Trucking Companies in South Dakota

South Dakota ranks among the largest trucking markets in the United States with 4,275 registered for-hire motor carriers, of which 4,275 (100.0%) hold active FMCSA operating authority as of May 2026. The state's average fleet size is 5.6 power units, with 2,757 single-truck owner-operators comprising 64.5% of the carrier population. Sioux falls leads with 769 carriers, followed by the state's other major freight corridors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, trucking and warehousing is among South Dakota's top employment sectors, reflecting the state's critical role in domestic freight movement.

The carrier fleet in South Dakota includes 23 operators running 101+ power units alongside 2,757 single-truck operations. A total of 1 carriers hold hazmat endorsements, operating under the heightened safety protocols of 49 CFR Part 397. New market entries remain steady: 184 carriers received initial operating authority in the past 6 months, each subject to FMCSA's 18-month New Entrant Safety Assurance monitoring period. Meanwhile, 2,330 carriers have maintained continuous authority for 20+ years, representing the state's most established freight operators.

Truck Graph identifies 4 active risk indicators across South Dakota carriers (0.09% 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, 4 South Dakota 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 May 29, 2026 at 12:34 PM.