Trucking Companies in Kentucky
Kentucky has 10,074 active for-hire trucking companies as of May 2026, making it one of the most significant freight markets in the United States. Of these, 10,074 hold current operating authority. The Kentucky carrier population spans regional and long-haul operators serving industrial, agricultural, and distribution demand across the state.
Source: FMCSA operating authority and compliance records. Truck Graph analysis. View methodology
Fleet size and equipment distribution
10,074 carriers broken down by power-unit count and operation type across Kentucky.
Fleet size distribution
By registered power-unit count. Source: FMCSA carrier census. View methodology
Operation type breakdown
Classification by carrier operation type and hazmat endorsement. View methodology
Top cities for trucking in Kentucky
Kentucky's 10 largest freight markets by carrier count.
About the Kentucky freight market
Kentucky ranks among the largest trucking markets in the United States with 10,074 registered for-hire motor carriers, of which 10,074 (100.0%) hold active FMCSA operating authority as of May 2026. The state's average fleet size is 10.6 power units, with 24,376 single-truck owner-operators comprising 242.0% of the carrier population. Louisville leads with 4,372 carriers, followed by the state's other major freight corridors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, trucking and warehousing is among Kentucky's top employment sectors, reflecting the state's critical role in domestic freight movement.
The carrier fleet in Kentucky includes 85 operators running 101+ power units alongside 24,376 single-truck operations. The fleet spans general freight, specialized, and intermodal operations. New market entries remain steady: 986 carriers received initial operating authority in the past 6 months, each subject to FMCSA's 18-month New Entrant Safety Assurance monitoring period. Meanwhile, 15,508 carriers have maintained continuous authority for 20+ years, representing the state's most established freight operators.
Truck Graph identifies 19 active risk indicators across Kentucky carriers (0.19% of the registered population), detected through pattern analysis of authority cycling, insurance filing anomalies, and known chameleon carrier behaviors. The FMCSA defines chameleon carriers as entities that "successively obtain and relinquish operating authority to evade enforcement actions" — a practice that puts shippers at risk. Additionally, 19 Kentucky carriers have prior authority revocations on record. Shippers should verify carrier authority status, insurance coverage, and safety ratings before every load tender using the FMCSA SAFER System or Truck Graph's instant verification tools.
Sources: FMCSA.dot.gov, BLS Trucking Industry Data, FMCSA SAFER System. Data verified as of .
Top carriers in Kentucky
Largest Kentucky carriers by fleet size. Top 3 featured, ranked by power units.
Ramos Spray Foam Insulation LLC has operated for 5.1y with 42000 power units and 1 drivers under Carrier authority.
Mercer Transportation Co INC has operated for 52.0y with 1605 power units and 1708 drivers under Common + Contract authority.
Paschall Truck Lines INC has operated for 52.0y with 1092 power units and 1089 drivers under Common + Contract authority.
Davis H Elliot Company Incorporated has operated for 52.0y with 1039 power units and 2988 drivers under Carrier authority.
Ervin Cable Construction LLC has operated for 34.0y with 706 power units and 1210 drivers under Carrier authority.
Creation Gardens INC has operated for 36.6y with 634 power units and 686 drivers under Common authority.
Ups Cartage Services INC has operated for 21.5y with 626 power units and 729 drivers under Common + Contract authority.
Appalachian Power Company has operated for 52.0y with 624 power units and 487 drivers under Carrier authority.
Boyd Company has operated for 52.0y with 488 power units and 284 drivers under Carrier authority.
Dhl Express Usa INC has operated for 38.1y with 481 power units and 2837 drivers under Common + Contract authority.
All carriers in Kentucky
10,074 carriers total. Page 1 of 403. Sorted by fleet size.
| # | Carrier | City | DOT # | Fleet | Auth. age | Type | Safety | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Ramos Spray Foam Insulation LLC Versailles, KY | - | 3617312 | 42000 | 5.1y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 02 | Mercer Transportation Co INC Louisville, KY | MC143059 | 154712 | 1605 | 52.0y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 03 | Paschall Truck Lines INC Murray, KY | MC111485 | 105234 | 1092 | 52.0y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 04 | Davis H Elliot Company Incorporated Lexington, KY | - | 32765 | 1039 | 52.0y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 05 | Ervin Cable Construction LLC Sturgis, KY | - | 484244 | 706 | 34.0y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 06 | Creation Gardens INC Louisville, KY | MC1119280 | 371005 | 634 | 36.6y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 07 | Ups Cartage Services INC Hebron, KY | MC508195 | 1310845 | 626 | 21.5y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 08 | Appalachian Power Company Pikeville, KY | - | 111120 | 624 | 52.0y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 09 | Boyd Company Louisville, KY | - | 92117 | 488 | 52.0y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 10 | Dhl Express Usa INC Erlanger, KY | MC123343 | 315026 | 481 | 38.1y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 11 | Rj Corman Railroad Services LLC Nicholasville, KY | MC398384 | 923465 | 450 | 25.5y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 12 | 5 Star Electric LLC Clay, KY | - | 2782220 | 445 | 10.9y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 13 | Worldwide Equipment Leasing INC Lexington, KY | - | 332574 | 421 | 37.6y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 14 | The Wells Group LLC West Liberty, KY | - | 284196 | 393 | 39.5y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 15 | American Welding & Gas INC Lexington, KY | MC352183 | 145402 | 356 | 52.0y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 16 | Reladyne Transportation LLC Hebron, KY | MC788871 | 35671 | 343 | 52.0y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 17 | Vac2go LLC Louisville, KY | - | 2256130 | 334 | 14.5y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 18 | Hutson INC Murray, KY | MC316082 | 673243 | 320 | 29.4y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 19 | M & M Cartage Co INC Louisville, KY | MC182539 | 325199 | 303 | 37.8y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 20 | William E Groves Construction LLC Madisonville, KY | - | 380588 | 294 | 36.3y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 21 | Kentucky Utilities Louisville, KY | - | 359711 | 280 | 36.9y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 22 | Robert Alexander Paducah, KY | - | 1470007 | 278 | 20.3y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 23 | Praxel Line Services LLC London, KY | MC1405936 | 3595266 | 252 | 5.2y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 24 | Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline INC Owensboro, KY | - | 216326 | 251 | 43.9y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
| 25 | S & S Firestone INC Lexington, KY | - | 271514 | 240 | 40.1y | Dry van | 99 | Active |
Truck Graph carrier directory. Data from FMCSA operating authority records. View methodology
Kentucky trucking questions
Answers verified against FMCSA records.
How many trucking companies are in Kentucky?
Kentucky has 10,074 registered for-hire motor carriers as of May 2026. Of these, 10,074 hold active FMCSA operating authority.
Which city in Kentucky has the most trucking companies?
Louisville leads with 4,372 carriers, followed by Lexington (1,783) and Bowling Green (939).
What is the average fleet size in Kentucky?
The average fleet size among Kentucky carriers is 10.6 power units. The majority are single-truck owner-operators, consistent with the national pattern where 91% of carriers operate fewer than 6 power units.
How many Kentucky carriers have risk indicators?
Truck Graph identifies 19 active risk indicators among Kentucky carriers, representing 0.19% of the registered population. Always verify carrier authority before tendering.
How do I find a reliable carrier in Kentucky?
Use Truck Graph's carrier directory to search by city, fleet size, or equipment type. Verify any carrier's authority status, insurance, and safety record using our DOT Lookup tool or the FMCSA SAFER System at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Find Kentucky carriers by equipment type
Browse specialized carriers operating in Kentucky by trailer and equipment classification.
Explore other state carrier directories
For journalists and researchers
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