Updated July 2026
Best Trucking Companies in Appleton, Wisconsin (July 2026)
Appleton, Wisconsin's W2 trucking market includes 322 active carriers as of July 2026. True Transport Inc. leads with an average weekly pay of $2,250. Forest Brook Trucking LLC follows at $1,600/week. Wisconsin freight moves on I-90 / I-94 through Milwaukee and Madison, with dairy and food processing as the dominant outbound commodity and paper and packaging manufacturing in the Fox River Valley generating consistent industrial loads.
What changed in July 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
The trucking companies leading Appleton, Wisconsin this month
The top of the list is True Transport Inc. at $2,250/week. A few names below the top earn more on a weekly-pay basis but rank lower on the composite.
#1True Transport Inc. — $2,250/wk
True Transport Inc. tops the Appleton, Wisconsin ranking with the strongest composite score across pay, safety, benefits, and operational signals. True Transport Inc. pays above the 92nd percentile on weekly pay for the Appleton, Wisconsin market. On unsafe-driving avoidance, the carrier ranks in the 99th percentile per FMCSA SAFER data. True Transport Inc. responds to driver applications more reliably than the Appleton, Wisconsin median.
#2Forest Brook Trucking LLC — $1,600/wk
Forest Brook Trucking LLC's top FMCSA dimension is hours-of-service compliance, in the 97th percentile. Forest Brook Trucking LLC responds to driver applications more reliably than the Appleton, Wisconsin median.
#3JK MOVING & STORAGE INC — $2,200/wk
JK MOVING & STORAGE INC's weekly pay ranks in the 95th percentile across Appleton, Wisconsin. JK MOVING & STORAGE INC ranks in the 93rd percentile for unsafe-driving avoidance on FMCSA SAFER data.
Also in the top 10: #4 PREMIER TRANSPORTATION at $1,950/wk, #5 CARGORX DRY CAPACITY at $1,900/wk, #6 Covenant Transport Inc at $1,762/wk, #7 South East Carriers INC at $1,600/wk, #8 PRAIRIE FIELD SERVICES LLC at $1,750/wk, #9 Diaz Stone & Pallet Inc. at $1,750/wk, #10 KEN GRAHAM TRUCKING INC at $2,000/wk.
What Appleton, Wisconsin drivers actually run
19% of Appleton, Wisconsin's active CDL postings are regional and 76% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (5%).
Across Appleton, Wisconsin CDL postings: 2% with guaranteed pay, 25% dedicated, 79% take-truck-home, 65% pet-friendly, 65% riders-allowed.
Appleton, Wisconsin vs Wisconsin: the numbers that diverge
| Appleton, Wisconsin | Wisconsin top 50 | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sign-on bonus rate | 40% | 33% | +7 pt |
| Dedicated routes | 30% | 25% | +5 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, July 2026
Among the figures above, sign-on bonus availability is where Appleton, Wisconsin differs most from Wisconsin — 7 points above statewide.
Driving CDL in Wisconsin
Wisconsin freight moves on I-90 / I-94 through Milwaukee and Madison. Dairy and food processing are dominant outbound commodities — Wisconsin's reefer freight is a national-scale segment. Paper and packaging manufacturing in the Fox River Valley generates consistent industrial loads. Great Lakes ports at Green Bay and Superior handle bulk cargo. Cost of living is moderate. Wisconsin has a high graduated state income tax. Winter is severe — lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan affects the eastern third of the state; ice and salt corrosion eat equipment faster than southern states.
Related guides
- Best owner-operator companies in Appleton, Wisconsin
- CDL driver salary in Appleton, Wisconsin
- Best trucking companies in Wisconsin
How we compile these rankings
The composite score is 30% compensation, 25% FMCSA safety, 25% benefits, and 20% operational performance. Pay percentiles are computed against carriers currently hiring in each market; FMCSA percentiles come from SAFER and weight unsafe-driving and hours-of-service violations 2× heavier than the other three dimensions. Updated July 2026.