Less-than-truckload carrier Mountain Valley Express has shut down, removing a regional capacity option across the U.S. Southwest. The Manteca, California-based carrier confirmed to FreightWaves on Tuesday that it is 'no longer operating,' with existing accounts and services inactive as of July 7, 2026.
Operational footprint Mountain Valley Express was a small, regional player with 13 terminals in California, Arizona, and Nevada. According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) data, it listed 277 power units. The company also offered warehousing and other logistics services.
Restructuring and layoffs The carrier announced a restructuring in late 2024, including approximately 105 layoffs. At that time, it said the actions were part of integrating DC Logistics, GLS U.S. Freight, and GLS U.S. Solutions. (DC Logistics had acquired the GLS businesses from their Netherlands-based parent earlier in 2024, reviving the Mountain Valley brand.)
Recent growth claims Despite the shutdown, Mountain Valley Express had touted 'aggressive growth goals' in an October 2024 news release from Carrier Logistics, Inc. (CLI), a freight management software provider. The CLI announcement said the carrier had selected its transportation management system (TMS) platform.
Implications for shippers The sudden closure removes LTL capacity in a region already facing tight trucking markets. Shippers who relied on Mountain Valley Express for intra-California, Arizona, and Nevada moves must quickly secure alternative carriers. The loss of 277 power units may put upward pressure on spot rates in those lanes, though the impact will depend on how quickly other carriers absorb the volume. The company provided a link for creditors to file claims.
Watch list
- Capacity shifts: How competing LTL carriers in the Southwest respond to the sudden demand.
- Creditor claims process: The outcome may affect other small carriers' credit terms.
- Industry events: The Supply Chain AI Symposium (Chattanooga) and F3: Future of Freight Festival (Chattanooga, TN) are scheduled, where operators may discuss capacity and technology adoption.
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