Sell your Transportation business
Trucking, freight, and logistics businesses are being acquired aggressively by strategics and private equity. Here’s what your transportation company is worth and how to sell it on your terms.
What it’s worth
Transportation valuation multiples
Transportation and logistics companies that are owner-operated typically trade around 1.5–3× SDE — the range most Florida sales actually close in. The step up comes with size: once a business has management depth and roughly $1M+ of EBITDA, buyers price on EBITDA rather than owner earnings, and multiples commonly reach 3.5–5× EBITDA, rising toward 5.5–7.5× for platform-scale companies.
These are general, illustrative ranges for healthy businesses—not a valuation or an offer. Actual value depends on size, margins, recurring revenue, customer concentration, owner dependence, and deal structure. For a real number, request a free confidential valuation.
Where you land
- 1.5–3×SDEOwner-operated — you still run it day to day
- 3.5–5×EBITDAManagement-run, roughly $1M+ EBITDA
- 5.5–7.5×EBITDAPlatform scale, sold into a competitive process
Factors that affect value
What moves your multiple — up and down
Two transportation businesses with identical earnings can sell for very different numbers. These are the factors buyers actually price, and most of them can be improved before you go to market.
What lifts your multiple
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Contracted, recurring freight
Dedicated lanes and contracted customers are worth substantially more than spot-market volume.
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Clean safety and compliance record
Strong CSA scores and a clean DOT record directly reduce buyer risk.
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Diversified customer base
No single shipper dominating revenue means the book survives a lost account.
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Modern, well-maintained fleet
Recent equipment with documented maintenance means the buyer isn’t inheriting a capex cliff.
What pulls it down
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Spot-market dependence
Volatile spot revenue is discounted heavily against contracted freight.
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Aging fleet
Old trucks mean imminent capital expense, and buyers subtract it from the price.
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Driver shortage and turnover
High driver churn is an operational risk buyers price in.
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Customer concentration
One shipper above ~20% of revenue is a serious risk factor.
Who’s buying
The buyer landscape
- PE-backed logistics platforms consolidating carriers and brokerages
- Strategic transportation companies expanding lanes and capacity
- Operators acquiring established books of freight and contracts
Florida & beyond
What’s specific to selling here
- Florida’s ports, produce, and population make it a high-volume freight market
- Transfer of DOT operating authority and safety compliance must be planned
- Driver retention and contracted lanes are the biggest value levers
Before you go to market
How to prepare—and lift your value
1
Shift toward contracted, recurring freight and diversify customers
2
Clean up safety scores, maintenance records, and compliance
3
Document driver comp and retention so the business transfers smoothly
FAQ
Selling your transportation or trucking business: FAQ
What is my trucking or logistics business worth?
Owner-run carriers commonly sell around 3–5× SDE, and larger contract-heavy or asset-light operations 4–6× EBITDA. Contracted freight, driver retention, and low customer concentration raise the number.
Who buys transportation companies?
PE-backed logistics platforms, strategic carriers, and operators are all active. The right fit depends on whether you’re asset-light or asset-heavy and on your customer base.
How is operating authority handled in a sale?
Your DOT authority, safety scores, and compliance history are key diligence items. We coordinate the transfer and structure the deal so it’s clean and financeable.
Start here
Thinking about selling your Transportation business?
Start with a confidential conversation and an honest read on your value, your likely buyers, and your timeline.