Freight Carriers and LTL Freight Companies in the USA

Compare rates from 50+ trusted freight carriers and book LTL shipments in minutes. FreightRun helps businesses and individuals find reliable freight carriers across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

• Compare multiple freight carriers instantly
• Access regional and national LTL carriers
• Real-time shipment tracking
• Expert freight support when you need it

What Is a Freight Carrier?

A freight carrier is a company that transports goods from one location to another by truck, rail, air, or sea. Freight carriers are responsible for physically moving shipments for businesses and individuals across regional or national routes.

Freight carriers specialize in different shipping models, including:

• Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping
• Full truckload (FTL) shipping
• Parcel and small package delivery
• Cross-border freight transportation

LTL freight carriers transport shipments that are too large for parcel shipping but too small to require a full truckload. Multiple shipments from different customers are consolidated onto the same truck, allowing businesses to pay only for the space their freight occupies.

FreightRun connects shippers with a network of trusted LTL freight carriers, helping businesses compare shipping rates and book freight shipments efficiently. If you're new to freight shipping, you can also explore our guide explaining how LTL shipping works and when to use it.

Trusted Freight Shipping Platform

FreightRun helps businesses and individuals compare freight carriers and book shipments through a network of trusted transportation providers across North America.

• Compare rates from 50+ freight carriers
• Instant LTL freight quotes available 24/7
• Track shipments in real time
• Support from experienced freight specialists

FreightRun has been operating since 2013 and is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating, demonstrating its commitment to customer trust and reliable service.

Types of Freight Carriers

Freight carriers can generally be categorized by the services they provide and the geographic regions they cover.

LTL Freight Carriers

LTL carriers transport smaller shipments that share trailer space with other freight. Businesses commonly use LTL shipping for palletized freight that does not require a full truckload.

Full Truckload (FTL) Carriers

FTL carriers transport shipments that occupy the entire truck trailer and move directly from pickup to delivery.

Regional Freight Carriers

Regional carriers operate within specific geographic areas and often provide faster delivery within those regions.

National Freight Carriers

National carriers operate large freight networks across the United States and provide long-distance freight transportation.

Carrier Network Coverage

When selecting a freight carrier, consider whether the company operates regionally or nationally and whether they provide cross-border shipping to Canada and Mexico. FreightRun is trusted by shipments across North America, with a network of 50+ freight carriers covering the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Freight Run LLC operates as an authorized freight broker with an active USDOT number and broker authority.

Local and National Freight Carriers

Freight carriers typically operate either regionally or nationally.

Local Freight Carriers

Some freight companies focus on serving specific local regions and provide specialized shipping services within those areas. Examples include Wilson Trucking, Lakeville, Brown Transfer, and Best Freight.

National Freight Carriers

National carriers operate large distribution networks and provide long-distance freight transportation across multiple states. Examples include Averitt, AAA Cooper, Daylight Freight, Holland Motor Express, and Pitt-Ohio Express. When you get a freight quote with FreightRun, you receive rate comparisons from both regional and national carriers.

Top Freight Carriers in the United States

Some freight companies consistently rank among the most reliable LTL carriers based on service coverage and customer reviews. Examples include FedEx Freight, Old Dominion Freight Line, XPO Logistics, Estes Express, Saia, R+L Carriers, and TForce Freight.

Our 2026 guide on the 25 Largest Trucking Companies in the USA will help you identify the most reliable options for your freight transportation.

Why Businesses Use LTL Freight Carriers

LTL shipping is widely used by businesses shipping pallets or freight weighing over 150 pounds but less than a full truckload. For more accurate information, see our 2026 guide on the Standard Pallet Sizes Chart.

Advantages include lower shipping costs, efficient use of truck capacity, frequent delivery schedules, and nationwide carrier networks. By consolidating shipments from multiple customers onto a single truck, LTL shipping helps businesses reduce transportation costs compared with booking a full truckload.

How Freight Carriers Price LTL Shipments

Several factors determine LTL shipping rates, including shipment weight, freight class, shipping distance, delivery speed, and accessorial services. Because these variables can vary by shipment, many businesses work with freight brokers to compare rates across multiple carriers and find the most cost-effective option.

FreightRun's Freight Calculator Tools can help you get accurate calculations essential for determining transportation costs, optimizing space, and ensuring shipments are packaged and handled appropriately.

Compare Freight Carriers and Get a Quote

FreightRun helps businesses and individuals compare freight carriers and obtain competitive shipping quotes from trusted LTL freight companies. With FreightRun, you can compare multiple freight carriers, find the best shipping rates, book freight shipments online, and track shipments in real time.

Our freight shipping partners provide regional next-day and second-day delivery services as well as nationwide long-haul shipping across the United States, including cross-border freight shipping into Canada and Mexico.