As group news editor Jeff Berman clearly illustrated in last month’s Truckload Roundtable, the truckload (TL) sector remains stuck in an extended downturn, defined by soft freight demand and persistent overcapacity.
And as he’s been reporting through first half of this year, these challenges are only compounded by broader economic uncertainty, shifting trade policies, and new tariffs—all of which are dampening expectations for a meaningful recovery before 2026.
“Rates remain depressed, and service levels may slip as conditions continue to tighten,” says Berman. “Our key analyst contacts can only suggest that shippers lock in favorable rates now, strengthen strategic carrier relationships, and remain agile in the face of ongoing market volatility.”
Despite the continued hardships in the TL market, we can confidently report that the 29 TL carriers awarded with Quest for Quality gold this year have excelled in fostering those critical, strategic relationships that shippers need to navigate this period of uncertainty.
Bulk Motor Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)
On-time
performance
Value
Information
technology
Customer
service
Equipment &
operations
Weighted
score
Schneider National Bulk Carriers
10.08
10.25
8.30
9.32
9.48
47.41
Quality Carriers
9.16
8.54
4.98
12.42
11.37
46.47
Bulkmatic Transport
10.31
8.54
6.64
9.32
9.48
44.28
Prime, Inc.
9.16
9.96
6.64
9.66
8.84
44.27
AVERAGE
9.68
9.46
7.47
9.70
7.94
44.26
Dry Freight Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)
On-time
performance
Value
Information
technology
Customer
service
Equipment &
operations
Weighted
score
Roadrunner Transportation Systems
10.69
12.81
9.96
8.28
10.11
51.84
Weber Logistics
13.74
7.12
6.64
12.42
11.37
51.29
Greatwide Truckload Management
11.45
8.54
6.64
12.42
11.37
50.42
Stevens Transport
13.74
6.41
7.47
11.04
11.37
50.03
Averitt
12.6
9.07
7.64
10.35
9.95
49.60
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
11.45
9.85
8.43
9.94
9.62
49.29
Landstar Transportation
11.45
9.25
6.64
10.35
10.61
48.30
Schneider National
10.47
9.61
8.06
9.83
9.75
47.72
Werner Enterprises
10.69
10.68
7.38
9.66
9.00
47.40
AVERAGE
10.58
8.63
7.10
9.62
9.35
45.27
Expedited Motor Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)
On-time
performance
Value
Information
technology
Customer
service
Equipment &
operations
Weighted
score
Schneider Expedited Services
10.60
10.39
8.85
12.42
10.11
52.37
Dayton Freight
10.21
9.39
8.89
12.28
11.47
52.24
OD Expedited
10.69
8.54
8.85
12.12
11.37
51.57
PITT OHIO
10.69
10.81
8.75
10.75
9.48
50.47
Saia
11.85
9.96
8.19
10.76
9.60
50.37
Panther Premium Logistics
13.09
9.25
7.59
10.35
8.84
49.12
ABF Freight
11.07
9.49
8.85
9.94
9.69
49.03
Heartland Express
10.19
9.79
8.85
10.42
9.73
48.98
AVERAGE
11.45
9.37
8.11
10.38
9.64
48.94
Industrial and Heavy-Haul Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)
On-time
performance
Value
Information
technology
Customer
service
Equipment &
operations
Weighted
score
Melton Truck Lines
11.21
10.81
6.51
11.12
10.11
49.76
Roehl Transport
10.74
10.39
8.85
10.35
9.58
49.91
Anderson Trucking Services
10.82
9.54
6.64
11.39
10.42
48.81
Landstar Carrier Group
10.99
10.25
6.09
8.28
10.61
46.22
AVERAGE
11.10
8.94
7.03
9.80
9.35
46.22
Household Goods and High-Value Goods Carriers (Bold indicates leader in attribute category)
On-time
performance
Value
Information
technology
Customer
service
Equipment &
operations
Weighted
score
Atlas Van Lines
9.69
7.81
7.64
9.43
10.37
44.94
United Van Lines
9.41
8.81
7.22
9.61
8.97
44.02
Bekins Van Lines
9.45
8.54
7.64
8.28
9.37
43.28
ArcBest
9.47
7.68
7.27
9.32
9.48
43.21
AVERAGE
9.81
7.88
6.09
9.66
9.69
43.13
