U.S. trucker Old Dominion Freight Line said profit more than doubled in the third quarter, topping analysts' expectations, on rising demand for hauling services and higher pricing.

The company, which specializes in shipments that do not fill an entire truck, said earnings came to $24.4 million, or 44 cents per share, compared with $10.5 million, or 19 cents per share, a year earlier.

Analysts, on average, expected 41 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Revenue rose 22.7 percent to $396 million.

The tentative U.S. economic recovery has brought an uptick in demand for shipping services of all kinds as businesses restock inventories slashed during the recession.

Companies ranging from United Parcel Service Inc , the world's largest package-delivery company, to railroadKansas City Southern have reported better-than-expected results over the past week. (Reuters)