I ranked the top-rated dry van carriers in Cleveland based on verified broker and shipper reviews from CarrierSource. In an industry that hinges on relationships, achieving this ranking is an incredible testament to the hard work of the listed carriers.
Cleveland sits at the crossroads of I-71, I-77, I-80, and I-90, feeding a freight base built on steel, automotive parts, plastics, and consumer goods moving in and out of the region's manufacturing corridor along the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. When a shipper filters specifically for dry van capacity in Cleveland, they're usually not browsing. A production line is waiting on inbound components, a retail distribution center needs a lane covered before a holiday push, or an incumbent carrier just fell through on a load that has to move today. I built this list with that shipper in mind.
I pulled every dry van carrier within 50 miles of Cleveland with at least five verified reviews and active operating authority, then ranked them by star rating and review volume. What follows are the 10 that came out on top, along with a compact table of additional carriers headquartered outside the metro that still maintain a terminal presence here. If you'd rather browse the full list and filter by your own criteria, you can do that directly on CarrierSource.
1. Gurunanak Trucking LLC: Food-Grade Dry Van Runs Done Right
"Gurunanak Trucking ran a food-grade dry van shipment for us. They provided a clean trailer for the trip. Driver was on time and professional. Communication and tracking were present throughout transit. Excellent work!" — Verified Broker, FL
| ⭐ Star Rating |
5.00/5 (5 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
5 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Hudson, OH |
| 📋 DOT Number |
3801165 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: Every review on Gurunanak Trucking's profile lands at a perfect 5.00, and brokers consistently call out the same things: clean trailers, on-time drivers, and tracking that actually stays on throughout the haul. One broker specifically noted the carrier handled a food-grade shipment without a hitch, a detail that matters if your freight has any sensitivity around trailer condition.
Best for: Shippers who need a small, tightly run fleet that shows up when it says it will, especially for food-grade or condition-sensitive dry van freight moving through the Hudson and southeast Cleveland suburbs.
"All Pro Freight Carriers has been a great carrier partner for us on dry van loads. They are great with communication. Very courteous and professional with personnel at the shipper and receiver. We will work with them again." — Verified Broker, FL
| ⭐ Star Rating |
5.00/5 (5 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
114 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Westlake, OH |
| 📋 DOT Number |
613622 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: All Pro Freight was founded in Cleveland back in 1990, and that longevity shows in the consistency of its reviews. Multiple brokers highlight the same driver-and-dispatch combination working through tracking hiccups without dropping the ball, which speaks to an operation that has its processes dialed in at scale.
Best for: Shippers who need a mid-sized, established carrier with the bench depth to run recurring dry van lanes out of the western Cleveland suburbs without surprises.
"This carrier excels in servicing loads throughout the entire USA. Their extensive reach, coupled with efficient logistics, makes them a dependable choice for transporting goods across the nation, ensuring timely and reliable delivery." — Verified Broker, IL
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.97/5 (16 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
15 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Newbury, OH |
| 📋 DOT Number |
4055453 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: Acies runs a hybrid model of company-owned assets and contracted owner-operators, and its reviews reflect a team that treats every load, whether sprinter van or dry van, with the same level of attention. Brokers repeatedly single out individual dispatchers by name for problem-solving under pressure, including one review describing how the team worked through a difficult border crossing over a weekend.
Best for: Shippers who value a carrier with 24/7 dispatch support and a track record of going the extra mile on complicated or time-critical freight, not just routine dry van loads.
4. Theo Trucking Inc: Reliable Capacity You Can Count On
"Theo Trucking has been a great partner for us on dry van loads. The driver is always on time for pickup and delivery. Carrier communicates well. Tracking is always utilized. They are a reliable carrier, which is why we continue to work with them." — Verified Broker, FL
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.97/5 (12 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
45 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Brunswick, OH |
| 📋 DOT Number |
3107633 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: Theo Trucking's reviews read like a broker rolodex favorite: brokers describe working with the carrier "regularly" and call individual owner-operators out by name for professionalism. With 12 reviews averaging 4.97, this is a carrier that has earned repeat business rather than one-off bookings.
Best for: Shippers running recurring dry van freight who want a mid-sized fleet with enough trucks to flex, but small enough that drivers and dispatch know the account.
"AVP Express booked a dry van load with us. Pickup and delivery went smoothly. They sent in a trailer that was in good condition. Electronic tracking was turned on throughout the trip. Professional crew. We look forward to working with them in the future." — Verified Broker, FL
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.96/5 (7 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
8 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Uniontown, OH |
| 📋 DOT Number |
1649121 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: Operating under the AVP Express brand, this small fleet covers Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Reviews consistently mention accurate, frequent tracking updates and drivers who show up with the paperwork already in order, including empty and loaded scale tickets requested in advance.
Best for: Shippers moving regional dry van freight across the broader Ohio Valley who want a smaller carrier that treats tracking and documentation as table stakes, not an afterthought.
"We booked American Marine Express on a dry van load. They were responsive to our requests for status updates. No issues making appointment times. Gerald provided a 53' swing door trailer as requested and their equipment was reliable. Excellent job by a dependable carrier." — Verified Broker, FL
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.96/5 (6 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
225 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Cleveland, OH |
| 📋 DOT Number |
1598342 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: This is the only carrier on this list actually headquartered in Cleveland proper, and with 225 trucks it's also the largest fleet in the top 10. American Marine Express built its name on intermodal drayage out of the city's major hub locations, and brokers who've used the carrier repeatedly call out consistent equipment quality and staying on tracking.
Best for: Shippers who want the scale to cover volume freight or dedicated lanes, backed by a fleet based right in Cleveland with deep familiarity with the local rail and port network.
"Has run nearly 200 loads with our company. Great carrier!" — Verified Broker, IN
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.95/5 (6 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
49 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Grafton, OH |
| 📋 DOT Number |
2365847 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: That "nearly 200 loads" figure is the kind of detail that tells you more than a star rating ever could. A carrier doesn't run that kind of volume with a single broker unless tracking, communication, and on-time performance are consistently there, and Shama's other reviews back that up with mentions of friendly, easygoing dispatch.
Best for: Shippers looking for a proven, high-frequency partner for repeat dry van lanes rather than a one-time spot booking.
8. North East Logistics LLC: Dependable Dispatch, Loads That Run On Time
"North East Logistics ran a dry van shipment for us out of West Virginia going to Cleveland. Carrier was reliable and on time. Good communication with electronic tracking turned on. Excellent work." — Verified Broker, FL
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.94/5 (12 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
76 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Brunswick, OH |
| 📋 DOT Number |
2585545 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: North East Logistics has the deepest review base outside the top three on this list, and the feedback is remarkably consistent: brokers praise the dispatch team by name, note the carrier has "handled almost 100 loads" for repeat customers, and highlight that tracking is never an issue. That kind of consistency across a dozen separate brokers is hard to fake.
Best for: Shippers who prioritize predictable dispatch communication and want a carrier that's already proven itself on lanes running directly into the Cleveland metro.
"Revolution Trucking booked a dry van load with us. Pickup and delivery went smoothly. Kyle sent in a trailer that was in good condition. Electronic tracking was turned on throughout the trip. Professional crew. We look forward to working with them in the future." — Verified Broker, FL
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.94/5 (7 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
26 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Wadsworth, OH |
| 📋 DOT Number |
3483317 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: Revolution Trucking's reviews consistently mention trailer condition and paperwork turnaround, with one broker noting the carrier ran almost 100 loads at a 95% on-time average. That's the kind of track record that comes from an operation with real discipline around equipment maintenance and appointment scheduling.
Best for: Shippers who care as much about trailer condition and documentation speed as they do about on-time delivery, particularly for freight that needs a clean POD turnaround for billing.
10. Ren Express LLC: Small Fleet, Big on Communication
"Ren Express was a treat to work with. They helped us out on this load with great communication and updates. The driver was a great help and was courteous to our track and trace team." — Verified Broker, OH
| ⭐ Star Rating |
4.92/5 (8 reviews) |
| 🚛 Fleet Size |
11 trucks |
| 📍 Headquarters |
Westlake, OH |
| 📋 DOT Number |
3122260 |
| 🔗 Profile |
View on CarrierSource |
What stands out: Every review on Ren Express's profile comes from an Ohio-based broker, and the theme is the same across all of them: punctual pickups, courteous drivers, and tracking that never drops out mid-haul. That kind of local consistency suggests a fleet that knows the Cleveland-area shipper and receiver network well.
Best for: Shippers running tighter, local-to-regional dry van lanes who value a small fleet that's dialed into the specifics of the Cleveland market.
Additional Top-Rated Carriers with Terminals in Cleveland
These carriers aren't headquartered in Cleveland, but they operate terminal locations within 50 miles, giving them a strong local presence for pickups and deliveries in the area. They meet the same review and safety thresholds as the ranked carriers above.
| Carrier |
⭐ Rating (out of 5) |
🚛 Fleet Size |
Overview |
| Mercer Transportation Company Inc |
4.90 (19 reviews) |
1605 |
A Louisville-based carrier running one of the largest flatbed, heavy-specialized, and dry van fleets in the country, backed by a 300-person transportation team. |
| ABF Freight System Inc |
4.88 (10 reviews) |
4604 |
An ArcBest company and one of the nation's largest LTL carriers, operating over 240 service centers across North America. |
| ARL Network |
4.87 (7 reviews) |
1628 |
An agent-based asset transportation network built on nationwide partnerships, giving shippers a single point of contact for freight moving well beyond the Cleveland metro. |
How I Picked These Carriers
I started with every dry van carrier operating within 50 miles of Cleveland that had at least five verified reviews on CarrierSource and active operating authority. That review threshold matters: a carrier with a single glowing review tells you almost nothing, but a carrier with a dozen or more consistent reviews from different brokers across different states is showing you a genuine pattern.
From there, I ranked by average star rating first and review volume second, since a 5.00 rating built on five reviews and a 4.94 rating built on twelve reviews both deserve a place on this list, but for different reasons. I read through the actual review text for every carrier in the running, not just the aggregate score, prioritizing quotes that spoke specifically to dry van performance: tracking discipline, trailer condition, on-time pickups and deliveries, and how dispatch handled problems when they came up.
I also pulled a separate set of carriers headquartered outside the Cleveland metro but with a terminal presence within 50 miles, since those fleets can still offer real local pickup and delivery capability even though their address is elsewhere. Every carrier on this list, ranked or terminal-based, cleared the same bar for review quality and volume.
FAQ
What should I look for when hiring a dry van carrier in Cleveland?
Reliability and communication matter more than price alone. Look for a carrier with a consistent track record of on-time pickups and deliveries, active electronic tracking, and responsive dispatch. Cleveland's position at the intersection of I-71, I-77, I-80, and I-90 means capacity is generally strong, so shippers can afford to prioritize carriers with proven service history over carriers offering the lowest rate.
What questions should I ask a carrier before booking a dry van load out of Cleveland?
Ask whether the carrier can provide electronic tracking for the full transit, what trailer condition and age to expect, and how they handle appointment delays or detention. It also helps to ask how many loads they run in the lane you're shipping and whether they have direct experience with your freight type, since a carrier familiar with a specific corridor tends to hit appointment windows more consistently.
How does seasonality affect dry van capacity in Cleveland?
Cleveland freight volume typically tightens in late fall and winter as retail and manufacturing shippers build inventory ahead of the holidays, and lake-effect snow can slow transit times and reduce available capacity on short notice. Shippers moving time-sensitive freight through the region between November and February should build in extra lead time and confirm a carrier's winter operating plan before booking.
What can and can't be shipped in a dry van trailer?
Dry van trailers are built for palletized, boxed, or crated freight that doesn't require temperature control, such as packaged goods, retail merchandise, machinery parts, and non-perishable food products. They aren't suited for freight that needs refrigeration, oversized loads that exceed legal trailer dimensions, or bulk liquids and loose aggregate that require a tanker or hopper-bottom trailer instead.
How do I vet a new carrier before handing them my first load?
Confirm the carrier's active operating authority and insurance coverage, review their verified broker and shipper feedback, and ask for references from lanes similar to yours. A carrier with a consistent volume of recent, detailed reviews is generally a safer bet than one with only a handful of ratings, since it shows a track record brokers keep coming back to.
Find the Right Carrier for Your Lane
These 10 carriers represent the top of the market for dry van capacity in and around Cleveland right now, but they're not the only options. If your lane, timeline, or freight type calls for something more specific, CarrierSource makes it easy to search and filter by fleet size, review history, and coverage area, or to build a custom carrier network in minutes.
