1960–1969

The company improves communications, launches an export-import service, expands across state lines into North Carolina and officially moves into the computer era.

1960

Unusual Load
The State Department asks Estes to transport a pregnant elephant from a Virginia port to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. A gift from the children of India to the children of America, the elephant requires a special truck, a heated warehouse, special hay and a translator for her Indian keeper.

1965–1978

Period of Expansion
Estes begins a series of expansions that last through the 1970s and firmly establish the company in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia as well as Virginia.

1965

Coastal Freight Lines, Inc., Purchase
With the Coastal Freight Lines purchase, Estes launches into its first interstate trucking venture and is now able to offer service to the Outer Banks in North Carolina.

Copyright Richmond Times-Dispatch, photo used with permission.

1967

Carolina-Norfolk Truck Lines Purchase
(Final authority and purchase authority granted December 31, 1968.)
The purchase of Carolina-Norfolk Truck Lines allows Estes to establish terminals in Raleigh, Charlotte, Fayetteville and Wilmington, NC.

1969

First Computer
The company's first computer, an IBM 029, primarily handles accounting and payroll functions.