Flatbed
Open-deck transport for steel, lumber, building materials, machinery, and oversized loads with disciplined securement.
Flatbed services
Family-owned since
1980
Regional Flatbed Carrier and Fleet Capacity Partner
Open-deck flatbed and dry van capacity across the Northeast, plus dedicated and surge capacity for shippers who run their own fleets. Family-run, SmartWay certified, and trusted on lanes from Maine to Pennsylvania for more than 45 years.
SmartWay Transport Partner since 2010, with a strong FMCSA safety record
45+
Years Family-Owned
2010
SmartWay Partner Since
25+
Power Units
ME to PA
Lanes Served
What We Move
Flatbed-Led Regional Freight and Capacity
A regional flatbed carrier first, with dry van capacity, port drayage, and warehousing to keep your freight and your own fleet moving across the Northeast.
Dry Van
48 and 53 foot dry van trailers for packaged goods and general commodities on local and regional lanes.
Dry van servicePort Drayage and Ocean Freight
Container drayage and transport between New England's ports and inland shippers, with on-site rail and container staging.
Ocean shippersWarehousing and Cross-Dock
Short-term storage, consolidation, and cross-dock transfer at our staffed Middleboro terminal.
WarehousingIntermodal and Rail
On-site rail siding for container drayage and intermodal staging, connecting truck and rail seamlessly.
Intermodal and railFleet Capacity Partner
Dedicated and surge capacity for shippers running their own fleets. Flatbed and dry van overflow on fuel-protected contract lanes.
Capacity partnership
For Shippers Who Run Their Own Fleet
Dedicated and Surge Capacity, Ready When You Are
Grocery, retail, and distribution shippers use Nichols as a capacity partner: guaranteed trucks for overflow, seasonal surge, and dedicated contract lanes, so your network never runs short.
Guaranteed Capacity
Reserve committed trucks for overflow and peak demand so loads move on schedule when your own fleet is full.
Flatbed and Dry Van
Open-deck and enclosed equipment from one partner, matched to the freight and the lane you need covered.
Fuel-Surcharge Protected
Contract lanes with clear fuel-surcharge terms keep your transportation budget predictable across the year.
How a capacity partnership works
We agree on lanes, volumes, and equipment up front, then hold capacity for your network. You call when you need overflow or surge coverage, and committed Nichols trucks roll, backed by 45 years and a verifiable SmartWay safety record.
Discuss capacityWhy shippers choose Nichols for capacity
A stable, family-run regional carrier with company-owned tractors and permanently leased owner-operators, the depth to commit to your schedule, and the safety record large shippers require from a contract partner.
Talk to dispatch
Why Shippers Choose Nichols
Three generations of safe, accountable freight
A safety record you can verify
We hold a strong FMCSA safety rating and welcome scrutiny. Check our record on the federal FMCSA SAFER system any time.
SmartWay since 2010
As an EPA SmartWay Transport Partner, we run an efficient, well-maintained fleet with verified environmental performance, a standard many small carriers never meet.
Family heritage, regional roots
Founded in 1980 by John Tiger Nichols and still family-run, we have served the region's growers, manufacturers, and shippers for 45 years, including the area's cranberry growers since the beginning.
On-time, every time
Company-owned tractors and permanently leased owner-operators give us the capacity to commit to your schedule and keep that commitment, load after load.
How can we help you today?
Need freight moved?
Tell us your lane, freight type, and timing. Our dispatch team responds within two business hours with capacity and a clear quote.
Request a QuoteLooking to drive?
Join a family-run carrier that values safety, pays fairly, and keeps you running steady regional lanes close to home. Company drivers and owner-operators welcome.
Drive for Nichols
Get Moving
Request a Freight Quote
Share a few details and our dispatch team will get right back to you.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Nichols Trucking is a regional flatbed carrier and fleet-capacity partner. We offer flatbed and open-deck transport, dry van service in 48 and 53 foot trailers, dedicated and surge capacity for shippers who run their own fleets, refrigerated vans on request, warehousing and cross-dock, intermodal and rail-siding service, port drayage and ocean freight, and local and regional delivery throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic, from Maine to Pennsylvania.
Nichols Trucking serves nine states from its Middleboro, Massachusetts terminal: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. We run regional and local lanes across all of New England and into the Mid-Atlantic, with strong coverage along the I-495, Route 24, and Route 44 corridor.
Yes. Nichols Trucking has been an EPA SmartWay Transport Partner since 2010. SmartWay partnership reflects our commitment to fuel-efficient, lower-emission operations and verified environmental performance. Combined with our strong FMCSA safety record, it shows shippers that Nichols runs a disciplined, accountable, and well-maintained fleet.
Nichols Trucking Co. was established in 1980 by John Tiger Nichols and has operated continuously for more than 45 years. The company remains family-owned and family-run today, trusted by the region's growers, manufacturers, and shippers across multiple generations. That longevity is a direct signal of reliability, financial stability, and service consistency.
Commercial storage and truck parking at the Middleboro yard are now operated by a sister company at a separate website, storage.jitai.co. Nichols Trucking focuses on flatbed and regional freight, while the sister company handles secured outdoor storage, reserved truck and trailer parking, indoor flex space, and seasonal boat and RV storage. Visit storage.jitai.co for storage availability and pricing.
Submit the quote request form on this page with your origin and destination ZIP codes, freight and trailer type, weight, and pickup date, and our dispatch team responds within two business hours. You can also call Local Dispatch at 1-800-356-5532 or Regional Dispatch at 1-800-731-2443 to speak with a person directly.