Dayton Freight is a privately-held, regional less-than-truckload (LTL) freight carrier serving the U.S. Midwest. Founded in 1981 by Thomas L. Cronin Jr., the company has grown from a single terminal to an operation spanning 70 service centers and more than 6,000 employees. Its fleet includes 2,037 tractors and 4,992 trailers.
The company's core business is LTL freight transportation, complemented by truckload services under the DFT brand and expedited delivery through DFXpedited. Dayton Freight reports a 98% on-time service record and a 99.6% claims-free delivery rate across its network. The company is union-free and remains privately held.
Dayton Freight emphasizes operational reliability and efficiency, supported by what it describes as advanced logistics technology. The company's stated priorities include customer service quality and a people-first workplace culture, which it refers to internally as "The Dayton Difference."