Daylight Transport Leads 2026 LTL Carrier Rankings
The 22nd annual Mastio report reveals top freight carriers as shippers emphasize service and communication.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Transportation
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Mastio released its 22nd annual U.S. LTL Carrier Customer Value and Loyalty Report, highlighting the top-performing freight companies in the industry. The findings reflect feedback from 1,647 surveyed shippers regarding 28 distinct performance attributes.
Why it matters
The freight industry is increasingly prioritizing timely customer service and proactive communication. As carriers adapt to these demands, shippers rely on these rankings to gauge provider performance in a competitive national market.
The report ranks carriers based on 28 attributes gathered from 1,647 interviews with shippers. Timely customer service responses ranked as the No. 8 priority, while proactive communication was identified as the No. 19 priority.
The players
Daylight Transport
A logistics and freight transportation company headquartered in Cypress, California.
FedEx Freight
A subsidiary of FedEx Corp that provides less-than-truckload freight transportation services.
Averitt Express
A regional and national freight carrier based in Cookeville, Tennessee.
Old Dominion Freight Line
A major LTL motor carrier providing regional and inter-regional freight services.
Peninsula Truck Lines
A freight carrier based in Auburn, Washington, that previously topped the industry report.
The details
Daylight Transport, Averitt Express, and Old Dominion Freight Line claimed the top three spots in the 2026 industry rankings. Meanwhile, FedEx Freight is working to improve its standing after ranking 21st, following a June spinoff and the addition of 1,500 to 1,700 employees.
Timeline
2022: Peninsula Truck Lines previously held the No. 1 ranking.
June 1, 2026: FedEx Freight officially completed its spinoff from FedEx Corp.
2026: Mastio published the 22nd edition of its annual LTL report.
2027: Analysts expect improved survey performance from FedEx Freight.
Market Landscape
This industry report highlights how traditional freight carriers compete for market share by optimizing customer experience metrics. The 2026 FedEx Freight spinoff marks a significant corporate shift, as the company adjusts its operations to align with evolving shipper priorities.
Shippers and businesses that utilize freight services can use these rankings to optimize their own supply chain costs and carrier reliability. Improved communication strategies from carriers may lead to fewer logistical delays for clients in the coming year.
The takeaway
Reliable freight shipping depends heavily on proactive communication and consistent customer service standards. Businesses should evaluate their own carrier contracts to ensure their providers align with the top-ranked attributes identified in recent industry data.
Further reading
Learn more about current logistics trends on our Transportation page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Transport Topics.
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