# Motus Freight

> Tech-Enabled Freight Broker · Bellevue, KY · Founded 2015

**Canonical URL:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/motus-freight/
**Markdown source:** https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/motus-freight/index.md
**Last updated:** 2026-05-08

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## Key facts

- Founded 2015 · headquartered in Bellevue, KY
- Privately held
- FMCSA broker authority: **ACTIVE** (MC-945640)
- #94 on Transport Topics Top 100 (2026)
- Gross revenue: $165M per Transport Topics 2026
- Primary freight modes: Dry Van

## About

Motus Freight is a tech-enabled freight broker founded in 2015 and headquartered in Bellevue, Kentucky (Cincinnati metro), with additional offices in Chicago, Illinois, and Santa Monica, California. The company is ranked #94 on the Transport Topics 2026 Top 100 Freight Brokerage Firms list with $165 million in gross brokerage revenue and $23 million in net revenue (~14% net margin).

Per Transport Topics 2026, Motus' mode mix lists dry van as primary, with active reefer, LTL, intermodal, flatbed/heavy-haul, and bulk/tank desks. The company positions on technology-driven brokerage with carrier desks for flatbed, truckload, dump truck hauling, and refrigerated freight. Broker authority under MC-945640 has been active since 2016, giving Motus 9+ years of FMCSA operating history.

For shippers evaluating Motus Freight, the strongest fit is multi-mode programs anchored in the Midwest or that benefit from a tri-coast office footprint (Bellevue KY, Chicago IL, Santa Monica CA). Note: Motus Freight is unrelated to FMCSA's new "Motus" registration system. Shippers needing expedited, cross-border Mexico/Canada, ocean, parcel, drayage, or managed transportation services will need to combine Motus with specialist providers.

## Load types

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

Source: Transport Topics Top 100 Freight Brokerages, 2026

## FMCSA & Licensing

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| MC Number | MC-945640 |
| USDOT Number | USDOT 2861367 |
| Broker Authority | ● ACTIVE |
| Surety Bond | $75,000 BMC-84 · On File |

Verify status: https://li-public.fmcsa.dot.gov

## Coverage

Continental US

## Pros & Cons

**What shippers like:**

- Top-95 Transport Topics 2026 broker with $165M gross and $23M net revenue (~14% margin)
- Tri-coast office footprint (Bellevue KY, Chicago IL, Santa Monica CA) for broader lane coverage
- Multi-mode coverage: dry van primary, plus active reefer, LTL, intermodal, flatbed, and bulk/tank
- Tech-positioned brokerage — visibility and tracking emphasized in customer-facing copy
- Active FMCSA authority under MC-945640 (since 2016)

**Common complaints:**

- No expedited, cross-border Mexico/Canada, ocean, parcel, drayage, or managed transportation capability
- Carrier network size and specific technology platform details not publicly disclosed
- Younger company than most Top-100 peers — shorter operating track record (~10 years)
- Naming overlap with FMCSA's new "Motus" registration system can cause confusion — verify legal entity before tendering

## FAQ

### Is Motus Freight licensed and bonded as a freight broker?

Motus Freight, LLC holds ACTIVE FMCSA broker authority MC-945640 / USDOT 2861367, registered in Bellevue, KY, with a $75,000 BMC-84 surety bond on file. Not affiliated with FMCSA's new "Motus" registration system. Verified via SAFER 2026-05-01.

### What types of freight does Motus Freight handle?

Per Transport Topics 2026, Motus primarily brokers dry van truckload, with active reefer, LTL, intermodal, flatbed/heavy-haul, and bulk/tank desks. No expedited, cross-border, drayage, or parcel.

### How do Motus Freight's rates compare to other freight brokers?

Motus' ~14% net margin per Transport Topics 2026 is in line with mid-tier multi-mode brokers. Tri-coast offices give Motus quoting reach across Midwest, Great Lakes, and West Coast lanes. Benchmark via ShipperGuide before committing.

## Best for

Mid-volume shippers with multi-mode freight programs who benefit from a tri-coast broker footprint (Bellevue KY, Chicago, Santa Monica) and tech-enabled visibility.

## Compare alternatives

- [Loadsmart / ShipperGuide](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/loadsmart-shipperguide/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico · Inte…
- [Echo Global Logistics](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/echo-global-logistics/) — 50,000+ carriers · Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico (EchoX…
- [Arrive Logistics](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/arrive-logistics/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · All 48 contiguous states · Mexico
- [Spot Freight](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/spot-freight/) — Dry Van, LTL, Flatbed · All 48 contiguous states, strongest in M…
- [BBI Logistics](https://instant-rates.com/freight-brokers/bbi-logistics/) — Dry Van, Reefer, LTL, Intermodal · Continental US

## 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