In cities like Los Angeles, artisan trucks such Coolhaus serve small-batch ice cream with inventive flavors. Even in New Jersey, where Mr. Softee is headquartered, there are new players.

The Ohio company kicked off the ice cream truck craze nearly a century ago, sending uniformed drivers out in white freezer trucks loaded with ice cream bars and popsicles. Further south, you’re ...

Neighborhood routes will start next spring. “The heart of it is a lot more than an ice cream truck. We’ve really reimagined the ice cream truck for the 21st century,” Shapiro said.