How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Schneider and Prime Inc. are the strongest options for new CDL drivers, with structured training programs, consistent freight and a clear path to higher pay.
- J.B. Hunt is the largest over the road carrier by revenue and fleet size, with broad division choice and strong health benefits.
- ABF Freight offers union backed compensation, including company paid health insurance and a fully funded pension, which few non union carriers match.
- Home time matters as much as pay: Roehl and TMC style programs emphasize consistent home weekends, while OTR roles typically keep drivers out three to four weeks at a time.
Quick comparison
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The best trucking companies to work for
Starting price$55,000 per year
Free planNo
Schneider remains one of the most relevant companies for new CDL holders because it offers what beginners need most: choice. Dedicated, tanker, intermodal and solo opportunities sit under one brand, with paid orientation, transportation and lodging support during orientation where applicable, most meals, CDL apprenticeship training and tuition reimbursement for qualified drivers. Published figures put dedicated solo drivers at about 1,180 to 1,440 dollars per week, with top drivers up to 111,000 dollars annually in some dedicated categories, while overall new driver pay ranges from 55,000 to 85,000 dollars depending on division.
Pay varies significantly by division, so the company name alone does not answer the pay question: tanker roles can run higher, and intermodal is competitive in selected markets. For a new driver who wants training plus the freedom to switch divisions without changing employers, Schneider is the pick.
What we like- Paid orientation and CDL apprenticeship training
- Multiple divisions under one brand
- Dedicated solo drivers average 1,180 to 1,440 dollars per week in published figures
Watch out for- Pay varies widely by division
- Beginners start below experienced rates
- Large company structure suits some drivers less than small fleets
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
J.B. Hunt Transport Services is widely considered the largest over the road trucking company in the US by revenue and fleet size, with intermodal, dedicated and truckload divisions plus strong health insurance and benefits. The scale means consistent freight and many terminals, which helps drivers who want to transfer or change divisions.
Pay varies by division and lane, company wide ratings mask variation between locations, and OTR roles still mean extended time away from home. For a driver who wants the stability and division choice of the largest carrier, J.B. Hunt is the pick.
What we like- Largest over the road carrier by revenue and fleet size
- Health insurance and broad benefits
- Intermodal, dedicated and truckload divisions
Watch out for- Pay varies by division and lane
- Large fleet means terminal experience varies
- OTR roles still mean extended time away
Starting price$70,000 per year
Free planNo
Prime Inc. leads many 2026 lists for OTR with training, with its own CDL training program, trainer pay and route variety across flatbed, tanker and refrigerated divisions. Published figures put experienced driver pay at 70,000 to 95,000 dollars, with training pay during apprenticeship, and recent reviews note APU upgrades on the Freightliner fleet.
OTR home time runs every 3 to 4 weeks, and flatbed and refrigerated work is physical. For a new driver who wants training plus route variety, Prime is the pick.
What we like- Own CDL training program hiring graduates
- Flatbed, tanker and refrigerated divisions
- Experienced driver pay 70,000 to 95,000 dollars in published figures
Watch out for- OTR home time every 3 to 4 weeks
- Training pay during apprenticeship is lower
- Refrigerated and flatbed work is physical
#4
Roehl Transport
Best for: Fast regional miles for new drivers
Visit roehl.net
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Roehl Transport is the standout for new drivers who want regional miles fast, with the GetHome program showing up positively in a large share of recent driver reviews. Retirement plans and a safety culture support longer tenure, and regional routes mean more frequent home time than national OTR.
Pay varies by fleet and lane, so confirm the exact fleet offer, and the regional focus suits some drivers less than national routes. For a new driver who prioritizes getting home regularly, Roehl is the pick.
What we like- GetHome program for consistent home time
- Standout for new drivers wanting regional miles fast
- Retirement plans and safety culture
Watch out for- Pay figures vary by fleet and lane
- Regional focus suits some drivers less than national OTR
- Smaller scale than Schneider or J.B. Hunt
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Werner Enterprises is a large national carrier known for health coverage alongside J.B. Hunt and Schneider, with dedicated and regional options plus consistent freight. The scale supports drivers who want to move between divisions or regions without changing employers.
Pay varies by division, dispatch quality varies by terminal, and OTR home time patterns vary by lane. For a driver who wants a large fleet with strong health benefits, Werner is a solid pick.
What we like- Large national fleet with consistent freight
- Health, dental and vision benefits
- Dedicated and regional options
Watch out for- Pay varies by division
- Large company dispatch quality varies by terminal
- OTR home time patterns vary
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Swift Transportation, part of Knight Swift, offers national scale with many terminals, training for new CDL graduates and retirement plans. The size means freight availability in most regions and many dedicated account options.
Pay varies by division, terminal experience varies, and some drivers prefer smaller fleet culture with closer dispatch relationships. For a new driver who wants national scale and training access, Swift is a solid pick.
What we like- National scale with many terminals
- Hires new CDL graduates with training
- Retirement plans and benefits
Watch out for- Pay varies by division
- Large fleet experience varies by terminal
- Some drivers prefer smaller fleet culture
#7
Old Dominion Freight Line
Best for: LTL benefits and home time
Visit odfl.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Old Dominion Freight Line is an LTL leader known for strong benefits and home time: less than truckload drivers often start and end at the same terminal daily or nightly, with predictable schedules on set lanes. Hourly pay with overtime after 40 hours suits drivers who work 50 to 60 hour weeks, and premium benefits include strong health coverage.
LTL linehaul usually requires a year or more of Class A experience plus doubles and triples endorsements, and night linehaul suits fewer drivers. For an experienced driver who wants home daily and predictable pay, Old Dominion is the pick.
What we like- Strong LTL benefits
- Daily or nightly home time on many routes
- Predictable schedules on set lanes
Watch out for- LTL linehaul usually needs 1 year plus experience and endorsements
- Night linehaul suits fewer drivers
- Hiring is competitive
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
ABF Freight is consistently recognized for union backed compensation, including 100 percent company paid health insurance and a fully funded pension, which few non union carriers match. For a driver planning a long career, the pension and health benefits can outweigh a higher headline per mile rate elsewhere.
Union hiring queues can be long, LTL experience and endorsements are usually required, and seniority rules affect route choice for newer drivers. For an experienced driver who values benefits and retirement security over fast hiring, ABF is the pick.
What we like- Union backed compensation
- 100 percent company paid health insurance
- Fully funded pension
Watch out for- Union hiring queues can be long
- LTL experience and endorsements usually required
- Seniority rules affect route choice
How we chose
We compared published pay ranges, benefit packages, home time patterns, training programs and driver review themes from industry comparisons and driver review aggregations checked in 2026, and we weighed pay reliability, home time consistency, equipment age, dispatch quality, benefits and treatment during problems like breakdowns or detention disputes. We listed pay as See website where figures vary too widely by division and lane to quote responsibly. No company was credited with hands-on testing, and no pay or satisfaction figures beyond published comparisons were invented for this guide.
What to check before you pick
First, compare the whole package, not the headline pay. Health insurance is the most important benefit to compare: check whether plans cover your family and include dental and vision, not just basic medical, and weigh 401k matching and pension value, which can add thousands a year. Bonuses, safety bonuses and sign on bonuses up to 10,000 dollars are real income supplements at some carriers, but read the conditions, since many require tenure or mileage targets.
Second, verify home time in writing for your exact fleet and lane, since company wide claims mask terminal and lane variation. OTR drivers typically average 2,000 to 3,000 miles a week and earn about 25 percent more than the average truck driver, but the trade off is one to four weeks away at a time. Ask the recruiter for the fleet average weekly miles, the home time pattern and the detention pay policy, and talk to current drivers at your hiring terminal before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Which trucking company pays the most?
Pay varies by carrier, freight type and experience. ABF Freight leads on union backed total compensation, TMC Transportation offers first year earning potential up to 88,000 dollars for performance based flatbed, and experienced OTR drivers at top carriers earn 70,000 to 90,000 dollars or more annually.
What is the best trucking company for new drivers?
Schneider and Prime Inc., both with structured training programs, consistent freight and a clear path to higher pay. Roehl is also strong for new drivers who want regional miles fast, and Maverick is worth considering if you want your CDL paid for upfront.
How many miles do OTR drivers average a week?
Typically 2,000 to 3,000 miles a week, varying with routes, cargo type and delays. Drivers paid per mile benefit directly from higher weekly mileage, so ask for the fleet average, not the company maximum.
How long are OTR drivers away from home?
Most OTR drivers are out three to four weeks at a time before returning home, though some carriers advertise weekly home time for OTR, with frequency varying by carrier and lane. Regional and LTL roles offer far more frequent home time.
Do trucking companies pay for CDL training?
Many do: Schneider offers apprenticeship training and tuition reimbursement, Prime runs its own CDL program, and several carriers hire directly from CDL school. Confirm whether training pay, lodging and repayment terms apply before enrolling.
What benefits matter most when comparing carriers?
Health insurance covering your family with dental and vision, 401k matching or a pension, paid vacation, safety bonuses and consistent home time. A carrier with slightly lower per mile pay but full health coverage and a pension can beat a higher paying carrier on total value.
Sources we checked (4)
- https://www.freightwaves.com/checkpoint/trucking-companies-with-best-benefits/
- https://www.freightwaves.com/checkpoint/best-otr-trucking-companies/
- https://www.eldtnation.com/blog/highest-paying-trucking-companies-in-2026-who-pays-drivers-the-most
- https://cdlscan.com/news/best-trucking-companies-2026
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Schneider National
J.B. Hunt
Prime Inc.
Werner Enterprises
Swift Transportation
ABF Freight