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10 Best Reefer Carriers in Dallas (2026)

When a shipper types "reefer carriers in Dallas" into Google, they're usually solving a specific problem: a temp-controlled load is sitting on a dock, an incumbent carrier just fell off a regular lane, or the produce season has tightened capacity and the load board isn't returning anything they trust. Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the highest-volume reefer markets in the country, with frozen grocery moving out of the regional distribution hubs, produce relaying up from the Rio Grande Valley, and a constant stream of cross-country freight passing through on the way to the Southeast. The carriers who win in this market are the ones who keep their reefer units in good shape, accept electronic tracking without pushback, and communicate proactively when something goes wrong.

To build this list, I ranked reefer carriers headquartered within 50 miles of Dallas using verified broker and shipper reviews from CarrierSource's database of over 70,000 reviews. Every carrier below has a minimum of 5 verified reviews, active operating authority, and a strong track record on temperature-controlled freight. I prioritized real review quotes that speak directly to operational quality, not bio copy.

If you're shipping refrigerated freight out of the DFW Metroplex, these 10 carriers are a strong starting point. They span small owner-operator-style fleets up to multi-terminal operations with hundreds of trucks, so you can match the right scale to the load. If you'd prefer to browse the full list and filter by your own criteria, you can do that directly on CarrierSource.

1. Tx Loadrunners: Top-rated Texas reefer with consistent on-time tracking

"Very good carrier. ALWAYS on time and with good standards of communication. Tracking always works. Top notch!" — Verified Broker, NC

⭐ Star Rating 4.93/5 (15 reviews)
🚛 Fleet Size 20 trucks
📍 Headquarters Euless, TX
📋 DOT Number 2078484
🔗 Profile View on CarrierSource

What stands out: A 4.93/5 average across 15 reviews puts Tx Loadrunners at the top of the Dallas reefer market. Reviewers consistently single out their tracking discipline and dispatch communication, and one broker noted that the driver got the trailer washed before loading to look professional for the customer. Multiple brokers describe running the same lanes with them repeatedly across multiple years without issues.

Best for: Brokers and shippers running Texas-origin reefer freight who want a small but tight 20-truck operation with strong tracking and a hands-on dispatch team. A good fit for repeat-lane work where consistency matters more than raw capacity.

2. Danways Express LLC: Dependable small fleet with proactive dispatch

"Dispatch is amazing! Drivers are smart, professional and courteous. We receive updates without asking and drivers are on time with appointments! Would recommend." — Verified Broker, OR

⭐ Star Rating 4.92/5 (7 reviews)
🚛 Fleet Size 15 trucks
📍 Headquarters North Richland Hills, TX
📋 DOT Number 1580845
🔗 Profile View on CarrierSource

What stands out: Danways earns 4.92/5 from a 15-truck fleet in the heart of the DFW Metroplex. The reviews emphasize two things that are often missing from small carriers: proactive update communication and reliable rate quotes on short-notice loads. One broker specifically noted that they came in with a competitive rate on a same-day cover and ran the load without a hitch.

Best for: Brokers who need a small, responsive carrier to cover short-notice or repeat lanes out of the DFW Metroplex, particularly when proactive dispatch communication is a priority.

3. Pdp Trucking Inc: Mid-size Midlothian fleet with A-carrier reviews

"They are A carriers. They notified me every update of our load without even asking. Even when they thought they wouldn't be able to pickup the load, they let us know with time. Will work with them in the future." — Verified Broker, IN

⭐ Star Rating 4.91/5 (13 reviews)
🚛 Fleet Size 65 trucks
📍 Headquarters Midlothian, TX
📋 DOT Number 1570915
🔗 Profile View on CarrierSource

What stands out: 4.91/5 across 13 reviews from a 65-truck fleet headquartered just south of Dallas in Midlothian. Reviewers repeatedly use phrases like "A carriers" and "five star," and one broker called out that PDP let them know in advance when a hurricane was about to delay pickup, then layed over and ran the load straight through to delivery. That kind of proactive, problem-solving communication is what separates good reefer carriers from average ones.

Best for: Shippers and brokers looking for a mid-size Texas reefer fleet with the operational maturity to handle weather disruptions, communication during issues, and repeat-customer load volume.

4. DFW Global Trucking LLC: Fort Worth reefer specialist for temp-sensitive food freight

"DFW Global Trucking ran a reefer food load. Carrier had good equipment and maintained temp throughout transit. Electronic tracking was turned on by the driver. They provided good communication throughout the trip. Great job by this carrier." — Verified Broker, FL

⭐ Star Rating 4.89/5 (5 reviews)
🚛 Fleet Size 8 trucks
📍 Headquarters Fort Worth, TX
📋 DOT Number 2170913
🔗 Profile View on CarrierSource

What stands out: The standout review here is reefer-specific and operationally detailed. The broker calls out equipment condition, temperature maintenance throughout transit, and the driver enabling electronic tracking without being asked. That's the trifecta you want when you're booking a food load. The fleet is small at 8 trucks, but every review reads like a clean run.

Best for: Food shippers and brokers who want a smaller carrier they can build a relationship with, particularly for produce, dairy, or protein freight where equipment condition and temperature discipline make the difference between a clean delivery and a claim.

5. DC Transport: Multi-terminal carrier with strong CA-TX capacity

"DC is a great carrier, always ON TIME and in good communication. Drivers are friendly. Great capacity in CA and TX." — Verified Broker, NC

⭐ Star Rating 4.88/5 (12 reviews)
🚛 Fleet Size 172 trucks
📍 Headquarters Fort Worth, TX
📋 DOT Number 1018527
🔗 Profile View on CarrierSource

What stands out: 4.88/5 across 12 reviews from a 172-truck fleet headquartered in Fort Worth with additional terminals in California and Pennsylvania. One reviewer cited a 10-year working relationship that's covered roughly 150 loads at a 90% on-time average. That kind of measured, long-term track record is rare in carrier reviews, and it tells you DC Transport is running the same lanes with the same brokers year after year.

Best for: Shippers running consistent Texas-to-California or Texas-to-East Coast reefer freight who need scale, multi-terminal coverage, and a carrier with a documented multi-year track record.

6. JITC Inc: Largest local fleet with cross-dock and warehousing services

"Carrier moved a trailer very quickly and it arrived looking clean without damages. Happy with them." — Verified Shipper

⭐ Star Rating 4.82/5 (13 reviews)
🚛 Fleet Size 348 trucks
📍 Headquarters Fort Worth, TX
📋 DOT Number 2129045
🔗 Profile View on CarrierSource

What stands out: At 348 trucks, JITC (Just In Time Cargo Logistics) is the largest carrier on this list. Their operation goes beyond truckload: they run their own cross-docking, warehousing, distribution, and international freight forwarding services alongside the asset fleet. That makes them a viable single-partner option for projects more complex than a straightforward point-to-point reefer move.

Best for: Shippers who need both reefer capacity and adjacent services like cross-docking, warehousing, or customs brokerage for international freight. A good fit for supply chains where the truckload move is one piece of a larger logistics puzzle.

7. Central Valley Logistics LLC: Carrollton fleet with reefer-specific reviews

"Five Star Carrier!! Great at communicating any problems and getting them solved as well as getting us in and out times and paper work." — Verified Broker, IN

⭐ Star Rating 4.82/5 (10 reviews)
🚛 Fleet Size 30 trucks
📍 Headquarters Carrollton, TX
📋 DOT Number 2081551
🔗 Profile View on CarrierSource

What stands out: Central Valley's bio explicitly highlights temperature-controlled truckload across the 48 states, and the standout 5-star review is reefer-tagged. One broker noted a nine-year working relationship covering around 150 loads at an 89% on-time average. That blend of reefer focus and long-term broker relationships is exactly what you want from a 30-truck fleet.

Best for: Brokers and shippers running reefer freight from the DFW Metroplex to anywhere in the lower 48, particularly when you want a carrier whose reefer credentials show up in the reviews, not just the marketing copy.

8. Sae Logistics LLC: Grand Prairie carrier with long-haul reefer reviews

"Long mile runner. On time for appointments, and drivers are professional and courteous. Dispatch provides updates on time and advises every step of the way on load details." — Verified Broker, OR

⭐ Star Rating 4.81/5 (10 reviews)
🚛 Fleet Size 52 trucks
📍 Headquarters Grand Prairie, TX
📋 DOT Number 3228521
🔗 Profile View on CarrierSource

What stands out: 4.81/5 across 10 reviews from a 52-truck fleet in Grand Prairie. Multiple reviews specifically reference reefer loads and call SAE "long mile runners" with non-stop tracking. Brokers describe the carrier as one they've used for years across many loads, with consistency that has made them a default option for certain lanes.

Best for: Brokers running long-haul reefer freight out of DFW who value tracking discipline and want a carrier with a multi-year history of consistent service with the same broker partners.

9. Summit Trucking Inc: Dallas-based carrier with 20-plus years in the market

"This team knows what they are doing in the trucking world and it does show with how they have handled our loads. They are always on-time and have not seen an issue out of all the times we have used this team." — Verified Broker, OH

⭐ Star Rating 4.80/5 (5 reviews)
🚛 Fleet Size 139 trucks
📍 Headquarters Dallas, TX
📋 DOT Number 843546
🔗 Profile View on CarrierSource

What stands out: Summit has been operating in Dallas for over 20 years and runs a 139-truck fleet, which makes them one of the more established options on this list. Reviewers name individual dispatchers (Andy, Travis) and call out the carrier's willingness to accept electronic tracking, which is increasingly the bar shippers expect. One review also notes that Summit has active broker authority, so brokers should clarify upfront whether the carrier will handle the load on assets or potentially co-broker.

Best for: Shippers who want a Dallas-headquartered carrier with longevity and the operational infrastructure of a mid-size fleet, particularly for repeat-lane work where named dispatcher relationships add value.

10. Mojo Trucking LLC: Small Dallas fleet with high marks on customer service

"Mojo Trucking has been a great freight partner for us. Always courteous with our shippers, good communication and driver tracking. On time at the shipper and receiver. We always have a great experience with them." — Verified Broker, FL

⭐ Star Rating 4.65/5 (5 reviews)
🚛 Fleet Size 9 trucks
📍 Headquarters Dallas, TX
📋 DOT Number 2017172
🔗 Profile View on CarrierSource

What stands out: Mojo is the smallest carrier on this list at 9 trucks, and what comes through in the reviews is how their drivers handle themselves at shippers and receivers. That's a meaningful detail for reefer loads, where rapport with dock staff can affect loading time, dwell, and ultimately whether the load delivers on time. They've also been responsive to broker-specific tracking app requests like FourKites.

Best for: Shippers and brokers who want a small Dallas carrier focused on relationship-driven service, particularly for shorter regional reefer runs where the driver's professionalism at the dock matters.

Additional Top-Rated Carriers with Terminals in Dallas

These carriers aren't headquartered in Dallas, 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
TCI Transportation 4.92 (10 reviews) 600 A 600-truck dedicated logistics provider headquartered in Phoenix that partners with shippers to run integrated fleet operations across the country.
Western Flyer Express 4.90 (10 reviews) 815 An Oklahoma City reefer-focused carrier that has grown from four trucks in 1996 to a fleet of over 815 power units and 3,000 refrigerated trailers.
Hawk Logistics LLC 4.89 (23 reviews) 68 A Vancouver, Washington-based carrier with one of the deepest review pools on this list and a stated focus on continuous operational improvement.
Bay And Bay Transportation 4.89 (7 reviews) 360 A Minnesota-headquartered carrier operating since 1941, consistently ranked among North America's top refrigerated carriers and 3PLs by industry publications.
ABF Freight System Inc 4.88 (10 reviews) 4,604 One of the nation's largest LTL carriers, an ArcBest company, with over a century of operating history and 240 service centers across North America.
ARL Network 4.87 (7 reviews) 755 An agent-based asset transportation network of 755 power units providing nationwide coverage from its Pennsylvania headquarters.
ITF Group LLC 4.86 (30 reviews) 439 A St. Louis-headquartered fleet of 439 trucks with the deepest review history in this section (30 reviews) and a strong refrigerated freight presence.
Walgre Transport Inc 4.74 (10 reviews) 185 An Ontario-based fleet of 185 trucks offering expedited, temperature-controlled, and intermodal drayage services, including hazmat-licensed lanes across North America.
Vista Trans 4.70 (21 reviews) 410 An Illinois-based asset-based carrier of 410 power units offering reefer, dry van, and team driver services for expedited shipments.

How I Picked These Carriers

I started by pulling every reefer-authorized carrier headquartered within 50 miles of Dallas from the CarrierSource database. From there, I filtered to carriers with at least 5 verified broker or shipper reviews, since fewer than that doesn't give shippers a reliable picture of how a carrier actually performs. I also required active operating authority and excluded any carrier with a problematic safety record.

From the qualifying carriers, I ranked by star rating first, then by review volume as a tiebreaker. A 4.93 average across 15 reviews tells you more than a 5.00 average across 5, and the top of this list reflects that. After ranking, I pulled individual reviews for each carrier and prioritized quotes that speak directly to reefer-relevant operational quality: temperature maintenance, tracking discipline, dispatch communication, and driver behavior at the dock.

The terminal carriers section is separate. Those are carriers headquartered outside the Dallas area who operate a terminal location within 50 miles, which means they have boots-on-the-ground presence for pickups and deliveries even though their HQ is elsewhere. They meet the same review thresholds as the ranked carriers and are worth considering if your lane profile favors a larger national fleet with a Dallas yard.

FAQ

What should I look for in a reefer carrier in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?

The most important factors are equipment condition, temperature tracking discipline, and dispatch communication. Reefer freight is unforgiving: a unit that loses power or a driver who doesn't pre-cool the trailer can ruin a load. Look for carriers whose reviews specifically mention reefer experience, temperature maintenance, and electronic tracking. Fleet size matters less than consistency, but a carrier with at least five verified reviews gives you a more reliable picture than one with two.

What types of freight typically ship reefer out of Dallas?

Dallas sits at the intersection of multiple food and beverage supply chains, so reefer freight here covers a wide range. Frozen and chilled grocery products move heavily out of the DFW distribution hubs serving major retail chains. Produce moves north through the city from the Rio Grande Valley and Mexico. Beverage, dairy, and protein loads are common, as are pharmaceutical and floral shipments. The Dallas market also serves as a relay point for cross-country reefer freight heading from California to the Southeast.

How can I verify a reefer carrier can hold temperature on a long-haul move?

Ask the carrier three things before booking: how old is the reefer unit, do drivers pre-cool trailers before loading, and what's their process if the unit alarms in transit. A carrier with newer Carrier or Thermo King units, written pre-cool protocols, and 24/7 dispatch coverage is significantly less likely to deliver a claim. Many shippers also require electronic temperature logs that download directly from the unit, which is standard equipment on most modern reefer trailers.

What questions should I ask before booking a reefer load out of Dallas?

Confirm the carrier's reefer fuel surcharge structure, ask whether they require a temperature setting in writing on the BOL, and verify that they accept electronic tracking through whatever platform the shipper requires (MacroPoint, FourKites, and Project44 are the most common). For high-value or temperature-critical loads, ask about contingent cargo insurance limits and whether they carry reefer breakdown coverage specifically. Get a copy of the certificate of insurance before the truck rolls.

How does Texas summer heat affect reefer rates and capacity?

Summer is peak season for reefer in Texas. Produce moving from the Rio Grande Valley, beverage demand, and cross-country relays all push capacity tight from late spring through early fall. Rates typically run 15 to 30 percent above winter benchmarks on outbound lanes, and same-day pickup availability shrinks. Shippers who build relationships with two or three regular reefer carriers in the Dallas market before peak season have a significantly easier time covering loads when freight gets hot.

Find the Right Carrier for Your Lane

The ten carriers above are a strong starting point if you're moving refrigerated freight in or out of the DFW Metroplex, but the right partner depends on your specific lane, freight type, and volume. CarrierSource has hundreds more reefer carriers across Texas filterable by city, fleet size, and review volume. You can pull up full review histories before you make the first call, or use CarrierSource AI to surface carriers that match your exact lane requirements.


Clara Flaherty
Clara Flaherty

Clara Flaherty spent six years at G2.com, the world's leading B2B software review platform, where she saw firsthand how innovative marketing and sales strategies empowered emerging companies to meaningfully compete with industry giants. Now, as a co-founder and Head of Growth at CarrierSource—the premier review platform for carriers and brokers—Clara is bringing third-party verified customer reviews and industry-specific shipper intent data to logistics. She leads all marketing, business development, user growth, and review acquisition efforts, driving CarrierSource’s mission to bring greater transparency and trust to the freight industry.