Updated July 2026
Best Owner-Operator Companies in Rapid City, South Dakota (July 2026)
Through July 2026, 487 carriers in Rapid City, South Dakota contract owner-operators across the lanes Lanefinder tracks. ROLLING ON WHEELS LLC leads with an average gross weekly revenue of $5,500. INLAND EMPIRE LLC follows at $7,875/week gross. South Dakota freight runs on I-29 north-south and I-90 east-west, with Sioux Falls as the primary distribution hub, and agricultural shipments of corn, soybeans, and cattle accounting for the bulk of statewide load volume.
What changed in July 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
Rapid City, South Dakota vs South Dakota: the numbers that diverge
| Rapid City, South Dakota | South Dakota top 50 | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $7,471 | $6,141 | +22% |
| Sign-on bonus rate | 30% | 24% | +6 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
Among the figures above, average weekly pay is where Rapid City, South Dakota differs most from South Dakota — 22% above statewide.
Where owner-operator pay is strongest in Rapid City, South Dakota this month
The top of the list is ROLLING ON WHEELS LLC at $5,500/week. A few names below the top earn more on a weekly-pay basis but rank lower on the composite.
#1ROLLING ON WHEELS LLC — $5,500/wk
ROLLING ON WHEELS LLC tops the Rapid City, South Dakota ranking with the strongest composite score across pay, safety, benefits, and operational signals. ROLLING ON WHEELS LLC's top FMCSA dimension is driver fitness, in the 96th percentile. ROLLING ON WHEELS LLC responds to driver applications more reliably than the Rapid City, South Dakota median.
#2INLAND EMPIRE LLC — $7,875/wk
INLAND EMPIRE LLC pays above the 84th percentile on gross weekly revenue for the Rapid City, South Dakota market.
#3WINNERS TRANSPORTATION LLC — $2,437/wk
WINNERS TRANSPORTATION LLC's FMCSA score is strongest on hours-of-service compliance — 96th percentile. Lanefinder's application data flags WINNERS TRANSPORTATION LLC as a responsive employer.
Also in the top 10: #4 Rickman Transport, LLC at $9,250/wk, #5 WIDER GROUP INC at $6,250/wk, #6 OVERLOG INC at $3,613/wk, #7 GNS TRUCKING INC at $9,000/wk, #8 Ali Star Inc at $10,000/wk, #9 ADAMS TRUCKING INC at $4,750/wk, #10 BLUE LIGHTNING LOGISTICS at $7,000/wk.
Lane mix and benefits across Rapid City, South Dakota
Of active CDL postings in Rapid City, South Dakota this month, 6% are regional and 93% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 1%.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Rapid City, South Dakota postings; dedicated routes at 26%; take-truck-home at 93%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 75% and riders-allowed at 73%.
Driving CDL in South Dakota
South Dakota freight runs on I-29 north-south and I-90 east-west, with Sioux Falls as the primary distribution hub. Agricultural shipments of corn, soybeans, and cattle account for the bulk of statewide load volume. Cost of living is among the lowest in the country, and South Dakota has no state income tax — both meaningful for drivers based here. Winter on the I-90 stretch through the prairie is severe (drifting snow, ice). Western SD is genuinely remote — long fuel-stop gaps. Cattle hauling in the western half is a distinct seasonal segment.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Rapid City, South Dakota
- CDL driver salary in Rapid City, South Dakota
- Best owner-operator companies in South Dakota
How we compile these rankings
Compensation (30%): pay percentile + sign-on bonus + guaranteed pay + settlement frequency. FMCSA safety (25%): weighted percentile across vehicle maintenance, unsafe driving, hours-of-service, driver fitness, and controlled substances. Benefits (25%): hiring-type-aware. Operational (20%): driver-application responsiveness, modulated by fleet scale. Updated July 2026.