow network, the company has been actively assembling the pieces needed for a true national LTL platform.

The goal is clear: establish 48-state LTL coverage to sit alongside its TL, dedicated, and intermodal networks. This allows Knight-Swift to participate in the LTL market’s more defensible pricing and service differentiation, while also giving shippers a single partner for both full and partial truckload needs. As more Yellow terminals are reactivated and regional operations are interconnected, Knight-Swift’s LTL network is expected to become more competitive on density, transit times, and service options.

Implications for shippers

For shippers, a combined TL + LTL offer from the same corporate group has several potential benefits:

• Simplified routing and procurement: Instead of managing separate carriers for full truckload, LTL, and dedicated capacity, shippers can consolidate more volume with one counterpart.
• Better network design: A carrier that understands both TL and LTL economics can suggest smarter mode conversions-for example, moving recurring multi-pallet orders from TL to LTL, or consolidating LTL into multi-stop truckloads where it makes sense.
• Improved data and visibility: With more of the freight under one umbrella, reporting, KPIs, and continuous improvement efforts become easier to manage.
• Stronger leverage in contract negotiations: Larger volume with one provider can translate into more competitive pricing and access to capacity when markets tighten.

Of course, as with any large carrier, the fit depends on lane structure, service requirements, and internal procurement strategy. But for shippers that already rely heavily on Knight-Swift for truckload, its expanding LTL footprint can be a logical extension.

Driver opportunities

From a driver’s perspective, Knight-Swift offers a wide range of roles:

• Over-the-road (OTR) truckload: Long-haul dry van or refrigerated jobs for drivers seeking maximum miles and broader geographic coverage.
• Regional and dedicated: More predictable home time and regular lanes, frequently tied to specific large shippers.
• LTL linehaul and P&D: As its LTL network grows, opportunities arise for night linehaul between terminals and daytime pickup-and-delivery positions.
• Owner-operator programs: Leased-on opportunities where drivers operate their own equipment but haul primarily for Knight-Swift brands.

Because compensation structures differ between OTR, dedicated, and LTL, drivers need to evaluate lifestyle and pay carefully: OTR might deliver more miles-based income but less frequent home time, while LTL city roles can provide daily home time and more hourly or activity-based pay. The advantage of a large network is the ability to change roles over time without leaving the broader organization.

8. Estes Express Lines – Privately held LTL heavyweight

Company overview

Estes Express Lines is a cornerstone name in the American LTL industry and holds a unique position as one of the largest privately held freight carriers in North America. Founded as a small, family-run trucking company in Virginia, it has grown over nearly a century into a national LTL provider while retaining family ownership and a long-term outlook.

Unlike many publicly traded competitors, Estes does not answer to quarterly earnings pressures in the same way. That independence allows it to prioritize steady reinvestment in fleet, terminals, technology, and people. Over time, this has built a reputation for stability, customer-focused service, and strong performance in independent LTL carrier studies.

Key numbers

Estes now employs more than 24,000 people and operates a fleet of over 10,000 tractors and more than 40,000 trailers, supported by a network of close to 300 terminals across North America.

Coverage includes all 50 US states and extends into Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and parts of the Caribbean. This footprint places Estes firmly in the top tier of LTL carriers by capacity and network reach, and it has continued to invest in adding doors, relocating terminals for better efficiency, and expanding its trailer pool to serve growing volumes.

Services and network

Estes’ core business is LTL, but its network and services are more diverse than a simple regional carrier:

• Regional and national LTL: Dense terminal coverage allows fast regional service and competitive national transit times.
• Guaranteed and time-critical services: For shipments that must deliver by a specific time or date, Estes offers service-level upgrades and expedited options.
• Volume LTL and partial truckload: Larger LTL moves that might not justify full truckload can move efficiently through the network.
• Offshore and cross-border services: Estes serves Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and international destinations through alliances and integrated solutions.

Because it owns and manages its own network rather than relying heavily on purchased transportation, Estes can control service quality from pickup through delivery.

What shippers value

Shippers frequently cite several reasons for choosing Estes:

• Reliability across a broad network: Estes can service a wide range of lanes without extensive interline partnerships, which simplifies communication and improves consistency.
• Damage performance: Careful dock operations, equipment standards, and handling procedures help reduce claims, which is crucial for high-value freight.
• Willingness to tailor solutions: As a large yet privately owned carrier, Estes can often design specific programs, pricing structures, or handling protocols for key accounts.
• Financial stability: Being debt-free and consistently reinvesting in the business sends a strong signal of long-term commitment.

For shippers seeking a high-value LTL carrier that balances national reach with a relationship-driven approach, Estes is frequently on the shortlist.

Work environment for drivers

Estes offers a classic LTL split between:

• City (P&D) drivers: These drivers handle local pickup and delivery, working out of a home terminal, interacting with customers, and returning home daily in most cases.
• Road (linehaul) drivers: These drivers run terminal-to-terminal routes-often at night-and may have layovers depending on the run structure.

The culture is influenced by its family ownership: drivers often describe a sense of stability and continuity, with established terminals, predictable freight flows, and structured runs. While pay and schedules vary by region and seniority, many drivers see Estes as a long-term home, particularly for those who prefer LTL work to long-haul truckload.

9. Old Dominion Freight Line – Premium LTL specialist

Brand and market positioning

Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) is widely viewed as the benchmark for premium LTL service in the US. It has built its brand around high on-time performance, low cargo damage, and disciplined profitability, often delivering industry-leading margins even in soft freight markets.

Rather than chasing every shipment, ODFL follows a “value over volume” philosophy. That means focusing on shippers who understand and are willing to pay for consistent, high-quality LTL performance. This strategy has allowed ODFL to maintain strong yield growth and disciplined pricing, even as overall LTL tonnage has fluctuated.

Key stats

ODFL generates well over $5 billion in annual revenue, almost entirely from LTL services. The company employs more than 20,000 people and operates a large fleet of tractors and trailers, supported by a dense network of service centers across the United States.

Its service center network is carefully optimized to balance coverage and efficiency, with a focus on minimizing freight handling while still offering competitive transit times. This network structure is a key contributor to its low damage frequency and strong on-time performance metrics.

Service model

ODFL’s service model is built around:

• National LTL coverage: Regional, inter-regional, and long-haul LTL coverage under a unified, company-operated network.
• Tight linehaul schedules: Precisely orchestrated linehaul operations that link service centers on consistent timetables, stabilizing transit times and reliability.
• High dock standards: Strict loading and handling practices designed to reduce freight damage and claims.
• Yield and pricing discipline: The company consistently raises revenue per hundredweight by focusing on freight that fits its network and service model, rather than discounting aggressively to fill every trailer.

The result is a network that often appears “premium” in price but delivers measurable value in reduced damage, fewer delays, and higher overall supply chain reliability.

Best use cases for shippers

ODFL is particularly well-suited for shippers who:

• Move high-value, time-sensitive palletized freight such as industrial components, automotive parts, medical devices, or specialized equipment.
• Need consistent transit times across long distances, where missed delivery windows create costly disruptions.
• Care more about total landed cost (including damage, delays, and customer satisfaction) than simply the lowest linehaul rate.
• Value long-term partnerships and continuous improvement efforts, supported by rich operational data.

For these shippers, ODFL’s higher upfront pricing can pay for itself through fewer problems, smoother customer deliveries, and reduced internal firefighting.

ODFL as an employer

From a driver’s perspective, Old Dominion is frequently described as a “destination carrier” in the LTL world:

• Strong training and onboarding: New drivers receive thorough training, with a focus on safety, customer service, and adherence to operational standards.
• Solid equipment and maintenance: Well-maintained tractors and trailers contribute to a more professional work environment and fewer breakdowns.
• Culture focus: Leadership frequently emphasizes the “OD family” concept, and many drivers stay long term, building seniority and moving into preferred runs.

Roles are similar to other LTL carriers-city P&D, linehaul, yard, and dock-but the combination of stable freight, disciplined operations, and strong financial health makes ODFL a highly sought-after employer among experienced LTL drivers.

10. Schneider – Diversified TL, intermodal and dedicated carrier

Company overview

Schneider, headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is one of the most recognizable names in American trucking. The company’s origin story is rooted in entrepreneurship: its founder, Al Schneider, famously sold the family car to buy a truck, laying the groundwork for a business that would grow into a nationwide carrier. Over the decades, Schneider expanded from a small local operation into a diversified transportation and logistics provider with a large presence in truckload, intermodal, dedicated carriage, and logistics services.

Today, Schneider is known not only for its iconic orange equipment but also for its role as a multimodal carrier that can combine highway, rail, and logistics capabilities to design complex supply chain solutions.

Key stats

Schneider generates several billion dollars in annual revenue and employs tens of thousands of people across its trucking, intermodal, logistics, and support operations. Its asset base includes:

• A large fleet of tractors and trailers used in truckload and dedicated operations.
• Thousands of intermodal containers and chassis, enabling deep integration with North American railroads.
• A growing pool of dedicated tractors following recent acquisitions.

The company reports that, including its acquisition of Cowan Systems, it now operates over 8,000 dedicated tractors, making dedicated fleets a major component of its truckload segment.

Core segments

Schneider’s business is organized into several major segments:

• Truckload: Dry van, temperature-controlled, and specialized truckload services, including both network OTR and regional operations.
• Intermodal: Rail-truck combinations leveraging partnerships with major railroads, offering shippers cost and emissions savings relative to pure highway moves.
• Dedicated: Fleet and driver solutions dedicated to specific shippers, often operating under custom route structures and service-level agreements.
• Logistics: Brokerage, supply chain management, and value-added logistics services that connect shipper demand with both Schneider’s own assets and third-party carriers.

This structure allows Schneider to serve shippers at multiple levels-from simple lane coverage to fully managed supply chain solutions.

Recent strategic moves

Schneider has been particularly active in expanding its dedicated business, recognizing that dedicated fleets offer stable, contract-based revenue and close customer relationships. A major step was its acquisition of Cowan Systems, a dedicated and logistics-focused carrier, for around $390 million.

This deal significantly increased Schneider’s dedicated tractor count and extended its reach with retail, food, and consumer goods shippers. Combined with earlier acquisitions of Midwest Logistics Systems and M&M Transport, Schneider has become one of the leading providers of dedicated contract carriage in North America.

In intermodal, Schneider continues to develop new lanes and partnerships, including cross-border options and new rail connections that improve service between Mexico, the US, and key regional markets. These moves underscore Schneider’s long-term bet that shippers will continue shifting suitable freight from highway to rail-based intermodal options for cost and sustainability reasons.

When Schneider is a good fit for shippers

Schneider tends to be an excellent fit when shippers:

• Want to convert highway freight to intermodal. If a lane has the right distance and service flexibility, Schneider can design an intermodal solution that reduces cost and emissions while maintaining acceptable transit times.
• Need large-scale dedicated fleets. For retailers, food and beverage brands, and manufacturers with complex distribution patterns, Schneider’s dedicated segment can design and operate private-fleet-like solutions without the shipper owning equipment.
• Seek long-term contract relationships. Schneider often partners with shippers on multi-year agreements that cover network design, fleet sizing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Require multimodal options. With access to truckload, dedicated, and intermodal in one organization, Schneider can offer blended solutions and optimize mode selection over time.

For shippers focused on stability, network engineering, and multi-year planning, Schneider’s mix of assets and logistics capabilities is particularly valuable.

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