RoadOne just got bigger in Charleston — and that matters for trucking

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Another trucking company just got swallowed up by a bigger operation. But before everybody starts yelling “consolidation!” and reaching for the coffee, there’s a little more to this story.

RoadOne IntermodaLogistics has acquired Higgins Transport Service LLC, a Charleston, South Carolina-based provider of port drayage and intermodal freight transportation services. The deal expands RoadOne’s capacity in one of the Southeast’s important freight markets and adds 15 drivers to its Charleston operation.

So what does this actually mean for trucking?

RoadOne is betting big on Charleston

The acquisition isn't happening in a random corner of the map.

Charleston has a deep-water port, a growing population and a significant role in moving freight through the Southeast. RoadOne says the region has substantial long-term growth potential, which explains why the company has been putting more resources into the market.

RoadOne already operates a 384,000-square-foot facility in nearby Summerville. And the company has another warehouse of nearly 280,000 square feet planned next to that operation for 2027.

In other words, this isn't exactly a company dipping one toe into the Charleston market.

It's putting on the boots and walking straight in.

What Higgins brings to the table

Higgins Transport Service is a Charleston-based agent of Wall Street Intermodal. Its business includes port drayage and intermodal freight transportation.

For RoadOne, acquiring the operation means adding local transportation capacity while bringing Higgins' team into a much larger national organization.

Justin Higgins, the company's owner, described the deal as an important milestone and said the national platform should give the business additional opportunities to serve customers and grow.

That's the part of acquisitions that can get lost when the headline simply says “Company A buys Company B.”

There are people behind those company names.

And yes, 15 drivers are part of the story

The acquisition adds 15 drivers to RoadOne's Charleston operation.

That's not a massive number compared with the overall trucking workforce, but it matters locally. These are drivers who already understand the market, the customers, the ports and the day-to-day reality of moving freight in the area.

RoadOne isn't simply buying equipment and paperwork. Higgins' owner and team are joining the company as part of the

transaction.

The bigger trend: trucking keeps getting bigger

Here's where this story gets more interesting.

RoadOne is privately owned and employs more than 2,500 drivers across more than 100 port, rail and truckload terminals. The company has also expanded through other acquisitions, including Wilmac Enterprises, R&A Trucking, EHS Logistics Solutions, Rose Transportation and JZ Expedited Companies.

That tells us something about where parts of the trucking industry are heading.

Smaller operations still have value. In fact, their local knowledge and customer relationships can make them attractive acquisition targets.

But larger transportation companies increasingly have the capital, infrastructure and national networks to scale those operations.

Is consolidation good or bad?

Well... it depends on which seat you're sitting in.

For customers: A larger network can potentially mean more capacity and a broader range of logistics services.

For the acquired company: Joining a larger platform can provide access to resources and infrastructure that would be difficult to build independently.

For drivers: The impact is less obvious. A larger company can offer opportunities, but drivers should always pay attention to what actually changes in compensation, benefits, equipment, schedules and management after an acquisition.

And that's the question that doesn't get answered by the press release.

The bottom line

RoadOne's acquisition of Higgins Transport Service is bigger than two names changing places on a corporate chart.

It shows RoadOne continuing to build its Southeast footprint while betting that Charleston will remain an important freight gateway.

For truckers, it's another reminder that the industry is constantly changing. Companies merge. Fleets grow. Operations get consolidated. New facilities open. And the people behind the wheel have to keep adapting.

The smart move isn't to panic every time you see an acquisition headline.

Pay attention. Ask questions. And understand how the changes could affect your career.

If you're thinking about getting into trucking and want practical information about the industry, visit LifeAsATrucker.com.

And if you're a trucker looking for ways to build income online while you're off duty, check out TruckingOffDutyMoney.com.

Because in trucking, the only thing that stays parked for long is the truck you forgot to move.

Source: Trucking Dive, “RoadOne acquires Higgins Transport Service,” published Aug. 20, 2026.