Finding the right over the road (OTR) trucking company is key to a successful and rewarding driving career. With so many options available, it’s essential to choose a company that offers competitive pay, reliable routes, and a strong support network for drivers.
In this article, we’ll explore the best OTR trucking companies that stand out for their benefits, reputation, and commitment to driver satisfaction.
Quicklook: 8 top over the road trucking companies
- Best for pet-friendly policies: Roehl Transport
- Best for benefits: Prime Inc. – Match Now
- Best for low employee turnover rate: Nussbaum Transportation – Match Now
- Best for modern equipment: TMC Transportation – Match Now
- Best for new CDL drivers: Schneider – Match Now
- Best for paid CDL training: Maverick Transportation – Match Now
- Best for high compensation rates: ABF Freight – Match Now
- Best for experienced drivers: Old Dominion Freight Line – Match Now
What are OTR trucking companies?
OTR trucking companies specialize in long-haul transportation, delivering goods across vast distances, often nationwide or internationally. They focus on freight that requires extended travel routes, typically involving cross-country or multi-state deliveries. These companies play a crucial role in connecting supply chains by transporting various goods such as raw materials, consumer products, and equipment.
Best OTR trucking companies for truck driver jobs
Get insights into the best OTR companies to work for with information on what drivers appreciate about their jobs and key company information.
Roehl Transport
No matter your experience level, you’ll want to pick a great over the road job with a solid company like Roehl. Roehl has an outstanding reputation supported by ratings on sites like Glassdoor.com and Indeed.com. They uphold safety, honesty, and professionalism. Roehl demonstrates how much they value their employees with an improved passenger program that includes a pet policy. The company appreciates that a pet companion can help offset the loneliness that’s considered a disadvantage by road truck drivers.
Best for: Pet-friendly policies
Established: 1962
Location: Marshfield, WI
Carrier type:
- Dry van
- Flatbed
- Specialized /over-dimensional
- Refrigerated and temperature-controlled
Services provided:
- Dedicated
- Nationwide coverage
- Curtainside
Indeed employee reviews: 3.2/5 stars with 974 reviews
Prime Inc.
Prime Inc. is widely recognized as an industry-leading employers for OTR truckers, offering excellent training programs, modern equipment, and a competitive pay structure. The company emphasizes driver health and wellness, including access to an on-site gym and healthcare facilities. Prime Inc. is especially attractive to new drivers due to its paid CDL training program and focus on career growth.
Best for: Benefits
Established: 1970
Location: Springfield, MO
Employees: 2,000+
Carrier type:
- Refrigerated
- Flatbed
- Tanker
Services provided:
- Over-the-road
- Dedicated freight
- Expedited shipping
- Regional services
Revenue: $1.9 billion
Indeed employee reviews: 3.6/5 stars with 1,200+ reviews
Nussbaum Transportation
For many years, Nussbaum Transportation’s turnover rate has been much lower than the industry average. Drivers enjoy working for Nussbaum, and that shows in the longevity of the time they spend with the company. It scores high in employee reviews for pay and benefits, culture, and management.
Best for: Low employee turnover rate
Established: 1945
Location: Hudson, IL
Carrier type:
- LTL
- Truckload
Services provided:
- Round trip
- Multi-stop
- Point-to-point
- Drop and hook
Indeed employee reviews: 4.7/5 stars with 89 reviews
TMC Transportation
TMC Transportation stands out as a premier employer for over-the-road (OTR) truckers due to its competitive, performance-based pay structure, comprehensive benefits package, and commitment to employee ownership. Drivers can earn up to $88,000 in their first year through TMC’s Performance-Based Percentage Pay Program, which rewards the quality and quantity of work performed. The company ensures it provides the best equipment for its drivers, which makes it an attractive employer.
Best for: Modern equipment
Established: 1972
Location: Des Moines, IA
Carrier type:
- 3PL
- LTL
- Intermodal
- Open deck
- Over-dimensional
- Reefer
- Specialized
- Van
Services provided:
- Linehaul
- Dedicated
- Specialized
Indeed employee reviews:: 3.5/5 stars with 842 reviews
Schneider
With more than 190 properties worldwide, Schneider is constantly seeking and hiring new drivers. And because of that, they are good at working with new CDL drivers. Known for excellent training programs, stable work environment, and consistent home time, they offer several types of high-paying driving jobs with great benefits.
Best for: New CDL drivers
Established: 1935
Location: Green Bay, WI
Carrier type:
- LTL
- Flatbed
- Truckload
- Reefer
Services provided:
- Real time shipment tracking
- Supply chain management
- Fleet management
Indeed employee reviews:: 3.4/5 stars with 4,677 reviews
Maverick Transportation
Maverick Transportation provides paid CDL training and outstanding pay and benefits once you earn your license. During training, the company even pays for housing, breakfast, and lunch. Earn your license in about four weeks, subsequently beginning your rewarding career at one of the best OTR trucking companies for new drivers. The company is particularly well-regarded for its good home time policies, newer equipment, and strong safety culture.
Best for: Paid CDL training
Established: 1980
Location: North Little Rock, AR
Carrier type:
- Flatbed
- Dedicated
Services provided:
- Customer analytics
- Brokerage
- Marine
- Glass
Indeed employee reviews: 3.8/5 stars with 423 reviews
ABF Freight
ABF Freight is considered one of the best employers for OTR truckers due to its union-backed compensation and benefits package. This includes 100% company-paid health insurance, a fully funded pension plan, and great pay with overtime after eight hours. The company prioritizes work-life balance, with many drivers home every other day and paid time off increasing with tenure, up to six weeks annually for long-term employees. Additionally, ABF provides modern equipment, job stability, and a supportive environment, with over 53% of drivers staying for more than a decade.
Best for: High compensation
Established: 1923
Location: Fort Smith, AR
Employees: 10,000
Carrier type: LTL
Services provided:
- Time-critical deliveries
- Expedited shipping
- Final mile
- Intermodal
Revenue: Around $3 billion
Indeed employee reviews: 3.5/5 stars with 714 reviews
Old Dominion Freight Line
Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) is a leading less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier in the U.S., renowned for its premium services, expansive network, and strong focus on driver retention. Known for excellent pay, benefits, and equipment maintenance, ODFL is especially good for experienced drivers with a safe driving record. The company offers regional, inter-regional, and national LTL services through a single integrated, union-free organization.
Best for: Experienced drivers
Established: 1934
Location: Thomasville, NC
Employees: Approximately 23,000
Carrier type: LTL
Services provided:
- Regional, inter-regional, and national LTL services
- Expedited transportation
- Container drayage
- Truckload brokerage
- Supply chain consulting
Revenue: $5.87 billion (FY 2023)
Indeed employee reviews: 3.6/5 stars with 1,705 reviews
What to consider in a potential OTR trucking company employer
Full-time company drivers have a lot to consider when evaluating potential employers for OTR trucking jobs. Here are some of the key factors to assess:
- Pay and benefits: Compensation should be a top priority. Compare base salary, bonuses, and benefits, including health insurance, 401k, and paid time off. Some companies offer very competitive pay with sign-on bonuses, while others lag behind industry standards.
- Equipment and maintenance: Modern, comfortable tractor-trailers with the latest amenities make life better on the road. Also consider the carrier’s truck maintenance programs and replacement schedules. Newer fleets signal better equipment.
- Freight and lanes: The routes, customers, and types of freight you haul impact earning potential as well as quality of life. Dry van versus refrigerated freight also impacts operations. Analyze lane maps and client lists.
- Home time: For OTR drivers, the amount of home time available between runs is invaluable. Typical schedules offer between one to two days at home per week, but this varies widely across carriers.
- Company stability: Carriers with decades in business and solid financials are generally the most stable. This translates to steady freight volumes and reliable paychecks. Avoid shaky companies.
- Safety culture: Make sure the company you choose prioritizes safety. Look for initiatives that demonstrate their commitment to keeping drivers safe, like safety bonuses, ongoing training sessions, and health and wellness programs.
It also helps to talk directly with current drivers at carriers you’re considering. Online OTR truck driver reviews can provide additional insights on company cultures, management, dispatch, and other key factors that influence job satisfaction. Taking the time to thoroughly evaluate multiple aspects of each carrier will help drivers select the best OTR trucking job.
Advance your trucking career with an OTR job
Working for an over the road trucking company can be a great opportunity for drivers. It offers various jobs for when you’re just starting your career or when you are ready to advance your career with new opportunities. You can’t go wrong with any of the best OTR companies to work for on our list.
FAQ
Yes, over-the-road truckers make about 20% more per year than the average truck driver does.
Over-the-road (OTR) truck drivers typically average between 2,000 to 3,000 miles per week. The exact weekly mileage can vary significantly depending on factors such as the routes assigned, the type of cargo being transported, and any delays encountered on the road.
OTR drivers are generally gone for three to four weeks at a time, but some trucking companies advertise that their OTR drivers are home each week.
XPO Logistics consistently ranks among the most profitable trucking companies with billions in annual revenue, though UPS Freight and FedEx Freight also compete at similar levels of profitability.
Schneider National’s tanker division is known for offering some of the highest pay rates in the tanker sector, with experienced drivers often earning above $90,000 annually. Trimac Transportation also offers competitive pay packages for tanker drivers.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services is widely recognized as the largest over-the-road trucking company in the U.S. based on revenue and fleet size.