Florence, South Carolina — Estes has announced a major expansion that will see 20 new terminals open across the United States in 2024, adding 985 doors to its network and a fleet of more than 130 tractors and 6,000 trailers.

The move comes as the less‑than‑truckload (LTL) market continues to grow, demanding faster, more reliable service for shippers and drivers alike. Terminals are the backbone of an LTL carrier, providing sorting, loading, and distribution hubs that keep freight moving efficiently. By adding dozens of new doors, Estes aims to reduce transit times and offer drivers more consistent load availability.

Estes acquired 24 service centers from the Yellow Corp estate, a deal that marks the single biggest influx of terminals and equipment in the carrier’s recent history. The company has already opened a 58‑door terminal in Florence, South Carolina, and plans to open a 54‑door facility in Reno, Nevada, and a 92‑door location in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. The first eight doors are slated for completion by the end of June, with additional openings scheduled in Tacoma, Washington; San Fernando Valley, California; Detroit, Michigan; and Austin, Texas. The expansion will bring the total number of doors to 985, while the fleet gains over 130 tractors and 6,000 trailers sourced from former Yellow sites.

"These acquisitions represent the single biggest influx of terminals and equipment in Estes’ recent history," said Webb Estes, president and chief operating officer. "Acquiring these terminals was just step one — we’re now focused on putting them to work as quickly as possible to better serve our customers, which is exactly what we’re doing with these first ones," added Carrie Johnstone, vice president of customer experience and innovation.

What This Means for Drivers

With the new doors, CDL‑A holders and owner‑operators will have access to more pickup and delivery points, reducing deadhead miles and increasing earnings potential. The expanded fleet of tractors and trailers means more equipment options for OTR truck drivers, allowing carriers to match loads to driver preferences more accurately. Fleet managers will benefit from tighter scheduling and lower operating costs as loads are routed through the new hubs, improving overall efficiency and compliance with FMCSA regulations.

Industry Reaction

Other carriers view Estes’ expansion as a strategic push to capture a larger share of the LTL market. Trucking groups are noting that the increased terminal density could pressure competitors to upgrade their own infrastructure. While the move is expected to benefit drivers through better load availability, some advocate for continued investment in technology to complement the physical expansion.

Key Points

• Estes will open 20 new terminals in 2024, adding 985 doors.
• The expansion includes 130 tractors, 6,000 trailers, and equipment from former Yellow Corp sites.
• First eight doors to be operational by June, with locations in Florence, Reno, Cinnaminson, Tacoma, San Fernando Valley, Detroit, and Austin.
• Webb Estes and Carrie Johnstone emphasize rapid deployment to serve customers.

Looking for a better trucking job? US Trucker's free job‑matching service connects CDL‑A drivers, OTR drivers, regional drivers, and owner‑operators with 500+ top US carriers. Leave your details in the form on this page and a recruiter will call you within one business day. Trucking companies are hiring now.

Photo by Eduard Kalesnik on Pexels