Updated May 2026
Best Owner-Operator Companies in Highland, California (May 2026)
214 carriers in Highland, California are actively recruiting owner-operators as of May 2026. Each is scored on a composite of compensation, FMCSA safety, benefits, and operational performance. Zmile Inc leads with an average gross weekly revenue of $3,233. AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC follows at $2,525/week gross. California freight is dominated by the Port of LA / Long Beach complex, Central Valley agriculture, and the Inland Empire warehouse cluster along I-10 and I-15.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
The owner-operator carriers leading Highland, California this month
The top of the list is Zmile Inc at $3,233/week. A few names below the top earn more on a weekly-pay basis but rank lower on the composite.
#1Zmile Inc — $3,233/wk
Zmile Inc is number-one in Highland, California this month on the composite ranking. Zmile Inc's FMCSA score is strongest on hours-of-service compliance — 98th percentile. Zmile Inc responds to driver applications more reliably than the Highland, California median.
#2AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC — $2,525/wk
Lanefinder's application data flags AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC as a responsive employer. AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC runs a guaranteed-pay structure on the comp package.
For guaranteed weekly pay, AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC is the only top-10 Highland, California carrier offering it.
#3TAZ TRUCKING INC — $10,999/wk
TAZ TRUCKING INC's gross weekly revenue ranks in the 98th percentile across Highland, California. Strongest FMCSA dimension is driver fitness — 83rd percentile.
Despite ranking below #1, TAZ TRUCKING INC outpays the leader on weekly average — $10,999/week.
Also in the top 10: #4 D-LINE TRUCKING INC at $5,750/wk, #5 IKKO LOGISTICS LLC at $8,250/wk, #6 Rickman Transport, LLC at $9,250/wk, #7 Ali Star Inc at $10,000/wk, #8 INLAND EMPIRE LLC at $7,875/wk, #9 GNS TRUCKING INC at $9,000/wk, #10 BLUE LIGHTNING LOGISTICS at $7,000/wk.
Lane mix and benefits across Highland, California
The route mix in Highland, California this month tilts OTR: 10% regional, 84% OTR, 2% local, 4% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Highland, California postings; dedicated routes at 38%; take-truck-home at 85%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 72% and riders-allowed at 69%.
How Highland, California compares to California
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Highland, California sits 14% above the California baseline.
Driving CDL in California
California is one of the toughest states to drive CDL in the country, and one of the most lucrative for the right setup. CARB clean-truck enforcement is the most aggressive in the US, so newer equipment is effectively required for fleet work — if you're owner-op, plan the truck purchase around it. Drayage out of LA / Long Beach and warehouse-rotation work in the Inland Empire pay near the top of the national scale, but cost of living is brutal. The mountain passes (Cajon, Grapevine, Donner) add real winter complexity that most other Southwest lanes don't. Drivers with serious mountain experience earn it back.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Highland, California
- CDL driver salary in Highland, California
- Best owner-operator companies in California
The methodology behind the rankings
Four weighted components. Compensation carries 30% and includes pay percentile, sign-on bonus tier, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement frequency. FMCSA safety carries 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions. Benefits carry 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator carriers. Operational performance carries 20%, measuring application responsiveness and fleet scale. Updated May 2026.