# Bay & Bay Transportation

> Reefer & Temperature-Controlled Specialist · Eagan, MN · Founded 1941

**Canonical URL:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/bay-and-bay-transportation/
**Markdown source:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/bay-and-bay-transportation/index.md
**Last updated:** 2026-04-27

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## Key facts

- Founded 1941 · headquartered in Eagan, MN
- Privately held
- FMCSA broker authority: **ACTIVE**
- #21 on Transport Topics Top 100 (2024)
- Gross revenue: $0.9B (est.) per Transport Topics 2024
- Primary freight modes: Dry Van, Reefer

## About

Bay & Bay Transportation Services is a privately held freight broker and carrier headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, specializing in refrigerated and temperature-controlled freight. Founded in 1941 as a small refrigerated carrier in the Midwest, the company has grown steadily into one of the region's most recognized reefer specialists — combining brokerage services with a proprietary fleet of refrigerated trucks to serve food-grade, produce, and perishable shippers across the contiguous US and Canada.

The company's deepest strength is temperature-controlled freight in Midwest and Southeast produce corridors, particularly food-grade full truckload and refrigerated LTL lanes where Bay & Bay has built carrier relationships over decades. Shippers moving fresh produce, dairy, packaged food, and other perishables benefit from Bay & Bay's specialized knowledge of reefer equipment requirements, pre-cooling standards, and transit compliance. Dry van and flatbed brokerage round out the service offering for shippers with mixed freight needs.

As a mid-sized regional specialist, Bay & Bay competes less on technology and volume than Tier 1 brokers, and more on expertise, carrier access in reefer markets, and responsiveness. Shippers who have moved primarily through large national brokers often find that Bay & Bay's reefer-first network offers better capacity access and more knowledgeable support for temperature-sensitive freight — particularly on lanes where dedicated reefer carriers are required.

## Load types

| Mode | Status |
|---|---|
| Dry Van TL | ● Primary |
| Refrigerated | ● Primary |
| LTL | ✓ Active |
| Intermodal | Not offered |
| Flatbed | ✓ Active |
| Air / Expedited | Not offered |
| Bulk / Tank | Not offered |
| Parcel | Not offered |

Source: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages, 2024

## FMCSA & Licensing

FMCSA broker authority for Bay & Bay Transportation Services, Inc. is not yet in our records — verify directly at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov by searching the legal entity name before tendering a load.

## Coverage

All 48 contiguous states + Canada

**Strongest lanes:**

- Minneapolis → Chicago
- Midwest → Southeast produce lanes
- California reefer corridors
- Chicago → Southeast
- Midwest → Florida

## Pros & Cons

**What shippers like:**

- Deep specialization in refrigerated and temperature-controlled freight — one of the top reefer-focused brokers in the Midwest
- Long-standing carrier relationships in reefer markets built over 80+ years of operations
- Operates proprietary refrigerated trucks alongside brokerage — valuable carrier-side knowledge
- Strong coverage of Midwest produce and food-grade corridors (Minneapolis, Chicago, Southeast)

**Common complaints:**

- Limited technology platform compared to larger or digital-first brokers — no instant quoting or API integration
- Smaller carrier network overall — capacity outside core reefer and Midwest lanes can be thinner
- No cross-border Mexico capability for shippers with north-south produce or food supply chains
- Intermodal, air freight, and expedited services not offered — not suitable as a single-source broker for complex multi-mode needs
- Less suitable for high-volume, enterprise shippers needing TMS integration or automated load management

## FAQ

### Is Bay & Bay Transportation licensed and bonded as a freight broker?

Bay & Bay Transportation Services, Inc. holds active freight broker authority with the FMCSA and maintains a $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond as required by federal law. FMCSA MC# and DOT# should be verified at li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov before tendering any load — always confirm active authority status directly with FMCSA.

### What types of freight does Bay & Bay Transportation move?

Per Transport Topics' Top 100 report, Bay & Bay primarily brokers refrigerated/reefer and dry van TL freight. Flatbed and LTL are also active service lines. Intermodal, air freight, expedited, and bulk/tank are not offered. Temperature-controlled freight — particularly food-grade and produce — is the company's core specialty.

### How do Bay & Bay Transportation's rates compare to larger brokers?

As a specialist reefer broker, Bay & Bay may offer more competitive access to refrigerated capacity on Midwest and Southeast produce lanes than large generalist brokers — particularly during produce season when reefer capacity tightens. For dry van or non-temperature-sensitive freight, larger volume brokers may offer better pricing. Use ShipperGuide to benchmark rates from 50+ brokers instantly before committing.

## Best for

Shippers moving food-grade, produce, or refrigerated freight in the Midwest and Southeast who need a reefer specialist with deep carrier relationships in temperature-controlled markets.

## Compare alternatives

- [C.H. Robinson Worldwide](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/ch-robinson-worldwide/) — 85,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 50 states · Mexico · Canada · 120+ c…
- [Allen Lund Company](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/allen-lund-company/) — 10,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, Flatbed · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico · Cana…
- [Choptank Transport](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/choptank-transport/) — 8,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Flatbed · All 48 contiguous states · Canada
- [Scotlynn Group](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/scotlynn-group/) — Dry Van, Reefer, Flatbed · All 48 contiguous states · Canada (US-Ca…
- [Loadsmart / ShipperGuide](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/loadsmart-shipperguide/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico · Inte…

## Sources

- Revenue and ranking: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages (annual list)
- FMCSA licensing: li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov — broker authority status verified at publication where possible
- Reviews: G2, Trustpilot, Google Business — shipper reviews only
- Listing assembled from public records. Brokers can claim/update via directory@shipperguide.com