Canada's trucking companies range from large national fleets that run coast to coast and into the US, to regional specialists that focus on one province, one type of equipment or one service such as container drayage. The right choice depends on your lane, your freight and how much service you need.
Key takeaways
- Trucking is the backbone of Canadian freight, moving most domestic goods by value and a large share of trade with the US.
- Types of carriers: full truckload (FTL), less than truckload (LTL), drayage, flatbed, reefer, bulk and specialized.
- National fleets give reach and capacity; regional carriers often give better local service.
- Find container and drayage carriers by city in the ContainerIntermodal.ca directory.
Types of trucking companies
| Type | What they haul | Typical customers |
|---|---|---|
| Full truckload (FTL) | One shipper's freight fills the trailer | Manufacturers, retailers, distributors |
| Less than truckload (LTL) | Several shippers share a trailer | Small and medium shipments |
| Drayage | Ocean containers to and from ports and rail terminals | Importers and exporters (what is drayage?) |
| Intermodal | Containers moving by rail with truck pick-up and delivery | Long-distance domestic freight |
| Flatbed and heavy haul | Steel, machinery, building materials, oversize loads | Construction, energy, manufacturing |
| Reefer | Temperature-controlled freight | Food, pharmaceuticals |
| Bulk and tank | Liquids, chemicals, grain, aggregates | Agriculture, energy, chemicals |
Well-known national carriers
Canada has several large, well-known trucking and logistics groups, including:
- TFI International (Quebec), a large group of trucking, LTL and logistics companies operating across North America
- Bison Transport (Manitoba), truckload, dedicated and intermodal services across Canada and the US
- TransX (Manitoba), truckload, intermodal and logistics services
- Day & Ross (New Brunswick), freight, dedicated and logistics services
- Mullen Group (Alberta), a network of trucking and logistics companies, strong in Western Canada
- Groupe Robert (Quebec), transportation and logistics for Eastern Canada
- Manitoulin Transport (Ontario), LTL and truckload across Canada
- Trimac Transportation (Alberta), bulk and tank trucking
This list is not a ranking. Large fleets are one option; for container work, local drayage specialists are often more responsive.
Regional and container specialists
Container freight needs carriers that work daily with terminal appointment systems, chassis and shipping-line rules. Our directory lists these specialists by city, for example:
- Ontario: Reliable Transportation Link, Musket Transport and Blue Shark Transport in the Toronto directory
- Quebec: Blueway Logistics and Entreprise G Lajoie in the Montreal directory
- BC: Harbour Link Container Services in the Vancouver directory
- Prairies: OCTS and TRULOAD Transportation in Edmonton; Cooks Creek Transport in Winnipeg
- Atlantic: Croway and ARJ Logistics in Halifax; Armour Transport in Saint John / Moncton
Trends shaping Canadian trucking in 2026
- Electronic logging devices (ELDs) are mandatory for federally regulated carriers, making hours of service easier to track.
- Driver shortages keep pressure on capacity and rates, especially for long-haul and cross-border work.
- Cross-border uncertainty after the 2025 tariff disputes means more shippers want flexible Canadian and US carrier options. See how tariffs affect freight.
- Low-emission trucks are being tested around ports and urban routes.
- Digital tools: tracking, electronic proof of delivery and drayage software.
How to choose a trucking company
- Lane coverage: do they run your routes regularly?
- Equipment: do they have the trailers or chassis your freight needs?
- Safety and insurance: check certificates and cargo limits.
- Service: dispatch hours, tracking and a named contact.
- Pricing: all-in quotes with accessorials listed.
Our logistics provider checklist goes through this step by step.
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest trucking company in Canada?
TFI International is generally considered the largest trucking and logistics group based in Canada by revenue.
What is the difference between FTL and LTL?
FTL means one shipper's goods fill the trailer. LTL combines several shippers' smaller loads in one trailer.
Which trucking companies handle shipping containers?
Drayage carriers do. Find them by city in the ContainerIntermodal.ca directory.
Do Canadian trucking companies need ELDs?
Yes. Federally regulated commercial carriers must use certified electronic logging devices.
How do I compare trucking quotes?
Ask for the base rate, fuel surcharge and all accessorial charges in writing, and compare at least three providers.