Dayton Freight Lines, Inc.

Dayton Freight Lines, Inc. is a privately held regional less-than-truckload (LTL) freight carrier serving the Midwest from its base in Dayton, Ohio. Founded in 1981 by Thomas L. Cronin Jr., the company has grown from a single terminal to 70 service centers and now employs more than 6,000 people. It operates as a union-free business and reports a 98% on-time service record alongside a 99.6% claims-free delivery rate.

The fleet is substantial: 2,037 tractors and 4,992 trailers, supported by operations and maintenance functions across the service-center network. Dayton Freight works with transportation and logistics technology, fleet operations and telematics, and operational efficiency systems, and emphasises advanced technology and operational excellence in how the fleet is run.

Its service portfolio covers core LTL shipping and delivery across the Midwest, DFT truckload transportation, and DFXpedited, a service for time-sensitive freight. The company describes its culture as "The Dayton Difference", with a customer-driven model and a people-first approach to customers and the communities in which it operates.