Updated May 2026
Best Owner-Operator Companies in Lakewood, Colorado (May 2026)
As of May 2026, 476 carriers in Lakewood, Colorado are posting active jobs for owner-operators. YANKEE FREIGHT SYSTEMS LLC leads with an average gross weekly revenue of $5,491 and an average $2,000 sign-on bonus. Zmile Inc follows at $2,987/week gross. Colorado trucking centers on the I-25 / I-70 cross at Denver, with energy-sector freight from the Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin's Niobrara play in Weld County and growing produce flows out of the Western Slope.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Where Lakewood, Colorado differs from the Colorado baseline
| Lakewood, Colorado | Colorado top 50 | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $6,868 | $5,664 | +21% |
| Dedicated routes | 53% | 39% | +14 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Lakewood, Colorado sits 21% above the Colorado baseline.
Lakewood, Colorado's top owner-operator carriers right now
The top of the list is YANKEE FREIGHT SYSTEMS LLC at $5,491/week. A few names below the top earn more on a weekly-pay basis but rank lower on the composite.
#1YANKEE FREIGHT SYSTEMS LLC — $5,491/wk
YANKEE FREIGHT SYSTEMS LLC is number-one in Lakewood, Colorado this month on the composite ranking. On hours-of-service compliance, the carrier ranks in the 98th percentile per FMCSA SAFER data. YANKEE FREIGHT SYSTEMS LLC responds to driver applications more reliably than the Lakewood, Colorado median.
#2Zmile Inc — $2,987/wk
Zmile Inc ranks in the 98th percentile for hours-of-service compliance on FMCSA SAFER data. Application-response data flags this carrier as a responsive employer.
#3INDIAN CREEK EXPRESS LLC — $7,000/wk
INDIAN CREEK EXPRESS LLC's gross weekly revenue ranks in the 85th percentile across Lakewood, Colorado. Top FMCSA dimension here is driver fitness, in the 98th percentile.
Also in the top 10: #4 TAZ TRUCKING INC at $10,999/wk, #5 D-LINE TRUCKING INC at $5,750/wk, #6 WIDER GROUP INC at $6,250/wk, #7 AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC at $2,300/wk, #8 INLAND EMPIRE LLC at $7,875/wk, #9 Rickman Transport, LLC at $9,250/wk, #10 Ali Star Inc at $10,000/wk.
How drivers spend their time on the road in Lakewood, Colorado
Of active CDL postings in Lakewood, Colorado this month, 7% are regional and 91% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 2%.
Across Lakewood, Colorado CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 94% take-truck-home, 76% pet-friendly, 73% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Colorado
Colorado trucking centers on the I-25 / I-70 crossroads at Denver, with I-70 westbound the gateway to the Mountain West. Mountain passes and canyons — Eisenhower Tunnel (above 11,000 ft), Vail Pass, and Glenwood Canyon — are the dominant operational variable. Chain laws are aggressively enforced on I-70 from September through May. Elevation affects engine performance, brakes, and HOS realism. Cost of living along the Front Range is high relative to the Mountain West interior. Colorado has a moderate flat state income tax. Western Slope produce, northern Permian energy, and Denver last-mile distribution round out the lane mix.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Lakewood, Colorado
- CDL driver salary in Lakewood, Colorado
- Best owner-operator companies in Colorado
Where this data comes from
Lanefinder's ranking algorithm weights compensation at 30%, FMCSA SAFER safety at 25%, benefits at 25%, and operational performance at 20%. Compensation reflects pay percentile plus sign-on bonus, guaranteed pay, and settlement-frequency adjustments. Benefits scoring is hiring-type-aware. Operational performance comes mostly from how carriers handle real driver applications. Updated May 2026.