Updated May 2026

Best Owner-Operator Companies in Vermont (May 2026)

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525 carriers in Vermont are actively recruiting owner-operators as of May 2026. Each is scored on a composite of compensation, FMCSA safety, benefits, and operational performance. 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. Vermont freight runs on I-89 and I-91 through a small market, with dairy products, specialty food manufacturing, and building materials comprising most loads and seasonal agriculture adding volume in harvest months.

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 Vermont 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 Vermont market on combined gross revenue and ranking score this month. 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 Vermont median.

#2Zmile Inc — $2,987/wk

Zmile Inc's top FMCSA dimension is hours-of-service compliance, in the 98th percentile. Application-response data flags this carrier as a responsive employer.

#3AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC — $2,416/wk

Lanefinder's application data flags AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC as a responsive employer. Weekly pay is guaranteed regardless of miles run.

AD EXPRESS TRUCKING LLC stands alone in Vermont's top 10 on guaranteed pay — every other ranked carrier here pays per-mile or per-load.

Also in the top 10: #4 WIDER GROUP INC at $6,250/wk, #5 D-LINE TRUCKING INC at $5,750/wk, #6 INLAND EMPIRE LLC at $7,875/wk, #7 Rickman Transport, LLC at $9,250/wk, #8 Ali Star Inc at $10,000/wk, #9 BLUE LIGHTNING LOGISTICS at $7,000/wk, #10 TITAN FREIGHT LINES INC at $8,500/wk.

How drivers spend their time on the road in Vermont

Of active CDL postings in Vermont this month, 8% are regional and 91% are OTR (long-haul). Local and semi-local routes account for the remaining 1%.

Across Vermont CDL postings: 1% with guaranteed pay, 28% dedicated, 93% take-truck-home, 74% pet-friendly, 70% riders-allowed.

Driving CDL in Vermont

Vermont freight runs on I-89 and I-91 through a small market with low population density. Dairy products, specialty food manufacturing (Ben & Jerry's, Cabot, others), and building materials comprise most loads. Seasonal agriculture (apples, maple syrup in spring) adds volume. Cost of living is moderate to high; Vermont has a high graduated state income tax. Winter is long and severe; the state's lane network is narrower and more topographically constrained than New England neighbors. Cross-border trade with Quebec adds international-permitting consideration for some lanes.

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.

Cities in Vermont

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Burlington