Texas plays a major role in the U.S. freight movement. With over 313,000 miles of roadway in the state and major interstates like I-10, I-20, I-35, and I-45, it’s no surprise that many of the most active trucking routes run through Texas. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reports that trucks move more than 2.1 billion tons of freight across Texas roads yearly.
While some trucking carriers use Texas terrain to pass through, many have planted long-term roots here. These trucking companies in Texas operate growing fleets, move thousands of loads each year, and keep Texas industries, including oil, agriculture, retail, and construction, moving nationwide.
Below, our El Paso truck accident attorneys look at some of the largest trucking companies in Texas based on fleet size, operational scale, and job creation.
For a free consultation, please call (575) 222-1000 or send us an online message today.
1. FFE Transportation Services—Lancaster, TX
Founded in 1943 and headquartered in Lancaster, Texas (just outside Dallas), FFE Transportation Services is the largest nationwide LTL temperature-controlled carrier. The company specializes in perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and food products that require refrigerated delivery.
With a fleet of over 1,300 company-owned tractors and 2,100 refrigerated trailers, FFE plays a significant role in food logistics throughout the U.S., especially in the South.
2. Stevens Transport—Dallas, TX
One of Texas’s most recognizable truckload carriers, Stevens Transport specializes in refrigerated freight and boasts a massive presence nationwide. Founded in 1980, the company is still family-owned and has more than 3,000 trucks in its fleet.
Stevens also operates its own driving academy in Dallas, helping train future drivers and creating jobs across the state.
3. Central Freight Lines—Waco, TX
While Central Freight Lines ceased operations in 2021 after nearly 96 years of service, its former size and impact on Texas freight can’t be overlooked. At its peak, the company had terminals across Texas and operated more than 1,600 tractors and 1,400 trailers.
Many of its routes and employees were absorbed by smaller regional carriers, and several new Texas freight companies emerged from its former framework.
4. Lone Star Transportation—Fort Worth, TX
Lone Star Transportation is one of the leading heavy-haul trucking companies in Texas. It specializes in flatbed and oversized loads and serves aerospace, wind energy, machinery, and specialized freight markets.
The carrier’s fleet handles extremely large cargo, including turbine blades and energy components. Its headquarters in Fort Worth positions it close to several major infrastructure and manufacturing hubs.
5. Black Horse Carriers (Subsidiary of Penske)—Austin, TX
Now operating under the Penske Logistics name, Black Horse Carriers is a major presence in retail and grocery freight across the Texas market. The company runs dedicated trucking routes for major brands like Kroger, Aldi, and Walgreens, helping restock thousands of Texas stores weekly.
While part of a national operation, the Austin-based dispatch center helps coordinate warehouse-to-store runs across central and south Texas.
6. Werner Enterprises—Fort Worth, TX
While headquartered in Nebraska, Werner Enterprises maintains a central regional terminal and training facility in Fort Worth. Werner hauls dry van, temperature-controlled, and dedicated freight through Texas, operating thousands of routes on I-35 and I-45.
Texas is one of Werner’s top states for trucking activity, and its Fort Worth terminal is among its busiest nationwide. The company regularly hires drivers in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.
Honorable Mentions: National Carriers Serving Texas Markets
While not based in the state, these national carriers play a massive role in day-to-day freight within Texas:
- Knight-Swift Transportation (Arizona),
- Schneider National (Wisconsin),
- J.B. Hunt (Arkansas),
- Prime Inc. (Missouri), and
- CRST International (Iowa).
These fleets use Texas routes for west-east shipping, leveraging the state’s railroad connections, ports, and warehouse centers in cities like Houston, Laredo, and El Paso.
Largest Trucking Companies in Texas: Why It Matters
The volume of freight traveling through Texas means that commercial truck crashes remain a real concern. In 2023, the Texas Department of Transportation logged over 38,000 crashes involving commercial vehicles. Many accidents involve large fleets moving on tight timetables and high-traffic corridors, particularly on I-35 and I-10.
When crashes happen, victims may face unexpected medical expenses, missed workdays, and property damage linked to heavy commercial traffic. Understanding which Texas trucking companies operate in your region can help you take the right legal steps following a collision.
Contact a Texas Truck Accident Lawyer
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., we represent people injured in crashes involving large and mid-sized trucking companies in Texas. Whether your crash involved one of the largest trucking companies in Texas or a smaller regional fleet, our legal team can help review the crash, examine carrier records, and explain what comes next.
Call (575) 222-1000 or contact us online to speak with a Texas truck accident lawyer in a free consultation. We’re here to support injured drivers, passengers, and pedestrians across the Lone Star State.
Resources:
- Texas DOT, “Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan,” link.
- “Frozen Food Express Partners with Optym,” link.
James Tawney
James Tawney is a native of the Southwest dedicated to serving his community. He was born and raised in Arizona, where he attended Northern Arizona University and graduated summa cum laude.
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