Southeastern Freight Lines vs Dayton Freight Lines
Two of the best regional LTL carriers in different territories. Southeastern covers the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Dayton Freight covers the Midwest, Central, and Southeast. Both are privately held with strong cultures.
Southeastern Freight Lines
- Pay
- $55,000 - $85,000
- Fleet
- 3,500+ tractors
- Rating
- 4.1/5
Dayton Freight Lines
- Pay
- $60,000 - $90,000
- Fleet
- 2,500+ tractors
- Rating
- 4.3/5
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pay
Southeastern Freight Lines
Southeastern pays $55K-$85K with profit sharing.
Dayton Freight Lines
Dayton pays $60K-$90K with above-average hourly rates.
Home Time
Southeastern Freight Lines
City home daily; regional focus.
Dayton Freight Lines
City home daily; regional linehaul.
Benefits
Southeastern Freight Lines
Profit sharing, 401(k), health, employee assistance.
Dayton Freight Lines
Health, 401(k) match, PTO, late-model trucks.
Training/Support
Southeastern Freight Lines
1 year required. Strong service culture.
Dayton Freight Lines
1 year required. Family-oriented culture.
Equipment/Technology
Southeastern Freight Lines
Well-maintained regional fleet.
Dayton Freight Lines
Known for late-model, excellent-condition trucks.
Where they actually differ
The scores above are our reading. This part is just the two carriers' profiles side by side — divisions, what they ask of a new hire, where they run, and which benefits only one of them lists.
Southeastern Freight Lines
- Founded
- 1950
- Fleet
- 3,500+ tractors
- Drivers
- 4,000+
- Divisions
- Local, Regional, LTL
- Experience wanted
- 1 year CDL-A
- Strongest states
- South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina
Southeastern Freight Lines is a privately held LTL carrier serving the Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions. The company has consistently ranked as one of the best LTL carriers for service quality in their coverage area.
Only Southeastern Freight Lines is strong in: South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Southeastern Freight Lines and not by Dayton Freight Lines
- • Profit sharing
- • Paid time off
- • Employee assistance program
Dayton Freight Lines
- Founded
- 1981
- Fleet
- 2,500+ tractors
- Drivers
- 3,500+
- Divisions
- Local, Regional, LTL
- Experience wanted
- 1 year CDL-A
- Strongest states
- Ohio, Michigan and Indiana
Dayton Freight Lines is a privately owned LTL carrier providing next-day and two-day service across a 24-state region in the Midwest, Central, and Southeast U.S. Known for above-average driver pay, excellent equipment, and a strong family culture, Dayton Freight consistently ranks among the best regional LTL employers.
Only Dayton Freight Lines is strong in: Ohio, Michigan and Indiana — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Dayton Freight Lines and not by Southeastern Freight Lines
- • Competitive hourly pay with overtime
- • Paid vacation and holidays
- • Late-model equipment
Our Verdict
Choose based on geography. If you're in the Southeast, Southeastern Freight Lines is excellent. If you're in the Midwest, Dayton Freight is one of the best regional carriers in the country. Dayton has a slight edge in pay and equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these companies overlap geographically?
Somewhat in the Southeast, but their core territories are different -- SEFL in the Southeast, Dayton in the Midwest.
Which pays more?
Dayton Freight has slightly higher base pay. Southeastern's profit sharing narrows the gap.
Are both non-union?
Yes, both are privately held, non-union regional LTL carriers.