Florida-Based Davis Express to Shut Down After 44 Years in Refrigerated Trucking

Another longtime name in refrigerated trucking is preparing to exit the road.

Davis Express LLC, a Florida-based carrier founded in 1974, announced it will be closing its doors after 44 years in business. The company made the announcement via a heartfelt Facebook post from President and Owner Jimmy Davis, citing continued financial losses, rising costs, and increasing legal exposure as primary reasons for the shutdown.

“We have been unprofitable since early 2023 and do not see any signs of improvement in 2025,” Davis wrote. “Every trip a driver takes is Russian Roulette for everything I worked for my entire life.”

According to the FMCSA’s SAFER database, Davis Express operated a fleet of 160 power units and employed around 140 drivers, primarily hauling refrigerated freight across the Southeast and beyond.

While many shutdowns in recent months have been abrupt, Davis emphasized that this is a planned and orderly wind-down. The company, headquartered in Starke, Florida, will make final deliveries through April 23 and return all trucks and trailers to its terminal by April 30. Employees will continue to be paid on schedule through mid-June, with full benefits.

“This is not a bankruptcy,” Davis stated. “There are sufficient funds to pay out all employees, vendors, and creditors timely.”

The closure adds to a growing list of small and midsize carriers exiting the market amid a prolonged freight recession, stagnant rates, and an unforgiving legal environment, particularly for fleets in the refrigerated segment.

Davis also noted that his children—Josh, Kayla, and Joel—have chosen not to continue in the business, pointing to the demanding 24/7 nature of trucking operations.

“As we enter the final chapter of Davis Express, I want to thank everyone that has made the company successful over the years,” he wrote.

The shop will remain open for a limited time as equipment is decommissioned and sold.

Davis Express joins a wave of closures in 2024 and early 2025 as smaller carriers face pressure from soft demand, nuclear verdicts, and tightening margins—underscoring the harsh reality of operating in today’s freight market.