YRC tracking

What is YRC?

YRC Freight was one of the largest less-than-truckload , LTL, freight carriers in North America, operating under the parent entity Yellow Corporation, known at different points in its history as YRC Worldwide Inc. and Yellow Roadway Corporation. The company was headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, and consistently ranked as the second or third largest LTL carrier in the United States during its peak years of operation. As a Fortune 500 enterprise, YRC Freight served industrial, commercial, and retail customers across the North American continent, with a network of approximately 170 owned terminals in the United States alone.

The company's origins trace to 1924, when A.J. Harrell traded his taxicabs for trucks and established Yellow Transit in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He formally shortened the name to Yellow Transit Co. in 1926, and through the following decades the company expanded steadily into Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and neighboring states. A decisive transformation came in December 2003, when Yellow Corp. acquired Roadway Corp., then the largest LTL carrier in the country, forming Yellow Roadway Corporation and adding New Penn and Reimer Express to the group. In May 2005, the group further expanded by acquiring USF Corporation, adding Holland and Reddaway, and the parent rebranded as YRC Worldwide Inc. in 2006.

In July 2020, the U.S. Department of the Treasury extended an emergency federal loan under the CARES Act to keep the company operating, justified on national security grounds given that YRC transported goods for the U.S. military. In exchange, U.S. taxpayers acquired a 29.6 percent equity stake. On February 4, 2021, the company officially adopted the name Yellow Corporation, returning to its historical roots. Despite these measures, accumulated debt from decades of acquisitions and unresolved labor disputes with the Teamsters union proved fatal. At 12:00 p.m. on July 30, 2023, Yellow Corporation ceased all operations and on August 6, 2023, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, representing the largest bankruptcy in U.S. trucking history.

• Founded: 1924, as Yellow Transit, by A.J. Harrell in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Headquarters: Overland Park, Kansas, USA
• Parent company: Yellow Corporation (formerly YRC Worldwide Inc., formerly Yellow Roadway Corporation)
• Nasdaq ticker: YELL, prior to bankruptcy proceedings
• Status: Ceased all operations July 30, 2023; filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy August 6, 2023
• Subsidiaries: YRC Freight (national LTL), Holland (Central and Southeastern US), New Penn (Northeast), Reddaway (Western US), YRC Reimer (Canada), HNRY Logistics (freight brokerage)
• Terminal network: Approximately 170 owned terminals across the United States at peak operations, plus facilities in Canada and Mexico
• Federal government stake: U.S. Treasury held 29.6 percent equity acquired via CARES Act emergency loan in 2020

The holding company structure gave Yellow Corporation coverage across all 50 U.S. states, multiple Canadian provinces, and cross-border service into Mexico. Its primary customers were businesses shipping B2B freight rather than individual consumers, which distinguished it from parcel carriers serving the general public. The terminal network was sold in a December 2023 auction, with the major buyers including XPO acquiring 28 terminals, Estes Express acquiring 24, Saia acquiring 17, and Knight-Swift acquiring 13. Approximately 12,000 tractors and 35,000 trailers were sold separately through auction houses.

Which countries does YRC deliver to?

YRC Freight maintained terminals in all 50 U.S. states, covering every region of the country from the densely populated Northeast to the Pacific Coast and from the Gulf states to Alaska. This national footprint was built over decades through organic growth and successive acquisitions. The approximately 170 owned terminals across the country gave the network a density that allowed it to handle freight on virtually any domestic lane with competitive transit times, from major industrial hubs to smaller markets that other national carriers served less frequently.

Canadian coverage was handled primarily through YRC Reimer, a subsidiary that operated terminals in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. Cross-border service into Mexico was also part of the offering. YRC further extended its reach to U.S. territories, providing service to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam, largely through YRC Reimer and New Penn's ocean service to Puerto Rico.

• United States: All 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, with approximately 170 owned terminals at peak operations
• Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, through the YRC Reimer subsidiary
• Mexico: Cross-border LTL service through YRC's North American cross-border logistics operations
• U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and offshore service to Alaska and Hawaii via YRC Reimer and New Penn

YRC did not operate as a global carrier and did not provide direct service to Europe, Asia, Africa, or other continents. Its international scope was limited strictly to the North American continent and U.S. offshore territories. The regional subsidiaries each served distinct geographic footprints within this area, with Holland focused on the Central and Southeastern United States and Eastern Canada, New Penn concentrated on the Northeastern United States, and Reddaway operating approximately 50 service centers offering next-day delivery throughout the Western United States and parts of Canada.

What are the YRC services and delivery times?

YRC Freight's core product was standard less-than-truckload shipping, which allowed businesses to send freight without filling an entire trailer. Under this model, shipments from multiple customers were consolidated into a single trailer, and each customer paid for the portion of space and weight their goods occupied. Transit times under standard service varied by distance, ranging from one or two business days for short regional movements to several days for cross-country shipments. The network operated Monday through Friday, with weekend deliveries not included in standard service.

In April 2016, YRC introduced a service called Accelerated, designed to deliver shipments one to two days sooner than standard transit times at a modest price premium. A shipment traveling 1931 km that would normally arrive in three days could arrive in two under Accelerated, and a 3,000-mile cross-country shipment could be reduced from five days to three. The Accelerated service did not carry a delivery guarantee but offered meaningfully faster transit for shippers who needed speed without paying full guaranteed rates.

For customers requiring a firm commitment, the Guaranteed Standard service promised delivery by 5 p.m. on the standard service delivery day, with customers able to define a specific date and time within a multi-day window. This service carried financial backing for missed deliveries. At the premium tier, Time-Critical service offered the most precise window, allowing shippers to define delivery down to a specific hour on a specific day, including Saturday delivery at additional cost. Regional subsidiaries added further speed options, with Reddaway offering next-day delivery throughout the Western United States and New Penn providing expedited options throughout the Northeast.

• Standard LTL: Core less-than-truckload service with transit times varying by distance, operating Monday through Friday
• Accelerated: One to two days faster than standard transit without a delivery guarantee, at a modest price premium
• Guaranteed Standard: Delivery by 5 p.m. on the standard delivery day, with financial backing for missed windows
• Time-Critical: Customer-defined delivery window down to a specific hour on a specific day, with optional Saturday delivery
• Volume and Truckload: Separate pricing for shipments exceeding standard LTL size and weight limits, arranged via a dedicated spot volume telephone line
• HNRY Logistics: Freight brokerage subsidiary combining YRC's LTL network with multi-mode logistics and a transportation management system
• Accessorial services: Liftgate pickup and delivery, inside delivery, residential delivery, temperature-controlled shipments, white glove service, air freight forwarding, and reverse logistics

What are the YRC rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

YRC Freight determined pricing using the National Motor Freight Classification system, published by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association. This system assigns a freight class to every type of commodity based on four factors, density, stow-ability, handling characteristics, and liability. There are 18 freight classes in the NMFC system, running from class 50 for the densest and least expensive goods to class 500 for the least dense and most expensive to ship. A correct freight class assignment was essential to obtaining an accurate rate quote, as misclassification could result in billing adjustments after delivery.

Rate calculations incorporated freight class, total weight, origin and destination ZIP codes, and any applicable accessorial charges. The YRC rate quoting system required weight inputs in whole pounds only. For shipments with a density below 4.5 kg per cubic foot, or for those subject to density-restricted pricing, the system required entry of precise dimensions in width, length, and height, or a total cubic foot amount. Providing accurate dimensional data was important because inaccurate entries could trigger rebills after the fact, adjusting the invoice to reflect the actual characteristics of the shipment.

• Classification system: National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC), with 18 classes ranging from class 50 to class 500
• Class 50: Densest commodities, lowest shipping cost per pound
• Class 500: Least dense commodities, highest shipping cost per pound
• Weight input: Required in whole pounds only when generating a rate quote
• Dimensional data: Width, length, and height required for shipments under 4.5 kg per cubic foot or subject to density-restricted pricing
• Pricing factors: Freight class, shipment weight, origin and destination ZIP codes, and applicable accessorial charges

What are the YRC delivery options?

YRC Freight was designed primarily as a business-to-business carrier, serving commercial addresses equipped with loading docks where drivers could transfer freight directly from the trailer. For locations without a dock or forklift, liftgate service was available as an accessorial option, using a hydraulic lift on the truck to lower freight from the trailer bed to ground level at either pickup or delivery. Inside delivery, meaning placement of freight beyond the immediately adjacent loading position, was also offered for an additional fee.

Residential delivery was available but classified as an accessorial service, meaning it carried an additional charge beyond standard commercial rates. Signature was required upon delivery, with the consignee or their representative expected to be present to accept the shipment. Drivers noted any visible damage on the delivery receipt at the moment of delivery, a step that was important for any subsequent damage claim. If the consignee was not present, freight could be held at the local YRC terminal for customer pickup, with re-delivery attempts and terminal storage subject to additional fees.

• Standard delivery: Business addresses with loading docks, Monday through Friday during normal business hours
• Liftgate service: Hydraulic lift for pickup or delivery at locations without a dock or forklift, available as an accessorial charge
• Inside delivery: Placement of freight beyond the loading area, available for an additional fee
• Residential delivery: Available as an accessorial service at additional cost above standard commercial rates
• Terminal pickup: Freight held at the local YRC terminal for customer collection if the consignee is unavailable at the time of delivery
• Signature requirement: Consignee or representative required to be present at delivery to sign and record any visible damage on the delivery receipt

What should I do if my YRC parcel is lost or damaged?

Claims for freight damage or loss had to be filed with the carrier that transported the goods, either at origin, at destination, or with the carrier on whose line the loss or damage occurred. Claims could be submitted online, by fax, or by mail to YRC Freight Cargo Claims at PO Box 7903, Overland Park, KS 66207. The toll-free fax number was 866-840-5691, with an alternate number of 913-905-8726. Cargo claims status inquiries could be directed to the dedicated claims line at (913) 344-5174, and the general customer service number was 1-800-610-6500.

After receiving a properly documented claim, YRC was obligated to acknowledge receipt and attempt to settle it within 30 days. If a claim could not be resolved within 120 days, the company was required to notify the claimant and continue providing status updates at 60-day intervals until the matter was resolved. Customers who believed they had been incorrectly billed could also file a separate overcharge claim for paid invoices they disputed, through a distinct process handled by the same claims department.

• Submission methods: Online portal, by fax to 866-840-5691 (toll-free) or 913-905-8726, or by mail to PO Box 7903, Overland Park, KS 66207
• Required document 1: Bill of lading or consignee's delivery receipt confirming that YRC Freight transported the goods
• Required document 2: Delivery receipt noting the loss or damage, or a copy of the YRC Inspection Report (ISC-219)
• Required document 3: Invoice or other document establishing the claimant's cost for the lost or damaged goods
• Required document 4: Invoice for any repairs made to restore merchandise to its original condition
• Required document 5: Photographs of damaged product showing the nature and extent of the damage
• Settlement timeline: Acknowledgment and settlement attempt within 30 days; mandatory status updates at 60-day intervals if unresolved after 120 days

Does YRC handle international shipments and customs formalities?

YRC's international scope was limited to the North American continent and U.S. offshore territories. Cross-border shipping to Canada and Mexico was a core part of the service offering, but YRC did not provide direct service to Europe, Asia, or other regions of the world. For cross-border North American shipments, the company took an active role in managing customs processes, stationing its own representatives on-site at all major border-crossing points across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The company reported an average border crossing time of three minutes, with 98 percent of shipments pre-approved for customs clearance before physically arriving at the border. This pre-clearance process reduced delays and was particularly relevant for time-sensitive B2B freight moving between the United States and Canada or Mexico. Standard customs documentation requirements applied for all cross-border shipments, including commercial invoices and accurate commodity descriptions. YRC Reimer managed intra-Canada movements and offshore services to U.S. territories, while New Penn provided ocean service to Puerto Rico.

• Cross-border destinations: Canada and Mexico, with on-site border representatives at all major North American crossing points
• Average border crossing time: Three minutes, with 98 percent of shipments pre-approved for customs clearance before border arrival
• U.S. territories: Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam via YRC Reimer and New Penn
• Required documentation: Commercial invoices and accurate commodity descriptions for all cross-border shipments
• Scope limitation: No direct service to Europe, Asia, Africa, or other continents; coverage restricted to North America and U.S. offshore territories

Understanding tracking statuses

YRC Freight used PRO numbers as its primary tracking identifiers. These numbers were typically 9 to 11 digits, formatted with hyphens in patterns such as 99-999999-9 or 999-9999999-9. An alphabetic check digit could be appended at the end but was not required when querying the system. Customers could also track shipments using a Bill of Lading number, a purchase order number, or a booking number, and the system allowed up to 10 tracking numbers to be submitted in a single query.

When tracking a YRC shipment online, a set of status messages indicated the shipment's position in the network at each stage. These statuses covered the key steps from initial pickup through final delivery, and an Exception status flagged any situation requiring further investigation, from address discrepancies to damage discovered during transit. The main statuses and their meanings are described below.