Updated May 2026
Best Owner-Operator Companies in Rhode Island (May 2026)
There are 511 owner-operator carriers currently posting jobs in Rhode Island. The ranking below reflects active jobs as of May 2026, not historical pay surveys. 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. Rhode Island is the smallest state by area but sits directly on I-95 connecting Boston and Providence, with the Port of Providence handling bulk cargo and the Providence metro serving as a distribution point for southern New England.
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 owner-operator pay is strongest in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island this month on the composite ranking. YANKEE FREIGHT SYSTEMS LLC ranks in the 98th percentile for hours-of-service compliance on FMCSA SAFER data. The carrier tracks as a responsive employer on Lanefinder's data.
#2Zmile Inc — $2,987/wk
Zmile Inc ranks in the 98th percentile for hours-of-service compliance on FMCSA SAFER data. Lanefinder's application data flags Zmile Inc as a responsive employer.
#3AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC — $2,416/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.
Among Rhode Island's top 10, only AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC pays guaranteed weekly wages — useful if route variance matters.
Also in the top 10: #4 D-LINE TRUCKING INC at $5,750/wk, #5 INLAND EMPIRE LLC at $7,875/wk, #6 Rickman Transport, LLC at $9,250/wk, #7 Ali Star Inc at $10,000/wk, #8 BLUE LIGHTNING LOGISTICS at $7,000/wk, #9 TITAN FREIGHT LINES INC at $8,500/wk, #10 MEGA TRUCKS INC at $13,500/wk.
Lane mix and benefits across Rhode Island
The route mix in Rhode Island this month tilts OTR: 8% regional, 91% OTR, 0% local, 1% semi-local — drawn from active postings, not historical surveys.
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 1% of Rhode Island postings; dedicated routes at 27%; take-truck-home at 93%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 73% and riders-allowed at 70%.
Driving CDL in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is the smallest US state by area but sits directly on I-95 connecting Boston and Providence, putting it in the dense Northeast freight corridor. The Port of Providence handles bulk cargo (oil and aggregates especially). The Providence metro serves as a regional distribution point for southern New England. Cost of living is high; Rhode Island has a moderate graduated state income tax. The state's small geography means most regional drivers based here spend significant time in MA, CT, and NY — treat RI as an I-95 transit waypoint.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Rhode Island
- CDL driver salary in Rhode Island
- Best owner-operator companies in the United States
The methodology behind the rankings
Pay carriers in the same market against each other (30% of the score). Add a five-dimension FMCSA safety percentile from SAFER (25%). Score benefits based on whether the carrier hires W2 drivers or contractors (25%). Layer on employer responsiveness and fleet scale (20%). The weights are fixed and public. Updated May 2026.