HaulRefrigerated (Reefer) Trucking Companies
70,893 active U.S. motor carriers (3.2% of all active carriers) flag refrigerated food as a cargo type in the public FMCSA Company Census. Reefer carriers haul temperature-controlled freight — produce, dairy, frozen food and pharmaceuticals — in insulated trailers with a refrigeration unit. The flag is self-reported on the carrier's registration.
The headline numbers
Reefer is a small-fleet, long-haul business — an unusual combination. 83.9% of refrigerated carriers run six power units or fewer, yet 68.2% operate interstate. That gap between tiny fleets and cross-country routes is the signature of cold chains that move produce and frozen freight from growing regions to distant markets, and it is wider here than in most local cargo types.
Where reefer carriers are based
Active refrigerated carriers by the carrier's registered physical-address state. This reflects where reefer fleets are headquartered (often near major produce and port regions), not where they deliver.
Show data table
| State | Carriers |
|---|---|
| California | 12,126 |
| Texas | 6,190 |
| Florida | 5,682 |
| New York | 3,321 |
| Washington | 2,733 |
| Illinois | 2,692 |
| Georgia | 2,610 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,477 |
| Minnesota | 2,024 |
| Wisconsin | 1,662 |
| New Jersey | 1,631 |
| Michigan | 1,599 |
Fleet size: who actually runs this freight
83.9% of reefer carriers run six trucks or fewer and just 1.1% run a hundred or more — a fragmented, owner-operator-heavy segment despite the long hauls.
Interstate vs. intrastate operation
68.2% operate interstate (across state lines, which triggers federal operating authority) versus 31.8% intrastate — the inverse of most small-fleet cargo types.
Vet a specific carrier
These are aggregate counts. To check a single company, look it up by name or USDOT number, read our guide to vetting a carrier before you book, and learn how to spot double-brokering and carrier fraud. Compare freight types on the cargo-type pillar or see the national industry statistics.
Example published carriers
- WARREN TRANSPORT INC — WATERLOO, IA
- POOLE CHEMICAL COMPANY INCORPORATED — TEXLINE, TX
- U R M STORES INC — SPOKANE, WA
- MILK TRANSPORTATION LLC — MARTINS FERRY, OH
- COOKE TRUCKING COMPANY INC — MOUNT AIRY, NC
Frequently asked questions
- How many refrigerated trucking companies are there in the US?
- 70,893 active motor carriers flag refrigerated food as a cargo type in the public FMCSA Company Census — about 3.2% of all active U.S. carriers. It is a self-reported registration flag, so the true number actively hauling reefer at any moment may differ.
- Are most reefer carriers large fleets or owner-operators?
- Overwhelmingly small. 83.9% (59,471) run 1–6 power units, while only 1.1% (808) run 100 or more. Reefer is dominated by small operators even though it is a long-haul, interstate-heavy segment.
- Do reefer carriers haul hazmat?
- A small share do — 5.1% (3,582) of refrigerated carriers also carry a hazmat indicator, typically for refrigerated pharmaceuticals or chemicals that need temperature control.