When you’re looking for a trucking company to work for in Tennessee, there are a lot of things to consider. We’ve made your search a little easier by narrowing it down to the companies that have the best pay, benefits, and workplace culture, among other key factors.
Best Trucking Companies To Work for in TN
Here are our picks for the top-tier Tennessee trucking companies to work for:
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There’s a reason we’re one of the world’s leading authorities on the global freight market. Our expert team has an in-depth understanding of the industry and is up-to-date on employment trends, regulations, and other insights into the trucking workforce.
We conduct thorough research and data analysis to develop our recommendations for the best trucking companies in Tennessee. Every Tennessee trucking firm is closely scrutinized based on its service range and capabilities. Our team also verifies companies’ safety records and regulatory compliance and looks at what real users have to say about their experience.
From there, we narrow our focus to select only those top-performing and highest-rated firms to give you an informed and up-to-date list of the best trucking companies to work for in Tennessee.
Covenant Logistics
400 Birmingham Highway, Chattanooga, TN, 37419- Salary range: $50,000-$60,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 1364
- Drivers: 1917
- Revenue: $76,030,000
- Miles driven: 191,000,000 (2024)
Covenant Logistics (DOT: 273818) was established in 1986 and is based in Tennessee. The company specializes in transporting a diverse range of cargo, including beverages, building materials, chemicals, fresh produce, household goods, and refrigerated foods. Covenant Logistics hires various types of drivers, including regional, hazmat, flatbed, local, dedicated, owner-operator, intermodal, and team drivers.
Covenant Logistics offers numerous benefits to its drivers, such as dental, vision, and health insurance, life and disability insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, safety bonuses, flexible scheduling, and direct deposit. They also provide ongoing training and development programs and guaranteed home time. According to employee feedback on Glassdoor and Indeed, the company scores 3.4 and 3.2 respectively. While employees commend the company for its benefits and supportive management, some common negatives include work-life balance concerns and route assignments that occasionally face issues.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Team
- Flatbed
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- Owner/operator
- Freight hauler
- Intermodal
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 167
- Unsafe driving: 1.87
- Driver fitness: 0.02
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.12
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.92
- Controlled substances: 0.01
- Hazardous materials violations: 30
Empire Express, Inc.
3710 Tulane Road, Memphis, TN, 38116- Salary range: $60,000-$70,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 152
- Drivers: 133
- Revenue: $12,425,000
- Miles driven: 11,400,000 (2024)
Empire Express, Inc. (DOT: 253615) was established in 1985, located in Tennessee. This trucking company specializes in carrying a variety of cargo, including beverages, building materials, chemicals, general freight, household goods, large machinery, metal sheets, coils, and paper products. They primarily hire hazmat, flatbed, specialized, and dedicated drivers, with opportunities for both regional and local routes.
Drivers at Empire Express benefit from comprehensive health insurance (including dental and vision), life insurance, disability insurance, flexible scheduling, paid time off, ongoing training, direct deposit, and a driver referral bonus system. The company is rated 3.5 on Indeed and 3.0 on Glassdoor, with employees praising the compensation and benefits packages, while common criticisms point to work-life balance and scheduling inconsistencies.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Intermodal
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 11
- Unsafe driving: 1.15
- Driver fitness: 0.06
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.12
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.74
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 6
OLD South Freight Service, Inc.
7544 Hwy 41 A, Cedar Hill, TN, 37032- Salary range: $55,000-$75,000
- Routes: interstate
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 96
- Drivers: 96
- Revenue: $1,709,000
- Miles driven: 3,134,817 (2024)
OLD South Freight Service, Inc. (DOT: 201752) is a trucking company located in Tennessee, specializing in flatbed trucking. The company began operations over 50 years ago and is based in Nashville, Tennessee. They handle a variety of cargo including building materials, dry bulk commodities, construction materials, fresh produce, refrigerated food, general freight, large machinery, metal sheets and rolls, paper products, and more. They primarily hire flatbed, tanker, hazardous materials, and over-the-road (OTR) drivers while welcoming owner-operators.
OLD South Freight Service offers drivers comprehensive benefits including dental and life insurance, disability coverage, tuition reimbursement, direct deposit, pay advances, per diem payments, and a 401(k) retirement plan. Drivers also enjoy flexible scheduling, guaranteed home time, roadside assistance programs, ongoing training, and development opportunities with safety bonuses, and a sign-on bonus. Employee reviews on Indeed give the company a rating of 3.9, highlighting strong company perks, supportive management, and good pay. However, the Glassdoor rating stands at 2.6, with common criticisms pointing to inconsistencies in workload and route management, as well as work-life balance challenges.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Gym membership
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 8
- Unsafe driving: 2.09
- Driver fitness: 0.26
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.3
- Vehicle maintenance: 7.16
- Controlled substances: 0.03
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
HFC Trucking
225 B Hwy 69 N, Paris, TN, 38242- Salary range: $60,000-$75,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Power units: 47
- Drivers: 40
- Revenue: $103,842,000
- Miles driven: 1,571,315 (2024)
HFC Trucking (DOT: 128646) was founded as part of the Henry Farmers Cooperative and is based in Tennessee. Established in the agriculture industry, their fleet transports a wide range of cargo including agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, chemicals, dry bulk commodities, fresh produce, and refrigerated food. They primarily hire regional, local, flatbed, and specialized drivers, and provide opportunities for owner-operators.
HFC Trucking offers a variety of benefits for drivers such as dental and vision coverage, life insurance, paid time off, direct deposit, disability insurance, sign-on bonuses, and guaranteed home time. Emphasizing employee satisfaction, they maintain a Glassdoor rating of 3.5 and an Indeed rating of 3.7, with positive feedback often highlighting their comprehensive benefits and supportive work environment. However, some employees have pointed out challenges with work-life balance and occasional route disorganization.
Driver Options
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Reefer
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 0.21
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.42
- Vehicle maintenance: 5.4
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
International Paper
6400 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38197- Salary range: $50,000-$60,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 213
- Drivers: 208
- Revenue: $1,520,991
- Miles driven: 8,141,555 (2024)
International Paper (DOT: 297334), a storied freight trucking company established in 1898, operates out of Tennessee. They transport a diverse range of cargo including chemicals, garbage/refuse, general freight, logs, poles, beams, lumber, and paper products. The company hires hazmat drivers, parcel drivers, less-than-truckload (LTL) drivers, over-the-road (OTR) drivers, and dedicated drivers, reflecting their comprehensive coverage of freight transportation needs.
International Paper offers robust benefits to its drivers, such as dental, health, life, and disability insurance, along with paid time off, a retirement plan, and stock ownership opportunities. They also provide substantial perks like sign-on bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and ongoing training and development programs. Employee feedback on platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed is generally positive, highlighting their competitive pay and good benefits, though some mention challenges with work-life balance and route assignments.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
- LTL
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Gym membership
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 10
- Unsafe driving: 0.77
- Driver fitness: 0.09
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.01
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.58
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
U.S. Xpress
4080 Jenkins Rd, Chattanooga, TN, 37421- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 5738
- Drivers: 6509
- Revenue: $13,034,000
- Miles driven: 518,000,000 (2024)
U.S. Xpress (DOT: 303024) was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Tennessee. The company specializes in transporting a diverse range of cargo, including agricultural supplies, beverages, building materials, chemicals, and more. They hire various types of drivers, including regional, hazmat, dedicated route, OTR, flatbed, reefer, and tanker drivers.
One of U.S. Xpress’s significant benefits for drivers is their extensive benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, as well as tuition reimbursement and a retirement plan. They also offer sign-on bonuses, guaranteed home time, and a truck lease purchase program.
On both Glassdoor and Indeed, U.S. Xpress has mixed reviews, with a Glassdoor rating of 3.1 and an Indeed rating of 3.0. Positive feedback often highlights the competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, while negative comments frequently mention issues with work-life balance and route scheduling.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Team
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
- Freight hauler
- Intermodal
- LTL
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 568
- Unsafe driving: 2.18
- Driver fitness: 0.05
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.19
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.07
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 15
Ozark Motor Lines, Inc.
3934 Homewood Rd, Memphis, TN, 38118- Salary range: $50,000-$58,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 765
- Drivers: 724
- Revenue: $187,496
- Miles driven: 77,900,000 (2024)
Ozark Motor Lines, Inc. (DOT: 96606), has been a stalwart in the freight transportation industry since its establishment in 1961. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, the company specializes in carrying a diverse array of cargo including beverages, commodities dry bulk, general freight, intermodal containers, and paper products. Ozark primarily hires regional, dedicated, and over-the-road drivers, offering various benefits such as dental, life, and vision insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and a retirement plan with 401k.
Drivers appreciate Ozark’s sign-on bonuses, per diem payments, guaranteed home time, and ongoing training and development programs, which contribute to its 3.6 rating on Indeed and 3.7 rating on Glassdoor. Positive feedback from employees often highlights the company’s supportive work environment and comprehensive benefits, although some negative reviews mention concerns about route assignments and the lack of work-life balance.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Dedicated
- Specialized
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Life insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 67
- Unsafe driving: 1.49
- Driver fitness: 0.03
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.14
- Vehicle maintenance: 2.81
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Titan Transfer, Inc.
1200 Stanley BLVD, Shelbyville, TN, 37160- Salary range: $70,000-$75,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 583
- Drivers: 562
- Revenue: $18,248
- Miles driven: 52,000,000 (2024)
Titan Transfer, Inc. (DOT: 845505) is a freight trucking company established in 2000, headquartered in Tennessee. Their fleet and operations extend to several areas, including hauling beverages, building materials, chemicals, general freight, metals, paper products, and liquids/gases. The company primarily employs a diverse range of drivers such as regional, hazmat, OTR, LTL, and flatbed drivers, including owner-operators and team drivers.
Drivers at Titan Transfer benefit from a comprehensive array of perks, including dental, health, vision, and life insurance, PTO, flexible scheduling, guaranteed home time, tuition reimbursement, driver referral bonuses, ongoing training, and a retirement 401(k) plan. They also provide direct deposit, pay advances, safety bonuses, deadhead detention layover compensation, and a trucker-friendly policy of allowing passengers and pets.
Feedback on Titan Transfer from Glassdoor and Indeed reflects a mixed yet generally positive sentiment. Employees highlight the competitive benefits package, supportive work culture, and dependable management as key positives, while some point out concerns regarding work-life balance and occasional route disorganization. Despite these minor criticisms, the company maintains a satisfactory safety rating and continues to be a respected name in the trucking industry.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Reefer
- HAZMAT
- Owner/operator
- LTL
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Health screenings
- Gym membership
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 52
- Unsafe driving: 2.46
- Driver fitness: 0.08
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.21
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.34
- Controlled substances: 0.01
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Firstfleet, Inc.
202 Heritage Park Dr, Murfreesboro, TN, 37129- Salary range: $40,000-$55,000
- Routes: interstate
- Paid CDL training: true
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 3076
- Drivers: 3205
- Revenue: $13,727
- Miles driven: 247,000,000 (2023)
Firstfleet, Inc. (DOT: 313891) was established in 1986 and is based in Tennessee. The company specializes in transporting a range of cargo, including beverages, general freight, paper products, and refrigerated foods. They employ various types of drivers, such as regional, dedicated, LTL, OTR, and local drivers, and also offer opportunities for owner-operators.
Firstfleet provides numerous driver benefits, including dental, disability, life, and vision insurance, as well as tuition reimbursement, paid CDL training, and retirement plan 401(k). Additional perks include flexible scheduling, guaranteed home time, per diem payments, and deadhead detention layover compensation. The company also offers a truck lease purchase program and sign-on bonuses.
Employee reviews on platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed highlight positive aspects such as competitive benefits, guaranteed home time, and a supportive management team. Common negative feedback points to occasional disorganization in route assignments and challenges in maintaining work-life balance. The company holds a satisfactory safety rating.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Local
- Dedicated
- Owner/operator
- LTL
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Paid CDL training
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 259
- Unsafe driving: 1.15
- Driver fitness: 0.04
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.08
- Vehicle maintenance: 3.04
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Venture Express, Inc.
304 Robert Rose Drive, Murfreesboro, TN, 37129- Salary range: $50,000-$70,000
- Routes: interstate
- Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
- Tuition reimbursement: true
- Power units: 722
- Drivers: 819
- Revenue: $1,690
- Miles driven: 68,900,000 (2024)
Venture Express, Inc. (DOT: 192068) is a well-established freight trucking company based in Tennessee. Since its founding, Venture Express has built a reputation for transporting a wide variety of cargo, including building materials, general freight, metal sheets and rolls, and paper products. The company primarily hires regional, hazmat, OTR, flatbed, and tanker drivers, offering dedicated routes and team driving opportunities.
Venture Express provides its drivers with substantial benefits such as health, dental, and life insurance, paid time off, and a comprehensive retirement plan. They also offer direct deposit, tuition reimbursement, safety bonuses, and a truck lease purchase program. Employee reviews on Glassdoor and Indeed highlight the company’s competitive pay range of $50,000-$70,000 and reliable home time, though some note the need for better route organization and work-life balance.
Driver Options
- OTR
- Regional
- Dedicated
- Flatbed
- Tanker
- HAZMAT
- Specialized
- Owner/operator
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k)
- PTO
- Guaranteed home time
- Flexible scheduling
- Dedicated routes
- Truck lease-to-purchase program
- Ongoing training
- Tuition reimbursement
- Deadhead compensation
- Rider & pet allowances
- Sign-on bonus
- Safety bonus
Safety
CSA safety score: Satisfactory
- Crashes: 53
- Unsafe driving: 0.96
- Driver fitness: 0.04
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.06
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.04
- Controlled substances: 0.01
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
Local Trucking Companies In Tennessee
Looking for a local company to work with? Check out these resources:
What To Look for in Tennessee Trucking Companies
Choosing the right trucking company is crucial for your career satisfaction and growth. Here are key factors to consider when evaluating potential employers in Tennessee:
- Pay and benefits: Competitive salaries, health insurance, retirement plans, and bonuses.
- Work-life balance: Flexible scheduling and the ability to choose routes that fit your lifestyle.
- Company reputation: A strong reputation for treating drivers well and providing a supportive work environment.
- Career growth opportunities: Availability of training, mentorship, and pathways for advancement within the company.
Types of Driving Jobs Available
Trucking companies in Tennessee offer a variety of driving positions to suit different preferences and experiences:
- Long-haul driving: Ideal for those who enjoy cross-country routes and extended time on the road.
- Regional driving: Perfect for drivers who want to stay closer to home while still covering significant distances.
- Local driving: Best for those who prefer daily routes and the ability to return home each night.
- Specialized driving: Opportunities to drive tankers, flatbeds, refrigerated trucks, and more.
How To Choose the Right Company for Your Career Goals
Selecting the best trucking company for your career goals requires careful consideration:
- Assess your priorities. Determine what’s most important to you — whether it’s pay, benefits, route type, or company culture.
- Research companies. Look into each company’s reputation, employee reviews, and the benefits they offer.
- Talk to current employees. Get insights from current or former drivers about their experiences.
- Consider long-term growth. Choose a company that offers opportunities for career development and advancement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions truckers have when considering employment with trucking companies in Tennessee.
Is a truck driving career worth it in Tennessee?
Truck driving may be a good career to pursue in Tennessee. While trucking can be a stressful and sometimes dangerous occupation, drivers can earn an income in line with those demands. Trucking offers a high degree of job security, as well, since the industry is an essential component of the overall economy. And truck driving careers offer flexibility in scheduling and the ability to grow through ongoing training.
Which company in Tennessee offers the best benefits for long-haul drivers?
Covenant Logistics is known for offering outstanding benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and bonuses
What type of driving jobs are most available in Tennessee?
Most companies in Tennessee are hiring for long-haul and regional positions, with some offering specialized roles as well.
What is the best trucking company for new drivers in Tennessee?
Covenant Logistics is known for paid CDL training, as well as ongoing training programs, and offers competitive starting salaries.
How To Apply
Ready to take the next step in your trucking career? Here’s how to apply to the top trucking companies in Tennessee:
- Prepare your resume. Highlight your driving experience, certifications, and any specialized skills.
- Research the companies. Visit their career pages to learn more about the job openings and company culture.
- Submit your application. Apply online through the company’s website or job boards like Indeed or Glassdoor.
- Follow up. After applying, follow up with the company to express your continued interest and inquire about the next steps.