Updated September 2026
Best Owner-Operator Companies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (September 2026)
Through September 2026, 602 carriers in Cedar Rapids, Iowa contract owner-operators across the lanes Lanefinder tracks. RAY'S TRANSPORT INC leads with an average gross weekly revenue of $8,500 and an average $2,000 sign-on bonus. WINNERS TRANSPORTATION LLC follows at $2,657/week gross. Iowa freight is shaped by its agricultural output — corn, soybeans, and ethanol — moving on I-80 east-west and I-35 north-south, with Des Moines serving as the primary distribution crossroads.
What changed in September 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How Cedar Rapids, Iowa compares to Iowa
| Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Iowa top 50 | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $6,321 | $5,363 | +18% |
| Riders-allowed policies | 90% | 82% | +8 pt |
| Dedicated routes | 44% | 39% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, September 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Cedar Rapids, Iowa differs most from Iowa — 18% above statewide.
Where owner-operator pay is strongest in Cedar Rapids, Iowa this month
The top of the list is RAY'S TRANSPORT INC at $8,500/week. A few names below the top earn more on a weekly-pay basis but rank lower on the composite.
#1RAY'S TRANSPORT INC — $8,500/wk
RAY'S TRANSPORT INC tops the Cedar Rapids, Iowa ranking with the strongest composite score across pay, safety, benefits, and operational signals. RAY'S TRANSPORT INC's gross weekly revenue ranks in the 94th percentile across Cedar Rapids, Iowa. RAY'S TRANSPORT INC ranks in the 87th percentile for driver fitness on FMCSA SAFER data. RAY'S TRANSPORT INC tracks as a responsive employer on application-response data.
#2WINNERS TRANSPORTATION LLC — $2,657/wk
WINNERS TRANSPORTATION LLC's FMCSA score is strongest on driver fitness — 92nd percentile. Driver applications get a faster-than-median response in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
#3LOAD MONSTER INC — $5,125/wk
LOAD MONSTER INC's FMCSA score is strongest on hours-of-service compliance — 96th percentile. LOAD MONSTER INC responds to driver applications more reliably than the Cedar Rapids, Iowa median.
Also in the top 10: #4 WESTERN MOUNTAIN TRANSPORT INC at $8,750/wk, #5 WIDER GROUP INC at $6,250/wk, #6 BLUE LIGHTNING LOGISTICS at $7,000/wk, #7 Ali Star Inc at $10,000/wk, #8 C & G TRANSPORTATION INC at $7,500/wk, #9 AIA TRUCKING INC at $3,450/wk, #10 JK MOVING & STORAGE INC at $4,975/wk.
Lane mix and benefits across Cedar Rapids, Iowa
The route mix in Cedar Rapids, Iowa this month tilts OTR: 8% regional, 92% OTR, 0% local, 0% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Cedar Rapids, Iowa postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 93%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 74% and riders-allowed at 70%.
Driving CDL in Iowa
Iowa freight is shaped by the state's agricultural output — corn, soybeans, ethanol, pork — moving on the I-80 east-west and I-35 north-south corridors. Des Moines serves as the primary distribution crossroads. Cedar Rapids and Davenport (Quad Cities) add manufacturing and food-processing freight. Iowa runs a moderate graduated state income tax; living costs are among the lowest in the Midwest. Winter is severe — wind off the prairie plus drifting snow plus black ice on I-80 makes route timing genuinely consequential from December through March.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- CDL driver salary in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Best owner-operator companies in Iowa
The methodology behind the rankings
Rankings combine four signals: compensation (30%) including pay percentile, sign-on bonuses, guaranteed pay, and settlement frequency; FMCSA safety (25%); benefits (25%) scored differently for W2 vs owner-operator carriers; and operational performance (20%) measuring employer responsiveness and fleet scale. Recomputed monthly from real active job postings. Updated September 2026.