Updated May 2026
Best Owner-Operator Companies in Paterson, New Jersey (May 2026)
Lanefinder is tracking 562 owner-operator carriers in Paterson, New Jersey (May 2026). 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. New Jersey is the primary Northeast freight gateway through Port Newark / Elizabeth — the busiest container port on the East Coast — with the NJ Turnpike (I-95) and dense intermodal facilities serving the New York metro market.
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 Paterson, New Jersey 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 is number-one in Paterson, New Jersey this month on the composite ranking. On hours-of-service compliance, the carrier ranks in the 98th percentile per FMCSA SAFER data. Lanefinder's application data flags YANKEE FREIGHT SYSTEMS LLC as a responsive employer.
#2Zmile Inc — $2,987/wk
Zmile Inc's top FMCSA dimension is hours-of-service compliance, in the 98th percentile. Zmile Inc tracks as a responsive employer on application-response data.
#3AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC — $2,416/wk
AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC responds to driver applications more reliably than the Paterson, New Jersey median. Weekly pay is guaranteed regardless of miles run.
AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC stands alone in Paterson, New Jersey's top 10 on guaranteed pay — every other ranked carrier here pays per-mile or per-load.
Also in the top 10: #4 D-LINE TRUCKING INC at $5,750/wk, #5 TAZ TRUCKING INC at $10,999/wk, #6 INLAND EMPIRE LLC at $7,875/wk, #7 Ali Star Inc at $10,000/wk, #8 BLUE LIGHTNING LOGISTICS at $7,000/wk, #9 M&D TRANSPORT at $7,000/wk, #10 C & G TRANSPORTATION INC at $7,500/wk.
What Paterson, New Jersey drivers actually run
9% of Paterson, New Jersey's active CDL postings are regional and 87% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (4%).
Across Paterson, New Jersey CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 29% dedicated, 90% take-truck-home, 72% pet-friendly, 68% riders-allowed.
Paterson, New Jersey vs New Jersey: the numbers that diverge
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Paterson, New Jersey differs most from New Jersey — 8% above statewide.
Driving CDL in New Jersey
New Jersey is the primary Northeast freight gateway through Port Newark-Elizabeth — the busiest container port on the East Coast — with the NJ Turnpike (I-95) and dense intermodal facilities feeding the New York metro market. Drayage out of the port is the largest single CDL segment. Cost of living is high; New Jersey state income tax is high and graduated (peaks above 10%). Bridge tolls and truck-route restrictions on the Garden State Parkway (no trucks allowed) and certain Hudson crossings add planning overhead. NJ Turnpike traffic is consistently in the worst US tier.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Paterson, New Jersey
- CDL driver salary in Paterson, New Jersey
- Best owner-operator companies in New Jersey
The methodology behind the rankings
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.