Knight Transportation

What Knight Transportation does

Knight Transportation is a US truckload carrier operating as a wholly-owned brand subsidiary of Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KNX) following the 2017 merger between Knight Transportation and Swift Transportation. Founded in 1990 by Kevin P. Knight and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Knight operates a fleet of more than 3,100 tractors and 10,500+ trailers across a national network of 24 terminals spanning 20+ states, employing between 5,001 and 10,000 people. The company provides multiple truckload transportation services organized under six core lines: dry van, refrigerated (temperature-controlled), dedicated, port services (including 250+ trucks at L.A. and Long Beach), expedited, and logistics, supported by Knight-Swift Warehousing & Fulfillment for 3PL, Knight Freight Tracker for real-time shipment visibility, and Knight CDL Academy for in-house driver training across multiple terminal cities.

Knight's technology stack is built around traditional fleet-management capabilities: API/EDI integration for shippers, real-time GPS-based load tracking, trailer telemetrics with temperature control, and an extensive safety suite including collision mitigation, video safety systems, anti-rollover technology, real-time driver feedback alerts, and safety analytics. The fleet is comparatively young at approximately 2 years average tractor age versus a 6+ year industry average, and the 3:1 trailer-to-tractor ratio enables drop-and-hook efficiency. There is no disclosed AI/ML capability, proprietary model, or research footprint in the source material.

Knight makes money through transaction-fee based pricing on truckload transportation services, quote-based for enterprise shippers, with revenue driven by service type, distance, and weight. Go-to-market is sales-led, with dedicated account managers, regional sales managers, and a terminal-based field sales force targeting enterprise and mid-market shippers in food & beverage (produce, dairy, beef, chicken, seafood, pharmaceuticals), retail/home improvement (Lowe's), pet food (MARS Petcare), manufacturing, and import/export verticals. Distribution is supplemented by online self-service (quote requests, Knight Freight Tracker) and a digital carrier onboarding portal via Highway.com. Named enterprise customers include Lowe's, MARS Petcare, and Sherwood Bedding; mid-market and SMB examples include Filterworks, Wild Tonic, and Flexfoam. Adam Miller has served as CEO of Knight-Swift since 2024 and Joe Vitiritto as president of Knight Transportation; Kevin P. Knight retired as executive chairman on June 3, 2026.

Name

Knight Transportation

Legal name

Knight Transportation

Website

https://knighttrans.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Knight Transportation is a US truckload carrier operating as part of Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings (NYSE: KNX), providing dry van, refrigerated, dedicated, port, expedited, and logistics services across a 24-terminal national network with 3,100+ tractors and 10,500+ trailers, serving enterprise and mid-market shippers in food, retail, manufacturing, and import/export verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Truckload Transportation Services

NAICS

Specialized Freight Trucking (4842), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Freight Transportation Arrangement (4885), Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

Trucking (No Local) (4213), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Dry Van (General Freight) TL Carriers (TLADADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Intermodal Drayage & Cartage (First/Last Mile) (TLADAFAC), Vehicle Diagnostics, Predictive Maintenance & Remote Monitoring (TLAEAFAE)

Keywords

• Truckload transportation
• Refrigerated freight
• Dedicated logistics
• Port drayage
• Expedited shipping

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices24 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Truckload Transportation Services: Core revenue from truckload transportation services including dry van, refrigerated, dedicated, port services, expedited, and logistics. Revenue is generated through transportation fees based on distance, weight, and service type. The company operates as part of North America's largest truckload fleet with over 3,100 tractors and 10,500 trailers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Knight Transportation provides multiple truckload transportation services including dry van, refrigerated, dedicated, port drayage, expedited, logistics, and warehousing, operating a fleet of 3,100+ tractors and 10,500+ trailers across a national network of 24 terminals. The company delivers capacity-driven freight services to enterprise and mid-market shippers, supported by real-time tracking, API/EDI integration, and advanced safety technology. It operates as a wholly-owned brand within Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KNX).

Product overview

Knight Transportation is a truckload carrier operating as part of North America's largest truckload fleet following the 2017 merger with Swift Transportation. The company offers a portfolio of interconnected truckload services organized under the Knight brand: Dry Van, Refrigerated, Port Services, Dedicated, Logistics, and Expedited services. Supporting these core transportation offerings are Knight-Swift Warehousing & Fulfillment (3PL), Knight CDL Academy (driver training), and Knight Freight Tracker (tracking technology). The services share common infrastructure including 24 terminals, 3,100+ tractors, and 10,500+ trailers, enabling customizable and flexible solutions for shippers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Knight CDL Academy: Company-run CDL school for training new truck drivers, with locations in Phoenix AZ, Indianapolis IN, and other terminal locations.
• Knight Pro Shop
• Knight-Swift Warehousing
• Knight Logistics

Products and services

• Dry Van Truckload Service Full truckload dry van transportation services providing nationwide coverage through a network of 24 terminals with modern equipment averaging less than 2 years old. Targeted at enterprise and mid-market shippers needing general freight capacity.
• Refrigerated Truckload Service Temperature-controlled truckload services for produce, dairy, beef, chicken, seafood, and pharmaceutical industries, featuring SmartWay-certified trailers with track-and-trace and route optimization.
• Port Drayage Services Drayage solution with company facilities near major freight centers, operating 250+ trucks out of L.A. and Long Beach Ports, with warehousing and transloading options. Serves import/export companies and freight forwarders.
• Dedicated Truckload Service Customized dedicated fleet solutions with on-site management, specialized equipment, fleet optimization, and multi-modal services backed by 20+ years of experience. Designed for large enterprise shippers with recurring capacity needs.
• Knight Logistics (Freight Brokerage) Third-party logistics services providing reliable freight capacity through dry van, power-only drop trailer, refrigerated, and port/rail drayage services. Targets shippers needing flexible brokerage capacity.
• Expedited Freight Service Time-critical freight delivery offering dry van, refrigerated, flatbed, intermodal, port services, and less-than-truckload options with real-time tracking and 24/7 reporting. Built for shippers with urgent deadline requirements.
• Knight-Swift Warehousing & Fulfillment (3PL) Full-service third-party logistics (3PL) company providing inventory management, packing, consolidation, kitting, storage, and trucking services for enterprise shippers.
• Knight CDL Academy Class A CDL training program offered at multiple locations including Phoenix, Indianapolis, Salt Lake City, Kansas City, Dallas, Columbus, Nashville, Gulfport, Denver, and Tulsa. Trains new drivers for the Knight fleet and broader industry.
• Knight Freight Tracker Real-time load tracking platform enabling customers to monitor shipment visibility throughout the delivery process. Used by shipper customers to track highly visible loads in real time.

Quantifiable outcome

• Average tractor age of approximately 2 years compared to the 6+ year industry average
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• TRANSTEXminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnight-Swift sold FleetAero assets to TRANSTEX as part of strategic portfolio optimization. FleetAero was part of Knight-Swift's carrier partner ecosystem providing fuel and administrative services to carriers.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Werner Enterprises: Public truckload carrier (WERN) operating Dedicated, One-Way (dry van and refrigerated), and Logistics services with a comparable national footprint and enterprise customer base. Similar mid-to-large TL peer with overlapping refrigerated and dedicated franchises.
• Schneider National: One of the largest US truckload carriers operating Intermodal, Logistics, Dedicated, and Bulk divisions with a national terminal footprint and a public ticker (SNDR). Closely comparable to Knight in service breadth, customer mix (enterprise + F&B), and asset-heavy operating model.
• Heartland Express: Public truckload carrier (HTLD) focused on dry van and refrigerated services with a similar asset-heavy model. Comparable in customer mix (F&B, consumer goods) and exposure to TL cycle dynamics, though smaller in scale than Knight.
• Marten Transport: Public truckload carrier (MRTN) operating dedicated, intermodal, and refrigerated services with similar temperature-controlled franchise exposure to Knight Refrigerated. Directly comparable in refrigerated F&B vertical and asset-heavy model.
• J.B. Hunt Transport Services: Public carrier (JBHT) with major Dedicated Contract Services, Intermodal, and ICS (brokerage) segments. Directly competes with Knight in dedicated truckload and brokerage, and operates a similarly large asset base across the same enterprise shipper set.
• U.S. Xpress Enterprises: Truckload carrier acquired by Knight-Swift in 2023, now a sister brand under the Knight-Swift umbrella. Provides direct comparability on dry van, dedicated, and brokerage services with the same parent-company economics.
• Swift Transportation: Sister operating brand under Knight-Swift following the 2017 merger. Operates comparable dry van, refrigerated, dedicated, and intermodal services across the same US footprint; effectively the closest comparable in scale and service mix.

Emerging players

• Hub Group: Public asset-light intermodal and logistics provider (HUBG) competing with Knight's intermodal drayage and Knight Logistics offerings. Less direct overlap in dry van but meaningful competition in brokerage and dedicated intermodal lanes.

Broad incumbents

• XPO Logistics: Public LTL-focused carrier (XPO) that also operates brokerage and last-mile services. Not a direct TL peer, but competes for enterprise transportation spend and dedicated contracts that Knight targets.
• Ryder System: Public supply chain and fleet solutions provider (R) offering Dedicated Transportation Solutions, Supply Chain Solutions, and Fleet Management (leasing, maintenance). Overlaps with Knight's Dedicated and logistics services and competes in enterprise transportation procurement, but operates a much broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2POYfpIbPfu3NbxRlvLQkA
• Facebookfacebook.com/KnightTrans
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/knight-transportation
• Instagraminstagram.com/driveknight
• TikToktiktok.com/@knighttransportation
• Xx.com/knighttransinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A4 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Knight Transportation