Updated May 2026
Best Owner-Operator Companies in Lorain, Ohio (May 2026)
649 owner-operator carriers are currently posting jobs in Lorain, Ohio as of May 2026. YANKEE FREIGHT SYSTEMS LLC leads with an average gross weekly revenue of $5,491 and an average $2,000 sign-on bonus. Performance Trucking Inc follows at $8,000/week gross. Ohio sits at the center of the US manufacturing belt, with I-70 / I-71 / I-75 forming a freight grid through Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati and major automotive, steel, and chemical supply chains driving consistent lane demand.
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 Lorain, Ohio differs from the Ohio baseline
| Lorain, Ohio | Ohio top 50 | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $6,291 | $5,665 | +11% |
| Sign-on bonus rate | 22% | 29% | -7 pt |
| Dedicated routes | 51% | 46% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Lorain, Ohio differs most from Ohio — 11% above statewide.
Where owner-operator pay is strongest in Lorain, Ohio this month
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 leads the Lorain, Ohio market on combined gross revenue and ranking score this month. YANKEE FREIGHT SYSTEMS LLC's FMCSA score is strongest on hours-of-service compliance — 98th percentile. Lanefinder's application data flags YANKEE FREIGHT SYSTEMS LLC as a responsive employer.
The top sign-on bonus in Lorain, Ohio's top 10 is YANKEE FREIGHT SYSTEMS LLC's — $2,000.
#2Performance Trucking Inc — $8,000/wk
Performance Trucking Inc's gross weekly revenue ranks in the 93rd percentile across Lorain, Ohio. Top FMCSA dimension here is driver fitness, in the 99th percentile.
#3B & T EXPRESS INC — $6,750/wk
B & T EXPRESS INC's gross weekly revenue ranks in the 85th percentile across Lorain, Ohio. B & T EXPRESS INC's FMCSA score is strongest on driver fitness — 86th percentile.
Also in the top 10: #4 AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC at $2,416/wk, #5 WIDER GROUP INC at $6,250/wk, #6 D-LINE TRUCKING INC at $5,750/wk, #7 Zmile Inc at $2,175/wk, #8 TAZ TRUCKING INC at $10,999/wk, #9 INLAND EMPIRE LLC at $7,875/wk, #10 POPE TRANSPORT INC at $7,000/wk.
Lane mix and benefits across Lorain, Ohio
11% of Lorain, Ohio's active CDL postings are regional and 87% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (2%).
Across Lorain, Ohio CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 27% dedicated, 92% take-truck-home, 73% pet-friendly, 70% riders-allowed.
Driving CDL in Ohio
Ohio sits at the center of the US manufacturing belt and runs about as much through-freight as any state. I-70, I-71, I-75, and the Ohio Turnpike form a freight grid that's flat, generally well-maintained, and forgiving for newer drivers — Ohio is one of the better states to gain initial OTR experience. The Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati metros each anchor distinct lane profiles (auto, distribution, and pharmaceutical respectively). Winter operational risk is real — lake-effect off Erie, freezing rain in the central part of the state — but less extreme than the Great Plains states. Ohio cost of living is below the national average, which makes the income math work better than the headline pay numbers suggest.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Lorain, Ohio
- CDL driver salary in Lorain, Ohio
- Best owner-operator companies in Ohio
Where this data comes from
Pay carriers against each other within the same market (30%). Layer a weighted FMCSA SAFER safety percentile on top (25%). Score the benefits package against what actually matters for the hiring type — W2 health/financial benefits or owner-op operational perks (25%). Finish with operational performance: responsiveness to driver applications plus fleet scale (20%). All percentiles are recomputed monthly. Updated May 2026.